Locals protest G8 / G20 summit adding their voice to the rally for peace
By Mona Mattei
Grand Forks residents lent their voice to the collective voices of protesters across Canada on Friday as they rallied against the G8 / G20 summit being held in Toronto. Headed by the Boundary Peace Initiative (BPI), a small but vocal group gathered after their march through town at the Source on Market Ave. to share their reasons for participating in the protest and hopes for change in the world.
Laura Savinkoff, representative for the BPI, organized the protest and speakers included Mayor Brian Taylor, J. J. Verigin of the United Spiritual Communities of Christ, Steven Soroka, and Savinkoff who closed the event with a moving speech that gave everyone cause to think. Rosemary Phillips was also on hand to provide inspiration through song. Along with the rally, there were petitions available to sign and donations for the BPI were welcomed. With about 20 people gathered to hear the speeches, in Savinkoff’s words, even though it was a small group, they were important to join thousands of others across the nation in protest. Watch the video to hear some of the talks from Taylor and Verigin.
