Brigette DePape / Brigette Marcelle with CBC's Evan Solomon

Brigette DePape / Brigette Marcelle is interviewed during the "Speech from the Throne" special edition

PRESS RELEASE: Harper's disastrous agenda needs to be stopped with creative action and civil disobedience

Ottawa/- During the reading of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's throne speech today, a young page was yanked from the Senate Chamber as she tried to hold up a stop sign placard reading "Stop Harper."

"Harper's agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation," Brigette Marcelle says. "We have to stop him from wasting billions on fighter jets, military bases, and corporate tax cuts while cutting social programs and destroying the climate. Most people in this country know what we need are green jobs, better medicare, and a healthy environment for future generations."

Brigette Marcelle, 21 and a recent graduate from University of Ottawa, has been a Page in the Senate for a year, but realized that working within parliament wouldn't stop Harper's agenda.

"Contrary to Harper's rhetoric, Conservative values are not in fact Canadian values. How could they be when 3 out of 4 eligible voters didn't even give their support to the Conservatives? But we will only be able to stop Harper's agenda if people of all ages and from all walks of life engage in creative actions and civil disobediance," she says.

"This country needs a Canadian version of an Arab Spring, a flowering of popular movements that demonstrate that real power to change things lies not with Harper but in the hands of the people, when we act together in our streets, neighbourhoods and workplaces."

-30-

To arrange interviews with Brigette Marcelle:

613 -- 898 - 0021
---
Two-time Gemini Award-winning journalist Evan Solomon is the anchor of CBC News Network's national political show, Power & Politics with Evan Solomon.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Brigette
• DePape
• Marcelle
• interview
• Speech
• from
• the
• Throne
• Evan
• Solomon

[chowbird]

Way to go Brigitte! You are correct when you say that the majority of Canadians DO NOT SUPPORT Steven Harper. I must admit that I am also impressed by the CBC's gentle handling in your interview although it is apparent that they, too support the status quo (our system).

[SkillzUnknown]

The common line right now seems to be "this protest wasn't respectful of Canada's traditions and parliamentary institution." What could be more effective than disrespecting the institution? Don't people see the 'traditional institution' is the reason we have a majority govt with a minority vote? If Brigette had protested with 'respect to the institution' (aka outside where there were no cameras) nobody would know her name and this discourse wouldn't be had.

[cutesthemune]

@cutesthemune

"disrespecting the institution" ... hmm, so if not anarchist in it's leanings how would you describe this sort of action in terms of political movement? curious, that's all!

[cutesthemune]

@cutesthemune

I understand you cannot paint everyone with the same brush, nothing is so simple, agreed ... however, her excusing her actions in the chamber is anarchist in it's direction ... we have laws in those chambers and she signed a contract to remain separated from political actions related to her post ... yet, she ignores all that and carries a sign ... encouraging the breaking of rules is heading towards anarchy my friend ... respect to you, though for having beliefs!

[SkillzUnknown]

@cutesthemune yup because peaceful protesting equates to anarchical government......this seems logical to you, yet I'm the ignorant one....need i even go on?

[cutesthemune]

@SkillzUnknown : haha, so anarchist government is the answer, lol ... so ignorant!

[yellowecotec]

Nice video! Takes a heart I am happy to see fellow Canadians speaking up. :)

5 Near Earth Asteroids=100 Trillion $ (USD)

/watch?v=qyK_65_kc9w

Elite NWO don't want infinite resources they want to control the limited resources on earth. They are doing a good job keeping a harmless cancer cure illegal. Search RUN FROM THE CURE. Canadian Rick Simpson cures cancer with cannabis oil and cures many others for free and the Canadian government treats him like a criminal. Verify the science for yourself

[dayhomemama]

He attended a BUILDERBERG group meeting before he became prime minister, which means he does not do what he does for Canadians, he does it for Builderberg!!! We should be concerned about what he is doing!!

[tanzdeol]

I don't know what to make of this guy. He is beating around the bush when it comes to the real argument at hand. The majority of people who don't vote are essentially apart of the marginalized sector - to some degree. Thousands remain homeless...and yes there are homeless shelters, but many are infested with bed bugs. Also its the baby boomer gener. that got the harper govt. a majority. Bridgette kudos, you just stood up for an entire generation. Suck it Harper.

[shitTiT7777777]

Obviously the "system" which evan soloman thinks is the sole residence of democracy, is not working. When you have a system that allows someone to form a majority government off 39% of the votes, that system is clearly not working, which therefore nessitates the enactment of democratic speech in ways which may not be within the confines of the rules of said system. Yes Evan, some pompous windbags like you will find this dispectful, but many will find it inspiring. STOP HARPER!!!

[smellyfooty]

the only good thing about a pompous and a non-important speech to the majority of canadians.