[antiwar-van] Outstanding Success! All Campus Petition Drive in Support of War Resisters

[balison]

Mobilization Against War & Occupation - MAWO
info at mawovancouver.org | www.mawovancouver.org | 604.322.1764

News Item
For Immediate Release

Released by: Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO)
Contact: Alison Bodine 778 858 9418

All-Campus Petition Drive in Support of US War Resisters:
REFUGEE STATUS FOR US WAR RESISTERS IN CANADA NOW!
An Outstanding Success!

Saturday July 2, students from seven campuses across the Lower Mainland organized a petition drive demanding Canada grant refugee status for US War Resisters in Canada. Students from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU), Langara College, Kwantlen University College, Capilano College, Douglas College and Emily Carr joined in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery in support of US soldiers who refuse to fight Iraq. This cross campus petition drive was the first such action of its kind in Canada and the goal of 500 signatures in a 5-hour day was achieved!

"This overwhelming success shows that the public recognizes the appalling treatment of Jeremy Hinzman and supports us in the demand of refugee status for War Resisters," explained Lindsay Clarke, Social Justice coordinator of the Capilano Students Union

"When the Jeremy Hinzman was denied refugee status this winter it really showed that the Canadian Government is not working against war or in the interest of justice. Said MAWO Co-Chair Kira Koshelanyk, also a member of the antiwar club, Langara Students United Against War & Occupation as well as a Langara Students' Union Executive Committee Member.

"Resisting war against the people of Iraq or any oppressed country by any American soldier is an antiwar issue. Any soldier who refuses to fight in Iraq weakens the occupation in favor of the Iraqi people,"explained Alison Bodine, President of the AMS UBC Coalition Against War on the People of Iraq & Internationally and coordinator MAWO's War Resisters Support Campaign.

Saturday's success of 500 signatures will lead to future all-campus actions in defense of War Resisters right to become a resistance in Canada.

United across the Lower Mainland, students and youth say:

We Demand that Canada grant Refuge to those American soldiers who come to Canada because they refuse to go to war!

Support and Defend War Resisters!

Please join us!