Naomi Klein speaks to Vancouver library workers

Naomi Klein poses with CUPE 391 strike placard for media photographers, while Vancouver library workers sit on the south steps of Library Square.  Todd Wong (me) can be seen behind Klein on the immediate right in a yellow jacket. – photo Beth Lowther

Naomi Klein, author of No Logo, came to Library Square to speak to Vancouver library workers.  She said that libraries and library workers are important, and that she supported the pay equity issue that the library workers are fighting for.

Klein introduced her researcher, a librarian, to great applause.  And said that they greatly utilized library resources, especially the inter-library loan system… to more applause.

See the 6 minute video of Klein speaking to Vancouver library workers on YouTube:

I had the opportunity to meet her after her brief talk and thank her for coming out, and took some pictures with her with Craig Searle, who had asked her to come speak to the library workers.

Naomi Klein stands with library workers Craig Searle and Todd Wong.  Craig Searle invited Naomi Klein to speak to Vancouver library workers, striking for pay equity issues.  Todd had previously organized a reading series for authors coming to speak to the library workers on the picket line in August and September. photo Beth Lowther.

CUPE 391 President Alex Youngberg wrote this on the www.cupe391.ca blog:

Naomi Klein stands in solidarity with Vancouver Public Library
workers. The author of “No Logo” told road stories from her latest book
“The Shock Doctrine: the Rise of Disaster Capitalism, last night to a sold-out
audience at John Oliver Secondary School. She gave several excellent
examples of the infringement of the public’s democratic rights when
those in and with power capitalise on war and other gloabal disasters.
Naomi thanked library workers for help with her research and librarians
were credited with their work in protecting in the commons. Great
applause from the packed room! Obviously people of taste and erudition.

This CUPE 391 Vancouver Public Library worker thanked Naomi for her
kinds words. I gave her one of our famous collector buttons and said I
would be proud to share her words with the members on the picket line.
Naomi said she will be on that line at 1.00 p.m. Friday, October 5,
2007, at Central Library. Thunderous applause from our well-read
public. We love our members of the public and we love Naomi Klein.