Micki Findlay
Vancouver IslandArtist
Author, Columnist, Poet, Photographer, Multimedia Artist, Activist
ELBOWS UP VAN ISLE
WELCOME TO ELBOWS UP VAN ISLE!
(Click HERE To See Upcoming Events
​
​
Click HERE to find Elbows Up Van Isle on Facebook
​
'ELBOWS UP VAN ISLE'
is a Community of Strength, Resilience, & Unity
​
It is where Vancouver Island Canadians & allies can connect and support one another,
especially in the face of adversity, tariffs, and threats to democracy and our country's sovereignty.
​
Whether joining in solidarity in peaceful resistance demonstrations, sharing stories of national
pride and perseverance, other 'Elbows Up' events, ideas, and photos, or discussing the challenges
we face as a community and country, our group is about lifting each other up—not tearing each
other down. It is also about guarding our sovereignty and the values we hold dear:
diversity, equality, and inclusion.
​
It is also about being kind and encouraging to our American neighbours as most of them
did not vote for the mess we're in. Our fight is not with them but the powers that be.
​​
Join us in fostering a respectful, and resilient community in our friendly Facebook group:
​
​
Stand tall, stand together & let's keep our 'Elbows Up' against fascism, disinformation, and oligarchy!
​
To find out more about more about the 'Elbows Up' movement, listen to Charlie Angus, a former Ontario MP, who launched this Canada-wide movement. Find him on YouTube at this link:
​
'CHARLIE ANGUS - ELBOWS UP TORONTO RALLY'
​
With love, friendship and optimistic, yet cautious, hope for our future.
Micki Findlay - Group and Event Organizer
Find Micki & Elbows Up Van Isle On Instagram
​
Find Micki & Elbows Up Van Isle On Bluesky
​
​
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Charlie Angus on YouTube @Meidas Touch - on Sunday, March 8, 2026 - as he interviews Micki Findlay - organizer of the Vancouver Island resistance group Elbows Up Van Isle - to talk about the group's journey; how it began and how the group is involved in the fight against fascism, injustice, and threats against democracy and Canada's sovereignty. Micki will also be sharing her poem, "Sisters" to commemorate International Women's Day.
​​
To join our event on Facebook, & for updates, click on our poster.
We’re calling on Vancouver Island residents to stand with us in solidarity for our NO TYRANTS RALLY – held in conjunction with the NO KINGS movement taking place in the U.S. and internationally. The NO KINGS movement was created in response to the growing extremism and authoritarian excesses of the Trump regime.
Join us on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from noon to 2 pm, along the highway at Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo – at the intersection of Terminal Ave. and Comox Rd.
​​​
The rights and freedoms we cherish don’t protect themselves – people do. The ongoing threats toward Canada from the Trump regime is a reminder that our democracy and our unity cannot be taken for granted, especially when separation movements could leave our country more vulnerable in these unstable times.
There is a growing urgency to speak out against the cruelty, corruption, and chaos we see unfolding in the U.S., and the ways some of those dynamics are echoed by certain Canadian political voices that seek to divide us and threaten to pull our country in the same direction.
This rally is a chance to stand together, to show that Canadians protect one another, and to make clear that anyone who threatens our neighbours, our communities, our sovereignty, or our democracy will be challenged. We must stand up to hate, to fear, and to tyrants.
​
Extremism doesn’t stop at the border!
As Canadians, we care about what our southern neighbours are living through. It’s a stark reminder of what we must safeguard in our own country, and that every major change that has taken place in history, began with everyday people refusing to stay silent.
Invite others to this event. Bring your friends, your family, your energy, and your signs! Imagine what could happen if everyone brought at least one other person!
Know someone not on Facebook?
Send them this link: https://www.elbowsupvanisle.ca​
________________________________
GUIDELINES:
All NO TYRANTS / NO KINGS events are peaceful.
De-escalate any potential conflict, act lawfully, and always take the high road.
Be friendly - wave at passersby.
Be careful not to block entrances or stand too close to the road.
Stay safe!
BRING:
Water
Umbrella (just in case)
Layered clothing
Bring a sign or a flag if you can. (We will also bring a few supplies.)
PARKING:
Maffeo Sutton Park
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Invite family and friends to our event page.
Share our videos, posters, and posts.
Take photos/videos at the event and share them on social media.
Interested in joining our group? Click HERE
To Join Our Event & For Updates, Go To THIS LINK on Facebook
Contact
Have questions? Want to be updated on our events? Message us using the form below.
PAST EVENTS
Thank you to Tim Hortons in Parksville for donating coffee and Timbits to our event!
NO TYRANTS. NO KINGS. NO FEAR.
In Canada, we stand with those resisting authoritarianism worldwide. The NO KINGS movement in the U.S. – known globally as NO TYRANTS – is rising in response to Trump’s corruption, extremism, and threats to democracy. The fight doesn’t stop at borders, and far-right movements don’t stop at customs.
By joining us, you’re taking a peaceful stand against hate, division, and dictatorship. This movement is rooted in the very foundation of democracy – born in the streets, carried in chants, and growing stronger every day.
Trump believes his rule is absolute. But we won’t back down. Not in the U.S. Not in Canada. His recent threats toward our country – made in front of military generals – are a wake-up call. We must keep our ‘elbows up’ against Trumpism and any politician who spreads lies, stokes fear, or tries to divide us.
Instead of fighting each other, we must stand together. Because the real enemy is authoritarianism, and it’s dismantling democracy in real time: silencing speech, defying courts, enriching the ultra-wealthy.
All NO KINGS/NO TYRANTS events are peaceful and nonviolent. We ask everyone to de-escalate conflict, act lawfully and take the high road.
(Check our 'Discussion' tab on our Facebook Event Page for more info, inspiration and updates.)
Thank you Debra, Erin, David, Stu, and Haidee for showing your Canadian spirit! Haidee came all the way from the mainland to join us in solidarity and help us create our 'Elbows Up Qualicum Beach' sign!​
​
Create your own 'Elbows Up' sign!
wherever you live then share your photos on our Elbows Up Van Isle Facebook page and/or Instagram with the hashtag #elbowsupvanisle and #elbowsup. This demonstration (besides being fun) helps raise awareness, brings people together, builds friendships, and reminds us that with everything happening in the US, and the ongoing threats to our sovereignty, we must always stand guard for our
"True North strong and free!"
​