A diverse array of activists, students, educational workers and members of the Hamilton community roughly 40 strong demonstrated in front of University Hall today in a rare chance to directly confront Stephen Harper. The PM was visiting the city for the first time since the May 2nd election which gave him a majority of seats in the House of Commons, if not a of the popular vote.

Groups represented included CUPE 3906, the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War, Hamilton for Steel (a solidarity group that works with USW 1005) and Students Resisting War and Occupation.

Speakers from the above mentioned groups sent the clear message that freeing up a bit of money for a handful of research positions was not enough to make Hamiltonians forget Harper's dismal record on imperialist war-making, union-busting, violation of human rights, de-funding of women's organizations and a false austerity agenda designed to mangle the public service and line the pockets of his rich backers.