Students and Kingston residents flooded downtown streets demanding climate action, Indigenous sovereignty, and justice for Palestine.
A Draw The Line coalition brought together more than 70 communities across Canada to pressure the federal government for systemic change on climate and social justice issues, such as pro-Palestine advocacy. In collaboration with groups such as Queen’s Backing Action on the Climate Crisis (QBAAC), marched from Victoria Park to McBurney Park, where more than 300 people protested.
After the march, Kingston residents, Indigenous community members and activists gave speeches demanding climate action, an end to the war in Gaza, affordability, and targeted messages about government bills such as Bill C-5 and Bill C-2.
Among the speakers was Monica Garvie, an Anishinaabe PhD student in the Department of Biology at Queen’s, who spoke about Bill C-5—legislation that would allow the federal government to speed up infrastructure project—and Indigenous consent. Other speakers spoke on Bill C-2—a bill meant to broaden possible security measures—Palestinian human rights, the need for climate action, and addressing food insecurity.
Chris Gusen, co-chair of the Kingston Climate Justice Coalition and a senior digital and communications strategist at 350 Canada, helped lead the national organizing effort. Gusen explained in an interview with The Journal that the coalition was formed in response to what organizers saw as a concerning political shift in the Carney government, despite Carney’s past climate credentials.
“This fall would be an important moment for people to rise up together to show that we want action not just on the climate crisis but on economic justice and on an end to war and militarization [in Palestine],” Gusen said. “We can’t keep going down this fossil fuel driven path […] we have to draw the line.”
In addition to the climate focus, the event carried a broader theme of peace according to QBAAC President Liv Winslow, ArtSci ’26. “The overall message was to draw the line, for people, for peace, and for the planet,” she said in an interview with The Journal.
A sentiment echoed throughout the protest. Gusen added that a key goal was building solidarity across movements. “It’s all well and good to attend a protest, and it’s very empowering, but this was a moment to learn from each other, to connect and to think about what the organizing work looks like that comes next beyond any given mobilization,” he added.
Gusen emphasized that while a single protest isn’t enough to bring about systemic change, it can serve as a powerful starting point.
“We need to form broader, deeper coalitions to take on billionaires, landlords, polluters, racists, war profiteers, in order to win. So, this day of action is really about our movements showing our power, showing our depth and our breadth, and showing that if we unite, we’re unstoppable,” he said.
Tags
climate protest, Draw the Line, Protest
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