Canadians Are Protesting In Solidarity With Indian Farmers All Across The Country (PHOTOS)
Over the weekend, Canadians gathered all over the country to march and demonstrate in solidarity with farmers protesting in India.
Back in September, the Indian government passed three new laws related to farming in the country.
Farmers argue the government failed to hold sufficient consultations before giving new regulations the go-ahead.
And while officials say the changes will give local farmers more freedom, those impacted are worried that there’s nothing to protect them from exploitation and say their produce prices could plummet.
It’s a situation of increasing tension, particularly as those protesting the new laws in India have been met by police with tear gas, batons, and water cannons, according to CBC News.
The issue has since spread globally, with people in provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia hosting their own solidarity rallies.
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In Vancouver last week, protesters were spotted on the streets of Surrey, and a car rally downtown was held the following Wednesday.
Protesting for farmer rights in India TODAY Surrey-Vancouver, Canada #DilliChalo #RepealBlackLaws… https://t.co/gkGEsjA8tq— darshpreet (@darshpreet) 1607233080.0
According to reports, masks were mandatory during Vancouver’s rally and those involved were asked to only share vehicles with people from their immediate household.
Demonstrators drove their cars from Surrey to the Indian Consulate in downtown Vancouver in solidarity with Punjabi… https://t.co/RlJNN4sbHU— Ben Nelms (@Ben Nelms) 1606973460.0
In one photo shared via Twitter, a demonstrator can be seen holding a sign that reads, “Protect the Farmers of India.”
Protesting for farmer rights in India Surrey-Vancouver, Canada #DilliChalo #RepealBlackLaws #SpeakUpForFarmers https://t.co/crtSNUS7dQ— Gurdeep Pandher (@Gurdeep Pandher) 1607283419.0
On Sunday, similar demonstrations were also held in Calgary; the same day, according to Global News, more than 1,000 people gathered for a car rally in Winnipeg, all showing their support for Indian farmers.
Kisaan ekta rally Calgary, 2000 + cars, United we Stand💪🏻 wesupportfarmers • Keep supporting farmers!… https://t.co/EjD3izy2AK— ਰੂਪਵੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ (@ਰੂਪਵੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ) 1607359306.0
On the previous Saturday, hundreds of Okanagan food producers took part in a motorcade protest to show their solidarity, too.
#Tractor2Twitter #ISuportFarmerprotest #Calgary #8दिसंबर_भारत_बंद #FarmersProtests thanks to all calgarians 👌🏼🙏🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/Ka1ktEXqVh— Lakhwinder Gill (@Lakhwinder Gill) 1607299467.0
Despite the snow in Toronto at the beginning of the month, activists joined a car rally from Brampton to Toronto; again, those involved were showing their support for farmers in India.
Brampton to Toronto farmers protest rally #SupportFarmersProtest #StandWithFarmersChallenege #FarmersProtestDelhi https://t.co/EwGUwgWwuf— Preet (@Preet) 1606859431.0
Justin Trudeau has weighed in on the protests too, vocalizing his support for India’s farmers and protesters.
Farmers protest in Downtown TORONTO #PunjabFarmers #istandwithfarmerschallange #canada #FarmersProstests https://t.co/PszBkOCUsr— Arshvir Singh (@Arshvir Singh) 1606857203.0
Speaking about the issue last week, Trudeau said that “Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protest anywhere around the world.”
*This article's cover image is for illustrative purposes only.