Wendell Fields
Wendell Fields | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Wendell Hugh Fields August 26, 1957 Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) |
Wendell Fields (August 26, 1957 – March 1, 2017
Activist
In 1984, Fields, while demonstrating in sympathy with a trust company workers' strike in
Fields worked as a dishwasher, busboy and labourer,[5] and was laid off from his job as a plastics molder in about 1990.[6] He subsequently moved from Cambridge, Ontario to Hamilton. According to The Hamilton Spectator, Fields became a part-time student to upgrade his skills,[5] He joined Hamilton Against Poverty (HAP), a group consisting of social assistance recipients, helpful social agencies, Single mothers and the working poor. HAP was created in 1987.[6] Wendell worked with anti poverty activist and HAP member, Julie Gordon. Gordon and Fields spoke against the Social Assistance Reform Act and the Prevention of Unionization Act at Queen's Park when Mike Harris was Premier of Ontario. Wendell, Julie and Herb Joseph made submissions together at Queen's Park concerning the Safe Streets Act. Herb Joseph, an aboriginal human rights activist wrote about the Jay Treaty for Mayday Magazine.
Fields testified before a federal House of Commons committee in 1992 as a HAP representative, speaking in opposition to a proposed child benefits bill introduced by the government of Brian Mulroney. His position was that the bill did nothing to benefit single mothers and low-income women, and should be rewritten.[6] He and the HAP were also involved in lobbying about issues of homelessness.[7]
Fields was arrested in 1995 following a demonstration by McMaster University students against tuition fee hikes.[8] The following year, he spoke out in opposition to the provincial government's workfare policies, stating that ""We must fight (workfare) with dignity, pride and fearlessness."[9]
He was charged with trespassing in 1999, after a peaceful demonstration protesting a display of fighter aircraft and what he and other protesters described as the militarism of an airshow at Hamilton International John C. Munro Airport. He pleaded not guilty.
Candidate for office
Fields ran for public office until the
He remained active in the Hamilton activist community as of 2005.[19]
References
- ^ "In Memoriam: Wendell Fields".
- ^ "Wendell Fields". InMemoriam.ca. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear brother. Wendell, in his 59th year, on March 1, 2017, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
- ^ Globe and Mail, December 14, 1984
- ^ Globe and Mail, Man to appeal jail term for party question refusal, December 13, 1984
- ^ a b Davy, Denise, "Not working makes you feel less than human," the man says. He is a Single, employable, male Spectator, October 9, 1992
- ^ a b c Flanders, John, Scrap child benefit bill, group says Law needs complete rewrite, anti-poverty committee urges, Hamilton Spectator, July 15, 1992
- ^ Spectator, Advocates for homeless lobby MPPs, June 5, 1993
- ^ Angry students take to streets to fight fee hikes Spectator, January 26, 1995
- ^ The case has been made and workfare must be resisted Spectator, April 19, 1996
- ^ Spectator, Illness delays trial of air show protesters, October 19, 1999
- ^ Spectator, JP excuses herself from protest case; Postpones trial of five who occupied MPP's office, July 21, 2000
- ^ Winners, Losers in Hamilton and Area Ridings, June 4, 1997, Hamilton Spectator
- ^ Cox, Christine, October 29, 1997 A reach for the top: Six mayoral challengers want to take Bob Morrow's job away from him, The Spectator
- ^ Candidates keen on clean air: Mayoral hopefuls promise to give it high priority, Spectator, November 12, 1997.
- ^ Poling, Jim, The Candidates-Hamilton West. June 1, 1999, Hamilton Spectator
- ^ Eric Mcguinness, Crowded race in the west end, Spectator, November 16, 2000
- ^ "Historical 301 Electoral Districts Database". www.elections.ca. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ "2011 General Election". www.elections.ca. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
- ^ Peter Van Harten, Local 1005 leader says Stelco union not divided, Spectator, January 31, 2005