Guest Speakers

40 years of peaceful protest

Following the stunning expropriation of
18,600 acres for the new
Toronto International Airport in 1972,
Scott Young (journalist, Pickering resident
& father of Neil Young) wrote:

"I hope that opposition to this affront against
common sense eventually will be nationwide,
the largest single protest movement
in Canadian history.

It should be. It can be."

IT WAS.

Land Over Landings, following in the tradition of People Or Planes, continues to fight to save these Pickering lands. Knowledgeable and interesting guest speakers from LOL and POP are available to visit your class or group, and to tailor a presentation to suit your focus and time frame.

Courses particularly suited to this topic include: Geography (especially Urban Geography: Land Use and Conflict); History; Politics; Environmental Studies; Media Studies; and Food and Nutrition. The presentation features archival images and footage of the original POP demonstrations from the 1970s, in addition to a PowerPoint presentation, video, and a commentary bringing the subject right up to current events. Lively Q&A sessions usually ensue!

Speakers are also available for service clubs or community groups.

Testimonials

"I think your presentation is fabulous. Such a hot topic for discussions, debates and essays! The banners and protest signs are a huge hit with the students. That was something my class will never forget (we bring up your presentation to this day--we are in Urban Sprawl unit) and it had a super strong impact on them."

Grade 12 teacher, Ajax

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"I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. I could really see the emotion in your eyes and it helped me to appreciate the situation that you are dealing with."

Aaron Pynkoski, grade 12

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"The women knew what they were talking about. They were very hardcore! They were really nice and had a lot of visuals which was great."

Melanie Hull, grade 12

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"I never knew the farmland was so rich. I also never knew that this was the longest protest in Canadian history and it was crazy that the government tried to demolish houses with people inside of them!! "

Rodrick Dawson, grade 12

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"Land Over Landings made the Pickering airport issue incredibly tangible and real for my students, morethan any story the kids could read about in a book or a website. Well done!"

Grade 11 Environmental Studies teacher

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"The ladies were very passionate... I enjoyed how involved they are and how much information they brought forth."

Morgan Campbell, grade 12

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"The kids are still talking about the airport - that's great news because they have all gone home to tell their parents as well! Keep up all your hard work! "

Grade 12 Urban Geography teacher, Ajax

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"Overall, the presentation was very good. The students' favourite areas of the presentation were the slogans, your logo, and the media presentation. I thought that the presentation was very well paced and relevant to what we were studying.

I, as well as the students, really appreciated your time and your cause. I wish you the best in the future with bringing your issue to the classrooms and I wish you much success. "

Grade 5 teacher

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