I think the first time I met Terry was in 1984 during the lead up to the federal election. He and I were involved in the “Election Priorities Project,” which focused public attention on peace and development issues. All across Canada, activists asked candidates a series of questions on peace and development issues and then we publicized their answers (or lack thereof). Terry and I worked together to construct a huge chart showing the results of the questionnaire from all of the candidates in the Ottawa region. During the election, we displayed it at a festival in Majors Hill Park.
Over the next 15 years, we often crossed paths, as fellow activists always do. He attended so many meetings and events. He had a real knack for finding little-known causes, starting huge campaigns from scratch and agitating people until his issue got onto the movement’s agenda. Quite often, no matter what the “real” reason for the event Terry was attending, he would inevitably find a way to promote the cause that was burning within him at that time. (Today at his memorial service, I almost expected to see his hand reaching out of the coffin to handout a pamphlet on Y2K!)
His hard work resulted in many successful campaigns, except perhaps Y2K. The progressive movements never really responded to his efforts. I wonder how he felt about that because it seems that it was the only time that his tremendous spirit and resolve ever really ran up against a solid brick wall. I know how vulnerable activists can be to burnout and discouragement. The feelings of isolation and rejection from this unjust and violent society can at times be overwhelming. As Kermit the frog once said, “It’s not easy being green!”
One thing that’s been troubling me is that I took him and his activism for granted. If Terry were here, I’d take the time to learn more from him and to help him out. But perhaps more importantly, I’d like to tell him how important he is/was to the social change movement. I’d tell him how great his contributions were. I’d tell him that I really appreciated all his dedicated, hardcore work. I’d say how much I wished that there were more people like him who were devoted to making this world a better place.
Although it’s too late now to say these things to Terry, it’s not too late for the rest of us. As activists we often express solidarity with the poor, the dispossessed, the victims of war and aggression, and the multitudes of those in far away lands who suffer and are repressed in the name of making huge profits for multinational corporations. From time to time, we also need to express our deep feelings of respect and appreciation for each other as activists. There are so few of us. We need to take more care to look out for one another.
Richard Sanders (coordinator, Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade)