The sweet sound of protest: Words and music from the Day of Action to protest Bill C-51

On Saturday March 14, 2015, people gathered together in communities across Canada for an emergency Day of Action to stop the government's "secret police" law Bill C-51.

From Antigonish, Bancroft and Barrie, to Winnipeg, West Kootenays and Yellowknife, Days of Action were organized in over 50 communities across the country.

In Toronto, over 2,000 people gathered on a cold drizzly day. They gathered at Nathan Philips Square, and then marched to the U.S. Embassy and the Toronto CSIS headquarters. For those of you who couldn't be there, here is a recap of the speeches, music and poetry.

Speakers:

Pauline Shirt - Elder

Vanessa Gray, Young indigenous activist of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation 

Suraia Sahar, Anti Racism activists who have been organizing against islamophobia

Riaz Siani Mulji: Anti Racism activists who have been organizing against islamophobia

Maryem Hassan Tollar, Juno Award winning Singer

Peggy Nash, NDP MP

Andrew Cash, NDP MP

Rathika Sitsabaeisan NDP MP  

Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader

Marie Claire Walker, Canadian Labour Council 

Sid Ryan, Ontario Federation of Labour

Nasim Asgari: Spoken word artist

Judy Rebick, Canadian journalist, political activist and feminist 

Apologies to Paul Copeland, Human Rights lawyer who couldn't be included because of audio technical difficulties.