(The following article is from the November 1-15, 2008, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

PV Manitoba Bureau

Over seventy people rallied at the Manitoba Legislature on Friday, October 17 for the unveiling of the Justice Charter for the eradication of poverty in the province. A Four Directions Walk preceded the rally with twelve walkers, some starting from Winnipeg's perimeter.

     The process for the Charter's ratification will be important for the next five months, ending in a Constituent Assembly in March, around the time of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism. The organizing committee received a positive response from a wide range of anti-poverty, women's, student, union and other organizations to participate in the activities after the Walk.

     The rally included a good range of speakers from groups representing people with disabilities, Aboriginal people and students. Most important, almost all of the people at the rally signed up to build the anti-poverty movement. The Charter contains many demands, such as a guaranteed annual income above the poverty line, a massive investment in public housing, pay and job equity for discriminated groups and recognizing Aboriginal nations in a new basis in Canada, with full national rights and equal nation to nation relations.

     The federal elections prevented more ambitious preparations for the Walk, but close to 1,500 colourful posters were put up in the poorest neighbourhoods, mostly in the two days after the election.

     A government minister cancelled the Harvest potluck in the Legislature that was to follow the rally due to "public health concerns," but there was a good spirit and optimism about the launching of the Charter. All elected federal and provincial politicians and Winnipeg City Council were invited to receive a copy of the Charter.

     The people at the rally applauded the two elected politicians who were present: Jon Gerrard, leader of the Liberal Party in Manitoba, and Shelly Glover, elected in St. Boniface as a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party three days earlier. Flor Marcelino, NDP MLA for Wellington, sent her regrets in writing, being under the weather.

     Besides People's Voice, there was no media coverage. The organizers received a rude phone call from the Winnipeg Free Press but did not provide any information, since the newspaper is on strike. When inviting the union to speak at the rally, they were informed that the caller was a top manager at the paper.

     The organizers can be reached at FourDirectionsCommittee@gmail.com or 204-792-3371.