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Idle No More moves to Bridge of Nations

A planned march and rally today by the Idle No More movement will disrupt traffic in the downtown area near Paris Street and the Bridge of Nations, said Greater Sudbury Police Service.
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Idle No More supporters are planning a march and rally, similar to the Dec. 21 event shown in this file photo, that will end at the Bridge of Nations. Motorists should expect significant delays, said Greater Sudbury Police Service. File photo.

A planned march and rally today by the Idle No More movement will disrupt traffic in the downtown area near Paris Street and the Bridge of Nations, said Greater Sudbury Police Service.

This rally is designed as a show of solidarity with the now international Idle No More campaign, which aims at demanding that Prime Minister Stephen Harper meet with Chief Theresa Spence and that the advancement of omnibus budget Bill C-45 not only cease, but for the bill to be abolished altogether, according to the Idle No More Facebook page. Bill C-45, among other things, removes environmental protections of waterways and makes it easier to sell reserve lands to private corporations.

Spence, the leader of the Attawapiskat First Nations on the James Bay coast, is on a hunger strike until she gains a meeting with the Harper.

Idle No More supporters have staged a number of rallies and marches since Dec. 21, when some 400 people gathered in Sudbury.

Today's rally starts at 4 p.m. Participants are planning to leave on foot from the outdoor plaza at Tom Davies Square and take the following route:

-South on Minto Street
-East on Elgin Street
-South on the Nelson Street pedestrian bridge
-West on John Street
-North on Paris Street
-West on Elm Street
-South on Durham Street
-East on Larch Street

Significant delays are expected on the north-bound lanes of the Paris Street Bridge of Nations, said police. Rally participants have indicated they are planning to occupy the north-bound lanes of the bridge for 15 minutes.

Motorists travelling from the South End of the city to access the downtown/New Sudbury area are encouraged to consider alternate routes.

This march is scheduled to end at approximately 6 p.m.

Greater Sudbury Police Service will be present, working with organizers to ensure the safe and orderly movement of traffic and the rally participants.