Harper rally in Burnaby to be met by anti-war protesters

Conservative leader Stephen Harper is campaigning in the Lower Mainland today, and local anti-war activists say they will be there to greet him.

What: Anti-war protest outside Stephen Harper campaign rally
When: Saturday, April 16 · 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: 3030 Gilmore Diversion, off Canada Way just south of Hwy 1

With just over two weeks to go in the election campaign, Harper's visit is targeting key swing ridings like the one in Burnaby-Douglas.

"Burnaby has long been home to Members of Parliament who have had a strong tendency to oppose aggressive and expensive wars abroad -- it's the perfect place to greet Harper with an anti-war rally," said Derrick O'Keefe, StopWar Coalition and Canadian Peace Alliance co-chair, in reference to outgoing Burnaby-Douglas NDP MP Bill Siksay and his predecessor Svend Robinson.

StopWar activists plan to carry placards and distribute flyers opposing the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, Canada's role in the NATO intervention in Libya, and the Harper government's extension of the war in Afghanistan. The protest follows an anti-war Day of Action coordinated by the Canadian Peace Alliance last Saturday, April 9, which saw protests held in ten Canadian cities and towns.

The protesters have received a helping hand from the 'Shit Harper Did' campaign, whose website has received over 3 million hits in just three days, and has become a social media sensation which could have a serious impact on the election campaign. The ShitHarperDid.ca Facebook page posted a link to the StopWar rally, and this is generating extra interest in the last-minute rally.

"It's a hastily thrown together protest but we expect a sizable and spirited crowd," said O'Keefe. "Harper's people have been accused of keeping regular people out of his rallies, so we're inviting everyone to join our gathering instead," O'Keefe.