It’s safe to suggest scores of Vancouverites woke up May 10 feeling the burn.
Julie Coton can relate on a few different levels.
As the lead spokesperson for Our Revolution Vancouver, Coton has first felt the Bern in 2015. She then felt the burn twice over in 2016: first after U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders was ousted from the Democratic primaries in June and then again after Donald Trump’s presidential victory five months later.
The highs and lows of U.S. politics, coupled with her standing as a dual U.S./Canadian citizen, prompted Coton to help found the Vancouver chapter of Our Revolution, which serves as an extension of Sanders’ political movement and ideals.
Formerly known as B.C. for Bernie, the group was accepted under the more formalized Our Revolution banner earlier this spring.
“We’re an advocacy group dedicated to advancing progressive politics, preserving and protecting democracy throughout North America,” Coton said. “We are active in events and activities to further that.”
Because the group is still in its infancy and meets infrequently, the numbers are constantly in flux depending on the issue of the day. A formal webpage isn’t up yet, though it’s under development. A mailing list is maintained to fire up the troops ahead of protest rallies or key decisions about to be made south of the 49th parallel.
The group has had a presence at several Vancouver-based protests since Trump took office last November and that’s where Coton feels the group’s biggest strengths are found: communication and advocacy. Outside of protests, group members actively participate in “phone banking” ahead of critical decisions in the U.S. to help mobilize voters in America, whether it be to contact their elected officials or to remind them of key voting opportunities.
The majority of Our Revolution members are American ex-pats who still have a say down south. Coton and her husband moved to Vancouver from Chicago a decade ago.
U.S. government statistics suggest Canada has the highest number of voters — 660,000 — eligible to participate in U.S. elections. Of that number, 183,000 are based in Metro Vancouver, representing the largest concentration in the world outside of an America.
That’s all well and good, but what about those Canadians don’t have a say in U.S. votes or don’t care what happens to our neighbours to the south?
“For Canadian citizens, nothing could be more important now than what’s happening in the United States,” Coton said. “What’s happening in the U.S., these are world-wide issues. This is just as relevant to Canada and Canadians as it is everywhere else.”
Those looking to get their Bernie on can link up with the Vancouver group online at www.ourrevolution.com/groups.
