Freedom

This started out a week ago as a follow-up to my recent posts on the "Freedom Convoy" situation in our nation's capital (here and here). Before I could finish it, the world tilted badly as Russia invaded Ukraine, and the whole convoy thing seems like peanuts compared to that.

Or is it?

The people involved in the Freedom Convoy talked about freedom a lot. It was their slogan, an all-purpose word that meant (depending on the person) freedom from vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers, freedom from all public health measures brought in to help reduce hospitalizations and deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic, or freedom from a democratically-elected government.

Freedom from the vaccine mandate was nonsensical. Truckers had been granted an exemption from the mandate in late 2021 in order to help reduce supply chain issues. The exemption was due to be lifted January 15 in Canada, and a similar exemption mandated by the United States was due to be lifted the following week, January 22. So even if Canada had extended the exemption, truckers would have faced the same restrictions the very next week as soon as they crossed the Canada-U.S. border.

Freedom from public health measures such as vaccine passports, mask-wearing, and social distancing was an understandable but socially inappropriate demand in reaction to rules which had been brought in to benefit all of us. We're all tired of Covid-19 and its restrictions, but it's foolish to think that it will magically disappear by ignoring it. As so many people have said in so many ways, rights are not absolute. They extend only to the point where they affect other peoples' rights. You have the freedom to not wear a mask, but you don't have the right to infect others by doing it in public spaces. You have the right to not get vaccinated but you don't have the right to bring your unprotected self into every public space and expose yourself to risk and end up in the hospital, draining resources that are needed to take care of the truly vulnerable.

Freedom from a democratically-elected government ... well, we are now seeing that playing out on the other side of the world. The threat there is coming from a neighbouring country, but the right-wing school of thought that took over the Freedom Convoy in Canada and other countries actively promotes a similar threat from within each country. What we are seeing in Ukraine is a true threat to democracy. It's not about wearing or not wearing a piece of cloth over your nose and mouth. It's not about getting a jab in the arm. It's about one country trying to take away another country's right to be run by the government democratically elected to do so. It's a grab for more power, more status, and a return to "the old days".  

In the comments on my last post, the following questions were posed by Red (from Hiawatha House):

"How can things that are so simple be twisted to support extremist ideas? How can people believe such information?" 

I'm pretty sure they were rhetorical questions, but I have thoughts and so I will share them with you lucky people.

The protest in Ottawa was hijacked by those with extremist ideas; that is quite clear. They have been quite open in their public activities and on social media about their beliefs and goals, which include white nationalism, racist conspiracy theories, anti-immigration, Islamophobia, and overthrowing the government. This has been happening all over the world, not just in Canada.

How did they twist the simple protest of anti-vaxxers into extremism? 

Those who believe in "preserving Anglo-Saxon bloodlines" (i.e. white supremacy) and interfering in democracy know that their beliefs are not widely shared in civilized society. They use the cloak of respectability that is provided by sincere protesters of valid causes. They are very good at appearing to support and align themselves with those people and making them feel that they are being persecuted by outside forces. Leaders at the convoy stressed to protesters that their chant would be "Freedom". It was easy to remember and easy to say. But there's a vast difference between "freedom from vaccine mandates" and "freedom to overthrow the government".

How can people believe such information?

They were actively and deliberately misinformed by their extremist leaders. After two years of pandemic restrictions, the misinformation fell on fertile ground.

There is also the question of how extremist leaders can believe their own views.

We are all products of nature and nurture. Nature is the bag of traits, good and bad, that all humans have to a lesser or greater degree. Nurture is the environment we grew up in -- our family upbringing, financial  means, social standing, emotional support, etc. -- and also the environment in which we live once we reach adulthood and independence. So much of the white supremacist rhetoric includes grievances about jobs lost or in jeopardy, and about changes in their status in society. Whites used to be at the top of the food chain, especially white males. They decided how things would be. They decided who would suffer and who would thrive. They had all the power and resources.

They no longer have all of it. In some cases they have much less of it. And some of them are looking for someone to blame and some way to get it all back.

Reminds me of another situation ...... ah, yes, that Russian leader. He, too, wants to return to the glory days of some time ago, restoring all his power and resources at the expense of democracy in Ukraine .... and if that goes well for him, he may want to keep going.

I hope he fails miserably.

My thoughts and support are with Ukraine's citizens and leaders. May they be successful in protecting their independence. We might all ask ourselves (and may already be doing so) how we would react if we were in their shoes.

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I know that for the most part, my outlook and viewpoints are shared by the folks who read and comment here, no matter what corner of the world you live in. But I felt a great need -- for myself, if no one else -- to record the facts and my feelings about this alarming and enlightening event in my country. I've always felt lucky to live here, and it feels important not only to reflect on these events, but, indeed, to do as our national anthem states: stand on guard for my country. 

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Footnote about the Emergencies Act, for those interested: With the specific laws put in place by the Act, targeted to the specific emergency, police were able to peacefully clear the streets around the Parliament buildings in about two days. The Act was revoked nine days after it was put in place, as the emergency was considered to be over. It is worth mentioning that small groups continue to camp out at more distant locations. It is also worth noting that the main organizers of the convoy were arrested and are now in the justice system. A reported injury to one person by a police horse is being investigated. A reported injury to a police horse is also being investigated.  A review of the powers and duties exercised while the emergency was in effect is required by the Act itself, and the resulting report is expected to be finalized by the end of March.

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And now, just a wee kitty to make you feel good.