Mayor of Vancouver Proclaims June 2003 to be “BC Civil Liberties Association Month”
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, Canada’s pre-eminent civil liberties organization, is set to kick off its 40th Anniversary celebrations in grand style with a gala dinner to honour the founding members of the Association on Tuesday June 3, 2003 at the Floata Seafood Restaurant (#400 – 180 Keefer St., Vancouver). The public is invited to attend (Tickets $50, with a $20 charitable tax receipt).
The keynote speaker is Thomas Berger, O.C., Q.C. who will be addressing civil liberties in the 21st Century. Distinguished author and poet Susan Musgrave will read an original poem composed for the event.
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association was formally founded on February 27, 1963. Since then, the BCCLA has worked diligently and responsibly to defend and promote civil liberties and human rights in British Columbia and Canada. Whether it is assisting hundreds of complainants to fight for their rights each year, undertaking public education, meeting with law makers to discuss law reform or challenging unjust laws in the courts, the Association has earned unprecedented respect and trust from the public, politicians and the media for its thoughtfully-considered positions and unstinting commitment to freedom.
According to John Dixon, President of the BCCLA, “40 years of fighting for freedom is a big deal and something to celebrate. We invite everyone to come and enjoy the celebration. But our efforts will ultimately succeed or fail depending on the how much everyday Canadians take to heart the freedoms that lie at the center of our free and democratic society. We will continue to encourage all British Columbians and Canadians to make that democratic commitment.”
As part of the 40th Anniversary celebrations, the Mayor of Vancouver, Larry Campbell, has proclaimed June 2003 to be “BC Civil Liberties Association Month”. Additional 40th Anniversary celebrations will include a dance on Friday, July 18, 2003 with music by the Wassabi Collective, dj’ing by Shankhini and Timothy Wisdom of Tribal Harmonix and with special guest Renee Boje. Also on November 18, the BCCLA will host a talk by the Honourable Madame Justice Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Details of the Founders Banquet:
Where: Floata Chinese Seafood Restaurant #400 – 180 Keefer St., Vancouver (Chinatown)
When: Tuesday June 3, 2003 No Host Cocktails at 6:30 pm, Dinner at 7:30 pm
Keynote Speaker: Thomas Berger, O.C., Q.C.
Guest Poet: Susan Musgrave Susan Musgrave
Tickets: $50/person ($20 charitable tax receipt) available until 5pm on Monday June 2, 2003
For more details about any of these events or information about the history or work of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, please contact Murray Mollard, Executive Director.
