Global Day of Action 2008

Photos from Ottawa and Montreal

Click on photos to enlarge them

UPDATE: March 16 - See: Harper we're your nightmare

OTTAWA: This was the scene in front of the US Embassy in Ottawa today as protesters staged a die-in to try to get across the stark, unthinkable reality of war. That's what war is - nothing constructive at all, just wholesale slaughter, carried out by nations who think of themselves as civilized.

The Raging Grannies' banner depicting a peace dove weeping tears of blood spells out the reality loud and clear:


Here we are in a new millennium with diplomatic skills no further advanced than they were in the previous one. We still labour under the illusion created for us by war profiteers that deadly conflicts create peace and freedom.

In just one short block on Wellington Street, between Elgin and Sussex, Ottawans are repeatedly reminded that even though Canada has never declared war on Afghanistan we are nevertheless a country engaged in glorious warfare.

Below is the ubiquitous "Support our Troops" ribbon displayed on the buses, as it is on all city vehicles including police cars. Note how strategically placed it is - not on the front or back with the rest of the symbols, but right next to the door so that every passenger is confronted with it upon entering the bus.

The structure forming a bridge overlooking the Rideau canal is encircled with the ghosts of old dead soldiers:

What are they meant to tell us? That it's not a bad thing that young Canadians are dying? That it's a grand tradition? Well, this is what Stephen Harper says in essence when he talks about "sacrifice" and the "high calling" of the soldier.

A few steps down the street, a popular pub-style eatery has hung out a banner declaring its support of the troops.

One might gather from all of this pointed hoopla that Canadians are solidly behind the war effort. But they are not, and that's the reason they are being bombarded with all these persuaders. In over 20 cities across the country today people marched in the streets to show their disapproval - and not just of our "mission" in Afghanistan. Issues were raised at the Ottawa rally that in the past were not loudly voiced.

For instance, the term "New World Order" was prominently in evidence. And people were handing out pamphlets entitled: "Why you should demand a new 911 investigation". Other marchers connected the renewed interest in Canadian uranium mining with the manufacture of war weapons. And some didn't mince words about Israel's assaults on Palestinian civilians.

The public is obviously becoming better educated and able to see the larger picture. They don't view the war in Afghanistan as separate from all of these other issues but as an overall deterioration of democracy, a symptom that western governments are catering to interests that have nothing to do with the public they are sworn to serve.

The signs in the following photos reveal the mood of Canadians:

Feed Democracy & Starve the Arms Makers

The Conservatives' New Childcare - a banner made from this cartoon depicting a little girl hugging a bomb.

Short and sweet - "Canada out of Kandahar!"

Biased Media LIES for War - US - Israel

Supporting the war supports the New World Order - bring the troops home.

Stop supporting Warlords

You can bomb the world to pieces but you can't bomb it into peace.

The signs today were trilingual. Many in English, some in French and one in an unknown language:

Ramenons nos troupes chez nous
(Bring our troops home)

Pas de démocratie avec des bombes
(No democracy with bombs)

*@%# tha war
(Insert expletive the war)

Some folks (et moi) don't think the Liberals are any more honest than the Conservatives:

Liberals, Tories, same old story

When the Liberals took us into Afghanistan they said it was only to do reconstruction, but either they were gullible fools or they figured Canadians were.

Bombing is not reconstruction

What would happen if the Prime Minister told the truth for once. This man in a Harper mask does it for him:

"Old rich men make war; young poor men die in them; women clean up the mess."

Here are some women who don't want the job:

Feminists against war

This is feminism
(The people the religious right love to hate)

War is for sissies

Do not Enter Iran
(Two women who can see where all this is headed)

Faces in the crowd:

The all important drummer, marching beside the wearer of an orange suit symbolic of all prisoners of the "war on terror", including Canada's Security Certificate detainees.

Students Coalition Against War (SCAW)

A woman holds a sign that says:
"Let U.S. War Resisters Stay in Canada"

Baby's first anti-war protest.

CTV Videos of various protests (check out the one with Dylan Penner who answers some tough questions from a skeptical talking head)

The rally in Ottawa was organized/sponsored by several groups. For more information, visit here.

MONTREAL: The emphasis in Montreal today was on the siege of Gaza. Thanks to Ron Saba, Editor of Montreal Planet Magazine, for these photos:


RELATED NEWS ITEMS:

CTV: Anti-war demos call for end to Afghan mission

Ottawa Citizen: 500 join Ottawa anti-war demonstration

CP: Protesters rally across Canada to speak out against wars in Afghanistan, Iraq

AFP: Protests erupt across Canada against Afghan mission: report