Stand Up and Justice Jam a success

On Friday October 16, we at CPJ along with our partners and supporters in Ottawa organized two events for the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (officially October 17). First, there was a Stand Up event at Parliament Hill in the afternoon, followed by a celebration in the evening, Justice Jam, with great live music by local artists and a chance for local supporters to gather together.

At noon on Parliament Hill CPJ, Canada Without Poverty (CWP), Make Poverty History (MPH) and others met to Stand Up and take action to eliminate poverty both at home and around the world. Over 200 people were in attendance. Although those in attendance had various concerns and interests, all were united in the call for the federal government to take definitive action to combat and eventually eliminate poverty.

CPJ’s Karri Munn-Venn and Rob Rainer from CWP had an opportunity to explain the Dignity for All Campaign, asking for individuals and organizations to sign on and join the movement for a poverty free Canada. The crowd was then led in the Stand Up Pledge, an initiative of MPH to call for the elimination of poverty, which is read out by hundreds of thousands all over the world on this occasion.

In the evening, CPJ hosted Justice Jam which was an evening of celebration of our work and a chance to stand together and renew our goals in the fight against poverty. The CBC’s Bob Carty and his band performed a number of pieces, many on the theme of justice and looking after those impoverished among us. Carty was followed by a local high school Mo-town band Otis Lives which got several in attendance up on their feet dancing!

The Stand Up Pledge was read for this crowd as well to help educate those in attendance about the problem of poverty in Canada and encourage them to take a stand against it. Overall the evening was a great success, with over 150 people in attendance, some great music, good food and company and the chance to renew support and commitments for the work of CPJ.