BC Premier Bennett Confronts Hecklers in Mission City..

Mission man overcame plenty to change politics, life in B.C.
'Naranjan Grewall was an icon . . . he is our true hero'
Ken Herar, The TimesPublished: Friday, May 01, 2009

Hearing this, Bennett invited the heckler on stage, helping him up with his own hand. The man repeated the insult, but upon further questioning, admitted he was a supporter of the CCF.
Bennett said efforts were made to get the Mission High School auditorium for the meeting, but it was not available, "which shows that schools are not owned by the government and I am not a dictator."
At this point a voice was heard shouting out "baloney." The heckler was CCF candidate Grewall, who proceeded to enter the hall and began to seat himself on the stage, "to the accomplishment of mixed cheers and catcalls."
The premier continued his speech, as many cried out to hear Grewall speak. Bennett said that the CCF and Liberals could rent their own hall if they wished to address the gathering.
At this moment Grewall sprung to his feet and spoke angrily (to the premier) and shook his finger in Bennett's face.
When the excitement subsided, hecklers taunted Bennett to speak about former forestry minister Sommers' corruption case.
Bennett stated that under Canadian law a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Bennett later claimed he was hit in the arm during the scuffle and was escorted out of the Legion hall by the RCMP.
In British Columbia politics is commonly known as a "bloodsport" and this incident between the premier and Grewall truly demonstrated how fierce political battles were fought.
I spoke with former premier Dave Barrett in 2003, during a four-part series I was working on.
Barrett recalled hearing many incredible stories about Grewall, when he first arrived in Canada in 1957.
Barrett said during the interview: "He was an icon, I didn't think I had a chance of getting elected in his riding. He lost the election, but won the hearts of many."
When Barrett became premier in 1972, he was invited to the Sikh Temple in Vancouver and was presented with a ceremonial sword.
As he received the sword, he told the audience: "This isn't for me, this is for Naranjan Grewall. He is our true hero."
Barrett and Grewall never met, but he started his political career in Grewall's former riding of Dewdney, when he first got elected to the B.C. legislature in 1960.
When Grewall was nominated as a candidate for the CCF party in the Dewdney riding in 1956, this drew excitement. But, according to Barrett, Grewall faced open discrimination on the campaign trail.
"The former mayor knew the risk he was taking and many people were surprised he took this risk to enter the race," said Barrett.
Barrett said Grewall overcame many racial insults along the way.
"Every kid in the North Fraser, who thinks he or she is being discriminated against, should read the Grewall story and the challenges he faced."
Grewall was later found dead in a Seattle motel room with a gunshot wound to the head in July of 1957. He was 47 years of age.
Ken Herar now writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times and Mission Extra. E-mail Kenherar@gmail.com.