February 14, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Increasing numbers of Canadians are becoming alarmed about new threats to freedom of religion and conscience likely to follow passage of the Liberal government’s same-sex ‘marriage’ bill. The result is a growing wave of demonstrations in front of the local offices of MPs and rallies at churches to inform and direct concerned citizens.
In South Surrey, British Columbia, there was a rally on Jan. 29, with over 300 people in front of the offices of pro-marriage MP Russ Hiebert who took part in the rally.
1,200 people participated in a Battle for Marriage Rally in Calgary on Saturday Feb. 5 at Calgary’s Full Gospel Church. Calgary’s outspoken Bishop Fred Henry joined long-time 100 Huntley Street host Rev. David Mainse in what organizers called a “perfectly designed ecumenical event.” The crowd, comprised almost equally of Catholics and Protestants, enthusiastically applauded both main speakers’ calls to action against the Martin government’s legislation.
In Ontario, about 150 people gathered for a Hamilton area pro-marriage rally at Kingsview Community Church in Stoney Creek, on February 5 to hear several speakers including MP Dean Allison, Scott Brockie, CLC National President Jim Hughes and others. There was also a peaceful demonstration at Brampton’s town Hall, with over 90 people protesting the anti-marriage position of their MP, Colleen Beaumier. Another Brampton rally is planned for Feb. 19 and on that same day there will be a protest at noon in front of the Toronto office of Liberal MP Judy Sgro at 2201 Finch Avenue West. At 2 p.m. pro-marriage protesters will be at the 511 Lawrence Avenue, West Toronto office of Liberal MP Joe Volpe.
On Sunday, February 6, Chinese Martyrs Parish in Markham held a forum, attended by over 150 persons, to inform and motivate Chinese Catholics. The forum included a doctor, a lawyer from the Catholic Civil Rights League and others. The parish distributed 4000 postcards to MPs over 2 weekends.
On Thursday Feb. 10 Bishop Paul Marchand, Bishop of Timmins, joined with thirty other protestors in front of one of the constituency offices of Timmins-James Bay Member of Parliament, Charlie Angus, to protest his position on same-sex marriage. The demonstration was organized by members of Campaign Life Coalition Timmins.
A large Family Pride Day Rally will take place on Saturday February 26th at noon in Sault St. Marie Ontario in front of the courthouse. Rally Chairman Bill Murphy is billing this as the largest protest rally ever held for traditional marriage in the region. He can be reached at 705-759-6086.
Latest reports are that large numbers of Muslims and members of other non-Christian faith communities will soon also be actively protesting the government’s marriage redefinition agenda.