We had a great turn-out in Toronto yesterday, where a human chain up University Avenue demonstrated support for Robin Long, Corey Glass and all the war resisters in Canada. We estimate about 300-350 people came out, with about 250 there at any given time. Spread out in single file facing the street, all holding signs and placards in the air, that creates a big visual statement.
There was tremendous support from passers-by - many people grabbing signs and joining the line! Drivers stopped at the red light rolled down their windows to take flyers, and people honked car horns in support. Cab drivers seemed particularly excited! As so many cab drivers are immigrants themselves, I wonder if the issue of deportation hits home for them.
Our friend M@ was there, as were Tom and Emilio from Canadian Hope, and Kim_in_TO from My Canada Includes Justice. That made it an extra fun event for me. Thanks, guys!
This Tuesday, July 15, Robin Long will go to court, then we'll wait to learn if his hearing is successful. Given what happened with Corey, I'm optimistic, but then, I'm always optimistic about this. I believe we are going to win.
But as always, I remind myself and all of you: the fight is not over. Not until there's a policy in place that allows US war resisters to remain legally in Canada.
If anyone has reports from any other cities, please feel free to leave a comment or email me.
7 comments:
It was a really great event. My kudos to the Resisters movement for getting so many people out and creating such a positive event.
Laura, did you hear anything about someone trying to enter the embassy yesterday? Some cops came around (before you came by) looking for "whoever's leading this". I just shrugged -- I'm a guy holding a sign, what do you want from me?
The cops said that someone holding one of the Resisters signs went up to the door of the US Embassy and tried to open it. Which, to these cops, was a clear sign of warlike aggression. "I thought this was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration!" one of them kept saying. That's when I clocked him with my sign.
I kid! I'm a nice guy. But I'm wondering whether there was any truth to what they were saying, and if so what the actual story was.
Again, I was really impressed by the turnout, and by the very, very positive response from passersby. There really were people who stopped, listened, and picked up signs themselves. And many, many people took flyers. Young and old, people in the backs of cabs, guys in delivery trucks. I'm sure the movement took a solid step forward with this event.
Thanks M@!
the very, very positive response from passersby. There really were people who stopped, listened, and picked up signs themselves. And many, many people took flyers. Young and old, people in the backs of cabs, guys in delivery trucks.
Yeah! This was very cool.
Laura, did you hear anything about someone trying to enter the embassy yesterday?
I heard that someone was getting too close, and that the cops moved her back, and that she got into it with the cops, defending (what she saw as) her right to walk there. Then the cops got huffy.
That's all I heard, and it was second-hand, I didn't see the incident myself. (I didn't even go to the embassy. Allan and I were walking up there when we saw Kim, Tom and Emilio, and got sidetracked!)
So I don't know if that person actually tried to enter the embassy.
As for "who's leading this", there was a point-person for the police, someone who is very active in the peace movement and has a lot of experience dealing with this kind of thing.
was a clear sign of warlike aggression
The USA war machine is no match for an angry Canadian with a sign!
So I don't know if that person actually tried to enter the embassy.
Personally, I'm not the type to get into heated discussions like that with the cops, but I respect people who do. Funny, though, how the broken telephone game ended up with these cops talking about someone trying to "break into the embassy".
From where I stood it was a 100% peaceful and positive protest, and I was really happy to be there.
The USA war machine is no match for an angry Canadian with a sign!
Yeah -- the greatest threat to world security: protestor with a placard!
If only that were true.
Personally, I'm not the type to get into heated discussions like that with the cops,
I used to be, in my younger days. So I understand others who are into that kind of thing. :)
From London, Ontario: We had a terrific rally near Victoria Park yesterday. There were about 100 enthusiastic people with signs and bells, and speeches were given by Irene Mathyssen, NDP MP for London-Fanshawe, Patti Dalton, President of local labour council, and resister Rich Droste. Irene said she had done 4 telephone interviews on this issue during the day and there was another while at the park that Rich also took part in. Attending were A-Channel TV news, local CBC radio, and the London Free Press. The LFP published a large black & white photo, on page 3, I think. It was the first item on the local CBC news this morning and on A Channel last night at 11 it was the lead story, taking a full 5 minutes, about 3 of which was Rich. We certainly couldn't complain about the local media yesterday.
No photos yet, but coming hopefully soon to londonresisters.ca
Wow! That is fantastic! Thanks so much for the report, David.
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