Canadian Armed Forces Recruitment Center
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![](http://www.mawovancouver.org/photos/080115_2.jpg) Channel M reports on the picket action, Interview with MAWO Co-Chair Janine Solanki (R)
![](http://www.mawovancouver.org/photos/080115_4.jpg) Picketers chant and march in front of the Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre
![](http://www.mawovancouver.org/photos/080115_6.jpg) Brad McCall (US War Resister) participates (L), Janine Solanki speaks to the crowd (R)
![](http://www.mawovancouver.org/photos/080115_11.jpg) David Whittlesey, a vetran of the Vietnam antiwar era speaks (L), Mike Larson, Capilano College Student talks about the role of youth and students against war(R)
![](http://www.mawovancouver.org/photos/080115_10.jpg) US War Resister Brad McCall addresses the crowd (L), Sophie Ziner, MAWO Organiser, talks on the issue of women in Afghanistan (R)
CANADA/NATO OUT OF AFGHANISTAN NOW!
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REPORT
On January15th despite the cold, over 30 people
including youth, elders, students and workers, rallied together
outside the Canadian Armed Forces Recruitment Center in downtown
Vancouver to express their opposition to Canada's increasing war drive
in Afghanistan. For organizers and supporters of Mobilization Against
War and Occupation (MAWO) this month's action marked the 38th "CANADA
OUT OF AFGHANISTAN!" picket organized by MAWO and the first of 2008.
Energetic and lively chants of "END THE OCCUPATION NOW!" and "TROOPS
OUT NOW!" filled the streets of Vancouver and caught the curious and
supportive attention of passers by. A media reporter form Channel M
was also present and filmed the protest action, interviewing some of
its participants, and the footage was later aired that night.
Janine Solanki, MAWO Co-Chair and Spokesperson, began the picket by
reading a statement released by MAWO condemning the recent and ongoing
acts of brutality carried out daily by Canadian and NATO forces in
Afghanistan. The statement was received loud and clear by supporters
who then took to the street demanding an immediate end to the
occupation and an independent public inquiry into Canada's war drive
in Afghanistan.
First to speak was long time social justice activist David
Whittelesey. David graciously shared his experiences and lessons from
his participation in both the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam
anti-war movement. MAWO organizer Sophie Ziner, then spoke about the
lies and manipulation perpetuated by the Canadian government and their
so-called "liberation" of women in Afghanistan, a sentiment put
forward by a government that does not even protect women within its
own borders.
After more vibrant picketing, U.S. war resister Brad McCall, who quit
the U.S. army in opposition to the devastating occupation of Iraq,
spoke of his experience in leaving the U.S. army and the necessity to
continue fighting against imperialist aggression in the Middle East.
Mike Larson, a student at Capilano College, spoke passionately from
the perspective of youth and the effects that Canada's ongoing war
drive has on young people in both Afghanistan and at home. Mike
emphasized the complete lack of access to education in Afghanistan,
and that with an ever increasing military budget; tuition fees in
Canada continue to rise making it incessantly difficult for young
people to receive post secondary education.
The picket came to a close with the promise to continue organizing
against Canada's occupation of Afghanistan and the loud and passionate
chants of "CANADA OUT OF AFGHANISTAN NOW!" and "END THE OCCUPATION
NOW!"
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