1.05.2008

let them stay: january 26 event

The War Resisters Support Campaign is organizing a pan-Canadian Day of Action on January 26.

The House of Commons resumes on Tuesday, January 29. We are calling on Parliament to immediately cease deportation proceedings against US war resisters in Canada, and to enact a provision allowing the resisters to gain status in Canada.

If you support this cause - if you believe former US soldiers who refused to participate in the occupation of Iraq on the basis of conscience should be allowed to remain legally in Canada - this is your opportunity to take action. Have fun, get educated, get inspired and involved for a day - with no long-term commitment. What could be easier?

There will be events in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and other cities. Right now I don't know much about the events elsewhere in Canada, but ours in Toronto is shaping up to be a fun and spirited day.

We'll be at the Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor Street West at 1:00. There'll be speakers, music, and an opportunity for you to take action that will make a real difference in people's lives.

Confirmed speakers so far include Shirley Douglas, who many people don't realize was very active in the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War, and Lawrence Hill, who co-wrote The Deserter's Tale with Joshua Key. There will be other interesting speakers, too, but they're not confirmed yet, so I can't tell you who they are.

This promises to be a rally unlike any other you've attended, and not only because it's indoors, at a church. We have something funny and unusual planned. If you live in the Toronto area, I hope you'll come by. I'll be at the table in the lobby, so please do introduce yourself if we haven't met in person yet.

Information about events in other cities will be here once it's available.

Naturally I'll be reminding you about this before the event, but if you're in the Toronto or Vancouver areas, why not mark your calendar now?

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