03/05/2026
Ken shares his insights and encourages us to stay strong and committed to this protest. Also, he acknowledges the African Heritage Nova Scotia persons who bravely stood up to our premier at their recent gala. They are a great inspiration for all of us to do what is right and not cower to the authors of this devastating budget. Please read his post and share the call to action to write more letters and participate in this movement. Nova Scotia needs your help now.
Posted by Ken Schwartz
Dear Colleagues, PLEASE SHARE
This might be the most dangerous moment in our campaign to reverse the cuts to Arts Culture and Heritage.
Yesterday was an incredible success. As I wake up this morning, the work of hundreds of organizers, speakers and performers is resonating in my head and my heart. Thousands of people hit the streets, and they stayed for hours. The impact of these demonstrations penetrated the media everywhere. We accomplished this in 9 days. It's staggering to me and the gratitude I feel is hard to put into words.
But now, this government is hoping that for them, the worst is over.
We are exhausted from organizing. We are sick and tired of, once again, being backed into a wall and told we need to justify our very existence. And we are facing a Premier without empathy who is operating in a bubble.
But.
M.L.A.'s are not happy with the turn out yesterday, or the volume of calls, or the media painting them as cruel, or ineffectual, or weak- or a bit of all these things.
Call them for a meeting. Write them another personal letter. Publicly post your letters. Talk to your neighbors.
Be Loud. Don't stop being loud.
Please sign up to speak at public bills about the impact of these cruel cuts. Call 902-424-8941 and say you want to speak to the financial measures act. You don’t have to come in person- they have remote presentations.
If you can’t for whatever reason, please make sure to ask that whatever communication you send to your MLA is read into the Hansard. This will ensure your words are part of the public record of this fight
I wish I could say we won't need to hit the streets again soon- but we likely will. Maybe arm in arm with the courageous people fighting a similar, intersecting fight in other sectors.
I keep thinking of the enormous debt we owe the attendees of the African Nova Scotian Heritage Dinner, who stood in protest and booed Tim Huston until he left the stage. This moment of courage and leadership is maybe the most important thing that has happened in this province during this terrible moment. It showed all of us what courage can be. It gave others permission to be bold and speak the truth to power. Let's remember this example when we wake up in the morning and need the energy and bravery to battle on.
Be loud.
