Vancouver council backs farmers’ stir

Bathinda, April 20

The Vancouver city council has passed a motion in support of farmers protesting outside New Delhi since November last year. The motion was moved by COPE councillor Jean Swanson and was passed by the 11-member city council. While four councillors joined Swanson in voting in favour, three others abstained and three, including Mayor Kennedy Stewart, stayed away.

The motion says the city stands in solidarity with Indian farmers and directs the mayor of Vancouver to write to the provincial and federal governments, asking them to speak out against laws introduced by the Indian Government. Thousands of farmers have been camping on the border of the national capital asking the BJP-led Centre to roll back three farm laws.

Demonstrations have been held in the past across Canada. Earlier, a rally was held outside Vancouver City Hall on March 29. The organisers displayed more than 200 shoes on the steps leading to the building as a mark of respect to farmers who have lost their lives during the struggle. — TNS