Editor:
Re: Political statement at our border, May 19.
The article by Surrey Public Libraries’ Paul MacDonell brought back a few memories to me, even though I was at the time a mere eight days away from my fourth birthday.
What I remember from the time was a big voice and the excitement and enthusiasm that this event generated within my extended family and friends.
Over many decades, this event has been remembered by those present as a statement against bigotry and poverty and as a powerful voice for world peace.
How pertinent is Paul Robeson’s message today, when you consider that bigotry and hate born out of poverty are at the root of all that is going wrong with the world these days. As a socialist, he knew full well that the state Germany was left in after the First World War gave birth to a society that went way off-course to culminate in horrors of the Second World War.
One must ask the question today if the superpowers of the day are repeating the same mistake when it comes to the Middle East. “Drive them out!” says U.S. President Donald Trump – but to where? Once again, the conditions of poverty that feed into resentment and hate are not being addressed.
I just want to add that many local residents were involved in this endeavour in different ways.
I can remember riding in the front seat of the family car as my father, Peter Gidora, put up posters all over Surrey and Langley. Our family operated a mushroom farm on Nichol Road,now 140 Street, and owned the flatbed truck that was used as a stage. And one of my very distant relatives by marriage, Nancy Hamilton, who grew up on the McDonald strawberry farm on Archibald Road, now 144 Street, provided the piano.
Kudos to your publication and to librarian Paul MacDonell for bringing this significant event to our attention.
Steve Gidora, White Rock
