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Calgary Herald
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Ahead of G7 summit, protesters gather at Calgary city hall to 'raise our voices'
A sea of people gathered outside Calgary city hall Sunday, some coming alone, others with groups, but everyone shared the same goal of having their message heard ahead of the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis. Article content The Municipal Plaza in downtown Calgary is one of three designated protest zones in the city set up as part of the gathering of world leaders. Article content Article content The demonstrations included a rally at noon that highlighted Indigenous water right, Calgary's Amhara community calling to end a genocide in their homeland, and around 100 individuals calling for peace in Kashmir. Article content Article content Article content Member of Calgary's Amhara community, Yohannes Asfaw, said his group was there to serve as a voice for the voiceless Amhara people, currently in conflict with the Ethiopian Government. Article content His group was calling on the G7 leaders to end the conflict and help bring peace to the region. Article content 'We want peace,' Asfaw said. Article content Mary Oxendale Spensley, along with her fellow Calgary Raging Grannies, said it was interesting to be part of the multi-organization rally. Article content Article content 'As far as I know, we are all here for progressive causes,' Spensley said. 'We are here for human rights.' Article content Article content For Diane Houston, she said she originally came to the demonstration zone alone. Not too soon after, Houston became acquainted with others who support the No Kings movement in the U.S., in protest of President Donald Trump's policies and actions during his second presidency. Article content Another independent protester, Heather Harrigan, held signs and waved Canadian flags to commuters who honked their support near the rally. Article content She said it is wonderful to see the support from community members who shared the same love of Canada. Article content 'People seem to be understand that when they see our flag, are pro-our country,' she said. 'We live in Canada and we love this country.' Article content
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
B.C.-Washington border communities rally for peace amid rising political tensions
The towering Peace Arch monument, standing on the Canada-U.S. border between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash., bears two inscriptions: "Children of a Common Mother" on the U.S. side, and "Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity" on the Canadian side. On Saturday morning, dozens of residents from both countries gathered at its base for a rally calling for unity and friendship amid rising tensions between Canada and the U.S. Attendees held signs condemning U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about annexing Canada as the 51st state, while others sang songs and chanted slogans, hoping diplomacy and goodwill would prevail over the strained relations between the two neighbours. Among them, a trio from the Bellingham-based activist group Raging Grannies dedicated a song to the bond between the two nations. Attendees held signs hoping diplomacy and goodwill would prevail over the strained relations between the two neighbours. (Sohrab Sandhu/CBC) "We understand the situation and support the things you do, the rage you feel is really just, though we will miss you until it's over..." they sang. Haidee Landry, one of the event's organizers from Langley, B.C., said the gathering, dubbed the "Peace, Love, and a Handshake" rally, was about showing solidarity while making it clear that Canada will remain a strong and sovereign nation. "We want them to still come … come for a coffee, come for a meal, we still love you," she said of B.C.'s American neighbours. "But we don't want to live with you, we don't want to be your roommates." Landry added that many Americans she has spoken to disagree with the steps taken by the Trump administration and have voiced their support for Canada. But Canadians, she said, are firm in their decision to avoid cross-border travel as an act of resistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nine-hectare Peace Arch park that straddles the 49th parallel served as a loophole for loved ones separated by border closures. Now, Landry said, the park is once again a meeting place for those seeking common ground. The Canada-U.S. Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, B.C., where people from both sides of the border gathered Saturday. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Mary Lou Steward, mayor of Blaine, Wash., a border town of about 6,200, said the decision by many Canadians to avoid entering the U.S. is already taking an economic toll. "People are seeing their business down 30 per cent," said Steward, who was also in attendance. "We value the Canadians coming across, I understand they're angry … we'll get beyond this, we'll work hard to repair the relationship, which this monument stands for." Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, said the absence of Canadian shoppers is striking. "This is like COVID all over again," he told CBC News during an interview earlier this week. "You can see it in the Costco parking lot, at Trader Joe's. Canadians are voting with their wallets right now. That's what's happening." Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a sharp decline in cross-border travel, with nearly 500,000 fewer Canadian travellers entering the U.S. in February compared to the same month last year. The number of B.C. drivers heading south through the Peace Arch border crossing has also dropped significantly this year, according to data from the Whatcom Council of Governments. A rolling 30-day average of crossings through the border shows about a 25 per cent decrease compared to 2024. WATCH | B.C. cross-border traffic drops 25% amid tariffs and Trump's threats: "We're only two months into a four-year administration. If they keep this up there will be no Canadians coming down here — there will be a 100 per cent boycott of this country," Saunders said. For some attendees Saturday, the rally was a way to push back against the rhetoric coming from Washington, D.C. "I am sorry, Canada … most of us do not agree with what Trump is doing," said Jim Kosa, a Bellingham resident. "It's atrocious the way that my country is treating Canada." As the rally concluded, participants lined up for a handshake, reminiscent of a postgame tradition in sports. (Sohrab Sandhu/CBC) As the rally wrapped up, attendees formed a line and shook hands, mirroring a kind of postgame handshake. Landry said the event will return next weekend to keep the dialogue open and reaffirm their commitment to maintaining the friendship between the two nations.
CBC
23-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C.-Washington border communities rally for peace amid rising political tensions
The towering Peace Arch monument, standing on the Canada-U.S. border between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash., bears two inscriptions: "Children of a Common Mother" on the U.S. side, and "Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity" on the Canadian side. On Saturday morning, dozens of residents from both countries gathered at its base for a rally calling for unity and friendship amid rising tensions between Canada and the U.S. Attendees held signs condemning U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about annexing Canada as the 51st state, while others sang songs and chanted slogans, hoping diplomacy and goodwill would prevail over the strained relations between the two neighbours. Among them, a trio from the Bellingham-based activist group Raging Grannies dedicated a song to the bond between the two nations. "We understand the situation and support the things you do, the rage you feel is really just, though we will miss you until it's over..." they sang. Haidee Landry, one of the event's organizers from Langley, B.C., said the gathering, dubbed the "Peace, Love, and a Handshake" rally, was about showing solidarity while making it clear that Canada will remain a strong and sovereign nation. "We want them to still come … come for a coffee, come for a meal, we still love you," she said of B.C.'s American neighbours. "But we don't want to live with you, we don't want to be your roommates." Landry added that many Americans she has spoken to disagree with the steps taken by the Trump administration and have voiced their support for Canada. But Canadians, she said, are firm in their decision to avoid cross-border travel as an act of resistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nine-hectare Peace Arch park that straddles the 49th parallel served as a loophole for loved ones separated by border closures. Now, Landry said, the park is once again a meeting place for those seeking common ground. Mary Lou Steward, mayor of Blaine, Wash., a border town of about 6,200, said the decision by many Canadians to avoid entering the U.S. is already taking an economic toll. "People are seeing their business down 30 per cent," said Steward, who was also in attendance. "We value the Canadians coming across, I understand they're angry … we'll get beyond this, we'll work hard to repair the relationship, which this monument stands for." Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, said the absence of Canadian shoppers is striking. "This is like COVID all over again," he told CBC News during an interview earlier this week. "You can see it in the Costco parking lot, at Trader Joe's. Canadians are voting with their wallets right now. That's what's happening." Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a sharp decline in cross-border travel, with nearly 500,000 fewer Canadian travellers entering the U.S. in February compared to the same month last year. The number of B.C. drivers heading south through the Peace Arch border crossing has also dropped significantly this year, according to data from the Whatcom Council of Governments. A rolling 30-day average of crossings through the border shows about a 25 per cent decrease compared to 2024. WATCH | B.C. cross-border traffic drops 25% amid tariffs and Trump's threats: B.C. cross-border traffic drops 25% amid tariffs and Trump's threats 3 days ago Duration 1:37 As Trump's talk of tariffs and annexation continue, data shows British Columbians are choosing to cross into the U.S. less. Justin McElroy examined the numbers and found a 25 per cent decrease in B.C. cars heading south over the past month, with some days seeing up to a 50 per cent decline compared to last year. "We're only two months into a four-year administration. If they keep this up there will be no Canadians coming down here — there will be a 100 per cent boycott of this country," Saunders said. For some attendees Saturday, the rally was a way to push back against the rhetoric coming from Washington, D.C. "I am sorry, Canada … most of us do not agree with what Trump is doing," said Jim Kosa, a Bellingham resident. "It's atrocious the way that my country is treating Canada." As the rally wrapped up, attendees formed a line and shook hands, mirroring a kind of postgame handshake.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rachel Maddow: As GOP lawmakers face angry voters, Trump doubles down on another unpopular policy
This is an adapted excerpt from the March 18 episode of "The Rachel Maddow Show." Some Republican lawmakers supporting President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's slash-and-burn rampage against the federal government are facing incredible blowback in their home districts. In deep-red Idaho on Monday, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo gave a speech at a paid ticketed event in Boise. He was met with hundreds of people, including many military veterans, who stood outside protesting the senator, demanding that he try to stop Trump. In deep-red West Virginia, large crowds were asked to move their demonstration outside of the Morgantown offices of Republican Rep. Riley Moore. In middle Georgia, the top story in the local news Monday night was the constituents of Republican Rep. Austin Scott, again including many military veterans, demanding that he meet with them and take a stand against what Trump is doing. They convened in the parking lot outside Scott's district office. In Colorado Springs, an image of Republican Rep. Jeff Crank was made into a cardboard cutout and propped up as hundreds of his constituents protested his not standing up to Trump and refusing to meet with them about it. In Greensboro, North Carolina, nearly 1,000 people turned up for a town hall with Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, at which the senator was represented by an empty chair — almost 1,000 people mocking Tillis for refusing to meet with them and for being too chicken to stand up to Trump. The event even began with an appearance from the Raging Grannies, a singing activist group, who performed a song called 'Oh, Tillis, Please Just Do Your Job,' to the tune of 'Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In.' But for all the different ways that Trump and Musk — his top campaign donor and now one of his top advisers — are terrifying and turning off their own voters, there's one element of what the president is doing that is so radically out of step with the American people that I don't think it's sustainable in normal democratic terms. According to a new NBC News poll, 61% of Americans say they sympathize more with Ukraine, while only 2% say they sympathize with Russia. When those same Americans were asked where they believe Trump's sympathies lie, 49% said Russia and just 8% said Ukraine. Overall, Trump is underwater 13 points on his handling of the war between Russia and Ukraine. When asked about their view on Russia generally, the proportion of Americans who view the country positively is 6%. The proportion of those who view Russia negatively, according to the poll, is 68%. Only 3% of Americans have a positive view of Russian President Vladimir Putin, while 84% have a negative view. Those are the views of the American people. Keep that in mind when you consider Trump's phone call with Putin this week. Amid all the other chaos Trump has been wreaking on our government — the administration's crackdown on Social Security, which an internal memo says could force up to 85,000 retired and disabled Americans to physically go in person to Social Security offices every week; the disaster scene at Food and Drug Administration headquarters, where they told 10,000 people to show up at an office that has 6,000 parking places and no chairs and limited office supplies; and the news that the administration fired hundreds of operators and engineers servicing hydroelectric dams in 17 states — amid all of that chaos, the president chose to spend over two hours Tuesday on the phone with Putin. A man who, again, has a 3% approval rating with the American people. After the president got off the phone, NBC News reported the Trump administration is considering undertaking a significant restructuring of the U.S. military's combatant commands. That plan would include the U.S. giving up the role of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, according to two defense officials familiar with the planning and a Pentagon briefing reviewed by NBC News. This isn't something Trump campaigned on. In fact, the president is doing a lot of things he never campaigned on. He's talking about invading Mexico, taking over Canada, going to war with Denmark — which means NATO — in order to take Greenland. He wants to seize Gaza. He wants to invade Panama. He didn't talk about this at rallies; he didn't publish tweets about it; he didn't air ads about it; he didn't campaign on it. It's just what he's apparently planning on doing now that he's in office — while he talks frequently, and at length, with his friend Putin. When that NBC News poll came out this week, pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, who conducted the survey along with GOP pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies, talked about those Putin and Russia numbers, noting how far apart the American people are from their president on this one, honestly bizarre issue. 'I cannot recall a moment in history when American public opinion and voters' views of a president, as to which country they are more aligned with, have been more in conflict with each other,' he said. The American people are against Putin. The American president is very much for him. This, amid everything else, is a test for us — because that should be unsustainable in a democracy. This article was originally published on
