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Please feel free to post your post card notes on this page. They will inspire others to write. Soon, I hope to have a template in place that will allow everyone to write their posts and print them up on ‘the postcard project’ letterhead for sending….
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17 comments
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March 22, 2008 at 8:25 pm
angela rawlings
CYTOTOXICITY MAY CAUSE TETRALOGY.
Message unclear? Get educated about
the dangers of uranium mining.
March 31, 2008 at 1:51 am
Glenn Harrower
Groundwater is a high-quality, cost-effective and reliable long-term water supply option for many municipal, industrial, and domestic water supply applications. Hydrogeologists have successfully completed hundreds of groundwater source water supplies, ranging in scale from single-well systems to high-capacity, multi-well systems exceeding 10,000 m3/day (1800 USgpm), throughout Canada and the U.S.A.
Uranium mining has the potential to contaminate these groundwater supplies, and devastate the land. Is this how we are moving forward to protect our children and their children?
Bob Lovelace was jailed for ‘contempt of court’ because he continued peaceful protests at Sharbot Lake after being ordered to stop. Why was he ordered to stop a peaceful protest; this is a violation of our basic human rights.
Is our government in bed with the heads of Uranium Mining Companies?
Lets find out how many donation dollars come from these companies to support the Conservative government. Is this really about Bob Lovelace, or is this about political corruption and how far the government will go to get what they want?
Let the bigger protest begin to unravel the unjust ways in which our government makes decisions that affect human lives.
Lets take it to the limit!
April 1, 2008 at 2:36 am
Amber Harrower
As quoted from a colleague of mine, “there is a disturbing trend towards government interference in peaceful protests.” I wonder how it is possible that a “peaceful protester” can be thrown in jail when as Canadians, we are supposed to have the basic right to freedom of speech.
Many cases in Canada show government interference during times of peaceful protest. For example, The James Bay Project in 1971, resulted in the land of the Cree being flooded and contaminated, because the government interfered on Native land to build a hydroelectric power development. Now, Bob Lovelace, a respected leader and University Professor, is jailed for 6 months because of his involvement in the peaceful protesting of a Uranium site near Sharbot Lake.
What is the message that our government is sending? Where do their objectives lie…solely for the purpose of financial prosperity and big business or for the rights of the people that make up this country we call Canada? The lyrics to our National Anthem say “Oh Canada, our Home and Native Land,” and “God Keep our Land, Glorious and Free.” Do these lyrics hold true anymore or should our Anthem be changed to reflect this new and unfortunate trend?
April 1, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Adrienne Zitt
Dear Mister Lovelace, I am a good friend of Michelle’s, who started the postcard project after your imprisonment. I felt compelled to write to offer my support and to send some light across the oceans your way. It’s difficult to find adequate words to express my admiration and respect for a soul such as yours- standing up for what you know to be right, in front of adversity and resistance. At a point in my life where I start to finally become who I was born to be, your example of faith, love and courage is a real shining light, a profound inspiration- I pary that you will be free to shine your light to the world at large soon. People support you in foreign lands! Love and Light.
April 7, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Natalie Harrower
To Bob: I deeply admire your commitment and integrity, and am following your story with care and attention. Your actions have moved multitudes, and the momentum created will not be easily diverted.
April 7, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Martha Moon
Dear Bob:
I just want to let you know that the students and larger community at Queen’s are thinking of you and learning more about the uranium situation as well as the circumstances of the Ardoch Nation. The conviction and courage which you have displayed is making an impact. I also thought you might like to know that I had a chat at Kensington Market in Toronto with a man who was raising awareness for your cause!
April 7, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Martha Moon
Premier McGuinty:
I am writing to speak of my disappointment with the decision to imprison Bob Lovelace of Ardoch First Nation. I do not believe that this decision was justified considering the foundational principles of free speech and rights of citizens, particularly citizens of Aboriginal ancestry. Our country has a long history and recent proof (Canada’s refusal to commit to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) of disrespecting the voices, concerns, and land of Aboriginal people. Sadly, I believe that the situation surrounding uranium mining is another example of this. I believe that you have the power to put Ontario in the lead in Canada in showing due respect for Aboriginal voices, regardless of their Indian status. Please have the courage to act on behalf of Aboriginal people and human rights at large. It is a disgrace to Ontario to attempt to extinguish the voices of people who are peacefully representing their convictions, heritage, and communities.
April 7, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Jeffrey Aarles
Dear Mr Lovelace:
I will never understand how some people come to believe that what is hidden under the surface of the earth can be of greater value than the earth itself. One can’t help but worry for their loved ones – might they need to see the beating heart to truly value it? Do they really not comprehend the damage they do?
I know that this is all about politics and corporate privilege and the inordinate power of the nuclear and mining lobbies, up against people concerned about environmental impacts and the rights of First Nations. And I don’t know how much I can do to fix any of that, but I’d like at least to pass along a poem.
It’s by a guy from Ottawa called Clive Doucet. It’s from a book of his called “Canal Seasons”, and it just seems appropriate.
I love this old planet.
I love the days
When morning comes to me
On silver wings
And sunrise opens my eyes
With the gentlest of inquiries.
I love this old planet
And if I could,
Would wrap my arms around it
And pull it to my chest
To keep it safe.
Thank you, Mr Lovelace, for doing what you can to keep part of this old planet and her deep-beating heart safe. Your courage is truly humbling.
April 8, 2008 at 10:35 am
jane Gilchrist
Dear Bob Lovelace,
Many thanks for trying to save us from disaster. I think it says a lot about you that you are attempting to build a library collection for the prisoners. While I’m sure that the outrage inflicted on you–six months for peaceful protesting–is bad PR for the government, it is also a chance for you to indicate the depth of your commitment. Talking, even marching, comes nowhere near to sitting in a prison cell. I always think of Thorough’s answer to his friend, who looked through the bars and asked, What are you doing in there? The answer: What are you doing out there? You are a hero for being in there, Sir, and I have deep respect for you.
April 8, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Phil Hahn
To Bob Lovelace,
Michelle’s a dear friend of mine who’s brought your story to my attention.
I just read the lovely letter you wrote to your daughter. I can only imagine what you’re going through, but it’s obvious your choice of protest has cast an ever-widening light on an issue that would have otherwise remained in darkness.
I sincerely hope that your action will lead, as you eloquently stated in your letter to Skye, to a “higher standard of justice” — for you and your people.
April 8, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Mary Clifford
Dear Bob,
freedom fighter and keeper of our mother earth, my heart and soul is with you today as you face the horrible farce of an inquiry.
Stay strong brother as your fight is the only one we should be having at all on this planet—the fight to keep alive and to re-generate our mother before its too late for us humans.
Out in BC we are praying for you and sending you our thoughts and prayers, Mary
April 8, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Andrea Gleeson
Dear Professor Lovelace,
I am so sorry that you have become yet another example of the injustices that continue against our aboriginal people, and our mother Earth. I am so grateful there are those among us, like you, who will draw a line in the sand and say ‘no more’ in peaceful protest and I am outraged that such noble behaviour is met with contempt and what amounts to criminal treatment. Please know that we are most grateful that you have had the courage to do what we have not. I am frankly ashamed to go on with my daily routine while you fight this battle for us all. I will continue to follow your plight and do my best to help. My heartfelt thanks to you for being ‘Part of the Solution’.
Andrea Gleeson
Oakville Ontario
April 8, 2008 at 5:31 pm
John Lazarus
Dear Prof. Lovelace,
There are times when I am tempted to despair and to believe that we humans don’t deserve this beautiful planet. Sometimes it seems as though we could not do a better job of ruining this perfectly balanced jeweled mechanism of a world if that were our explicit purpose. Then I read about people like you, who are still sane and still care about the things that really matter, and I take heart. I hope you will take heart too, from the support of the rest of us.
With admiration,
John Lazarus
Kingston, Ontario
April 8, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Lori Le Mare
Mr. Lovelace,
I admire your tenacity and conviction. It takes great courage to do what you are doing. My thoughts go out to you that you will soon be free. Free from jail and free to peacefully protest.
Thank you.
respectfully,
Lori Le Mare
Toronto, Ontario
April 12, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Jessica Carmichael
Dear Professor Lovelace,
Thank you for your courage and commitment to the safety of other human beings. It takes many to solve the injustices of our world, but we need leaders such as yourself to guide the way.
Your freedom is being championed and your cause is being understood. Your work is being embraced, and I pray you will soon be too by your loved ones and all those who you hold dear.
Much support and admiration,
Jessica Carmichael
Edmonton, Alberta
April 12, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Maya Thau-Eleff
Your Honour, Prime Minister Harper,
I am writing to you because up until recently, I have been proud to be a Canadian. I have thought myself lucky to live in a country in which we have freedom of speech, and justice is upheld. Now, I don’t feel so lucky to be a Canadian. Now, I don’t feel so lucky to be a citizen of a country in which Aboriginal leaders like Robert Lovelace are imprisoned; in which judges like Justice Cunningham dedicate their careers to assisting corporation like Frontenac Ventures; in which uranium exploration and open pit mining are commonplace, despite the known health and environmental risks.
Please make me proud to be a Canadian again.
Sincerely,
Maya Thau-Eleff
April 24, 2008 at 9:50 am
michelle
I am posting this comment on behalf of Cathy Wills. Thanks, Michelle -
Hello there,
I was recently re-reading Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and I was astonished at the similarities between his point of view and those of Robert Lovelace. Have you read it? It can be found on the web at http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/frequentdocs/birmingham.pdf
I think it would look well on you if you took the time to read this document and reflect on how the political decisions of your government have resulted in the creation of political prisoners such as Robert Lovelace and the KI 6.
Robert Lovelace is in jail because, as Justice Cunningham outlined in his reasons for sentencing, Ontario does not approve of “self-help” actions such as sit-ins, marches, and occupations in the face of injustice. Your government and its judiciary body would prefer that citizens, and especially Aboriginal Peoples, left things to be sorted out through government imposed bureaucratic processes. Here is what Dr. King has to say in defence of “self-help”:
You may well ask: “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn’t negotiation a better path?” You are quite right in calling, for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent-resister may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word “tension.” I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood. The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation.
Your version of negotiation was to send the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to negotiate the terms under which uranium will be mined on unceded Algonquin Land. That does not really qualify as negotiation, does it? That was rather a form of coercion.
I suggest you begin again. This time, negotiate without forgone conclusions. This time, negotiate through a process that incorporates Algonquin methods of consultation. This time, keep Dr. Martin Luther King in mind.
I know you are a busy man and you probably don’t have time to read and absorb information with any depth, so I’ll close with one last quote from Dr. King’s letter: It is a statement that I have heard Robert Lovelace utter many times:
“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
Sincerely,
Catherine Wills
RR #4, Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0