July 10 2007 Picket Action
Canada Out of Afghanistan!
Independent Public Inquiry into the Canadian War Drive in Afghanistan!

Vancouver, BC – Protesting the recent death of six more Canadian soldiers and uncounted scores of Afghan civilians in Afghanistan, Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) set up picket lines in front of the Canadian Armed Forces Recruitment Center in Vancouver, protesting the Canada/NATO occupation of Afghanistan. More than 30 protesters marched, demanding, “Canada Out of Afghanistan Now!” and called for an Independent Public Inquiry into the Canadian war drive in Afghanistan.

The program was opened by Kira Koshelanyk, MAWO co-chair, reading a statement to the press. “The death toll for Canada is now at 66 because of the occupation,” she said. “At the same time, criticism from people in Canada and around the world is rising against the deadly NATO air strikes on Afghan villages and towns as more and more people call on Canada to bring the troops home,” she concluded amidst cheers from demonstrators.

Luciano Sanchez, a member of the Global Justice & Peace Committee of the Hospital Employees Union of BC, opened with a powerful speech about the expanding war budget in Canada, and how this has stripped away desperately needed money from social services in Canada, like public healthcare.

Nicole Burton, a student activist and organizer with Mobilization Against War and Occupation, highlighted the depth of the destruction that has been brought to the people of Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion. Lastly, Thomas Davies, a unionist and organizer with Mobilization Against War and Occupation, spoke about the importance of taking action. “In every country that has sent troops to Afghanistan, including Canada, poll after poll shows that the majority in those countries do not want their troops in Afghanistan,” he said. “Our picket, and our calls for an end to the occupation, reflect the sentiments and the interests of those millions of people.” He concluded, urging that “we must continue vocalize and activate them, until the occupation of Afghanistan ends!”

Between speakers, picketers rallied and marched across the sidewalk adjacent to the recruiting office, carrying colorful signs, chanting, “Canada Out of Afghanistan NOW! Bring the Troops Home! Independent Public Inquiry into the Canadian War Drive!,” and waving to honking supporters as they drove by on the busy Downtown streets. The afternoon action was closed with cheers of promise that picketers would return for future protests, as long as Afghan lives are being destroyed, more Canadian soldiers are returning home in body bags, and more funding cuts are being siphoned from working people’s pockets into the Canadian government’s plans for criminal war and occupation abroad.