tell michael ignatieff we must let them stay!

Here's a riddle for you. How can you tell the difference between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff?

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. . . .

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Damned if I know!

After Ignatieff's recent statement blaming Hamas for Israel's massive bombing seige of Gaza, calling Hamas a terrorist organization and Israel's actions self-defense, I see foreign policy will not be the area on which the two can be distinguished.

I know that tune well. I've heard it sung in the US all my life.

There is one issue on which the two leaders differ, at least in theory. Last year, when Ignatieff was Liberal Deputy Leader, he did support allowing Iraq War resisters to stay in Canada. Right now, we want him to reaffirm that support.

Supposedly Ignatieff now knows the Iraq War was a mistake (something even Harper has publicly admitted!), and has recanted his earlier support of the invasion. Supporting Iraq War resisters would be a concrete action he can take to stand by that revised opinion.

We are asking our supporters to email Michael Ignatieff, with a copy to MPs Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal Immigration Critic, and Jim Karygiannis, a strong supporter of war resisters in the last Parliament.

Urge them to to immediately issue a statement about the deportation order against war resister Kim Rivera and her family (husband Mario, son Christian (6) daughters Rebecca (4) and Katie (6 weeks)). Ask them to oppose the deportation order publicly and decisively.

Don't forget the other war resisters facing imminent deportation: Chris Teske, Patrick Hart and his family, Cliff Cornell, Dean Walcott.

The Liberals supported the motion of June 3, 2008, recommending that "conscientious objectors to wars not sanctioned by the UN Security Council" be allowed to stay in Canada and apply for Permanent Resident Status after two years, and calling on the Government to "cease all deportation proceedings" against such people.

Despite this, as deportation orders have been issued against many war resisters, the Liberals have been silent. We need the Liberals' support - and they need ours.

Please urge them to speak up, demand that the Harper Government comply with the House of Commons motion of June 3, 2008, state their intention of supporting a similar motion when the House reconvenes later this month.

Emails to:

Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff: Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca
Liberal Citizenship and Immigration Critic Borys Wrzesnewskyj: Wrzesnewskyj.B@parl.gc.ca
MP Jim Karygiannis: Karygiannis.J@parl.gc.ca

Email now! Thank you!