The Supreme Court of Canada has decided that it will not hear the appeal submitted by
war resisters Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey.
This is disappointing, but it’s not the end of the campaign – not by a long shot.
If you live in one of the cities where protest rallies are planned (see the website www.resisters.ca), please be sure to join the rally. We must now intensify the pressure on the politicians – in particular the Liberals in Parliament – to get them to make a provision that will Let The War Resisters Stay in Canada.
Solid support from the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois has already been won. In the current Parliament, if the Liberals join them to support the war resisters, we will have a majority! Already many Liberal MPs have expressed support for the war resisters. Now we must press Stephane Dion to make it official, and to help move this issue forward.
We must mobilize as well to prevent any war resisters from being sent back to the US to be punished.
We owe it to the war resisters and their families to win. And we will win, with your help
http://www.resisters.ca/actions.html
| URGENT ACTION! | |
| On THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15 – in the event of a NEGATIVE decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in the appeal by US war resisters: JOIN THE PROTESTS DEMANDING THAT the Canadian Government enact a provision giving refuge to US War Resisters TORONTO: Thursday November 15 5:00 P.M. Federal Court Building 330 University Avenue (just north of Queen St. W., Osgoode subway) OTTAWA: Thursday November 15 5:30 P.M. Human Rights Monument (corner of Elgin and Lisgar streets, just South of Laurier St). SUDBURY: Thursday November 15 5:00 P.M. In front of Federal Building Lisgar Street VANCOUVER: Thursday November 15 5:30 P.M. Canada Immigration Offices 300 West Georgia St. (W. Georgia & Hamilton, Northeast corner of Library Square) VICTORIA: Thursday November 15 5:00 P.M. Immigration Offices 800 block of Government Street (Government & Courtney) NELSON: Thursday November 15 5:00 P.M. White Building (City Hall) 310 Ward Street CHECK BACK later for other locations... KEEP UP THE PRESSURE on our politicians! Now that two opposition parties - the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois - support a provision for asylum for U.S. war resisters, it’s time to put pressure on the opposition Liberals and the minority government of Stephen Harper to “Let them stay!” Contact your Member of Parliament (M.P.) and these key members of government and lobby them to let the war resisters stay in Canada: The Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister: Phone: (613) 992-4211 Fax: (613) 941-6900 E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca The Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration: Phone: (613) 954-1064 E-mail: Minister@cic.gc.ca The Hon. Stéphane Dion, Leader of the Opposition (Liberal): Phone: (613) 996-5789 E-mail: Dion.S@parl.gc.ca Michael Ignatieff, Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Liberal): Phone: (613) 995-9364 E-mail: Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca The Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Opposition Critic for Citizenship and Immigration (Liberal): Phone: (613) 996-4971 E-mail: Bevilacqua.M@parl.gc.ca And contact your own Member of Parliament. To find your local M.P., by your postal code or by name: http://www.canada.gc.ca KEY QUESTIONS TO RAISE: - will you or your party support a provision that will allow U.S. War resisters to stay in Canada? - if yes, what will you do as a Member of Parliament to make sure this provision is adopted in the House of Commons? - will you meet with members of the War Resisters Support Campaign and war resisters themselves to discuss this issue in person? KEY POINTS TO HIGHLIGHT: - a recent poll showed that over 64.6% of Ontario residents think war resisters should be allowed to stay in Canada – including a majority of Conservative and Liberal voters. - Canada did not send troops into combat in Iraq because it was not sanctioned by the United Nations. Since we didn’t join the war, we should support the soldiers who refuse to participate in this illegal and immoral war. - U.S. war resisters face imprisonment, harsh treatment and even the death penalty if returned to the United States. No one should face this punishment and persecution for following international law and refusing to participate in violations of that law. - For LIBERALS, remind them of the Trudeau legacy of allowing Vietnam war deserters and dodgers to come to Canada. - For CONSERVATIVES, remind them that in the 2007 poll of Ontarians, 52% of Conservative voters said “let them settle in Canada.” Please let the campaign know about your efforts – send us a report: E-mail: resisters@sympatico.ca * * * It is more urgent than ever that we send a message to the Canadian government that Canada needs to welcome US men and women who refuse to participate in the illegal and immoral war in Iraq. There are three actions you can take today to help support the war resisters.
Petition Add your name to the petition calling for the federal government to make a provision to allow war resisters to stay in Canada. Initial signatories include June Callwood, David Suzuki, Maude Barlow, Shirley Douglas, Naomi Klein, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and many others. You can add your name at http://www.PetitionOnline.com You can also download a hard copy of the petition. Contact the federal government It is urgent that everyone who supports the right of US war resisters to stay in Canada immediately contact both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Citizenship & Immigration Diane Finley and demand that they make a provision to allow U.S. war resisters to stay in this country. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper Fax 613-941-6900 Email pm@pm.gc.ca - Minister of Citizenship & Immigration Diane Finley Phone 613-954-1064 (between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) Email: Minister@cic.gc.ca Mail: The Honourable Diane Finley, P.C., M.P. Citizenship and Immigration Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1 Write a letter to the editor Letters to the editor are an important piece of the public debate on this issue. The majority of Canadians opposed the war in Iraq and support the provision of sanctuary for US soldiers. Send a copy of your letter to the campaign to resisters@sympatico.ca. | |
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