*PHOTOS & REPORTS
FROM THE JUNE 1ST ACTIONS*
CANADA WIDE ACTIONS: VANCOUVER, EDMONTON, NANAIMO, MISSISSAUGA! - REPORT BACK -
VANCOUVER BC: PICKET ACTION REPORT
CANADA WIDE DAY OF ACTION REPORT FROM COAST TO COAST:
On Wednesday May 24th Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO), the Vancouver-based anti-war coalition, issued a callout for a Canada-wide day of action against Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan.
MAWO’s callout was circulated to peace and social justice groups in every corner of Canada and to hundreds of social justice and peace minded and committed activists and people throughout Canada. (*See the callout here) The callout proclaimed that Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan is a criminal occupation – and it called for emergency action by social justice and peace loving people throughout Canada…
In Vancouver BC more than 50 people rallied at high noon in front of the Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre in Downtown Vancouver, demanding: Canada out of Afghanistan now!
In Nanaimo BC, in an action taken on by a group of highschool students – KSS Students for Peace – 50 people rallied and marched to gather in front of the Nanaimo Member of Parliament’s office. Highschool students marched beside seniors and trade unionists to demand: Canada out of Afghanistan now!
In Edmonton Alberta, members of the “Edmonton Peace Council” installed an information display in front of the massive military base just north of Edmonton demanding: Canada out of Afghanistan now!
In Mississauga Ontario the Mississauga Coalition for Peace and Justice held a public meeting in the Palestine House neighbourhood centre to educate people in the community and demand: Canada out of Afghanistan now!
In the single-week that passed between the issuing of the callout for the Canada-wide day of action against Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan and the day itself, anti-war activists in Vancouver spoke with activists in Victoria, Halifax, and everywhere in between. In every city and town that there was ever a protest against the US war on Iraq in 2003, there are now people, organizations and activists that are clamoring for action against Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan.
Everywhere in Canada that people live there are people who love, desire, and are willing to work for peace and justice. The June 1st day of action was a first step to bringing all these people together in collective action out of our collective opposition to Canada’s war drive in Afghanistan.
The June 1st Canada-wide day of action against the occupation of Afghanistan was a great success for the people that it was able to bring together in spirit for the work, struggle, and the movement in the days ahead.
Canada out of Afghanistan Now!
VANCOUVER BC:
click for larger image
Thursday, June 1 – As part of a Canada-wide day of
action against the occupation of Afghanistan called by
Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO), about
50 people rallied together in front of the Canadian
Forces Recruitment Centre in Vancouver to demand
“Canada Out of
Afghanistan!” and “Independent Public Inquiry into the
Canadian war drive in Afghanistan!”.
The picket was kicked off by a surprise performance of
anti-war songs by the Raging Grannies, who voiced
their opposition to the occupation of Afghanistan
through music. Following that exciting introduction,
MAWO Acting Secretary Nita Palmer read the callout put
out by MAWO on May 24th for a Canada-wide day of
action to demand an end to the Canadian war drive in
Afghanistan.
After this introduction, long-time MAWO supporter and
current Bowen Island City Councillor Lisa Barrett
spoke. Lisa brought up many crucial questions that
people in Canada are asking, such as: Why are Canadian
soldiers in Afghanistan killing and being killed for
an occupation that doesn’t benefit people in Canada or
in Afghanistan? Lisa also encouraged people to get
involved in anti-war action in any way they can.
After Nita, energetic picketing began, the sidewalk
filled with the nearly 50 people unanimously crying
“Canada Out of Afghanistan now!”.
Following more picketing, MAWO organizer Mike Chimenti
connected people in Afghanistan to people in Canada,
noting the cuts that the government of Canada has made
to social programs while continuing to destroy the
lives of people in Afghanistan.
Final speaker and MAWO organizer Eloy
emphasized the importance of
self-determination for the Afghan people, noting that
“what [people in Afghanistan] need is freedom from
imperialism. Freedom from occupation.” Eloy’s speech
tied together the sentiment at MAWO’s 14th picket
against the occupation of Afghanistan.
The energy of the picket reflected the need to
continue to educate, organize, and mobilize in
Vancouver and across Canada against the occupation of
Afghanistan.
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*MEDIA COVERAGE*
24Hours Newspaper
June 2, 2006
Page 4
Protesters resume call for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan
For the 13th time since last July, protesters rallied at the Canadian Forces Recruitment Office in downtown Vancouver to call on the government to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.
“We’re sending a message,” said Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MOWA) secretary Nita Palmer. “Especially today when there is action happening all over Canada.”
Palmer said instances of suicide amongst Afghan women have increased since the occupation began and Canadian troops are only worsening the Afghani quality of life.
According to Diversity Officer Lt. Johanna Wickie protests held outside the Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre have not affected their rate of success.
“The Canadian Forces are currently meeting their objectives of growing,” Wickie said.
- John Pigeon, 24 hours
*CALL OUT FOR CANADA-WIDE DAY OF ACTION*
MAKE JUNE 1ST A CANADA WIDE DAY OF ACTION
AGAINST CANADA’S OCCUPATION OF AFGHANISTAN!
This is the time for action –
This is the time to make change –
This is an appeal to all peace loving, all humanity
loving people in Canada –
KEEP READING THE CALL TO ACTION HERE!
EVENTS LISTING & ENDORSERS*
June 1 2006
VANCOUVER, BC PICKET ACTION
CANADA OUT OF AFGHANISTAN!
Featuring speakers:
Lisa Barrett – Bowen Island Councilor
Jim Gurnett – Edmonton Coalition Against War and
Racism & Mennonite Committee for Welcoming Newcomers
12:30 Thursday June 1 2006
Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre
1070 W Georgia
Organized by
Mobilization Against War & Occupation - MAWO
June 1 2006
NANAIMO, BC MARCH & RALLY
CANADA OUT OF AFGHANISTAN!
3:30 Thursday June 1 2006
Nanaimo Waterfront at the Newcastle Island Ferry
Organized by
KSS Students for Peace
June 1 2006
EDMONTON, ALBERTA ACTION
CANADA OUT OF AFGHANISTAN!
June 1 2006
Edmonton, Alberta
Organized by
Edmonton Peace
Council
June 1 2006
MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO FORUM
“Canada’s Role in
the War on Terror”
7PM Thursday June 1 2006
Palestine House Educational & Cultural Centre (3195 Erindale Station Rd.)
Organized by
Mississauga Coalition for Peace
and Justice
June 8 2006
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN TOWN HALL MEETING
“Canada and Afghanistan”
7PM Thursday June 8 2006
Francis Morrison Library
Organized by
Organized by the
Saskatoon Peace Coalition
www.saskatoonpeace.tK
CANADA WIDE DAY OF ACTION AGAINST CANADA’S OCCUPATION
OF AFGHANISTAN EVENTS ORGANIZED AND ENDORSED BY:
Hospital Employees Union BC,
Tim Louis – former
Vancouver City Councillor,
Lisa Barrett, Bowen Island
Councillor,
Langara Students Union,
Capilano Students
Union,
La Surda Latino American Collective,
Edmonton
Peace Council,
Edmonton Coalition Against War and
Racism,
KSS Students for Peace – Nanaimo,
UBC-AMS
Coalition Against War on the People of Iraq and
Internationally (CAWOPI),
Work Less Party,
CODE Pink
Women for Peace,
DADABASE,
Vancouver Communities in
Solidarity with Cuba,
Langara Students United Against
War and Occupation,
Langara Peace and Social Issues
Committee,
Antiwar Club of Douglas College,
Fire This
Time Newspaper,
Iranian Committee Against War,
Free
the Cuban 5 Committee – Vancouver, K
wantlen Students
Against War and Occupation,
MAWO SFU Club,
Youth Third
World Alliance,
The Knoll Magazine – UBC,
Poets
Against War,
Victoria Peace Coalition
Coalition of Concerned Citizens
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