Mike Hudema
{{Short description|Canadian activist (born 1976)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mike Hudema
| image = Mike Hudema laughing.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Mike Hudema
| birth_name = Micheal George Henry Hudema
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1976}}
| birth_place = Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
| other_names =
| party = New Democratic (2001)
| movement = Environmentalism
| notable_works = An Action a Day Keeps Global Capitalism Away
| education = University of Alberta (BEd, LLB)
}}
Micheal George Henry Hudema is a Canadian activist who has worked for advocacy organizations including Greenpeace, Global Exchange, the University of Alberta Students' Union, and the Ruckus Society. He is best known for his work opposing the development of the Alberta oil sands and reliance on fossil fuels in general, but has also engaged in civil liberties and student activism. He is also the published author of a book on direct action tactics.{{cite book |title=Amazon.com: An Action a Day Keeps Global Capitalism Away |isbn=1896357903 |last1=Hudema |first1=Mike |year=2004 |publisher=Between The Lines }}
Background
Mike Hudema was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1976 from Ukrainian and English origin parents and attended Crescent Heights High School.{{cite news |url=http://www.medicinehatnews.com/content/view/39295/76/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128101726/http://www.medicinehatnews.com/content/view/39295/76/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-28 |title=Speaking out In conversation with ... Mike Hudema |work=Medicine Hat News |date=2008-08-07 |access-date=2008-08-07 |first=Collin |last=Gallant}} He graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of education, majoring in drama, and a bachelor of law degree, specializing in labour and environmental law.{{cite web |url=http://canadianvoices.org/speakers.php?id=12 |title=Canadian Voices biography of Mike Hudema |access-date=2008-01-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929015416/http://canadianvoices.org/speakers.php?id=12 |archive-date=2007-09-29 }} During his university career, he went on an exchange to southern India, which he credits with awakening him politically. During the exchange, he recalls seeing 20,000 people "getting together to debate the village budget for the next year", and says that the contrast between that and the models of representative democracy in use in Canada affected him and shaped his views on political involvement.
Environmental activism
Hudema is best known as an environmental activist. He protested the opening of the Cheviot mine near Hinton, Alberta in 2004 by setting up a mock open pit mine on the lawn of Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan's constituency office.{{cite news |first=Carolyn |last=Nikodym |title=The Theory of Evolution |url=http://www.vueweekly.com/articles/default.aspx?i=2079 |publisher=Vue Weekly |date=May 19, 2005 |access-date=2008-01-14 |url-status=usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011641/http://www.vueweekly.com/articles/default.aspx?i=2079 |archive-date = 2007-09-28}} He has also opposed the harvesting of Alberta's boreal forest, and in 2004 followed logging executives down the Athabasca River as the executives took a boat trip as part of a logging conference.{{cite web |url=http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/298576.shtml |title=Portland Independent Media Center: Boreal Critters Chase Boreal Villains Downstream |access-date=2008-01-14}}
Image:Mike Hudema auto show.jpg CEO Richard Wagoner]]
In 2005, Hudema was hired as the Freedom From Oil Director for Global Exchange, and relocated from Edmonton to San Francisco. In this capacity, he helped lead the "Jumpstart Ford" campaign (a joint initiative between Global Exchange, the Rainforest Action Network, and the Ruckus Society) which pressured Ford Motors to eliminate tailpipe emissions from its vehicles by 2020.{{cite web |url=http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/325506.html |title=UK Indymedia: For Day of Action - Nov. 12th |access-date=2008-01-14}} The campaign was later expanded to include all automakers, and renamed "Freedom From Oil".{{cite web|url=http://freedomfromoil.org/about_the_campaign/ |title=The Freedom From Oil Campaign |access-date=2008-01-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102013211/http://freedomfromoil.org/about_the_campaign/ |archive-date=2008-01-02 }} As part of this campaign, Hudema interrupted General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner at the keynote address of a Los Angeles automotive show and asked him to sign a commitment to make General Motors vehicles the most fuel efficient in the world by 2010 (Wagoner refused to sign, saying that his "speech spoke for itself").{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Rooney |title=GM CEO Shoves Environmental Protester |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/IndustryInfo/story?id=2688506 |publisher=ABC News |date=November 29, 2006 |access-date=2008-01-14 }}{{cite web|url=http://news.windingroad.com/auto-news/behind-the-protester-mike-hudema-dossier-more-videos/ |title=Winding Road: Behind the Protester: Mike Hudema Dossier, More Videos |access-date=2008-01-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130105629/http://news.windingroad.com/auto-news/behind-the-protester-mike-hudema-dossier-more-videos/ |archive-date=2007-11-30 }}
In 2006, Hudema implored Canadians to "save hockey" by fighting climate change, which he called "the biggest threat to hockey since the NHL labor talks".{{cite web|url=http://www.globalexchange.org/update/press/3749.html |title=Save Hockey, Stop Climate Change! |access-date=2008-01-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155810/http://www.globalexchange.org/update/press/3749.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}
In July 2007, Hudema returned to Edmonton to work as the Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Canada at its newly opened Edmonton office, which was created to lobby for an end to the Alberta oil sands, which Hudema called "one of the dirtiest, oiliest projects in the world".{{cite news|first=Steve |last=Lillebuen |title=Greenpeace targets oilsands |url=http://www.metronews.ca/story_local.aspx?id=66718 |publisher=Metro News |access-date=2008-01-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522150510/http://www.metronews.ca/story_local.aspx?id=66718 |archive-date=May 22, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/Greenpeace_opens_tar_sands_campaign |title=Greenpeace opens tar sands campaign |access-date=2008-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105164418/http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/Greenpeace_opens_tar_sands_campaign |archive-date=2008-01-05 |url-status=dead }} In this capacity, he ambushed Premier Ed Stelmach several times during the 2008 provincial election.{{cite news |url=http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/election/2008/02/18/4857224.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080927151715/http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/election/2008/02/18/4857224.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 27, 2008 |title=Hecklers rile Tories at Stelmach event |publisher=Calgary Sun |first=Brookes |last=Merritt |date=February 18, 2008 |access-date=2008-05-07}} He also made headlines after the election when he and two other Greenpeace volunteers lowered a banner - reading "$telmach, the best premier oil money can buy" - behind Stelmach at a fundraising dinner.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/greenpeace-stunt-disrupts-stelmach-fundraising-dinner-1.763707?ref=rss |title=Greenpeace stunt disrupts Stelmach fundraising dinner |date=April 24, 2008 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=2008-05-07}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/protesters-disrupt-stelmach-s-fundraising-dinner-1.291286 |title=Protesters disrupt Stelmach's fundraising dinner |date=April 24, 2008 |publisher=CTV.ca |access-date=2008-05-07}}
In January 2008, he was briefly banned from the University of Alberta campus after he and a group of fellow radical cheerleaders performed a number of anti-fossil fuels musical routines at an on-campus Shell Canada recruiting session. After a meeting with the head of the university's campus security service, the ban was reduced to probation.{{cite news|first=Natalie |last=Climenhaga |title=Former SU prez put on probation |url=http://www.thegatewayonline.ca/former-su-prez-put-on-probation-20071003-878.html |date=September 19, 2007 |publisher=The Gateway |access-date=2008-01-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706210156/http://thegatewayonline.ca/former-su-prez-put-on-probation-20071003-878.html |archive-date=2011-07-06 }}
In September 2009, Hudema and 24 other Greenpeace activists occupied two oilsands heavy haulers and one shovel in Shell's Albian Sands. The action shut down the entire mine for a short period and a portion of the mine for over 30 hours. The action proceeded two other actions by Greenpeace in the oilsands region. The first was at Suncor's Millennium project, and the second at Shell's upgrading facility in Fort Saskatchewan. The actions prompted comments from then Premier Ed Stelmach about whether terrorism charges should be used to prosecute such activities.
In December 2009, Hudema and Greenpeace made headlines again when they scaled Canada's Parliament buildings and unfurled several banners with messages to Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper and then Liberal Leader Michael Ignatiaff.
In September 2011, Hudema helped organize the largest climate-related civil disobedience action in Canadian history when more than 200 people risked arrest on Parliament Hill by crossing a police line set-up to bar public entry into the building.
October 2012 saw Hudema in Victoria where he helped craft another mass action this time against oilsands pipelines, namely Enbridge Northern Gateway and Kindermorgan TransCanada. The action saw thousands descend on the BC legislature building many willing to risk arrest to stop the pipelines.
Hudema has been given several accolades for his work. In 2013 he was named Edmontonian of the Year by online blogsite GigCity. Alberta Venture named him one of their Top 50: Most Influential People in 2014. The Edmonton Journal named Hudema one of their Power 30 and the Globe and Mail named him one of nine people to leave their mark on the oil sands.
Hudema is a "climb trainer" for the Ruckus Society, and has held activist training camps which teach aspiring activists skills ranging from climbing to blockades.{{cite news |title=Boot camp aims to train environmental activists |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/boot-camp-aims-to-train-environmental-activists-1.244124 |date=June 7, 2007 |publisher=CTV.ca |access-date=2008-01-19 }}
=Criticism=
Hudema's actions at the General Motors car show were described as "stupid" by automotive journalist Mike Magda.{{cite web |url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/11/30/la-auto-show-stupidity-from-environmentalists-headline-writers/ |title=LA Auto Show: Stupidity from environmentalists, headline writers following Rick Wagoner's speech |access-date=2008-01-19}}
Student activism
Image:Mike Hudema rappelling.jpg
In 2002, Hudema was elected president of the University of Alberta Students' Union, defeating six opponents (two of whom were, as "joke candidates", ineligible to win) after campaigning on a more militant approach to tuition and on increased interaction between the Students' Union's elected officials and its members.{{cite news|first=Andra |last=Olson |title=Candidates wait for official election results |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/03/12/1/Ar00102.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714093649/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/03/12/1/Ar00102.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=March 12, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-14 }}{{cite news|first=Andra |last=Olson |author2=Jhen Pabillano |title=Presidential candidates look to reconnect students with Union |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/03/05/5/Ar00500.html |publisher=The Gateway |date=March 5, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-14 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His candidacy came after his activities as a member of the Student Worker Action Group, which had been critical of the previous president's more moderate approach to opposing tuition increases, including efforts to support the reduction of tuition increases, rather than insisting on their elimination.{{cite news|first=Andra |last=Olson |title=Stalemate for Samuel, SWAG |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2001/11/08/1/Ar00100.html?query=newspapers |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715032615/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2001/11/08/1/Ar00100.html?query=newspapers |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=November 8, 2001 |access-date=2008-01-14 }}
As president, Hudema opposed the university administration's proposed tuition increase,{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=6.4% tuition hike proposed |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/14/1/Ar00100.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714004950/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/14/1/Ar00100.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=November 14, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-19 }}{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=Differential fees may spread to other faculties, says Hudema |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/14/2/Ar00204.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713071620/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/14/2/Ar00204.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=November 14, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-19 }}{{cite news|title=U of A Money Matters |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/14/2/Ar00202.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718105653/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/14/2/Ar00202.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=November 14, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-19 }}{{cite news|first=Leah |last=Collins |title=SU camps out over proposed tuition hike |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/09/1/Ar00102.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715150137/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/09/1/Ar00102.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=January 9, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-19 }} and particularly the portion of the increase that would see students in some programs pay more than those in others.{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Hudema |title=SU President Hudema responds to Jenn Lepp |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/28/5/Ar00501.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714011003/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/28/5/Ar00501.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=November 28, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-19 }} Despite his opposition, the basic increase was approved as proposed, and two of the three program-based differentials were also approved.{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=Tuition Hike Goes to 6.9% |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/21/1/Ar00102.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720035618/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/21/1/Ar00102.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=January 1, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }}{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=Differential fee proposal passed despite SU fight |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/21/2/Ar00200.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714185728/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/21/2/Ar00200.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=January 1, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} He also opposed the extension of degree granting powers (which were only granted to universities at the time) to colleges,{{cite news|first=Chris |last=Boutet |title=Degree-granting power for colleges may create two-tier education system |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/29/1/Ar00100.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713075541/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/29/1/Ar00100.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=October 29, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} advocated against the inclusion of education in the General Agreement on Trade in Services and Free Trade Agreement of the Americas,{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=SU warns free trade could hurt post-secondary education |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/29/1/Ar00102.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712225935/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/29/1/Ar00102.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=October 29, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }}{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=SU calls on Canada to protect education |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/29/2/Ar00205.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721144528/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/29/2/Ar00205.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=October 29, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} and unsuccessfully lobbied the City of Edmonton to stop assessing property taxes on university residences.{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=SU property tax proposal doesn't appeal to city |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/24/1/Ar00100.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713015523/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/24/1/Ar00100.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=September 24, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} He expanded the Students' Union's involvement in environmental issues - creating a Students' Union environmental office,{{cite news|first=Tom |last=Barber |title=ECOS tries to raise awareness...about itself |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/02/25/2/Ar00200.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715122808/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/02/25/2/Ar00200.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=February 25, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} spearheading an energy audit of the Students' Union's building,{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Tougas |title=SUB energy audit may save money |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/03/25/1/Ar00102.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713032222/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/03/25/1/Ar00102.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=March 25, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} passing an ethical buying and purchasing policy, helping to open a Women's Centre on campus, and founding a car pool registry.{{cite news|first=Kristine |last=Owram |title=SU carpool program will start its engine online |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/03/27/2/Ar00201.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714234133/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/03/27/2/Ar00201.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=March 27, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} He also created the Revolutionary Speaker Series; the speakers that Hudema brought to the series included consumer advocate and American presidential candidate Ralph Nader, environmentalist David Suzuki, author Inga Musico, and Palestinian activist Younis al Khatib.{{cite news|first=Kristine |last=Owram |title=Humanitarian worker discusses Palestinian aid |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/10/2/Ar00201.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716144419/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/10/2/Ar00201.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=October 10, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }}
Despite claiming at the end of his term that he would stay out of the limelight in student politics,{{cite news|first=Jhenifer |last=Pabillano |title=Hudema positive about past year in office |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/04/03/5/Ar00500.html?query=newspapers |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715123541/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/04/03/5/Ar00500.html?query=newspapers |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=April 3, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} Hudema was vocally critical of Mat Brechtel, his successor, for what he claimed was excessive compromise on tuition-related issues.{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Hudema |title=An SU-Administration coalition on tuition can only hurt students |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/10/23/13/Ar01300.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714093102/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/10/23/13/Ar01300.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=October 23, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }}{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Hudema |title=Brechtel isn't living up to his promise |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/11/25/4/Ar00400.html?query=newspapers |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714014535/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/11/25/4/Ar00400.html?query=newspapers |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=November 25, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} He also helped create a new university course on citizenship and activism, which he suggested should become mandatory for all undergraduate students.{{cite news |first=Caitlin |last=Crawshaw |title=Students develop new citizenship course |url=http://www.gateway.ualberta.ca/view.php?aid=1423 |publisher=The Gateway |date=September 4, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051024034835/http://www.gateway.ualberta.ca/view.php?aid=1423 |archive-date = October 24, 2005}}{{cite news|first=Cassie |last=Brown |title=Activism course should be mandatory: Hudema |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2004/04/01/5/Ar00502.html?query=newspapers |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718032226/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2004/04/01/5/Ar00502.html?query=newspapers |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=April 1, 2004 |access-date=2008-01-21 }}
=Criticism=
Hudema was criticized during his time as president for being too focused on tuition and for fostering an adversarial relationship with the university administration.{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Lau |title=SU must get serious to really make a difference on campus |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/09/8/Ar00800.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718115226/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/01/09/8/Ar00800.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=January 9, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} He was also criticized for politicizing historically apolitical events,{{cite news|first=Kristine |last=Owram |title=Hudema and Ross to explain controversial speeches |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/19/1/Ar00100.html |publisher=The Gateway |date=September 19, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924023700/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/19/1/Ar00100.html |archive-date=September 24, 2009 }}{{cite news|first=Tyler |last=Daignault |title=First-year student doesn't speak for Arts |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/26/5/Ar00500.html |publisher=The Gateway |date=September 26, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924023103/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/26/5/Ar00500.html |archive-date=September 24, 2009 }} opposing an increase in law school tuition despite support for the increase from the law students' association,{{cite news|first=Jenn |last=Lepp |title=Law Students' Association in favour of differential fees |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/21/5/Ar00500.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723093304/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/11/21/5/Ar00500.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=November 21, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} and for using the campus food bank to make political points.{{cite news|first=Robert |last=Logan |title=SU President loose with Food Bank facts |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/03/5/Ar00502.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713090639/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/03/5/Ar00502.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=October 3, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }}{{cite news|first=Brock |last=Debenham |title=SU President used Campus Food Bank to bolster credibility |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/10/4/Ar00400.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713233751/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/10/10/4/Ar00400.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=October 10, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} His support for the "U-Pass", a proposed discounted transit pass that would be mandatory for all students, was also controversial.{{cite news|first=Jeff |last=Spady |title=U-Pass shouldn't pass |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/24/6/Ar00600.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713080515/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2002/09/24/6/Ar00600.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=September 24, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 }}
Civil liberties activism
Image:Mike Hudema EUB protest.jpg.]]
In 2001, Hudema was spokesperson of a group of about twenty people who staged a sit-in at the constituency office of Justice Minister Anne McLellan to protest the government's proposed anti-terrorism and security laws, which Hudema claimed would "greatly impinge on civil liberties in Canada."{{cite news |title=Lawyers still concerned by anti-terrorism bill |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/lawyers-still-concerned-by-anti-terrorism-bill-1.277403 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 9, 2001 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} The group "evicted" McLellan from her office - moving her furniture to the front lawn - changed her sign to read "Minister of In-Justice", held community workshops and forums in the area, and set up a hot tub with a banner that read "these bills put us all in hot water".{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}} After four days, Hudema and the rest of the protesters were removed by police and charged with trespassing.{{cite web |url=http://www.labournet.net/other/0112/canjust1.html |title=Terror Bill: Occupation of Canadian Justice Office (labournet.net) |access-date=2008-01-21}}
Democracy activism
During the 2000 Canadian federal election, Hudema was part of a group calling itself the Edible Ballot Society, the members of which ate their ballots (Hudema stir-fried his{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}) as a protest against what they saw as a lack of true democracy and a system that only asked for individuals' participation once every four years. He was charged, along with other members of the EBS, with "unlawfully and willfully altering, defacing or destroying a ballot or the initials of the Deputy Returning Officer signed on a ballot contrary to section 167(2)(a) of the Canada Elections Act thereby committing an offence under subsection 489(3)(e)".{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22002_ITM |title=The Crusade Against the Edible Ballot Society |access-date=2010-04-14 | work=Briarpatch | date=2002-02-01}} The charges were eventually dropped.{{cite web|url=http://saraforpresident.com/oldcrap/archive4-4-02.html |title=You know, I think Ananova purposefully prints articles that makes all Canadians look like jackasses. I know, it's so hip to hate Canada these days, but FOR FUCK'S SAKE people...Man. |access-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007132613/http://saraforpresident.com/oldcrap/archive4-4-02.html |archive-date=2007-10-07 }}
In March 2004, Hudema said that he was unsure whether he was going to vote in the 2004 federal election, saying that he went "back and forth" on the question of whether it was more useful to perform a "theatrical" stunt to draw attention to problems with the electoral system or to work to get progressive candidates elected.{{cite news|first=Amanda |last=Crocker |title=Mike Hudema, author of An Action a Day Keeps Global Capitalism Away, in conversation with Amanda Crocker |url=http://www.btlbooks.com/Links/hudema__interview.htm |publisher=Between The Lines Books |date=March 2004 |access-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510162920/http://www.btlbooks.com/Links/hudema__interview.htm |archive-date=2008-05-10 }}
Other activism
Hudema was critical of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which he called "an occupation by a rogue state".{{cite news|first=Caitlin |last=Crawshaw |title=Peaceful protest unites diverse groups |url=http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/03/25/3/Ar00300.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713034145/http://repository.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/GAT/2003/03/25/3/Ar00300.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=The Gateway |date=March 25, 2003 |access-date=2008-01-21 }} He has also attributed the invasion to North America's "addiction to oil".{{cite web|url=http://ran.org/media_center/news_article/?uid=1953 |title=Rainforest Action Network: April 1st Declared 'Fossil Fools Day' |access-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003011946/http://ran.org/media_center/news_article/?uid=1953 |archive-date=October 3, 2006 }}
Hudema opposes most trade liberalization, and protested at both the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas negotiations in Quebec City with the theatre troupe FUNK (Fighting Unaccountable Naughty Korporations) in 2001{{cite web |url=http://www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/speakers/183.html |title=Global Exchange's speaker profile for Mike Hudema |access-date=2008-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121125053/http://globalexchange.org/getInvolved/speakers/183.html |archive-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead }} and the G8 summit in Kananaskis in 2002.{{cite news |first=Neil |last=Parmar |title=Solidarity Village not so solid |url=http://www.geocities.com/ericsquire/articles/ej051802.htm |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=May 18, 2002 |access-date=2008-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808045031/http://geocities.com/ericsquire/articles/ej051802.htm|archive-date=2009-08-08}}
During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Hudema travelled to China to participate in protests in favour of Tibetan independence. In what he alleges was a pre-emptive move {{Citation needed|date=October 2011}}, Chinese authorities entered the apartment he was sharing with fellow activists and expelled him from the country.{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=8057f57e-9f8a-47e2-88c6-91c37d705fea&p=1 |title=China turfs protestors |work=Edmonton Journal |date=August 11, 2008 |first=Ben |last=Gelinas |access-date=2008-09-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105013903/http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=8057f57e-9f8a-47e2-88c6-91c37d705fea&p=1 |archive-date=2012-11-05 }}
Writing and journalism
Hudema is the author of An Action a Day Keeps Global Capitalism Away ({{ISBN|1896357903}}), which was published in 2004. It is described as "fifty-two tried and tested actions, one for every week--an action guide for the 21st century."
Hudema was featured in the 2011 Canadian documentary Peace Out where he discussed impacts of Alberta's Athabasca oil sands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2016259/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|title = Peace Out (2011) - IMDb| website=IMDb }}
He is also co-founder and former co-host and co-producer of Rise Up:Radio Free Edmonton, a current affairs show on CJSR, the University of Alberta's campus-community radio station.
Electoral politics
Hudema ran in the 2001 Alberta election as a candidate for the Alberta New Democrats in the riding of Edmonton Meadowlark. He finished third of four candidates with 5.1% of the vote, well behind winner Bob Maskell of the Progressive Conservatives and incumbent Karen Leibovici of the Alberta Liberal Party.{{cite web |url=http://www.electionsalberta.ab.ca/2001summarybyED.html |title=Elections Alberta: Summary of results by electoral division |access-date=2008-01-21 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927021123/http://www.electionsalberta.ab.ca/2001summarybyED.html |archive-date = September 27, 2007}}
References
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{{Greenpeace |state=expanded}}
{{Commons category|Mike Hudema}}
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Category:Anti-corporate activists
Category:Canadian civil rights activists
Category:Canadian environmental lawyers
Category:Canadian anti-war activists
Category:Canadian political writers
Category:People from Medicine Hat
Category:University of Alberta alumni
Category:Alberta New Democratic Party candidates in Alberta provincial elections