Bubblebustin has had to postpone the protest but would like to have one in the near future.
Bubblebustin would like to know if there are any West coasters interested in being part of a FATCA protest in downtown Vancouver, Ministry of Finance, 300 Georgia Street West, Monday Dec 2 at 1 pm. The press are invited:http://www.fin.gc.ca/notices-avis13/2013-11-29-eng.asp
Bubblebusin, The protests that you don’t have time to fret and prepare for, are the most fun! I hope a few more people can find the time to whip up a sign, and join you on Monday.
I *may* be able to come over from the Island (gotta clear it wrt work), but I’ll likely be on foot and won’t be able to bring a sign. Could I bring about 100 handouts of the CBA ‘US FATCA INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS’?
http://www.cba.ca/contents/files/misc/msc_120625_fatca_en.pdf
Oh… and if the meeting is at 1pm in the building, would 12:30 be a good start time? Maybe catch people on their lunch hour? (I’ve never done this before, so have zero experience, but lots of energy!).
@fifi, Why bring bank propoganda?
We have FATCA Fact Sheets that show how FATCA hurts Canadians. Gwen recently did some graphic design work to make them look professional. Check out the link on the side bar.
@Fifi, don’t worry about your lack of experience. I was a ‘protest virgin’ too, before I met Atticus.
OK, no worries. I wasn’t thinking of it as bank propaganda, more like ‘straight from the horses mouth’, as in ‘look what your financial institution is planning to do to you, in their own words’. Like I said, I’m inexperienced, and won’t be able to bring much of anything since I’d be travelling by foot, bus, ferry, bus and foot. I’ll hand out whatever is provided, though! But… I gotta clear it at work. We’re all working overtime this weekend/week.
Perhaps the Harper government spokespersons at this venue can explain exactly how much they anticipate a FATCA IGA to cost Canadian taxpayers and accountholders – in assets lost to the US, and in eternal implementation costs. Where is the cost-benefit analysis on setting up the CRA to fulfill the US FATCA imposed duty to automatically report all the balances, withdrawals, deposits and activity, etc. on our Canadian accounts forever and ever, including those that are not bank accounts, but insurance, etc. ?
They are damned if they say they haven’t done a cost analysis – because who signs a contract without knowing whether they can fulfill the terms? And if they have done a cost analysis – I want to know what the cost vs. benefit figures are.
I will join you….
good luck brockers for Monday.. it’s too late for UK… but we are all withyou in spirit. thank you for standing up and being counted
@bubblebustin, FiFi, Charlie Richmond and others who join the protest
I will be there in spirit.
@Fifi, and CharlieRichmond,
In order that you can communicate with Bubblebustin directly, would it be OK if Pacifica gives your email addresses to bubblebustin?
Good luck to you on Monday!!
A couple of signs re FATCA, not too wordy, some FATCA Fact Sheet hand-outs and, importantly, what is in your head to discuss with the people who will be interested in, “What is FATCA?” will educate the others that talk with you. As well, the word “FATCA” will be now be in others’ minds for the next time they see it in a new article.
Thanks for stepping up to help bubblebustin!
@All Monday Protestors, I’ve got a few (OK, five) suggestions having been at 3 protests now so far myself.
First, have fun! You may feel nervous at the beginning, but it is more exciting than nerve wracking, and kind of addicting. 🙂
Second, present yourself as CANADIANS, and FATCA as being harmful to CANADIANS. If people see FATCA as an issue affecting only ‘Americans living in Canada’, they may be sympathetic to your plight, but will quickly dismiss it. You want to get them PISSED OFF with what USA is trying to do to CANADA and Canadians. ANGRY PEOPLE TAKE ACTION! Sympathetic people don’t (IMHO).
Third, Keeping in mind your goals (re: second point) , think about what you want to say to people who will ask you questions like: ‘What is FATCA?’ or ‘FATCA only affects Americans, so what?’ If you have prepared your answers ahead of time, you won’t get tongue-tied when people stop to talk to you.
Fourth, re: signs. For those that are traveling by bus, ferry, or walking, and may have trouble with cumbersome signs, you can buy 2 sheets of bristol board (or similar) that is rollable. Do up a slogan on each board, staple them together back to back, and roll them up for easy carry. Keep in mind that people will view your sign from both sides, so make sure they are oriented in the same direction so that one side is not being displayed upside down when you are holding them up! In case of wet weather, you can either laminate your signs (I didn’t) or you can purchase clear plastic (I bought some at Staples which comes in a roll for $2.49 enough for one sign), and cut to fit your sign, then tape or staple to secure it. Sticks or posts to attach to the sign make holding them up easier, but aren’t necessary (I didn’t bother).
Fifth, fewer words on your signs are better because they can be quickly read by passersby, and you can make the letters bigger for easier viewing. See slogan suggestions here: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/anti-fatca-slogans-for-protest-signs/
…plus, it will just be good for you to meet each other over this effort!!
Yes, very important — you are Canadians. In addition to how this affects you personally as a ‘US Person’ — this is a cost to ALL Canadians in additional bank fees but, more importantly, in this country’s sovereignty — not allowing our financial institutions and our CRA to be arms of the IRS.
(I agree — the sign sticks aren’t needed and don’t go overboard on the number of hand-outs you print for this — but still have enough.)
Bravo!
@ WhiteKat,
That’s great advice! I made a permanent page for it, “Practical Suggestions for Protesters.” It can be reached through the sidebar under “FATCA Fact Sheet and Publicity Materials.” Also Calgary’s comment related to point (2). Very useful!
Hi everybody,
Thank you WhiteKat for posting this and your helpful suggestions, and those who have offerred to join me.
WhiteKat, from the notice, it seems that there will be a meeting prior to the press conference at 1. When do you suggest we plan to gather there? From what I’ve read, the location is the Federal Office Tower which is in the same building as the Vancouver Library building at Georgia and Hamilton. The weather is expected to be wet or even snowing. I looked at the building on google street view and there is a gigantic overhang at the entrance, but they may not let us use it, although I would assume that the building is public property (?)
As for signs, yes they should be short and sweet (or saccharine if you prefer). I’m going to try to get some coroplast today, but I live in a small town a ferry ride away from Vancouver and they may not have any. If I can, I’ll make a few so for anyone who may not have one. I don’t mind carrying them on to the ferry uncovered – why not increase the exposure to the cause, en route to the destination? Using indelible ink on coroplast should be pretty water proof on its own, I would think.
I plan to also have 100 of the Canadian FATCA Fact sheets that Gwen designed done up. To the more experienced, is 100 enough?
Calgary411, do you have some way of contacting Raging Grannies in Vancouver?
Lots to think about and do right now…
bubblebustin,
I haven’t heard back from Raging Grannies in Calgary.
http://vancouverraginggrannies.wordpress.com/
I do not do Facebook, but if anyone wants to try that for calgary: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Calgary-Raging-Grannies/149773808411499
I had contacted the Unitarian Church where the Calgary Raging Grannies meet. The author of the SAIT article was actually not SURE that the Raging Grannies had sung (that’s what they do — make up songs and wonderfully sing them regarding different issues) anything regarding FATCA.
From: UCC Office
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2013 8:58 AM
To: caroltapanila@shaw.ca
Subject: Re: Message from UCC website contact form Raging Grannies
@Bubblebustin, Re: when to get there, perhaps others can chime in with their thoughts, but I would say you don’t want to miss the early birds, so try to be there before you anticipate their arrival.
100 FATCA fact sheets are plenty!
You might want to bring some petitions to be forwarded on to Ted Hsu later. Even though he has likely already presented a bunch to parliament, it doesn’t hurt to ram home the point by continuing to collect more signatures and mailing them in to him.
Another good idea, pacifica!
@All
I am so excited for you all. Great idea Pacifica 777 putting a permanent page for it, “Practical Suggestions for Protesters.” on the FATCA sheet and publicity side bar
I googled this up for raging grannies…I love googling. I found raging grannies in BC.
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ragigran/
there are contact emails..
Hope this helps..
They have songs to
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ragigran/
There are comments too…one from Pete Seeger, who I saw in concert.
@All
I found another link with grannie gaggles in Canada There are some in every province.
http://raginggrannies.org/locate-gaggle/
British Columbia
British Colombia web site http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ragigran
Gabriola Island mclaren_jean@yahoo.ca
Kamloops doonvly@shaw.ca
Kelowna http://www.raginggrannies.ca or shirley.ganton@tanglewood-cottage.ca
Penticton bruce430@hotmail.com
Powell River edjb@shaw.ca
Salt Spring Island suspaynt@islandnet.com
Vancouver dandrsmith@shaw.ca
Victoria annemoon@shaw.ca or fran.thorburn@gmail.com
Thank you Calgary411 and Northernstar, I’ve sent an email to the Vancouver contact asking for their support.
Here’s something interesting to do. Search google images for “FATCA protest” and see who/what shows up 🙂
Go For It. Thanks for fighting on the front lines.
Anything participative helps–coffee, hot chocolate, balloons, candy.
Also, remember some people are shy to approach by themselves, but will listen behind someone who is already talking. The first person is the toughest, the others follow easier. If you have a friend that can start a conversation with you first, others will listen.