Voices of the Resistance — Issue #3

This is your column. This is our resistance.

Voices of the Resistance is an ongoing series where we share letters from readers who, inspired by the essays and stories we’re sharing on The Resistance, have been moved to speak out.

You can send your “letter to the editor” by emailing info@charlieangus.ca

We might not be able to share every letter we receive, but we read and appreciate every single one.

Here are a few emails sent to us recently.

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From Jaymz

I remember you and Andy from L’Etranger in the 80s …

I know you will never move to the US to be president - but I can’t imagine that country of so many millions of people the Democrats can’t find one person like you to run their party. Surely they have a man of the people who will boldly stand up to Trump and encourage people that there is another way.

Thanks for all you do.

From Robert

A people’s history is of value because it proves that individuals contribute to the Big Picture. We all have a voice. Now is always the time to use it.

From John (Fort Frances, ON)

I live across the river from International Falls, Mn. A city that until January of this year, we would frequent at least once a week and often two or three times. We would visit friends, buy cheaper gas, would enjoy their restaurants & when driving to southern Ontario, nine times out of ten we would drive to the Soo, through Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan (better roads, no big hills, cheaper gas, far less traffic, particularly transport trucks). We drove to Toronto last month, Canada all the way Jose!

For us, that has all come to a grinding halt. We welcome our American friends to our home, probably a dozen visits since January, but what has significantly changed for us is, most of our old habits will have changed forever. We’ve found that our Canadian stores, particularly gas stations, restaurants & hardware are showing signs of flourishing & deserve more of our support.

They say “old habits are hard to break”, but not these, easy peasy.

Elbows Up!, Charlie. So happy you’ve picked up the challenge.

From Pam (Ventura County CA)

Elbows up!

I am not able to contribute financially but I share The Resistance & also am active in Southern California in our peaceful demonstrations. I am an old disabled lady & my 19 year old grandson & I arrived early for our very local NO KINGS event in Simi Valley, California. We are in Ventura County, adjacent to LA County.

Anyway, 6/14 is a day I will never forget. We had 2K protesters, hundreds of drivers passing by who honked, waved, cheered, gave a 👍. Uplifting, unified, unafraid!

There were some huge F Trump banners.

Mostly creative signs for NO KINGS, etc. We saw Veterans' Rights advocates, Constitutional support advocates, Rainbow flags.

Oh, & most of us displayed the US flag, as requested by the organizing groups. Especially since 6/14 is Flag Day.

Y'know, Charlie, thinking about it, we had far more US flags displayed than I saw in the clips of DJT'S disastrous birthday parade.

Anyway, Mark & I made a huge poster: STAND UP FOR JUSTICE & DIGNITY

The very few MAGA there were in their oversized trucks (compensating much?) with large US & DJT flags.

Our section of protestors (on the sidewalk, in the shade) decided to just wave at them, the same as we waved at everyone.

MAGA trucks got NO reaction & left soon after the protest started.

Our location was a large intersection (for us) across the street from the police station.

😁😁😁

From Walter (Boucherville, QC)

Regarding our recent national election, Canada's current first past the post voting system often leaves millions of voters feeling like their voices don't matter, as many ballots fail to influence the final outcome in the Commons. Proportional representation offers a solution by ensuring that every vote counts equitably and that the makeup of Parliament truly reflects the diversity of opinions across our country.

Unlike our first past the post voting system, proportional representation enables more regional representation in the Commons from the parties whose candidates lost in their riding elections. With proportional representation, no one is left to feel their vote doesn't count. Adopting proportional representation will strengthen our democracy, encourage higher voter turnout, and foster more collaborative and effective governance.

Countries with proportional systems consistently see fairer results, better representation for women and minorities, and policies that reflect a broader consensus. It's time for Canada to move to proportional representation, so that every Canadian's voice can be heard and valued in shaping Canada's future!

From Lesley (North Vancouver)

I’ve been reading your posts on the resistance from the beginning. They have made me feel part of a team. I even get most of the hockey references, even though I have never been a fan. (Gasp!) You have given me plenty of reasons for self-reflection.

For me, being Canadian goes beyond politeness and centres on a strong sense of right and wrong. For example, I volunteer at a local thrift shop. Throwing out resources is wrong so we provide a means to reuse and recycle. Canadians going hungry or unhoused is wrong so funds from thrift store profits go to other charities that support the most vulnerable in our communities.

Please keep inspiring us and showing us ways to stand together.

From Jeff (Amherstburg, ON)

First of all, I would like to thank you for being such an inspiration to millions of Canadians (and Americans) in the resistance to the fascist trump regime.

My wife and I live in a border community not far from Detroit. We always enjoyed visiting there on occasion for various events, but we had no problem making the decision to stop our little cross border jaunts shortly after trump was elected. That was the easy decision, but here's the hard part: our very best friends, a couple we have been close to all our lives, are residents in Michigan. We would cross the border to see them often, sometimes staying over in Michigan with them for a week at a time. It was a very difficult decision for us to not visit them in the USA, but we had to do it. While our friends are very disappointed (as are we) that we will not be crossing the border to see them for the foreseeable future, they understand and accept our decision. Also of concern, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is out of control and drunk with power, so we have no interest risking the possibility of being treated as "alien enemies". Who knows what could happen beyond playing 20 Questions at the border? Just not worth the risk.

As Canadians, we don't have the ability to vote trump and his MAGgots out of power. However, we can vote with our dollars, so that is what we are doing. We are doing our very best to avoid anything related to the USA ... no more crossing the border to the USA; no more buying USA products offered here in Canada; no more Amazon; no more Netflix; no more USA anything until the felonious pathological liar and his band of MAGgots are gone. We are in it for the long term and will do this for AS LONG AS IT TAKES. Unfortunately, it may take decades to undo the damage done by trump and the MAGgots. It is indeed very sad to watch the decline of the USA as they sink into the abyss of trump fascism.

There are many good people in the United States, so I am hopeful they will rise up and stop this madness before it's too late. We will do our part to help them from here in Canada, the True North Strong and Free.

Thanks again Charlie ... keep up the good fight. We appreciate you!

From Ailsa

We are 3 sisters on a road trip in Newfoundland. My sister Sheila Watkinson is on the left (82 yrs) and from Calgary; Lorna Watkinson Zimmer (77 yrs) is from Red Deer and I am (75 yrs) from Saskatoon.

Keep up the very good work. We are all doing what we can to kick at the darkness and let the light in.

"There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." (Cohen).

Cheers!

From Martha

Good afternoon Charlie,

All your emails and subjects are spot on with directness, clarity, and motivation, but this is especially moving. I have been to some of the cemeteries in Normandy and stood on the beaches (not Juno, but Omaha, and there's definitely a strong feeling when you stand looking out on that expanse.)

I have walked in First World War trenches in Alsace, on the ridges, and walked through the cemeteries, and felt the same strong emotion.

Everyone should visit one or more of the memorial sites and cemeteries in their lifetime, or at the very least, walk through a War Museum. It leaves a lasting impression and an awareness of how such a peaceful place has seen such violence and destruction.

The people of the Netherlands are to be commended for teaching their children about the resistance and the liberation. Germany's schools teach their children the lessons learned from the wars and the holocaust. They recognize and take accountability for past Fascist crimes.

We all need to be taught and reminded of these important dates, like June 6th, to reinforce our determination to maintain our democracy (as flawed as it may be, but far superior to the alternative).

Like many ordinary folks, I feel I can only do small acts of resistance. No $ spent on anything from the U.S. Canadian flag flying out front. Discussing the situation and encouraging resistance to anyone who will listen. Emails to my political representatives at all levels. Keeping up to date on the news and how other groups and individuals are fighting against autocracy, including against the current Ontario Conservative government. Thankfully, my MPP (Nepean) is a young liberal, Tyler Watt, who, although a rookie, is very involved in resisting Bill 5, and pushing for better conditions for medical staff and hospital infrastructure. An uphill battle, for sure!

Thank you for keeping up these communiqués. Speaking out and speaking up will hopefully create a large enough action to prevent divisive politics and ideologies from taking hold in Canada.

I tell everyone I know your saying......Keep kicking at the darkness until it bleeds daylight.

From Case

Thank God every day for men like your Dad.

In many ways my dad is the mirror image of him, an immigrant to Canada after experiencing the horrors and cruelty of war he went on to become one of the most giving and compassionate men I knew. Never blaming and always accommodating people of every nationality and background. Firm but fair he loved his family endlessly and sacrificed a lot so that we would be successful and happy!

He kept his sense of humour right into his battle with Alzheimer's. Miss him so much but I do feel he is still all around.

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We really hope you enjoyed this instalment of Voices of the Resistance. You can send your “letter to the editor” by emailing info@charlieangus.ca

Keep kicking at the darkness.

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