Significant win for war resisters in Canada
Last week a committee of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa
adopted a motion that was a critical victory for US Iraq
War resisters seeking sanctuary. Courage to Resist was on hand to help
celebrate. We're now making plans for January 25-26 US-Canada Days
of Action.
Dear Canada: Let US war resisters
stay!
In the wake of last week's first political win, it's more urgent than
ever to sign the appeal from
people living in the U.S. If you have already signed, please encourage
friends to so.
Kim Rivera: wife, mother, war
resister
New Courage to Resist audio interview with Iraq
War veteran turned Canada sanctuary seeker Kimberly Rivera, wife and mother
of two small children.
Also: Winter Soldier
2008 in Washington DC March 13-15 (IVAW link); and Courage to
Resist joins Ft. Huachuca, Arizona rally to oppose torture (link
only)
Significant win for US Iraq
War resisters in Canada
US Iraq War resisters Jesse Morriss and
Dale Landry rally support in Toronto, Canada 12/9/07. Photo: Lori Hurlebaus
for Courage to Resist |
By Courage to Resist.
December 11, 2007
On December 6, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
of the House of Commons in Ottawa, Canada adopted a motion that was a
critical victory for U.S. Iraq War resisters seeking sanctuary. Courage to
Resist organizers Lori Hurlebaus and Jeff Paterson traveled to Ottawa for
this hearing, along with supporters and resisters from across Canada, and
have contributed to this report. In collaboration with the Toronto,
Canada-based War Resisters
Support Campaign (WRSC), Courage to Resist is calling for
U.S.-Canada consulate delegations, vigils, and actions on January
24-25 to build momentum in the wake of this important first
victory.
After hearing the testimony of former U.S. Army sergeant Phillip
McDowell, along with representatives of the Mennonites and Quakers, the
Citizenship and Immigration Committee voted 7 to 4 to recommend that the
Canadian government immediately implement a program to allow Iraq War
resisters (and resisters of any war not sanctioned by the United Nations)
and their families to stay in Canada. The motion also calls for an
immediate halt to deportation proceedings in these cases. The win was
possible because the two Liberal Party members on the committee voted in
favor — something that was far from guaranteed going into the
hearing.
Although no war resister has yet to be deported from Canada, last
month the Supreme Court of Canada shut the door on any possible legal
solution for sanctuary for resisters. This resolution comes at a time when
deportation is becoming a real possibility for some of the resisters. It's
a hopeful first step towards a political solution.
The resolution passed by the committee, which must now be taken up
by the full House of Commons when it returns from winter break in early
February, reads:
The Committee recommends that the government immediately implement
a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family
members (partners and dependents), who have refused or left military
service related to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations and do not
have a criminal record, to apply for permanent resident status and remain
in Canada; and that the government should immediately cease any removal or
deportation actions that may have already commenced against such
individuals.
Following the committee hearing, supporters gathered in MP Olivia
Chow’s office in the West Block of Parliament to celebrate. WRSC
organizer Michelle Robidoux explained, “I want to make sure that
nobody leaves thinking that this is won. It’s very important that we
understand that now the work begins .… This does not mean that
people can stay immediately. It means that there is a political opening
here — it’s a significant political opening.”
Lee Zaslofsky, also of WRSC outlined the situation as such,
“What we need is for the Liberal Party as a whole to take a stance
on this. Together (the three parties) have a majority, and if they act
together they can put something through the House of Commons.” Lee
added, "The motion does not bind the Government. Processes like PRRA
and refugee claims continue as before. But this vote is a major step in
moving towards our goal of a provision that would allow the war resisters
to settle in Canada."
Resisters gather after committee hearing win
in Canada Parliament 12/6/07. From left to right: Jamine Aponte and her
partner resister Phil McDowell, Dale Landry (back), Jesse Morriss, Kimberly
Rivera (middle front), Chuck Wiley, Jeremy Hinzman, Ryan Johnson and wife
Jen. Photo: Lori Hurlebaus for Courage to Resist
U.S.-Canada Days of Action set for January 25-26
The War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada) has called for a
Canada-wide mobilization on Saturday, January 26th to ensure that
deportation proceedings against U.S. war resisters cease immediately, and
that a provision be enacted by Parliament in order to allow resisters to
stay. January 26th is the forth anniversary of US war resister Jeremy
Hinzman applying for political refugee status in Canada.
In the United States, supporters are encouraged to organize
delegations of concerned community members to visit local Canadian
Consulates across the country on Friday, January 25. Additionally,
supporters are urged to hold vigils or other public events that day, or
the following day Saturday, January 26 in support of war resisters. More
information and January 25-26 organizing tools coming soon — but
start making plans for events in your area!
Canadian consulate contact information and locations:
geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/washington/offices/default-en.asp
Sign the appeal—we'll mail the letters for
you!
"I am writing from the United States to ask you to make a
provision for sanctuary for the scores of U.S. military servicemembers
currently in Canada, most of whom have traveled to your country in order
to resist fighting in the Iraq War. Please let them stay in
Canada..."
Kimberly Rivera: Wife,
mother, war resister
By
Courage to Resist
29:30 min. audio
December 4, 2007
Kimberly Rivera, wife, mother of two small children, and GI resister
seeking refugee status in Canada, talks to Courage to Resist about her
decision. While home on leave in January 2007, Army Spc Rivera packed up
the family car and drove to Canada with her husband and two children. She
is currently one of about fifty AWOL US war resisters who are openly
seeking sanctuary in Canada. This is her story.
www.couragetoresist.org/audio
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