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Ottawa tribute to activists who fight against poverty
United Nations' International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
 Ottawa
- Activists in Ottawa marked Oct. 17, United Nations' International
Day for the Eradication of Poverty, by unveiling the Dorothy O'Connell
Monument to Anti-Poverty Activism.
"On this day, we want people to appreciate that many activists work
long hours, usually with no recognition, to raise the awareness of
poverty and related issues," said Clayton Dignard of Ottawa's Somerset
West Action Network.
"People in Canada should not be living on the streets, begging for
their meals or being forced to choose between paying rent or feeding
their kids. We need some positive action - now!"
Dorothy O'Connell is a well-known, widely respected, anti-poverty
activist and playwright in Ottawa. The decision to erect a monument to
her has been the aim of a campaign for the past couple of years.
Local artist c.j. fleury, best known for The Women's Monument Against
Violence, was commissioned to design the monument, which is to be
erected on the South Lawn of Ottawa's City Hall.
'A powerful
statement'
"In a city with many monuments this is a special one as it honours
fellow citizens who are, and have been, engaged in the struggle to end
poverty in our community," says Sean McKenny, president of the Ottawa
District Labour Council.
"The monument that c.j. has created makes a powerful statement," says
James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General
Employees.
"I would urge everyone, residents of Ottawa and visitors to the
National Capital, to see it."
Author of Chicklet Gomez and other works of humour, O'Connell has been
a pioneer anti-poverty activist since the 1960s. She helped establish
Ottawa’s first women’s credit union and first legal aid clinic. She
was also a co-founder of the Ottawa Tenants Council and the Ottawa
Council for Low Income Support Services.
From the beginning, the National Union has been a supporter of the
campaign to establish the monument.
(NUPGE)
Web posted by NUPGE:
17 October 2004
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