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2004 Health Care Rally Report by Grannie Ria Heynen Participating Grans: Sara, Rosalie, Jo, Alma, Judith, Pat, Ria Noon time September 8 brought the Grannies to the Ottawa Conference Center to join the many union members who had gathered for a Health Care Rally. Inside the building were the Provincial Premiers and Prime Minister Paul Martin talking about Health Care in Canada. They needed a boost from us to stay on the right track and not to sell out our public health care. We listened to the speeches, and labour members gave out red shirts and little flags, which made it quite colourful. Pamphlets were distributed to bystanders and passers-by.  The Grans did not
sing, but we were in our attire and had the big banner: P3 HEALTHCARE
MAKES US SICK! We also had some signs: a crossed out Public
Private Partnership -P3-, in case some people would not know what P3
stands for!!The Rally did not last very long, but people stayed for their 'free hotdogs and pop lunch'. This type of lunch did not make sense to us Grannies and I have written a note to one of the organizers expressing our concern about this. After all we know too well that such types of food can eventually result in health problems, which cost Canadians dearly. The Grans took the banner and pamphlets to nearby Spark Street Mall and stopped several times to sing our healthcare song; lots of people were there to listen to us. We saw Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, with a whole bunch of union members and we sang especially for them as well. The Sparks Street Demo was the most rewarding part of the event for us Grannies. It was a most gorgeous day and we had fun. August 25, 2004 Anti BMD Gathering on the Hill. by Grannie Ria Grannies present: Pat, Sara, Alma, Judy, Rosalie, Kristina, Ria The Polaris Institute organized a demonstration on Parliament Hill, coinciding with the Liberal Caucus meetings. The Grannies were asked to sing some songs and be there with banner and signs. It was all organized at the last moment, but because the press was expected to hang around the place, it was felt not to be a problem: we would get some attention for sure.  The
organizers also had a promise from MP Carolyn Parrish (one of the
anti-BMD Liberal MP's) that she would come outside and make a
statement. A few other speakers were invited as well.At 12.45 PM the small crowd of about 50 people moved toward the building and to the door from where we expected Ms. Parrish to come. The RCMP did not allow this and we had to move back to the grassy area. After some speeches and our gaggle singing our raging anti BMD songs, Ms. Parrish arrived and the rest is history... Her speech was great. She covered all the negative aspects of BMD clearly and with gusto. But one statement made it really clear what she thinks of the whole program: "Let's not join the Coalition of the Idiots, but let's join the Coalition of the Wise!" As expected, after she finished her speech the media swarmed around her and that was more or less the end of our demo!! The whole situation was quite hilarious. The outcome was that this tiny little event made it as first news item on many stations; that was quite an achievement. Did her statement do damage or good to the cause? I believe we gained; the coverage it created in the news was enormous. It surely fired up the Grannies, with the result that we will be in the Market area on September 2 at noon, with our signs, our hand-outs and our voices, declaring loud and clear that indeed BMD IS INSANE!! Ria Heynen Photo by YayaCanada.com GET THE FACTS ABOUT CANADA'S ROLE IN MISSILE DEFENCE
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Ottawa
Raging Grannies