How 'Make Ottawa Boring Again' went from inside joke to serious fundraiser

When the occupation of downtown Ottawa streetsstartedat the end of January,there wasn't a day thatJess Rawk wasn't affected each time she stepped out ofherhome to walk her dog.

"I could not leave my house any daythroughout this occupation without being yelled ator threatened or intimidated by people in my own neighbourhood, which is normally very quiet and friendly," she told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning.

"It was quite scary."

Then she saw residents fighting back with counter-protests anda blockade of their own. When she saw asign that said "Make Ottawa Boring Again," she was immediately drawn to it.

Rawk said the phrase became an inside joke and catchphrase even for those, like her, whonormally dislike Ottawa being calleda sleepy city.

"I don't love Ottawa being called boring. I never have. I've never agreed with that statement, so it's quite ironic that I'm involved in this."

Rawkand some friends decided to turn the slogan into a bilingual T-shirt fundraiser for three non-profits. In less than a day, they raised more than $2,000.

"That's incredible to me. People have been very generous," she said.

"It's been amazing, and even people who don't want to buy T-shirts We've just suggested that they donate to one or all three of the affected charities."

Those charities are Cornerstone Housing for Women, which said its clients were especially affected,Minwaashin Lodge, which is near the former Coventry Road supply camp and chose to close,and theCanadian Anti-Hate Network.

WATCH | The early effects of the occupation on Cornerstone:

Convoy protest has residents of womens shelter living in fear, director says

3 years ago

Duration 0:56

Sarah Davis, executive director of Cornerstone Housing for Women, says some residents of the shelter have seen their mental health deteriorate severely during the protest to the point where at least one resident opted to be hospitalized.

Rawk said she's also received requests tohonourpeople who have been hailed as protest heroes, liketheresident who led a lawsuitagainst protesters and "pot-banging guy."

Ultimately, Rawk hopes her fellow downtown residentswill feel comfortable enough to have a large celebration of their own. For now, she saidthere's one thing they want even more.

"I know most residents want some peace and quiet for a little while and I super respect that."