Walking as Advocacy: How our Streets Shape Political Expression
Written by: Nicole Paletta | October 16th, 2025
Walkability is about more than mobility.
Throughout history, walking has played a central role in grassroots movements. It’s a simple, accessible, and potent tool of “the people” to build political momentum. From student walkouts and labour strikes, to protest marches and street blockades, demonstrations transform the public space into a platform for the collective voice. The physical act of walking – especially when done in unison – makes an issue visible. It turns sidewalks and streets into stages for protest, and connects us to a long history of movement-based advocacy, including here in Vancouver.
In Vancouver, this tradition is rich and ongoing. One of the most historic examples dates back to August 1918, when over 5,600 unionized workers walked off the job to protest conscription under the Military Services Act and demand better rights for workers. This province-wide action was sparked by the murder of Albert “Ginger” Goodwin, a coal miner and labour activist. It became the first general strike in British Columbia, setting the tone for future labour advocacy in the region.
Today, Vancouver’s streets continue to be activated by people walking for justice. The annual Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S+) takes place each February 14th. Marchers take to the streets of the Downtown Eastside to honour and mourn the lives lost, to keep their stories alive, to share in communal grief, and to demand that action be taken to address the ongoing violence against Indigenous peoples.
Similarly, youth-led climate movements like Fridays for the Future have used walkouts and mass marches to demand urgent action on climate change. These have often taken place outside Vancouver City Hall or in the streets surrounding the Vancouver Art Gallery. Despite not being a government site, the Art Gallery has become a de facto gathering place for major protests in the city. That, in itself, points to the role of public infrastructure in shaping political expression.
During the global uprising following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Vancouver saw thousands marching through downtown, converging once again on the steps and plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. These gatherings were rooted in rejecting systemic violence and racism, and used walking together as a tool to reclaim space and stand against systems of power.
These examples demonstrate that public spaces are political spaces. The ability to gather, protest, and be heard is directly shaped by how our cities are designed. Sidewalks, streets, plazas, government buildings, courtyards, parks – these are the spaces where democracy is lived. They’re where we go to demand change, to mourn, to organize, to celebrate.
So here’s the big idea: walkability, public infrastructure, and political agency are deeply intertwined.
At rest, public spaces afford us the opportunity to socialize, play, unwind, and connect with community. But when politically activated, those same streets and sidewalks become engines of protest, tools of advocacy, and platforms for change.
When we design cities that prioritize people over cars, that invest in sidewalks, plazas, and greenways we’re not just promoting sustainability or livability. We’re strengthening democracy. We’re making it easier for people to come together, to speak out, and to move — physically and politically — toward a better future.
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