[All] The Tractors Are Coming! Huge Fight For Farmland Rally, Wed Aug 28th 6:00pm at Regional HQ

[Kevin Thomason]

Good Day,

We had a fantastic rally at Wilmot Township Hall on Monday night with a record attendance of hundreds of people showing they are unwilling, great speakers, and amazing live music.

However, the farmers are really angry and frustrated they aren’t being heard by the Regional Councillors or Provincial Officials including MPP Mike Harris Jr. so they have decided to arrive with their tractors to the Fight For Farmland Rally on Wednesday, August 28th at 6:00pm in advance of the Regional Council Meeting.  

We are expecting dozens of tractors in downtown Kitchener tomorrow evening and have been working with the police on escort into the city along the Conestoga Expressway from New Hamburg to Ottawa Street and then along Weber Street to Regional HQ at 150 Fredrick Street in downtown Kitchener.

It should be quite the sight and we will try for the best possible impact in the most respectful ways.  However, a protest like this hasn’t been seen in years, if ever in Waterloo Region.  The farmers will be starting out from the proposed mega-site (2958 Bleams Road, New Hamburg) around 3:30pm and arriving in downtown Kitchener at Regional HQ for 5:30pm.  Starting at 6pm in the plaza in front of the Regional HQ will be a rally where we are expecting hundreds of people, speeches from provincial Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, the President of the National Farmers Union, representatives from other agricultural organizations, local farmers, and others along with fun live music from local musician PunkeyDoodles Steve Todd who will perform his hit song "770 Acres".

Shortly after 7pm we will then be heading into the Regional Council Meeting to fill the Council Chambers as several farmers and farm organizations are finally on the agenda to delegate and speak to Regional Council with concerns about this absurd mega-industrial site and the need for a better plan.

We hope that you will join us with your Fight For Farmland signs and creative banners to show that WE ARE NOT WILLING!  Please also bring a box of Corn Flakes cereal for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.  There are numerous public transit options to reach the rally or parking available on nearby streets and parking lots.

Our communities are determined to show we are unwilling.  Speak up for the future that you want to see!

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Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network

Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone/WhatsApp: (519) 240-1648
Mastodon: @kthomason at mstdn.ca
E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com

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