Thousands join Black Out Speak Out campaign
05/24/2012
Since many of Canada’s leading environmental groups, including Nature Canada, launched the Black Out Speak Out campaign on May 7, more than 100 other groups and 13,000 individuals have joined us in opposition to the federal government’s attacks on nature and democracy. That’s some great momentum!
Black Out Speak Out (or Silence, on parle!, in French) invites organizations, businesses and citizens from across Canada to speak out against changes introduced in the federal government’s budget act (C-38) by darkening their websites and taking other actions on June 4.
It’s great to see that the campaign is drawing supporters not only from within the environmental community, but from other sectors as well. Here are just some public statements made today:
“The insult to charities is an insult to half the Canadian population — both those who donate their time and those who donate their money, in an attempt to help others. Taxpayers’ money should not be wasted in smear campaigns and in multi-auditing organizations they don’t like in a blatant attempt to pester them into oblivion. Whatever your political affiliations, if you believe in free and open democracy, now is the time to speak out.” —Margaret Atwood, Canadian author.
“I don’t agree with much of what these groups say, but I firmly believe in their right to freely express their views. For the government to restrict free expression is wrong; democracy is better served when more voices are heard.” — Gerry Nicholls, former vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition.
“This budget bill is just another step in a wider crack-down on dissenting voices.This government wants to pass laws—including one aimed at trade unions—that directly target voices it doesn’t like.” — Ken Neumann, United Steelworkers National Director for Canada.
“Few have been, and still are, censored more than the lesbian and gay community. And charities that serve us often deal with controversial social issues. We’re Canada’s largest and leading gay and lesbian media group and we’re proud to be involved. Charities have the right to say things some people don’t like. — Gareth Kirkby, director of engagement for Pink Triangle Press (Xtra).
“We see all around the world what happens when public debate is stifled and dissenting voices are intimidated. In Canada when some charities are targeted, all feel threatened and everyone loses out.” — Oxfam Canada executive director Robert Fox.
There’s a full list of partners on the campaign web site.
Black Out Speak Out is a joint project of CAPE, CPAWS, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecojustice, Environmental Defence, Equiterre, Greenpeace, Nature Canada, Pembina Institute, Sierra Club Canada, West Coast Environmental Law, and WWF Canada.
