It has been relatively quiet here at Artspace recently. Why? Who knows? Maybe it's the weather. It is officially fall, and the weather is turning colder. Maybe the picketers don't like the cold. I haven't seen very many of them out there lately, and I haven't really heard much from them, either. Then again that could be because my windows and doors are closed and I hear hardly anything, let alone the rantings of picketers.But how long will this quiet last? There have been rumors that if the AUPE does not get their way, they will once again ramp up their actions outside of our homes. It has happened in the past.
On Canada Day, the AUPE showed up uninvited and unwelcomed. They held a big Canada Day/AUPE solidarity party on the street and sidewalks of my neighborhood. About a month later, after SAIL rejected the mediator's report, our Saturday afternoon was disrupted by the rantings and ravings of the AUPE's communications officer and "fake" lawyer. These men are supposedly professionals, but their behavior certainly did not reflect that. You can see them in action on our YouTube site with the videos entitled "Street Theatre". Their behavior was so ludicrous and abusive that it brought at least one Artspace member to tears.
Then the day after we celebrated surviving 100 days of being under siege, the AUPE came out with about 100 people. Again they came unwelcomed, but this time they also came unannounced. They only stayed for about two hours but the impact was great. They invaded our home with loud noise, including African drums, music and bullhorn. It was extremely loud and disruptive. Perhaps the most upsetting, at least for some of us, was their attempt to sing as a group.
About the same time that all this was happening we finally got some attention in the public and on social media. Suddenly, people were seeing AUPE's abusive behavior in our neighborhood. They began to check things out. Some even began to question the AUPE. Suddenly, things got relatively quiet in our neighborhood. And AUPE began inviting everyone to come and see the "peaceful picket line" for themselves. They won't admit it but they were in damage control.
So, yes, it has been relatively quiet here. But for how long? Only time will tell.
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