You know who Joe Hill was, right? He was a worker, a labour activist, a Wobblie. In 1915, he was framed for a murder, and sentenced to death. His last words were to the firing squad: "Fire!"
But Hill's most famous words were written in a letter to his fellow activist, the IWW leader Bill Haywood. Hill said: "Don't waste any time in mourning. Organize."
Those trenchant words are usually shortened even further: "Don't mourn. Organize!" They have echoed through people's movements ever since.
And that's what we have to do. We have to recommit ourselves to keeping Canada Canada. The majority of Canadians did not vote for the Conservatives, and as the majority, we have to make our voice heard. We have to oppose their policies and their legislation, and urge the Opposition to live up to its name.
And we have to work for proportional representation. I'm thinking that as progressives, that's where our main fight should be.
While I'm here, I'd be remiss if I didn't say the standard things about last night's results. Don't want to be the only progressive blog in town without them!
- Thank [something] is wasn't a majority.
- Excellent showing for the NDP.
- The Liberals were a disaster and Dion will clearly be ousted - and soon.
* * * *
Of course, I'm worried about the war resisters. This case-by-case, deportation-order-court-stay dance is exhausting organizationally, financially and politically. Tonight's meeting will be interesting. I expect to come home with a new strategy and renewed hope.
See the interesting Joe Hill Project for more info.
PS: Last night was a disaster for the Red Sox, too. But unlike the Liberals, we're still alive. Backs to the wall, this is our moment.
4 comments:
"Don't mourn. Organize!"
Absolutely. His words and songs still bring tears to my eyes (good ones, not tears of frustrated rage like last night's). I grew up signing and being sung to about Joe Hill, as have my kids. Find myself quoting him (and Eugen Debs) more of late -- classic Unitedstatesian wisdom.
So one of the truly wonderful moments of the campaign was attend a Layton rally on Sunday and meeting the NDP candidate from Sarnia who just happens to have a famous name as well as a great party platform. A bit surreal for me.
We are also very worried about resisters: in London we will be meeting Thursday evening, with Matt Lowell's impending deportation order (October 28!) being the main item on our agenda.
Fighting these (do we have a choice?) is exhausting on many levels, as Laura says, and will likely take more effort than we can mobilize just in London. My impression is that there are a number of readers of this blog in SW Ontario who might potentially be able to help support a war resister who is outside of the GTA. If so, please consider dropping us a line at londonresisters@yahoo.ca -- we are looking at media outreach, fundraising, and more.
"Courage my friends, it is not too late to build a better world." Tommy Douglas, now more than ever!
Thank you, David. I also encourage readers in the London area to get involved with the campaign there. You'll meet great people and make a real difference, by supporting people who have risked so much for peace.
Onward!
I also encourage readers in the London area ...
... broadly defined!: Windsor, Sarnia, K-W, Guelph, Cambridge, Welland, anywhere in between or nearby would be great! (One thing I have learned since moving from my native Lesser Toronto Area is that distances look different once you get beyond the end of the subway / GO train lines.).
Even if you can't attend mtgs (understandable!), events -- even small ones -- in your communities can help raise awareness as well perhaps as much-needed funds.
Yep, never let them intimidate ya into giving up, organize and keep in mind this too shall pass and there will be successes and happier times again particularly if we do something for it. Susan B. Anthony said on the issue of women's rights and suffrage: "Failure is impossible", so I am quoting her as well.
I hope so much there will be no more deportations and I am so glad you will be keeping up the good work. All the best!!!
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