Peaceful Picnic in a Park Planned for Calgary

One of Canada's largest unions, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and the Council of Canadians are determined to express their opposition to G-8 policies in Calgary next week despite government attempts to silence dissent.

Trade unionists and other concerned citizens will gather at Riley Park in Calgary for a "People's Picnic", tomorrow on June 26th from l - 3 pm at 10th Street and 5th Avenue NW.

"It will be a peaceful place to express our opposition to G-8 policies and our solidarity with other people around the world," says CEP Administrative Vice-President from the Western Region Don MacNeil, who stressed that "as trade unionists, we are committed to making this world a better place for workers and their families."

"Since the creation of the G-8, we have seen jobs lost to increased privatization and free trade," he says "as well as massive cuts to our social programs, and we have seen massive poverty due to crushing debt loads in developing nations."

"We will be there to present positive ideas that are in tune with citizen-based democracy," says Loretta Gerlach, Regional Prairie Organizer of the Council of Canadians.

"Our right to freedom of assembly and to freedom of expression are constitutionally guaranteed, and we intend to exercise those rights." Gordon Christie, the Executive Secretary / Organizer of the Calgary and District Labour Council will open the picnic with a welcoming address to participants. "We appreciate all the efforts of the organizers in creating a peaceful, festive venue for us to express our dissent," says Christie.

CEP and the Council of Canadians are sponsoring the People's Picnic. Food will be provided by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and "Food not Bombs".