[antiwar-van] For Immediate Release: Vancouver Mobilizes for International Day of Action

[Kira Koshelanyk]

Mobilization Against War and Occupation - MAWO -

www.mawovancouver.org

info at mawovancouver.org

604 322 1764

 
For Immediate Release
 Date: March 18, 2005

 Released by: Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO)

 Contact: Kira Koshelanyk 778.881.6156       

              Gail Robson 778.863.4245

 



MOMENTUM BUILDS UP TO INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION!
Join Vancouver to say…
·         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!

 Over the past week momentum has been building up toward the International Days of Action Against the Occupation of Iraq. 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!" 

 Energy around the international days has been growing with the efforts of students across the Lower Mainland to mobilize their campuses. This past week, anti war film festivals, forums and discussions were held on campuses from UBC to Kwantlen Surrey to increase awareness around the ongoing occupation and to increase awareness about the demonstration. This work and the organizing for March 19th and 20th all comes from the inspiration and leadership provided by the Iraqi resistance. Despite the unfathomable terror they have faced under war and occupation, Iraqis continue to fight back. 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.

“Two years have passed since the invasion of Iraq, but nothing has changed in the desperate situation Iraqis face under occupation. Our opposition to this illegal and murderous occupation has not changed,” said MAWO organizer and Capilano College student, Gail Robson. "The battle for Iraq is decisive and at a point of crisis for the US/UK. Iraqi resistance is pushing them into a quagmire so they are even being isolated from former allies, exemplified by Italy’s recent troop pull out.” She emphasized, ”The victory of Iraqis versus the US/UK occupation have a tremendous positive effect on people in struggle against imperialism everywhere." 

 "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.  

The march and rally will gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery and will feature performances by local Indigenous hip hop artists, a Korean protest performance by the Korean Student Network Against War along with members of the Capilano Students Union, and speakers from different faiths and backgrounds to show that Vancouver is united in saying: "YES to Self Determination! NO to Occupation of Iraq!" 

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