[antiwar-van] June 30th International Day of Action: A Major Success!

[shannon bundock]

A Report From Mobilization Against War and Occupation:

 

June 30th International Day of Action: A Major Success!

 

VANCOUVER DEMANDS: “NO ‘HANDOVER’ UNDER OCCUPATION!”

 

On June 30th 2004 Mobilization Against War and Occupation held a rally in conjunction with an international day of antiwar protest. On this day, the US had planned to “hand power over” to the people of Iraq and “give them sovereignty”. On June 28th, the US did this official “handover” two days early. 

 

The early ‘handover’ showed that the US had a complete lack of confidence in being able to execute a smooth transition from the US-invented “Coalition Provisional Authority” to the US-invented “interim government”. This lack of confidence was based on the US’s fear of strong Iraqi opposition to the “new” interim government. 

 

One June 30th the Iraqi people fought the 160,000 occupying forces that remain in their country. With resistance and dismay, the Iraqi people battled these troops through demonstrations and armed struggle. On June 30th the people of Vancouver, and people across the world, mobilized in solidarity with the Iraqis fight for self-determination and for freedom. Over 350 young people, people of color, women, students, indigenous people, people of the third world, seniors and many others came to protest in Vancouver.

 

The energy of the June 30th “NO HANDOVER UNDER OCCUPTION” rally was huge. With each speaker the crowd became more excited and powerful. Beginning the rally was a speech by an Iraqi woman who had just traveled back from Iraq. She captivated everyone with her words, her experience and her stories of what June 30th means for Iraqi people. 

 

Long-time antiwar and social justice activist Marlee Oulette spoke second. Marlee also spoke from experience and really laid out what stance we must take, to unconditionally oppose the war and occupation by US. 

 

Kay, the founding member of Korean Student Network Against War took the stage next. Kay spoke with passion and anger. Kay spoke of the fight of people in Korea against the sending of South Korean troops to Iraq. 

 

Nicole Burton, on the Executive Board of Langara Students Union and an organizer of Mobilization Against War and Occupation, lead the crowd up with chants and shouts. Nicole also talked about the historical context of this ‘handover’. She mentioned the first hoax the US tried to get away with, when, on May1st 2003 George Bush told the bold-faced lie that the war on Iraq was “over”.

 

What followed was a march that wound throughout downtown Vancouver and pulled in handfuls of people from each street corner. Passers-by clapped and cheered and even joined, cars honked in support, and the marchers never stopped chanting. 

 

At the US Consulate MCs Shannon Bundock and Agatha Rupneiwski spoke briefly of the US’s record of war and crime in Iraq. And of how this ‘handover’ is nothing new. And when Agatha shouted “No to US Occupation!” – the crowd erupted. 

 

“US OUT!” “OCCUPATION IS A CRIME!” “SELF-DETERMIANTION NOW!” “END THE OCCUPATION NOW!” – all of these chants could be hard for blocks. Drowning out everything around; captivating and drawing in one person after another.

 

Mike Krebs, of the SFU First Nations Student Association and Fire This Time Movement for Social Justice took the mic as the last speaker. Mike spoke of the connection between occupation of Iraq, occupation of Afghanistan, occupation of Haiti, occupation of Palestine with the occupation of Indigenous territory in Canada. Mike reminded everyone, that Canada doesn’t have a history of “peacekeeping”, it in fact has a history soaked in the blood of millions of indigenous deaths. This government and state cannot bring sovereignty to Indigenous nations just as it cannot bring sovereignty to Afghans or Haitians. 

 

The rally was concluded with the reading of a resolution against the “handover”. Read by Chandra Murdoch, an organizer of MAWO, part of the resolution stated “BE IT RESOLVED that we reject the ‘handover’ as anything but a new face for continued occupation and plundering of the wealth, land and resources of Iraq.” The resolution concluded with a commitment to mobilize and organize across the lower mainland and beyond. Chandra’s words were met with great enthusiasm and the cheers of the crowd were seen as a resounding seal of approval. 

 

The program ended at 8pm, but the people in the rally were not ready to leave. Organizers responded to the enthusiasm and extended the event. For an hour many stayed to chant, to talk and to find out how to get more involved in upcoming events and actions of Mobilization Against War and Occupation. 

 

June 30th was a clear indication of growing momentum and awareness in the antiwar movement. The turn out and composition, combined with energy show clearly that the antiwar movement must continue to organize and mobilize in a consistent and on going basis. People from across the lower mainland are getting involved and becoming more aware of war and occupation. As war and occupation continues, as the Iraqi resistance continues, we, people of Vancouver and Lower Mainland will also continue. On June 30th the people of Vancouver came together and felt their united strength, not just in this city, but with people in hundreds of cities worldwide. June 30th showed the demand for action against war and occupation and with no hesitation, will respond, we will resist, we will fight back, and we will win!

 

In Solidarity,

 

Shannon Bundock and Kira Koshelanyk

Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) Co-Chairs

 

FOR MORE INFO AND UPCOMING EVENTS: 

www.mawovancouver.org | 604 322 1764 | mawoinfo at yahoo.ca





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