Thousands showed up at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday to demonstrate against Bill C-51.
The rally evolved into a four hour march through Vancouver’s streets, blockading intersections and causing major unscheduled traffic detours. The protest made its way from the Art Gallery to the intersection of Broadway and Cambie over the Cambie Street Bridge.
Similar protests took place across Canada as protestors are opposed to the federal Conservative government’s anti-terrorism legislation Bill C-51, which many view jeopardizes the personal information of Canadians and their freedoms.
The bill would permit the Canadian Security Intelligence Service new powers to take action against suspected terrorists. However, critics say that terrorism is not an immense threat to the country and that this bill is more about invasion of privacy.
Photos from Vancouver Bill C-51 rally
“Hey hey, ho ho Stephen #Harper‘s gotta go” shout #Vancouver protesters on Cambie bridge. #c51 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/W3o3QjD93Q
— Hayley Woodin (@hayleywoodin) March 14, 2015
<100 march on Cambie in #Vancouver shouting “Stephen #Harper‘s terrorists” in protest of Bill C-51. #cdnpoli #c51 pic.twitter.com/XPteJVHCmT
— Hayley Woodin (@hayleywoodin) March 14, 2015
So this is happening right now in Vancouver at Cambie and Broadway to protest against Bill C-51. #canpoli pic.twitter.com/sbNUdpIT04
— James Smith (@JamesWESmith) March 14, 2015
Hundreds of protesters are shutting down Vancouver Streets over BillC#51 pic.twitter.com/SbDWJkPLUX
— Vancouver Cop Block (@VanCopBlock) March 14, 2015
Protest in the street at Broadway and Cambie. Traffic and buses blocked. pic.twitter.com/dLylFBwUXB
— Jarett Rude (@rudepics) March 14, 2015
Protest happening at Cambie and Broadway right now #vancouver #protest pic.twitter.com/b1dAwssNkb
— Jenn Chan (@jennchanphoto) March 14, 2015
♫ sitting at the intersection of Cambie and Broadway / watching the traffic stand still ♫ #BillC51 pic.twitter.com/WMmwi2Dyya
— Kevy Metal (@KevyMetalWorld) March 14, 2015
Protesters have shut down Broadway & Cambie St to protest BillC#51 pic.twitter.com/Urc3UbYi3r
— Vancouver Cop Block (@VanCopBlock) March 14, 2015
#BillC51Rally temporarily closes down intersection of Broadway & Cambie in #Vancouver #canpoli pic.twitter.com/9LsohhQll5
— Olsy Sorokina (@OlsySpeak) March 14, 2015
Broadway and Cambie shut down by protest. But thanks for cleaning streets with your clothes! pic.twitter.com/jjtCvU1zN7
— Hosea Cheung (@hoseacheung) March 14, 2015
Bill C-51 protesters have moved across the bridge to Broadway and Cambie. Some lying down to block off intersection pic.twitter.com/sRFvjPWJ46
— CTV Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) March 14, 2015