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Protesters in Nanaimo criticize B.C. NDP’s leadership contest politics

Extinction Rebellion members picket at Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson’s constituency office
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Val Utgaren, left, Rebecca Johnston, Norman Abbey and Chrissie Rousseau were part of a group of 12 people who turned out in Nanaimo to protest the B.C. NDP party’s handling of the recent party leadership race. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

About a dozen people in Nanaimo turned out to protest the NDP government’s politics and policies yesterday.

Picketers positioned themselves at the corner of Dunsmuir and Albert streets, near Nanaimo NDP MLA Sheila Malcolmson’s constituency office, on Thursday, Oct. 27.

The group, made up largely of environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion members, held protest signs and waved at passing motorists – many of whom honked in response as they drove by – for about an hour. Referring to the B.C. NDP party as the Non-Democratic Party, they protesting against the party disqualifying Anjali Appadurai, who was running against former B.C. attorney general David Eby to become leader of the party and B.C.’s next premier.

“They used underhanded tactics in preventing a legitimate leadership contest from happening,” said Vic Brice, environmental activist, in a phone interview.

The party executive disqualified Appadurai – a climate and human rights activist – from the leadership race Oct. 19 for allegedly violating campaign rules, leaving Eby as the only qualified candidate. Eby will be sworn in as B.C.’s new premier Nov. 18, replacing John Horgan who stepped down for health reasons.

READ ALSO: Anjali Appadurai ejected from B.C. NDP leader’s race; David Eby to be premier



chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com

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Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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