MAWO Statement on the
Situation in Iran

Hands Off Iran!

June 23, 2009

Since the June 12th 2009 Iranian election results, there has been constant coverage of opposition protests in Iran on every major Western news source, with all sorts of “experts” on the situation in Iran and statements from the leaders of imperialist countries, as well as countless cell phone videos replayed despite their origin and authenticity being unconfirmed. As the internal issues of the Iranian people are suddenly the prime concern of media outlets and imperialist governments, this begs the question, where is the coverage of the US atrocities in Iraq, or the Canada/US/NATO crimes in Afghanistan? Why do protests of civil dispute warrant a media frenzy, but there is barely any reporting on the US drone attack on Northwest Pakistan which on Tuesday June 22nd killed at least 80 Pakistani people? As was done with the May 4th US air strikes in Afghanistan which killed over 140 Afghan people, will this be excused by the US government with another claim of “mistakes?”

One only needs to look at the progression (or regression) of US, EU and UN policy towards Iran in the last few years. While crocodile tears are being wept for the Iranian opposition protesters now, the US government and their EU allies and UN lackey have no problem imposing four sets of crippling sanctions against the people of Iran. Remember the impact of the US/UK/UN sanctions on Iraq, and the over 1.5 Million Iraqis, mainly women and children, who suffered and died under these sanctions? This does not sound like they really have the interests of the Iranian people at heart. Furthermore, the bloody occupation of surrounding countries of Iran’s neighbours Iraq and Afghanistan, military bases in every surrounding country and a massive build up of military in the Persian gulf, show more and more that the US is acting upon their agenda of having complete hegemony in the Middle East, a goal that is only possible with the control of Iran.

Click here to view complete statement in text format

UPCOMING
DIRECT ACTIONS

Monthly Antiwar Rally

End the Occupations of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Haiti and Tamil Eelam!

Self-Determination for Indigenous Nations, Tamils & all Oppressed Nations!

Saturday July 18



2:00pm
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby Street at Robson Street
Downtown Vancouver

Co-organized by: Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) & Iranian Community Against War (ICAW)

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Picket Action

Canada/US/NATO Out of Afghanistan Now!

Thursday July 23



4:00pm
Canadian Armed Forces Recruitment Center
620 Royal Avenue (near 6th Street, beside Douglas College)
New Westminster

Organized by: Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO)

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MAWO Statement on 117th Canadian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

Canada/US/NATO Out
of Afghanistan Now!

April 16th, 2009

Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) continues to condemn the illegal and brutal Canada/US/NATO occupation of Afghanistan, which for over 7 years has denied the Afghan people to their basic rights to life, dignity and self-determination. The occupation forces have not only killed over 50,000 Afghan people in this criminal and unjust war, but is also taking the lives of young soldiers who have been convinced to fight in this war.

On Monday April 13th, 21 year old Karine Blais became the 117th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan, and the second women of these 117 deaths. Her death was quickly followed by statements made by her godfather, Mario Blais, who told reporters that "I think she did this for absolutely nothing" and said he thinks Prime Minister Steven Harper should "get the troops out of there as fast as possible."

This godfather’s comments reflect the sentiment of the majority of people across Canada, as well as the over 14,000 signatures from the Lower Mainland on the MAWO Canada Out of Afghanistan petition...

Click here to view complete statement in text format

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MAWO Statement in Support of George Galloway, Antiwar MP Banned from Canada

Grant Visa to George Galloway!
Stop Harassing Political Activists!

April 1, 2009

On Tuesday March 24th, supporters of the recently banned British MP George Galloway packed the Federal Court demanding that he be allowed into Canada. Once again the courts and hearing rooms in Canada have been filled with people defending the basic right to speak out against war and occupation. Mobilization Against War and Occupation –MAWO, stands in solidarity with George Galloway in his struggle against the Government of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency responsible for this unjustifiable banning.

The banning of George Galloway is further indication of the undemocratic nature of the government of Canada. When, in September 2007, MAWO Co-chair Alison Bodine was politically targeted as an antiwar and social justice activist and harassed when crossing the border into Canada, this undemocratic nature was also clearly revealed. (Alison is currently banned from Canada for two years). Not long after, Code Pink Women for Peace co-founder Medea Benjamin and well-known social justice activist Ann Wright were both denied entry to Canada after being turned away from the border for having “criminal records” because they had dared to deliver a petition in defense of women’s rights to the UN! Ann Wright was later banned from Canada for one year.

Further revealed was the apprehension the government of Canada felt when it came to opposition to the Canadian occupation of Afghanistan and immigrants, refugees and all people in Canada taking a stand for their human and democratic rights...

Click here to view complete statement in text format

Click here to view complete statement in MAWO Newsletter #22

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