[antiwar-van] For Immediate Release: Global Day of Action March 19

[Kira Koshelanyk]

Mobilization Against War and Occupation - MAWO 
info at mawovancouver.org 
www.mawovancouver.org 
602.322.1764 

 For Immediate Release Date: March 14, 2005 Released by: Mobilization 
Against War and Occupation (MAWO) Contact: Kira Koshelanyk 
778.881.6156        Gail Robson 778.863.4245 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION! 

·     YES TO SELF-DETERMINATION! NO TO OCCUPATION OF IRAQ! 
·     BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW! 
·     NO TO OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE! 
·     NO TO OCCUPATION OF AFGHANISTAN! 
·     NO TO OCCUPATION OF HAITI! 
·     NO TO OCCUPATION OF INDIGENOUS NATIONS IN CANADA! 

At 12 noon on Saturday March 19, 2005 at the Vancouver Art Gallery 
Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) is joining with people all 
over the world to protest the 2-year long occupation of Iraq by US and UK 
forces. MAWO will echo the demands of the Iraqi people: "Yes to Self- 
Determination! No to Occupation of Iraq!" 

Two years after the "Shock and Awe" invasion of Iraq, the US/UK forces find 
themselves in a losing battle to maintain their position as a colonial 
occupier. The Iraqi people have suffered from imprisonment, torture, murder, 
and the destruction of their daily lives. Despite this their determination to 
fight for their liberation continues to inspire oppressed people around the 
globe. For the weekend of the 2nd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, MAWO 
will be combining direct education with direct mobilization. On Sunday March 
20, MAWO is hosting a free conference "The 21st Century: The Century of War, 
Occupation, and Resistance. Building the Anti-War Movement: Why there is No 
Other Option." From 12 noon until 6pm at the Britannia Community Center 
activists and organizers will analyze the roots of war and occupation and 
reflect on the development of the anti-war movement. They will also discuss 
and explore tasks and perspectives for the future of the anti-war, anti- 
occupation movement. 

"This Saturday a protest will be held acknowledging and celebrating how Iraqi 
people have shown such strength under occupation. It is an important time to 
continue to support the Iraqi people's fight to end the US/UK occupation of 
their country," said MAWO organizer and Capilano College student, Gail 
Robson. "The battle for Iraq is decisive. If Iraqi people succeed in 
defeating the US/UK occupation, it will have a tremendously positive impact 
on movements against occupation in Afghanistan, Palestine, Haiti, and all 
oppressed nations." She emphasized, "This will increase the confidence of 
people fighting for liberation all over the world." 

"The demands for this rally, 'Yes to Self Determination!' 'No to Occupation 
of Iraq!' and 'Bring the Troops Home Now!' are widely supported by people of 
diverse communities and backgrounds all over the world," said MAWO Co-Chair, 
Kira Koshelanyk who is also on the Executive Committee of the Langara 
Students' Union. "On this international day of action, the rally and march 
will reflect this diversity and unity. It is vital to show this diversity to 
extend our solidarity in support of the people of Iraq, across the lower 
mainland, and across the world." 

The march and rally will gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery and will feature 
performances by local Indigenous hip hop artists, students, and speakers from 
different faiths and backgrounds to show that Vancouver is united in 
saying: "YES to Self Determination! NO to Occupation of Iraq!" 
-30- 

Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) 
www.mawovancouver.org 
604.322.1764 
PO BOX 21607 
Vancouver BC 
V5L 5G3 

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