With 17 soldiers and more than 1500 Afghan people killed in the last two months alone, opposition is growing to the Canadian occupation of Afghanistan. Lower Mainland antiwar coalition Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) has confronted the increasing imperialist aggression of Canada with regular picket actions in front of the Canadian Forces Recruitment Center in downtown Vancouver.

On October 5 protesters gathered to respond to the October 3 deaths of two Canadian soldiers. Activists picketed as MAWO spokesperson Nita Palmer addressed the media, saying, “We are seeing more Canadian soldiers dying, more Afghan people being killed, in a military operation that most people in Canada are against. As a sign of this widespread opposition, MAWO has collected over 12,000 signatures in the Lower Mainland alone calling for an immediate end to Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan.”

MAWO also calls for an independent public inquiry into the Canadian war drive, highlighting the fact that Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan has gone ahead without public consultation, and against the interests of people in Canada. Students, youth, seniors, and workers picketed together, shouting, “Canada Out of Afghanistan!” “Self-Determination for Afghanistan Now!” Banners and dozens of signs rose to the beat of the chants as cars drove past honking their horns in support.

Through immediate response, emergency action, and consistent campaigning against the Canadian war drive, Vancouver anti-war activists have made their message clear: they, alongside millions in Canada and around the world, will continue in the fight until Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan ends, every imperialist troop is brought home, and Afghans are free to determine their own future.