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Prorogue protest attracts 200 demonstrators 7 · Wednesday, January 27, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Continued from page 1 major parties is the NDP, he said. As a member of Amnesty International, Smeenk is incredulous the government would decide to shut down while it's under investigation. In addition to halting more than 30 government bills, the Dec. 30 decision to prorogue Parliament until Mar. 3, shut down a committee investigating the Canadian military's role in transferring Afghan detainees to forces that inflict torture on prisoners. Amid a sea of signs that read `Get back to work' and `The pro rogue' with a picture of Harper beneath it -- as well as flags from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Auto Workers and postal workers' union -- the crowd listened to a range of speeches from about half a dozen people. James Ede, an executive with the Oakville NDP riding association, describes the prorogation as locking Canadians out of their House of Parliament, "and so we have gathered on the streets," he said as the crowd shouted "shame, shame" in response. Ede's message to the Prime Minister is "don't mess with our democracy." Mervyn Russell, of St. Jude's Anglican Church, "The first thing we must do is what we are doing today, that is, we must make it very clear to the prime minister, his party and the public, that we are very dissatisfied and disturbed by these proroguements. We in the next federal election, said, "Never should the voice of dissent be muffled by a right-wing minority government." He urged legislators to "get back to work to restore Canada's image on environmental issues. Get the deficit down and make sure Canada is never implicated in any atrocities." After the speeches, demonstrators marched on foot, in wheelchairs and pushed baby strollers along Kerr Street waving placards, banging drums and blowing into noisemakers. "We must make it very clear to the Prime Minister, his party and the public, that we are very dissatisfied and disturbed by these proroguements." Mervyn Russell, St. Jude's Anglican Church A recent EKOS poll showed that almost two-thirds of Canadians oppose the government's suspension of Parliament. MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER CARING MESSAGE: Mahmood Khan holds one of many protest signs at the rally. consider that it makes this government unfit for governing and one that should be brought down at the first opportunity." Oakville Ward 6 Councillor Max Khan, who will run against Young for the Liberals HWY. #6 N W S E WATERDOWN Visit Our SHOWROOM · Quality Craftsmanship · Innovative Designs · Professional Service & Installation · 10 Year Warranty TH D HWY. #5 HALLMARK KITCHENS 23 INNOVATION DRIVE (Clappisons Corners) WATERDOWN BKB RENOVATIONS · BATHROOMS · KITCHENS · BASEMENTS STILL TIME TO BEAT THE TAX CREDIT & THE HST Bathrooms To Suit Your Budget 416.823.9675 SOU 905-689-7877 www.hallmarkkitchens.ca R.