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VANCOUVER—Despite the steady downpour, the Word on the Strike event at Library Square was the place to be on Sunday. Thousands turned out and more than $1,400 in donations was raised. CUPE 391 organized the event, with support from CUPE 15 and 1004 members.

Gathering from the diverse talents of Vancouver’s library and civic workers, Word on the Strike was a pendant to the annual Word on the Street festival, which was staged nearby at the Canada Post parking lot and on Georgia Street.

The event was a successful balance of the informative and the frivolous, featuring a diverse range of information booths, art activities, entertainment and much more. Exhibitors’ tables offered information about social and community issues, a photo display provided a montage of over 800 photos taken over the past 10 weeks of the strike and the “Knit Pickets” sold their knitted hats, raising $860 for the hardship fund.

Union members at one table encouraged the public to write letters to the editor and sign a petition of support while other booths offered face painting, balloon animals and origami. Picketing puppeteers performed “Click, Clack, Strike,” poets and other writers offered readings, and the music of Solidarity Notes Choir ensured everyone had fun. The event was such a great success that visitors suggested that it should become an annual event!


Kudos to all the organizers and all who shared their talents and time.

Photos

Fantastic!