[antiwar-van] FOR IMM RLS: Protest Demands Doctors Not Troops, to Haiti Now!

[Kira Koshelanyk]

Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO)
info at mawovancouver.org ~ 604.322.1764
www.mawovancouver.org
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Saturday, January 16, 2010
 
VANCOUVER PROTEST DEMANDS:
ALL FOREIGN TROOPS OUT OF HAITI NOW!
SEND DOCTORS, NOT TROOPS TO HAITI NOW!
RETURN PRESIDENT ARISTIDE TO HAITI!
 
RALLY:
Saturday, January 16
2:00pm
Vancouver Art Gallery
(Robson and Hornby)
 
Media Contacts: Janine Solanki ~ 778.881.6156
                Nita Palmer ~ 604.780.7604
 
The New Year opened with the United Nations' latest statistics that 2009 was the deadliest year for Afghan civilians. The escalation of the war in Afghanistan over the past eight years has only meant more bloodshed and innocent lives lost. In early December 2009, US President Barack Obama announced that 33,000 more US troops would be deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. Without a doubt, this means even more killing and bloodshed of Afghan people. 
 
The people of Yemen were welcomed in to 2010 with the opening of a new US war drive against their country. Under the pretext of stopping terrorism and al-Qaeda in Yemen, the US has begun military operations in the country, bombing and killing many civilians.
 
2010 also began with a new round of attacks against Muslim people around the world. Fourteen countries have been placed on the US list of potential ‘terrorist threats’, 13 of which are countries with majority Muslim populations, plus Cuba, which is already facing a 50 year old blockade by the US government. These countries are being singled out not only for new US security restrictions at airports, but also in preparation for future US military attack. In the US and Canada, this expanding war drive has meant new ‘security measures’ are being enacted at airports and other public facilities specifically targeting Muslims for additional scrutiny and humiliation.
 
Now, since last Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti, the US and Canada are taking advantage of the massive humanitarian crisis to reinforce their occupation of the country. Since the illegal military occupation of Haiti in 2004, ousted the elected President Aristide, Haiti has been kept in absolute poverty and social dysfunctionality. Now, Canada is sending 800 troops and the US sending 10,000 troops to Haiti to consolidate their occupation. This will not help the Haitian people recover from this disaster. What is needed urgently right now is humanitarian aid, not increasing the occupation troops.
 
Mobilization Against War and Occupation will be holding a rally today to protest these wars and occupations. Representatives of the media are invited to attend. Spokespersons for MAWO will be available for interview.
 
ALL FOREIGN TROOPS OUT OF HAITI NOW!
SEND DOCTORS, NOT TROOPS TO HAITI NOW!
RETURN PRESIDENT ARISTIDE TO HAITI!
END THE OCCUPATIONS OF IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, PALESTINE, AND HAITI!
SELF-DETERMINATION FOR INDIGENOUS NATIONS, TAMILS AND ALL OPPRESSED NATIONS!
US HANDS OFF PAKISTAN, IRAN AND YEMEN!
STOP ATTACKS ON MUSLIMS!
 
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