Fight For Your Rights

Myanmar has Aung San Suu Kyi; a pro-democracy activist leader of the National League of Democracy. In 1990, the country held its first democratic election in 30 years earning her the right to be the country’s prime minister. The government refused to step down and imprisoned her for her nonviolent resistance. She is a national hero. Then there is former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela who for his leadership against the apartheid in his Africa was imprisoned for 27 years earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Leaders like the ones mentioned give the people of this world the inspiration needed to fight for what is right.

Well now the world has adopted a new leader in Lee Breen of Fredericton, Canada. Lee who along with millions of other drivers has felt the burden of high gas prices and took it upon himself to go green. Skateboarding became his primary mode of transportation. So Lee bought the best helmet on the market and went skateboarding, despite Fredericton laws prohibiting “sleds, toboggans (how dare they!), wagons, and skateboards” to be used because they are a public nuisance.

After receiving multiple warnings, in the summer of 2007, Lee was issued his very first ticket for $50 (not sure if that’s Canadian dollars). After not paying his fine, the fee increased to $100. Lee mocked the system and continued to stroll around the city. Nothing would stop this helmeted fugitive. A judge then sentenced Lee to five days (all expenses paid) to prison.

It’s uncertain whether or not Lee will serve his full five-day sentence at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre this Wednesday but a group of 80 people had rallied in support of Lee’s cause outside the courthouse while he was taken into custody.

So next time you go outside and ride your skateboard, wear a teal green ribbon, maybe light a candle, or plant a tree because people like Lee Breen, Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi are fighting for people like us to be free.