Noam Chomsky Attends Vancouver Peace March. GoTofino attends.

March 20 marked a Global Day of Action on the first anniversary of the Iraq war. An estimated 18,000 people came out in Vancouver, BC to march through the streets calling for peace. Among the speakers at this peace march was Professor Noam Chomsky. Noted linguist, philosopher and intellectual, Chomsky spoke to a captivated crowd. Later that evening Svend Robinson introduced Professor Chomsky to a packed Orpheum Theatre.

Having said hello to Professor Chomsky, watched him at the Peace Rally and attended the session at the Orpheum, I must say that the only thing greater than his intellect is his personable manner - he neither seeks the limelight or pushes his point of view. He states his case with facts, speaks in a friendly, even tone and steps to the background when finished. He told us how he keeps going and the changes he's seen over his period of political activism (He said that he has not always been active - this last phase started just 40 years ago). Professor Chomsky left us feeling energized, hopeful and ready to face the future.

Burrard Street, Vancouver awaits the Peace March Noam Chomsky chats before his Peace March talk. Professor Chomsky: linguist, philosopher, intellectual DOA put in an punk solid performance. Joey Keithley's T reads "Democracy - We Deliver"

An estimated 18,000 people turned out for peace. Svend Robinson and Noam Chomsky The crowd was captivated by Professor Chomsky. Cameras were constantly focused on the MIT prof. Many from the peace march turned out for an evening with Noam Chomsky at the Vancouver Orpheum Theatre. Professor Chomsky talked war, peace and governments. He moved fast through his facts and I think he could have gone on all night. This acknowledged linguist, philosopher, intellectual, domestic and international US affairs expert - to pin a few labels on him - talks so you don't have to be one of those things to understand him. Svend Robinson, celebrating 25 years as an MP, hosted the evening and was praised by Noam Chomsky.

The evening ended with Professor Chomsky telling us why he was hopeful for the future - he mentioned the difference now from talking in people's living rooms to groups of 4 or 5 in the early years; that this war, unlike Vietnam, was protested before it began; and that women's rights and native rights were scarcely mentioned 40 years ago and are now mainstream concerns.