[antiwar-van] ARRESTED: 4 VANCOUVER STUDENT WHO LOCK-DOWN AT THE U.S. CONSULATE IN OPPOSITION TO THE WAR ON IRAQ

[miamir at riseup.net]

ARRESTED: 4 VANCOUVER STUDENT WHO LOCK-DOWN AT THE U.S. CONSULATE IN
OPPOSITION TO THE WAR ON IRAQ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2003

Vancouver, B.C. ~ Four students opposed to the U.S.-lead war on Iraq
chained themselves to the doors of the U.S. consulate at 7:45am this
morning. The goal of the lock-down was to encourage creative action in the
promotion of peace.

At 8:45 the students, Heather Jones, Macdonald Stainsby, Elise Thornburn
and Chris Jacob, were taken into custody by the Vancouver Police
Department with the charges of mischief.  Police were forced to remove the
consulate door handles in order to move the students.

The action was carried out in response to the Bush administration’s choice
to disregard international law. The students believe that this war is
indicative of a U.S. effort to re-colonize the entire Middle East.

“This peaceful action arises out of a sense urgency and fear in response
to a racist war based on economic interests that does not represent the
well-being of citizens anywhere in the world" stated Heather Jones, an SFU
student. She went on to state that "the action also stems out of our
determination to expose the impacts of the war upon immigrants within
North America and the people of Palestine within the Occupied
Territories."

Chris Jacob, a Douglas College student, expressed that the group “hopes
this action will initiate a change in the way anti-war movement enacts in
creative direct action.”  Elise Thornburn (Langara Student) added “we
decided to do this action because we felt the need to participate in more
than peace marches to communicate our opposition to the war and our
commitment to a just peace.”   “We hope that more people will now feel
empowered to take part in civil disobedience to increase pressure on the
U.S. and all members of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to stop this war”.
(Macdonald Stainsby)

Other members, not arrested extend an invitation to all to take action now.

If the students are not released from custody by 4pm April 1st 2003 there
will be a jail solidarity rally at Main St. police station starting at
5:00pm. Please check your email inboxes at 4:00pm for a confirmation that
the students have not been released before you make your way down to the
rally.

-30-

For more information or to arrange an interview contact:

Cell April 1st : 604.506.5830

mia amir
604.433.4489

Carlos Garcia
604.268.6564


email - moabcoalition at ziplip.com