I was reading Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and composing my review while thinking about times in history that featured non-violent protests. I read Gandhi’s autobiography, My Story of My Experiments with Truth, and along with King’s letter, one of the main things that stood out for me was their concern for their fellow man. While King is attempting to bring attention to racial injustice, the two main themes that ran throughout his letter were LOVE and BROTHERHOOD. And both men, while fighting peacefully for what they believed, actively tried to cultivate within themselves traits that would make them better human beings, traits that would foster unity, empathy, patience and love towards others. With all the turmoil, division and angst all over the world, it was a joy to read a narrative that, in spite of addressing negative issues, was positive in its make-up. Internally, I was lamenting the dearth of such leadership and sentiments today. And nothing similar would never happen in Canada, a country full of very compliant, quiet, obedient citizens. Until ….
On January 23, 2022, a con~voy of truckers left Delta, B.C. headed for our capital city of Ottawa. Why? As a peaceful protest against vac~cine mandates, but more, I believe, a peaceful protest against government over-reach, a peaceful protest over media dishonesty, a protest against hundreds of unelected officials who have been making numerous rules and regulations over the past two+ years and because of a general frustration at the censorship, the suppression of any opinions that counter the primary narrative, and a change in our system from a democracy to a dictatorship that is increasingly being seen from our federal government. The truckers’ intention is to stay in Ottawa until the mandates are lifted.
Over six million dollars have currently been raised in support. It’s been reported that our Prime Minister has attempted to get the truckers labelled as terrorists and has frozen the funds, which I hope is more rumour than truth. In any case, it’s not stopping them.
I can’t even explain how amazing this has been. The con~voy is gaining trucks and vehicles and at the moment it’s 200 km long and is estimated to include approximately 1.5 million people by the time it reaches Ottawa on Saturday. I’ve been watching posts on social media and it is breathtaking how, from city to town to town to city, hundreds to thousands of people, complete with flags, signs and good-wishes, are lining roadways and overpasses in support, while temperatures hover around -30ºC ( -22ºF ) in many areas. Hundreds are offering food to the con~voy and many are offering places to stay. I can’t count how many times people have written or said that it’s brought tears of joy to their eyes.
If you want to follow the adventure, here is a Face book group that is following their progress: https://www.facebook.com/groups/convoy Generally, it gives live accounts of what is actually happening instead of relying on the media . The comments are mostly very positive and it’s snapshot of what will eventually be history. So follow along, if you like.
https://www.tiktok.com/@juliacianci/video/7057922185142324486?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
Don’t get me wrong. I strongly dislike politics. And I’m not putting this movement on the same level as King’s or Ghandi’s at all. But I love when people support each other and love each other and come together for a purpose. I’m just happy to see love and brotherhood. I’m happy to see positive comments and interactions. I’m happy to see people reaching out and offering food and shelter and help to others. I’m happy to see both the vac~cinated and unvac~cinated together. I love seeing something positive.
On another note in what will eventually be Canadian history, The Honourable Brian Peckford is suing the Canadian government for violating the fundamental rights of the Canadian people. While there are many lawsuits going on at the moment, this one is of particular interest. As former Prime Minister of Newfoundland, Mr. Peckford is the only surviving first minister who participated in the Constitutional process of drafting, writing and agreeing to our current Canadian Charter of Rights (apparently we had a Bill of Rights under John Diefenbaker but it was never finalized). He claims, with strong authority, that every Canadian’s fundamental rights are being violated by all the provincial governments but particularly the federal government, relating to sections 3, 6, 7 and 15 of the Charter with regard to:
- freedom of association
- freedom of expression
- freedom of religion
- freedom of conscience
- freedom of assembly
- freedom of association
- freedom of mobility
- freedom of life, liberty and security of the person
- freedom of equality
While the courts are there to determine the letter of the law but also the spirit of it, who better to be able to communicate both than Brian Peckford? It will be an interesting time. If you want to see Jordan Peterson’s interview with Brian Peckford, bringing a rationality and clarity to the issue, the video is below:
In any case, I will leave you with a quote (which I love) from Gandhi and hope for a better world:
“Man and his deed are two distinct things. Whereas a good deed should call forth approbation and a wicked deed disapprobation, the doer of the deed, whether good or wicked always deserves respect or pity as the case may be. ‘Hate the sin and not the sinner’ is a precept which, though easy enough to understand, is rarely practised, and that is why the poison of hatred spreads in the world …………. It is quite proper to resist and attack a system, but to resist and attack its author is tantamount to resisting and attacking oneself. For we are all tarred with the same brush, and are children of one and the same Creator, and as such the divine powers within us are infinite. To slight a single human being is to slight those divine powers, and thus to harm not only that being but with him the whole world.”
Video #1 courtesy of Shawn Cole
Photo #2 Courtesy of 11417994 on Pixabay
Video #2 courtesy of Julia Cianci
Video #3 from Jordan Peterson’s podcast
i hadn’t heard of this; we’re a bit out of touch… governments all over the planet seem to be messing with their constituencies, it’ll be interesting to see if world wars develop or just more massive military and economic strictures… i see it as the super-rich finally getting together to make “1984” a reality…
Orwell’s ideas are so relevant, aren’t they?
The problem is that governments are breaking the laws, laws that were put in place for a purpose and have lasted generations. They are just arbitrarily making up new ones, but bypassing the processes that normally put laws in place. Once they start subverting justice it just keeps getting worse.
I’m not surprised that you haven’t heard about it. It’s HUGE and the media has chosen almost to ignore it. That, in itself, says something about their integrity, doesn’t it? One person filmed a CBC News crew at a rally of thousands. They set up their cameras at the end of the group and pointed them the other way so it looked like only a few people were there. Deliberate dishonesty. The media is calling the truck convoy a fringe movement and saying that it’s dangerous and blackballing it in any way they can. It’s all lies. All the comments I’ve seen in the social media convoy groups and from the organizers are emphasizing that it’s a “peaceful protest” and they talk about loving and supporting even those who disagree with them (except for Trudeau and I won’t repeat what they say about him). Finally, a movement that is using love to change people instead of hatred. It’s really awesome! So awesome that convoys are starting all over the world.
In any case, thanks for your comment, Mudpuddle. My readers are remaining interestingly silent which is too bad as I think we need something that’s missing in order to bring people closer together; different opinions and the ability to discuss matters with love and respect. One day I hope the ability to practice those two things in unison returns.
Wow.. this ought to be more prominent on US news, but I’ve only heard about it through you and one other person. Either way, it is great to see peaceful activism. <3 There was a big march in DC this past Sunday, too.
It should be but it doesn’t surprise me. I’d been reluctant to believe in media blackouts before but since I’ve been following this event closely and know people who have been there, this reporting has often been completely opposite to the facts. And, of course, they’re trying to make it a political movement, which it isn’t. Today Facebook took down the convoy’s main page just as they were arriving in Ottawa so no one could see the crowds, and apparently the videos are being taken down as fast as they go up on it and other social media sites. I feel I can no longer trust anything the media presents, to know whether it is true or not.
Anyway, about the convoy, I am completely awestruck by the number of people lining the roads and bridges in EVERY SINGLE city and town where they pass by. And it’s completely freezing in most of Canada. Trucks are also coming from the east including Newfoundland where they have to take a ferry to cross. I’ve heard that there are also truckers forming convoys in the US to come up and join them. Today there was a support convoy in the town where I live and again, it was unbelievable the numbers of people, not only in cars and trucks, but lining the streets during their 162 km route.
And it’s an important thing to note that the truckers (and I think your average person) are not against the vaccines; they are against the mandates. There are double and triple vac cinated trucks along with unvac cinated.
I’ll have to look up about the march in DC. I didn’t hear much about it either, lol! 🙄
That’s great to hear! I really hope a policy reversal comes out of this. Either way, the solidarity is inspiring to all of us.
Though I’m sick of everything pandemic related, especially the news, I’ve been following this channel, on and off. Vinay Prasad is a doctor and self-described leftist who is advocating for saner policies and wiser cost/risk analysis. He made quite a bold video about government overreach a while back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2BJkJVGUQ4
If *only* there wasn’t a global Pandemic killing millions of people across the globe – and 850+ thousand just south of you – to explain what the governments around the world are doing right now…. [shakes head]
And all the people I know who died were vaccinated.
Or got Covid. And the boosters. The people I know in the medical profession tell me the vaccine is worthless and there are side effects that we are just finding out about.
I’m not against getting vaccinated. Each do as their conscience leads them. But this is blatant government overreach.
And I happen to have good friends in the UK that are sick of the government over reach in your country.
Fortunately I don’t know anyone who has died of C, nor have the many, many, many people I’ve asked. The last provincial average age of death from C was 83 years old. The official VAERS (Vac cine Adverse Event Reporting System) site numbers in the US are alarming with these vac cines causing more deaths than vac cines for over the last 30 years combined. I know at least 5 people with serious reactions from them that they’ll deal with for the rest of their lives including two near deaths compared to 0 issues from C.
I know many people who are vac cinated but many of them are frustrated by the constantly changing information and promises. Sadly the politicians think everyone who got vac cinated agree with them but many did it under coersion (ie. job loss) or because they thought it would get them their freedoms back. It hasn’t and they are increasingly discontent.
Thanks for the comment, Sharon.
Thank you for your comment, Cyberkitten. I appreciate you sharing your views. I think it’s important first of all to say, Canadians almost NEVER rally or protest. We are quiet and compliant and honestly, I’m amazed that this has happened and the magnitude of it. To have our citizens (or part of our citizens) respond this way, they must feel terrible injustice and no matter what side of the issue you’re on, it doesn’t seem sensible to ignore it.
I was going to try to explain the situation more. but I think I’ll post a comment from someone else that perhaps will do a better job than I can:
“This Convoy is not just for the truckers mandates. It’s for the 30 million people that Trudeau’s government allowed to be spied on their cell phones. It’s for the family members banned from visiting family in nursing homes. It’s for the censorship on all social media platforms. It’s for all the people afraid to speak in fear of being called conspiracy theorists. It’s for the people who didn’t want to give up their freedom of choice. It’s for the people who don’t want to give up their right to bear arms. It’s for the people who don’t want to be in debt for the next 100 years. It’s for the people who only want answers to the many questions that haven’t been answered. It’s for the people afraid to hug their family and visit friends. It’s for the people who want their lives back. For the hairdressers to cut hair. For the restaurants to serve food. For the bars to play music. For the students to learn. For the kids to be free. For people who want to work but are forced not to. This is for the people. This is for trying to silence honest and hardworking citizens. Never in my life have I ever seen the healthy punished and the sick untreated. This is for the 300,000 surgeries cancelled. This is for the people that died waiting for their surgery. This is for the people who died alone in the hospital without being able to hold the hands of their loved ones. This is for all of us. Godspeed truckers.” (I will also add that in addition to spying on 30 million people, the military has also admitted to doing psych-ops on the people during the pandemic: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/psychological-warfare-influence-campaign-canadian-armed-forces-1.6079084 )
It’s very difficult to explain all of it but our PM has given out billions without having any accountability as to where it went, as he closed parliament for, I believe a year and a half, and did what he wanted during that time. The last time I heard, people were still trying to find out where the money went. He has reviled, slandered, mocked and threatened his own citizens, calling them mentally deranged, racists and mysoginists if they disagree with him. He is rude and disparaging when he talks about any person or group who has different views. He has ignored highly respected past politicians who wanted dialogue. He’s ignored people who drafted our Emergency Measures Act when they questioned why the act was completely ignored in a time of emergency. Our country is a mess with people losing their jobs, sometimes with only weeks notice and with no severance pay or ability to claim Employment Insurance until they find another position. I’ve heard shelves are becoming bare in smaller towns across the country. It’s no wonder people are upset.
Well, the vac cines don’t prevent spreading or catching C, the only thing they decrease is the possible seriousness of it. So if one doesn’t want to get vac cinated, the only person they may be hurting is themselves. That in itself does not explain why governments would dictate mandates. Not to mention the vac cines cannot keep up with the variants and one seems to be getting a vac cine for the previous variant, so the process itself appears ineffective. As for the numbers, we would disagree but I do think it’s important to protect the elderly or those with secondary conditions, absolutely.
I would like to add that many of those deaths in the U.S. died in hospitals and nursing homes due to panic, medical ignorance, government negligence, and misinformation (handed down by government health officials. Money was a motivating factor to admit anyone as c-positive, to vent a patient, and to list each cause of death as C, while successful treatments that fight C were and are being withheld from hospitals and doctors right now! Many die(d) bc of their co-morbidities w/o being given a chance to try treatments that are being used by countries in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. Americans have handed over their liberties and lives to incompetent tyrants. A majority of people have and can live through C. The government response has overreaching and full of lies.
I completely agree. When you are trying to force oxygen (ventilator) into cells that are full of fluid, it doesn’t work very well. I have a friend who is a nurse in California and she said the hospitals cancelled everything and basically were only supposed to take C patients. They were losing money and so, it was in their best monetary interests to list as many people as C patients as they could and they also were paid much more for putting them on a ventilator. On the other hand, I personally know of 8 people who took Ivermectin when they got it and all were better in about 5 days. I heard a CDC official admit that over 75-80% of the deaths in the US had 3-4 co-morbidities.
It was very encouraging to see a T.V. advertisement from Ecuador that told people to eat well, exercise and stay a healthy weight to avoid risk from C. Very sensible.
Early in April 2020, my uncle, who has at least 6 co-morbidities, was given Hydroxychloroquine. He survived. Hospitals and doctors were using these regiments already. But some months later, Fauci and the CDC targeted HQCH and ivermectin and told hospitals and doctors NOT to use it. I had a friend who was given Hydroxy, too. She said her insurance company told her that doctors know it works, but are afraid to be ostracized for prescribing it. She called it a crime against humanity. In Kennedy’s book The Real Anthony Fauci, he details Fauci’s attack on these cheap drugs that work, and the promotion of Fauci’s drug, remdevisver, which is toxic. That man has blood on his hands. But he is so powerful, no one will stop him.
Oh, and my dad, who has late stage Parkinson’s, was given the monocolonol antibody Regeneron, and his symptoms disappeared. He suffered four days of C, and bam! He was like a new person. Even his Parkinson’s was better for awhile. It was amazing!! Now our illegitimate president is preventing Florida from receiving this treatment. It’s a crime!!! Our government hates us and has a bounty on our heads.
I’m grateful to see other countries (of course, non-Western nations) doing what is right and good. So grateful!
Thank you for sharing! This is what we need, use social media and internet positively to bring news, actual news, without vested interest or preconceived narratives. I agree with you, no matter which side of fence we are on, the key is the sense of brotherhood and love!
Unfortunately Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, oh yes, and Tiktok are removing videos of the actual footage as fast as they are going up. It was funny/sad because someone in Ottawa said the “live” footage from the Parliament Buildings showed it sunny and there was hardly anyone there; she looked again after 5 pm. WHEN IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE and the footage still showed it sunny with hardly any people there. 🙄 But there are videos getting through intermittently and through other channels and it’s amazing. One trucker said coming through Winnipeg she saw First Nations indigenous people dancing alongside Catholic nuns in their habits alongside Hutterite people. It brings tears to ones’ eyes the unity of the people. Truly a snapshot of history!
I was reading on NewsMax about this and they had a statement from Trudeau, which I’ll include because it shows just how out of touch with reality the politicians are:
“”The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa who are holding unacceptable views that they are expressing do not represent the views of Canadians who have been there for each other, who know of that following the science and stepping up to protect each other is the best way to continue to ensure our freedoms, our rights, our values, as a country,” Trudeau said.”
Notice that “unacceptable views” and “following the science” parts?
What’s even more scary is I saw a poll (sorry, don’t have the link, so take it as you will) that said 1/4 of those polled (here in the US) thought it was acceptable or even good to put non-vaxxed people into internment camps. The problem is that so many people agree with the politicians and are asking to be put in chains 🙁
To end on a more positive note. I hope this convoy goes well and they can really present their message.
Well, let’s put this in perspective. I believe about 20% of Canadians voted for Trudeau, which of course means 80% of Canadians didn’t vote for him (however I think around 30% of those 80 didn’t vote at all). So who is the fringe minority? 😁
In any case, that’s nothing. It’s horrific what comes out of his mouth. He has said, “Regardless of the fact that we are attacking your fundamental rights, or limiting your fundamental rights, and the Charter says that’s wrong … we’re still going to go ahead and do it.” You can watch him saying it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cq3ghmwR2I
That’s it exactly. The government is telling us what views we are ALLOWED to have. Even if, as a citizen, you are in complete agreement with what the government is doing, THE PROBLEM is that we’re putting in systems that allow them complete control. So what happens one day when they want to do something you completely disagree with? You will be able to do nothing about it because you’ve given up your freedoms and are now only slaves. Our federal government introduced a bill lately where they are allowed to control EVERYTHING we see, so all internet, media, etc. will be censored. We will only see what THEY want us to see. And I believe it’s being seriously considered if it hasn’t passed already.
As for the science, it’s interesting that there are scientists who were highly, highly respected scientists and doctors before C, who worked for GAVI Vaccine Alliance, the Gates Foundation, the WHO, were responsible for developing previous vaccines, etc. all of a sudden they don’t know what they’re talking about, who are censored and have lost their positions only because their narrative differs from the government and health authorities. How can we be responsible in our actions if we never allow differing opinions? Historically, differing opinions have always guided us to the truth. The current process makes no logical sense.
I never believe those polls for either side of the issue. I’ve seen too many that allow people to vote as many times as they like. But I do understand that people are scared because they’ve believe what they are being told implicitly even if it’s completely contrary to their experience. I often wonder, if we didn’t have all the media and government telling us, so say we had no T.V. or radio, or phones or computers, etc. and just judged with our own eyes and from actually talking to other people in person, what would we be thinking and feeling about the situation?
So far it’s been very positive. The first day was wonderful and there have been comments on how clean everything has been kept in spite of the huge numbers of people. Someone said the truckers were helping shovel slush off the sidewalks so people could walk. Other convoys from various areas still haven’t arrived yet. I do hope it will help institute a positive change for everyone but honestly our political situation is in such a mess it’s going to take much work. But it’s begun with a positive unity which is hopeful.
Thanks for your comments!
I’d like to say we’re entering unparalleled times, but sadly, we’re not.
Keep the faith….
This movement is inspiring. In America, a similar con voy is being prepared to go from CA to DC. I will be surprised (no, shocked) if it turns out to be even half as large as our freedom-loving truckers in the North.
I see more compliance in the USA and I believe it has something to do with education. Our young are not being educated in the value of liberty and independence anymore. They are taught the opposite: government knows best.
Also, it has a lot to do w/ something Dr. Peterson mentioned in the video you shared:(my words) that there is a civil apathy from the people. When citizens do not get involved or keep government accountable, they tyrants will take over. And that is where we are today — locally and globally. (I am also guilty.) Now we are all scrambling to grab hold of the reins, if possible, and grab control back from the “el-eets” who think they know best how to run our lives and solve the world’s problems.
As for your observations, yes, it is wonderful to see people of all different persuasions coming together for liberty and freedom, supporting each other, helping one another. It is us vs. them. Some of us are finally getting it. Was it in enough time? We’ll see.
Thank you for sharing this, Cleo.
I’ve heard about your convoy. And not only that but there are convoys in Australia, the Netherlands, etc. I’m so surprised that Canadians started this …. I would have expected the Americans to, but you’re right …. everyone seems almost paralyzed and so compliant.
Yes, I think the lack of decent education and the social programming is having a huge negative effect. If everyone only took basic logic, one could determine not only the logical fallacies within political rhetoric but within one’s own arguments and those of others. People waste so much time not being able to formulate logical arguments. And debate is another subject that is soooo important; the ability to have differing opinions but to be able to discuss them in a calm, rational manner with respect for others. And there have been decades of T.V. to mesmerize people into believing most of what they see. Very unfortunate.
I’m already seeing changes in the narrative in my province. There was one news headline talking of the province loosening restrictions and after the title, in parentheses (but not because of the truckers). Sure. Believe that if it gives you comfort, lol! But the media is also keeping up their smear-campaign. There are headlines of the war memorial in Ottawa being defaced but there is lots of ambiguity in the articles. Then tonight I saw an independent journalist at the memorial showing that it was completely fine. And THEN she interviewed three policemen and a military officer standing right there in front of it who said NOTHING had happened to the memorial other than someone danced beside the soldier. The media is COMPLETELY losing their credibility.
I, too, hope it’s not too late but I almost even forget all the issues because I’m so caught up with people being kind and thoughtful and so considerate towards one another. It’s such a wonderful feeling! I saw a video of someone speaking in front of the Parliament buildings (I suspect it was a trucker or one of the organizers) and they were saying: “LOVE, ORDER, RESPECT, LOVE, ORDER, RESPECT,” over and over again and then getting all the people to repeat those words. They then said if they saw someone acting contrary to this, to report them. It was so inspiring!
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Ruth! They are always appreciated.
That reminds me…we have two “journalists, reporters,” I don’t know what to call them, and they were incensed that Canadians were destroying national monuments (even though I knew it was not true)! This cracks me up bc in the summer 2020, our nation threw a violent temper tantrum and it became a trendy pastime to remove national monuments of the past, either violently or by the local city. I do not recall these two journalists complaining about THAT.
I also saw video of a room full of truckers praying. Believe it or not, the enemy will see this as a threat bc it is always good to call on God for help; and the enemy cannot do that.
And honestly, at this point where we are in the world, I am happy the Canadians have reminded us how to do this. Americans needed to be reminded bc we have lost our way. 🙁
Hi Cleo, are you on W/press reader? I cant work out why my comments don’t always get through & I can’t find your blog on the W/press app.
We haven’t seen any news from Canada on Australian TV. I don’t watch it much but my husband likes to and he said he hadn’t heard anything either. It’s all very selective.
I’m having problems commenting on other blogs too, Carol, and I’m not sure why. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I can’t even sign in on WordPress to comment all of a sudden and have to do everything manually. It’s a mystery but I’m very glad your comment came through. Just so you know, they aren’t sitting in spam.
You’re having a convoy to Canberra! Here’s the Facebook page, if you’re interested: https://www.facebook.com/groups/335743718379134