January 25-26 U.S.-Canada Actions "Army of None" Pacific
Northwest Tour Oakland, CA
Benefit Book Release Event Jan. 17
Join and support January 25 vigils and delegations in
support of U.S. war resisters currently seeking sanctuary Canada. Actions are
being planned in Washington D.C., New York, Seattle, San
Francisco and Los Angeles.
Supporters will meet with officials at Canadian Consulates across the
United States in order underscore that many Americans hope that the
Canadian Parliament votes (possible as early as February) in favor of a
provision to allow war resisters to remain. Download
and distribute Jan.
25-26 action leaflet (PDF).
The following day, Saturday, January 26, the War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada) has called for a Canada-wide mobilization to ensure that deportation proceedings against U.S. war resisters cease immediately, and to support a sanctuary provision.
Today the fate of approximately 200 U.S. war resisters in Canada is at a very critical juncture. Your support can make a difference. Let the Canadian government know that you support U.S. servicemembers that are taking a stand against the Iraq war. They should not deported to face prosecution for following their conscience and upholding international law. On December 6, Courage to Resist organizers attended a meeting of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration of the House of Commons in Ottawa that adopted a motion that was a critical victory for Iraq War resisters seeking sanctuary. It’s now possible that the full House of Commons may vote on this resolution as early as February. However, in the meantime, deportation is becoming a real possibility for some of the resisters. It is critical to build momentum in the wake of this important first victory. In the United States, supporters are encouraged to join or organize delegations of concerned community members to visit local Canadian Consulates across the country on Friday, January 25. Additionally, supporters are urged to hold house parties, vigils or other public events that day, or the following day Saturday, January 26 in support of war resisters. Sign the letter “Dear Canada: Let U.S. War
Resisters Stay!”
Courage to Resist has sent thousands of International First-Class letters to Canadian officials on behalf of people living in the U.S. in support of the war resisters since November. We’ve also collected thousands of petitions. These will be delivered to the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco on January 25. If you have not already done so, please sign the letter online today. In the past few years, tens of thousands of service members have resisted illegal war and occupation in a number of different ways—by going AWOL, seeking conscientious objector status and/or a discharge, asserting the right to speak out against injustice from within the military, and for a relative few, publicly refusing to fight. While there are those who would like to dismiss war resisters as "cowards," the reality is that it takes exceptional courage to resist unjust, illegal, and/or immoral orders. For many resisters, it was their first-hand experiences as occupation troops that compelled them to take a stand. Host an event or house
party in your community
Gathering friends for a showing of the new film "Breaking Ranks" is a easy way to have a discussion and take action by writing letters to Canadian officials urging them to let U.S. war resisters stay. Handwritten letters can have a great impact, but you can also sign the letter on-line or download and mail the letter yourself . Visit our Canada campaign resources page for organizer kits, sample letter, posters, and more. After you've signed the letter online or mailed your own letter urging Canadian officials to "Let U.S. war resisters stay!" write letters of support to the courageous resisters in Canada. Send letter of support to resister via:
January 25-26 Events: "Let Them Stay!" There is still time to organize a delegation to a Canadian Consulate near you or hold vigils or other public events that day, or the following day Saturday, January 26 in support of war resisters. Let us know what you are planning. Send events to courage@riseup.net Friday January 25
SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES NEW YORK WASHINGTON D.C. SEATTLE  Saturday January 26
TORONTO (CANADA)
"Army of None" Pacific Northwest Tour Underway
"Army of None: Strategies to Counter Military Recruitment, End War, and Build a Better World" - A new book by Courage to Resist organizer David Solnit and Gulf War objector Aimee Allison. David Solnit and the President of the Seattle Chapter of Iraq Veterans
Against the War Chanan Suarez Diaz
will
be touring the Pacific Northwest January 10 through 20 doing events,
outreach and
organizing. Please meet with
them. Let's make plans to help stop the war by supporting GI
resistance! Wednesday, January 16 - Victoria, BC For more information and to order the Army of None:
Oakland, CA benefit with Col. Ann Wright (ret.)
Colonel Ann Wright (ret.) With event special guests Daniel Ellsberg and Cindy Sheehan Thursday First Congregational Church of Oakland.
2501 Harrison Street, Oakland, California (map) Join us to celebrate the release of Col. Wright's new book Dissent: Voices of Conscience (Koa Books, January 2008). Following the event, this book will also be available from Courage to Resist. More info |
Support GI Resistance!
