75 Years of Social Action: 2010 On to Ottawa Trek

“The On to Ottawa Trek was a defining event of the Great Depression and it still stands as a symbol of the quest for social justice.” -Joey Hartman, On to Ottawa Historical Society

At the beginning of the year, a rotating hunger strike was initiated to lead up to the 2010 On to Ottawa Trek.  In June, the hunger strike was ended and the On to Ottawa Trek began. 75 years after the initial action, a group of housing activists boarded a train to Ottawa with red tents in hand. They also carried a petition demanding a national housing program based on the 1% solution in Canada.

Am Johal

Am Johal was interviewed at Jenny Kwan’s office right off Commercial Drive.  Am is the chair of the nonprofit group Impact on Community Coalition.  He talked about his experiences with both the hunger strike and the trek to Ottawa.  He provided some advice for future action and elaborated on the details of what a national housing program would look like.

Watch the video on PivotLegalTV on youtube

Dave Murray

Dave Murray was interviewed at VANDU (Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users).  This organization focuses on the needs of drug users, their families, and communities in the Vancouver area.  Murray has volunteered here one year.  In speaking about his experience during the On to Ottawa trek, we asked Murray some tough questions about what the role of direct action is for the red tents campaign.  Murray also spoke about how envisioned change coming to the DTES in terms of access to housing.

Watch the video on PivotLegalTV on youtube