April 15 MAWO Picket Action Report

63rd Picket Action Demanding Canada/US/NATO Out of Afghanistan Now!

On Thursday April 15th, Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) organized their 63rd Picket Action in front of the Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre demanding an end to Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan.

The picket was opened by MAWO co-chair, Andrew Barry who highlighted the fact that now there have been double the deaths of occupation forces this year in comparison to the same time last year. As well he exposed the recent development of Malgarai Ahmadshah, a former translator for the Canadian military confirming that Canada was involved in the torture of people in Afghanistan as well as the murder of an Afghan teenager.

Andrew was followed by a loud round of chanting demanding “CANADA/US/NATO Out of Afghanistan Now”, “Troops Home Now” and “Stop the Massacre of Afghans Now!” As well the sign “Honk for Canada Out of Afghanistan” received loud honking from passing cars showing people’s desire for an end to Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan.

Max Tennant, organizer with MAWO as well as a student passionately connected the attacks at home against students with increase in tuition, massive student debt and the ongoing and escalation of the Government of Canada’s military drive towards students with the Government of Canada's attacks against our young brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.

David Whittlesey, long-time social justice and antiwar activist from the antiwar movement during the US war in Vietnam gave his perspective how today the occupation of Afghanistan has not improved the life of Afghans but instead has only meant the situation for Afghans has increasingly worsened.

Finally, Janine Solanki, MAWO executive member articulated exactly what the over 8 year occupation of Afghanistan has meant for the people of Afghanistan connecting these attacks abroad with the continual cuts to education and other social services here in Canada. That as the government of Canada is escalating their war drive in Afghanistan and planning to extend the occupation beyond 2011 it is more important than ever to have continual monthly picket actions demanding an immediate end to the occupation of Afghanistan.

People who came to the picket resolved to continue picketing in front of the Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre until there is an end to the occupation of Afghanistan.