Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
When Refusing to Kill Has a Higher Sentence than Murder
by Ann Wright
Read this important article by Col. Ann Wright.
And redouble your efforts to defend Jeremy Hinzman and all war resisters.
www.truthout.org/article/when-refusing-kill-has-a-higher-sentence-than-murder
Read this important article by Col. Ann Wright.
And redouble your efforts to defend Jeremy Hinzman and all war resisters.
www.truthout.org/article/when-refusing-kill-has-a-higher-sentence-than-murder
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Robin Long is moved from Colorado to Miramar Naval Brig to do sentence
By jmb | September 6, 2008
Robin Long, the US soldier to be forcibly deported (in all practical terms extradited) from Canada, after previously fleeing to Canada to resist war, has been moved from the Criminal Justice Center (aka El Paso County jail) in Colorado Springs, CO. He is now being held at the:
Miramar Naval Consolidated Brig in San Diego, CA
An aerial photo of the facility can be seen here
Robin would love mail from supporters. It can be sent to him at:
ROBIN LONG
PO BOX 452136
SAN DIEGO, CA 92145-2136
More info on mail, visitation, etc. can be found on the Miramar website
Sunday, September 07, 2008
U.S. Saved Anbar By Destroying It
How Bush spells "Success" in Iraq
End the Genocide!
Support War Resisters!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
War Resister Update
International Radio Program Features U.S. War Resisters in Canada
In its weekly show on September 5, he radio program, Soundprint, produced by WAMU public radio in Washington, DC, focused on U.S. war resisters in Canada. The half-hour show, called Something’s Happening Here, was produced by Bob Carly of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It features interviews with Iraq War resister Jeremy Hinzman, war resister lawyer Jeffry House, Vietnam War resisters Bill King and his wife Kris, among others.
This show is quite interesting from a historical point of view and well worth listening to. But it is apparently an older documentary, surprisingly out-of-date. It makes no mention of the recent deportation of war resister Robin Long or the threatened deportation of Jeremy Hinzman and his family.
The Soundprint website includes links to books by Vietnam War resisters Dick Perrin and John Hagan. It also links to the website of the War Resisters Support Campaign. Links are also provided to websites purported to be those of Iraq War resisters Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey. However, this is does not appear to be Hinzman’s website, but rather a domain name up for sale. And in the case of Brandon Hughey’s old website, Google Ads has generously placed recruitment ads for the U.S. Army. Go figure….
http://www.soundprint.org/radio/display_show/ID/664/name/Something's+Happening+Here/
Good News for Corey Glass
Corey Glass, Iraq War veteran and resister, has married his Canadian sweetheart. And he has been given “leave to appeal” negative decisions made in his Pre-Removal Risk Assessment and the denial of his request to immigrate to Canada on “humanitarian and compassionate” grounds. Glass was on the verge of being deported from Canada in early July. It is hoped that Jeremy Hinzman and family, who have been ordered to leave Canada by September 23 or face deportation, will also be allowed to appeal negative decisions against them.
http://wmtc.blogspot.com/2008/09/good-war-resister-news.html
Stop the Deportations! -- Pan-Canadian Day of Action
In the meantime, the War Resisters Support Campaign is gearing up for a Pan-Canadian Day of Action on September 13, to press the Canadian government to respect the will of the Canadian people and Parliament by allowing U.S. war resisters to immigrate to Canada. To see the impressive list of participating cities, go to http://www.resisters.ca/september13.html.
Now is the time to do all we can to stop these pending deportations and to press the Canadian government to provide sanctuary for U.S. war resisters. There is plenty that people in both Canada and the U.S. can do. While the battle is in Canada, it is important that the Canadian government know that people in the U.S. support the war resisters and want an end to all deportation proceedings. See http://www.resisters.ca/actions.html
Screen War Resister Film Breaking Ranks
In conjunction with the Pan-Canadian Day or Action, filmmaker Michelle Mason is arranging showings of her award winning film, Breaking Ranks, an in-depth look at four Iraq War resisters in Canada, including Jeremy Hinzman who is now fighting the prospect of imminent deportation. September 14 showings of Breaking Ranks are taking place in cities across Canada. For more information, contact Michelle Mason at cypress-park@shaw.ca. If you would like to arrange a showing with a speaker in the U.S., contact Gerry Condon at projectsafehaven@hotmail.com.
Robin Long Speaks
Robin Long, the first (and hopefully the last) Iraq War resister to be deported by the Conservative government of Canada, has been sentenced to 15 months n a military prison and a Dishonorable Discharge. For more information, and to hear his post-sentencing interview with Courage To Resist, go to www.couragetoresist.org.
Will Pending Federal Election in Canada Help War Resisters?
The Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to dissolve the Parliament in the coming days, paving the way for a federal election in Canada. With 64% of the Canadian people wanting to provide sanctuary for U.S. war resisters, this could become a significant issue in the campaign, along with the fact that the Conservatives have defied the will of the Parliament.
But many Canadians consider the Liberal Party leadership to be weak, and the Conservatives have, unfortunately, gained some legitimacy as a credible ruling party. And, while left and liberal forces are divided among four parties, conservatives are now united in a single party. Political pundits in Canada think the outcome of the election is a toss-up. But the possibility of another minority Conservative government looms large. Hopefully this outcome, or worse – a Conservative majority government – can be averted. At any rate, now is the time for all those who support U.S. war resisters to be making a whole lot of noise.
Support for War Resisters is Growing in the U.S.
Support for war resisters in the United States is growing, due in no small part to the leadership of Courage To Resist, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans For Peace, and others. The Campus Antiwar Network carried a large banner reading Support War Resisters in a recent protest march at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeyouttanowhere/2830969028/
This War Resister Update was compiled by Gerry Condon for Project Safe Haven, which is badly in need of funds in order to continue its work in support of war resisters. Please consider making a donation today.
Tax-deductible checks can be made out to Alliance for Global Justice (or AFGJ), with Project Safe Haven in the memo line, and mailed to Gerry Condon, 3233 Walnut Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116.
Or credit card donations can be made online at http://www.nicanet.org/?page_id=341. If you make a credit card donation, or decide to mail your check directly to AFGJ, please also notify Gerry Condon at projectsafehaven@hotmail.com.
If you have questions, please contact Gerry Condon at 206-499-1220.
_______________________________________________
Soldier Say No / Project Safe Haven
projectsafehaven@hotmail.com, SoldierSayNo@yahoo.com
www.SoldierSayNo.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
War Resister Robin Long Speaks After Receiving 15 Month Jail Sentence
A Courage To Resist Audio Interview with Robin Long
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/615/1/
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/615/1/
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
War Resister Deported from Canada Is Facing Three Years in Prison
On July 15 of this year, Robin Long became the first Iraq War resister to be deported from Canada. He is currently imprisoned near Fort Carson, Colorado, where the U.S. Army plans to court-martial him for desertion.
For more information on his case and how you can support Robin Long, go to the website of Courage To Resist, couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/609/1/
To help stop deportation proceedings against other U.S. war resisters in Canada, please visit the website of the War Resisters Support Campaign, resisters.ca/index_en.html
For more information on his case and how you can support Robin Long, go to the website of Courage To Resist, couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/609/1/
To help stop deportation proceedings against other U.S. war resisters in Canada, please visit the website of the War Resisters Support Campaign, resisters.ca/index_en.html
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Emergency Protest of War Resister Deportation, Peace Arch Park, Tuesday, July 15, 9 am until ???
Well, folks, we lost one today.
U.S. war resister Robin Long will be deported back to the U.S. tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15.
The same Federal judge who ruled against war resisters Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey would not grant Robin Long a stay of his deportation order, even though he was denied his legal right to appeal it.
Supporters in Washington state and British Columbia will gather at Peace Arch Park beginning at 9 am Tuesday morning.
The wire services will no doubt say this is the end of the road for U.S. war resisters in Canada. Already this week we have seen headlines such as “Canada no longer safe haven for deserters.” But that is not at all the case.
Two out of three Canadians want Canada to be a safe haven for war resisters. So does the Canadian parliament, which passed a motion on June 3 calling on the government to allow war resisters to immigrate to Canada. And on July 4, a Federal judge in Canada, citing the Geneva Conventions against the wartime abuse of civilians, ruled that the Refugee Board was wrong to deny refugee status to Iraq veteran Joshua Key.
Most importantly, U.S. war resisters will continue to come to Canada, where they will continue to be able to apply for refugee status and where they will continue to find support from the War Resisters Support Campaign (See their press release below in this email or go to www.resisters.ca).
The deportation of Robin Long, far from being the end of our struggle, will further isolate the minority Conservative government and force a change, in its policy toward war resisters or in the government itself, in the not too distant future.
Now is the time to UP THE STRUGGLE and express our outrage.
Project Safe Haven is joining with the War Resisters Support Campaign in Vancouver in calling on war resister supporters to gather at Peace Arch Park on the US-Canada border between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, beginning at 9 am.
This may well be the crossing where Robin Long will be handed over to U.S. authorities. Even if not, it is a perfect place for people from both sides of the border to gather in peace and express their solidarity with all who obey international law and refuse to be party to illegal wars and war crimes.
You do not need travel documents, or to go through the border crossing hassle. Just go to the parking lots on either side of the border and walk into this international park. If you cannot make it to Peace Arch Park tomorrow, please find another way to express your outrage to the Canadian government and your solidarity with war resisters. One way to do so would be to send donations to the War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada (www.resisters.ca) or to Project Safe Haven in the U.S. (www.soldiersayno.blogspot.com).
This struggle will continue and we will win! Resisting an unjust war is the right thing to do.
for peace and justice,
Gerry Condon
(206) 499-1220
_______________________________________________
Soldier Say No / Project Safe Haven
projectsafehaven@hotmail.com, SoldierSayNo@yahoo.com
www.SoldierSayNo.blogspot.com
_______________________________________________
WAR RESISTERS SUPPORT CAMPAIGN
Mon., July 14, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian government’s single-minded determination
to deny legitimacy of conscientious objection denounced
Robin Long must leave Canada
Toronto/CNW – Today’s Federal Court decision refusing to prevent the removal ofconscientious objector Robin Long is a major disappointment for the majority of
Canadians, 64% of whom support sanctuary for U.S. soldiers seeking refuge here.
It is also at odds with the passage of June 3rd Parliamentary motion calling for the opportunity for conscientious objectors to apply for permanent resident status, and an end to all deportations.
“The federal government’s single-minded determination to deny the legitimacy of
conscientious objection to what is plainly an illegal war rife with human rights abuses is abhorrent. Robin himself has been harassed by authorities by being arrested for violating a deportation order of which neither he nor his counsel were ever advised,” says Lee Zaslofsky. spokesperson for the War Resisters Support Campaign.
“He’s been held in jail since July 4 and treated with disrespect by our government which seems intent on imposing American military law in Canada.”
Canadian Immigration authorities – who report to Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration Diane Finley – had kept secret a negative decision on Robin’s Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, making it impossible for his lawyer to file an appeal.
“We have received hundreds of messages of support for Robin,” says Bob Ages of the Vancouver War Resisters Support Campaign.
“We are calling on Canadians to take immediate action to tell the government that its attempts to overturn Canada’s longstanding tradition of sanctuary will be met with challenges everywhere.”
The War Resisters Support Campaign pledges to redouble its efforts on behalf of all conscientious objectors. It will follow Robin’s case, as will U.S. support organizations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Lee Zaslofsky, 416.598.1222/ 416.369-0864
Bob Ages, 604.760.6786.
-30-
U.S. war resister Robin Long will be deported back to the U.S. tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15.
The same Federal judge who ruled against war resisters Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey would not grant Robin Long a stay of his deportation order, even though he was denied his legal right to appeal it.
Supporters in Washington state and British Columbia will gather at Peace Arch Park beginning at 9 am Tuesday morning.
The wire services will no doubt say this is the end of the road for U.S. war resisters in Canada. Already this week we have seen headlines such as “Canada no longer safe haven for deserters.” But that is not at all the case.
Two out of three Canadians want Canada to be a safe haven for war resisters. So does the Canadian parliament, which passed a motion on June 3 calling on the government to allow war resisters to immigrate to Canada. And on July 4, a Federal judge in Canada, citing the Geneva Conventions against the wartime abuse of civilians, ruled that the Refugee Board was wrong to deny refugee status to Iraq veteran Joshua Key.
Most importantly, U.S. war resisters will continue to come to Canada, where they will continue to be able to apply for refugee status and where they will continue to find support from the War Resisters Support Campaign (See their press release below in this email or go to www.resisters.ca).
The deportation of Robin Long, far from being the end of our struggle, will further isolate the minority Conservative government and force a change, in its policy toward war resisters or in the government itself, in the not too distant future.
Now is the time to UP THE STRUGGLE and express our outrage.
Project Safe Haven is joining with the War Resisters Support Campaign in Vancouver in calling on war resister supporters to gather at Peace Arch Park on the US-Canada border between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, beginning at 9 am.
This may well be the crossing where Robin Long will be handed over to U.S. authorities. Even if not, it is a perfect place for people from both sides of the border to gather in peace and express their solidarity with all who obey international law and refuse to be party to illegal wars and war crimes.
You do not need travel documents, or to go through the border crossing hassle. Just go to the parking lots on either side of the border and walk into this international park. If you cannot make it to Peace Arch Park tomorrow, please find another way to express your outrage to the Canadian government and your solidarity with war resisters. One way to do so would be to send donations to the War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada (www.resisters.ca) or to Project Safe Haven in the U.S. (www.soldiersayno.blogspot.com).
This struggle will continue and we will win! Resisting an unjust war is the right thing to do.
for peace and justice,
Gerry Condon
(206) 499-1220
_______________________________________________
Soldier Say No / Project Safe Haven
projectsafehaven@hotmail.com, SoldierSayNo@yahoo.com
www.SoldierSayNo.blogspot.com
_______________________________________________
WAR RESISTERS SUPPORT CAMPAIGN
Mon., July 14, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian government’s single-minded determination
to deny legitimacy of conscientious objection denounced
Robin Long must leave Canada
Toronto/CNW – Today’s Federal Court decision refusing to prevent the removal ofconscientious objector Robin Long is a major disappointment for the majority of
Canadians, 64% of whom support sanctuary for U.S. soldiers seeking refuge here.
It is also at odds with the passage of June 3rd Parliamentary motion calling for the opportunity for conscientious objectors to apply for permanent resident status, and an end to all deportations.
“The federal government’s single-minded determination to deny the legitimacy of
conscientious objection to what is plainly an illegal war rife with human rights abuses is abhorrent. Robin himself has been harassed by authorities by being arrested for violating a deportation order of which neither he nor his counsel were ever advised,” says Lee Zaslofsky. spokesperson for the War Resisters Support Campaign.
“He’s been held in jail since July 4 and treated with disrespect by our government which seems intent on imposing American military law in Canada.”
Canadian Immigration authorities – who report to Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration Diane Finley – had kept secret a negative decision on Robin’s Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, making it impossible for his lawyer to file an appeal.
“We have received hundreds of messages of support for Robin,” says Bob Ages of the Vancouver War Resisters Support Campaign.
“We are calling on Canadians to take immediate action to tell the government that its attempts to overturn Canada’s longstanding tradition of sanctuary will be met with challenges everywhere.”
The War Resisters Support Campaign pledges to redouble its efforts on behalf of all conscientious objectors. It will follow Robin’s case, as will U.S. support organizations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Lee Zaslofsky, 416.598.1222/ 416.369-0864
Bob Ages, 604.760.6786.
-30-
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Successful Actions for War Resisters
Hi Everybody,
Well, we had a great day overall! Thanks to the united efforts of many folks, we succeeded in mounting actions at the Canadian Embassy and Consulates in 14 U.S. cities! The reports from the various cities are still trickling in. There were reportedly 60 people at the vigil in New York, 50 in San Francisco, “50 some” in Chicago, and respectable showings elsewhere. There was significant media coverage of these vigils in both the U.S. and Canada. Veterans For Peace president Elliott Adams was interviewed on Canadian Broadcasting Corp. television this morning and CBC covered the vigil in Washington too. Associated Press showed up at several rallies. We had local TV and radio coverage here in Seattle, along with AP and Free Speech Radio News. And the beat goes on.
Thanks to the collaboration of Courage to Resist, Veterans For Peace and Project Safe Haven, these were easily the largest nationally coordinated actions in the U.S. on behalf of our war resisters in Canada.
And we gained another victory today! Corey Glass will not be deported anytime soon. A Federal Court in Canada granted him a stay of his deportation, at least for several months while his lawyers are given a chance to appeal earlier negative rulings.
This is related to the legal victory of Joshua Key on the 4th of July. According to the Federal Court, the regular abuse of Iraq civilians at the hands of the U.S. military are systematic violations of the Geneva Conventions, and should be a basis for granting refugee status. The mobilizations being coordinated between Canada and the U.S. are definitely creating positive momentum. And time seems to be on our side.
But now we are faced with another emergency! The police in Nelson, British Columbia are at it again, along with the Canada Border Services Agency. Yesterday, while all eyes were on Corey Glass, they arrested another U.S. war resister, Robin Long, for supposed violations immigration law. They threatened to deport Long immediately, but Canadian Immigration, under legal and political pressure, have given Long’s lawyer until Monday to file for a stay of deportation. Neither Robin Long nor his lawyer had been informed of plans to deport him, and thus he was denied his legal right to appeal.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080710.BCDEPORTATION10/TPStory/National
So vigilance and political pressure remains important. To counteract their apparent eagerness to hand a war resister over as a prize to George Bush, the minority Conservative government needs to know that people in the U.S. and Canada are still paying attention.
Tomorrow is a National Day of Action in Canada. There will be rallies in several Canadian cities, including Vancouver, from where Robin Long could be deported as early as Tuesday. And people will continue to barrage the government with phone calls and emails.
We in the U.S. can continue to generate phone calls and emails to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Immigration Minister Diane Finley (See alert and contact information from the War Resisters Support Campaign, below).
And those of us who did not actually send delegations in to meet with the Canadian Consuls should consider doing so by next Monday or Tuesday (and later too). The more Consulates that have to report to their government, the better. Consider broad-based delegations.
The letter sent by Canadian religious leaders might serve as a good model for religious leaders in the U.S. (See also below.)
Tomorrow morning I will be interviewed on CBC Radio in Vancouver for 15 minutes. They are most interested to know what kind of punishment awaits Robin Long if he is handed over to the U.S. Army. I will tell them that those AWOL resisters who are the most vocal, including those who go to Canada, are most likely to face persecution – harassment, court martial, imprisonment and less-than-honorable discharges. A bad discharge can be a life sentence of job discrimination, and keep someone from having access to healthcare, which means something to Canadians.
The question of what amounts to “persecution” will be the next legal and political battleground for Joshua Key, Corey Glass, Robin Long and nearly 200 U.S. war resisters in Canada. At least, until the government decides to follow the will of the Canadian people and Parliament...
By the way, there will probably be a federal election in Canada in the fall. The Liberal Party, who now are solidly on the record supporting war resisters, could form the next government.
Please check out the following alert and reports from the War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada. Or go to their website, www.resisters.ca.
And keep on keepin’ on!
for peace and justice,
Gerry Condon
*******************************************************
Federal Court grants stay of removal to Corey Glass!
Robin Long still facing deportation on July 14th In another positive decision for U.S. war resisters in Canada, Corey Glass was granted a stay of removal by the Federal Courty today. While not reasons for the decision have been issued yet, it reinforces the positive decision in Joshua Key's asylum case issued on Friday, July 4th.However War Resister Robin Long is still being held in jail in Nelson, B.C. and is threatened with deportation to the United States on Monday, July 14th. (See press release)July 10th actions are planned across the country to stop the deportation proceedings against Robin Long and let all the war resisters stay!
This is a critical week in the campaign to win asylum for Iraq War resisters in Canada. In spite of a Parliamentary motion calling on the federal government to allow war resisters to stay; in spite of a positive court decision in Joshua Key's refugee case which calls into question the decisions made by the Immigration and Refugee Board in these cases; and in spite of overwhelming public opinion in support of permanent resident status for war resisters, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Immigration Minister Diane Finley appear set to act against the wishes of Canadians and deport Robin Long.
Robin is the first of a growing number of Iraq war resisters facing removal proceedings. Every action taken between now and July 15th can make a big difference to the fate of Robin and all the other war resisters in Canada. Please take the time to make as many phone calls, send as many emails and write as many letters as you can, and then join an action on July 10th.
Let the government know that it is time they start representing the will of Canadians and stop acting as the enforcement arm of the Bush administration.
What you can do:
Call and email Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
613.992.4211
pm@pm.gc.ca
Call and email Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley.
613.996.4974
finley.d@parl.gc.ca
finled1@parl.gc.ca
If you're Canadian and your riding is represented by a Conservative MP, please contact her or him to express your support for war resisters. To find contact information, click here.
Write letters to your local newspaper. Demand that Diane Finley and Stephen Harper to respect the will of Parliament and Canadians and let the war resisters stay!
Join the protests on Thursday, July 10. Events will be taking place in cities across Canada. Watch our events page for an action in your area.
"Thank You Canada" from U.S. Veterans for Peace
TORONTO/CNW – The major U.S. organization representing 7,000 U.S. veterans has issued a public “Thank You” to the people of Canada and an appeal to the government on behalf of Corey Glass and other U.S. Iraq War conscientious objectors seeking refuge.Veterans for Peace (VFP) whose members fought in WW II, the Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars says: “Thank you, Canada, for providing a safe haven for young American men and women who, although they were in the military, decided they could not in good conscience participate in the illegal and immoral U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.” Read the full press release
Appeal from Canada's faith communities to the government of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley:
Re: Iraq War resister Corey Glass: July 10 deportation looming
We are writing to request your quick action to stop the deportation and removal proceedings against U.S. Iraq War conscientious objector Corey Glass who came to Canada seeking refuge.The federal government’s July 10 deportation order against Glass is still in effect, creating enormous stress, anxiety and turmoil for him and for all the conscientious objectors and their families who are hoping the government will be guided by the will of Parliament. This was expressed June 3rd with the passage of a landmark parliamentary motion that called on the Government of Canada to allow U.S. conscientious objectors who have left military service related to the illegal invasion of Iraq, and their immediate family members, the opportunity to apply to remain in Canada as permanent residents, and to immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals. Read the full letter
_______________________________________________
Soldier Say No / Project Safe Haven
projectsafehaven@hotmail.com, SoldierSayNo@yahoo.com
www.SoldierSayNo.blogspot.com
(206) 499-1220
Well, we had a great day overall! Thanks to the united efforts of many folks, we succeeded in mounting actions at the Canadian Embassy and Consulates in 14 U.S. cities! The reports from the various cities are still trickling in. There were reportedly 60 people at the vigil in New York, 50 in San Francisco, “50 some” in Chicago, and respectable showings elsewhere. There was significant media coverage of these vigils in both the U.S. and Canada. Veterans For Peace president Elliott Adams was interviewed on Canadian Broadcasting Corp. television this morning and CBC covered the vigil in Washington too. Associated Press showed up at several rallies. We had local TV and radio coverage here in Seattle, along with AP and Free Speech Radio News. And the beat goes on.
Thanks to the collaboration of Courage to Resist, Veterans For Peace and Project Safe Haven, these were easily the largest nationally coordinated actions in the U.S. on behalf of our war resisters in Canada.
And we gained another victory today! Corey Glass will not be deported anytime soon. A Federal Court in Canada granted him a stay of his deportation, at least for several months while his lawyers are given a chance to appeal earlier negative rulings.
This is related to the legal victory of Joshua Key on the 4th of July. According to the Federal Court, the regular abuse of Iraq civilians at the hands of the U.S. military are systematic violations of the Geneva Conventions, and should be a basis for granting refugee status. The mobilizations being coordinated between Canada and the U.S. are definitely creating positive momentum. And time seems to be on our side.
But now we are faced with another emergency! The police in Nelson, British Columbia are at it again, along with the Canada Border Services Agency. Yesterday, while all eyes were on Corey Glass, they arrested another U.S. war resister, Robin Long, for supposed violations immigration law. They threatened to deport Long immediately, but Canadian Immigration, under legal and political pressure, have given Long’s lawyer until Monday to file for a stay of deportation. Neither Robin Long nor his lawyer had been informed of plans to deport him, and thus he was denied his legal right to appeal.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080710.BCDEPORTATION10/TPStory/National
So vigilance and political pressure remains important. To counteract their apparent eagerness to hand a war resister over as a prize to George Bush, the minority Conservative government needs to know that people in the U.S. and Canada are still paying attention.
Tomorrow is a National Day of Action in Canada. There will be rallies in several Canadian cities, including Vancouver, from where Robin Long could be deported as early as Tuesday. And people will continue to barrage the government with phone calls and emails.
We in the U.S. can continue to generate phone calls and emails to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Immigration Minister Diane Finley (See alert and contact information from the War Resisters Support Campaign, below).
And those of us who did not actually send delegations in to meet with the Canadian Consuls should consider doing so by next Monday or Tuesday (and later too). The more Consulates that have to report to their government, the better. Consider broad-based delegations.
The letter sent by Canadian religious leaders might serve as a good model for religious leaders in the U.S. (See also below.)
Tomorrow morning I will be interviewed on CBC Radio in Vancouver for 15 minutes. They are most interested to know what kind of punishment awaits Robin Long if he is handed over to the U.S. Army. I will tell them that those AWOL resisters who are the most vocal, including those who go to Canada, are most likely to face persecution – harassment, court martial, imprisonment and less-than-honorable discharges. A bad discharge can be a life sentence of job discrimination, and keep someone from having access to healthcare, which means something to Canadians.
The question of what amounts to “persecution” will be the next legal and political battleground for Joshua Key, Corey Glass, Robin Long and nearly 200 U.S. war resisters in Canada. At least, until the government decides to follow the will of the Canadian people and Parliament...
By the way, there will probably be a federal election in Canada in the fall. The Liberal Party, who now are solidly on the record supporting war resisters, could form the next government.
Please check out the following alert and reports from the War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada. Or go to their website, www.resisters.ca.
And keep on keepin’ on!
for peace and justice,
Gerry Condon
*******************************************************
Federal Court grants stay of removal to Corey Glass!
Robin Long still facing deportation on July 14th In another positive decision for U.S. war resisters in Canada, Corey Glass was granted a stay of removal by the Federal Courty today. While not reasons for the decision have been issued yet, it reinforces the positive decision in Joshua Key's asylum case issued on Friday, July 4th.However War Resister Robin Long is still being held in jail in Nelson, B.C. and is threatened with deportation to the United States on Monday, July 14th. (See press release)July 10th actions are planned across the country to stop the deportation proceedings against Robin Long and let all the war resisters stay!
This is a critical week in the campaign to win asylum for Iraq War resisters in Canada. In spite of a Parliamentary motion calling on the federal government to allow war resisters to stay; in spite of a positive court decision in Joshua Key's refugee case which calls into question the decisions made by the Immigration and Refugee Board in these cases; and in spite of overwhelming public opinion in support of permanent resident status for war resisters, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Immigration Minister Diane Finley appear set to act against the wishes of Canadians and deport Robin Long.
Robin is the first of a growing number of Iraq war resisters facing removal proceedings. Every action taken between now and July 15th can make a big difference to the fate of Robin and all the other war resisters in Canada. Please take the time to make as many phone calls, send as many emails and write as many letters as you can, and then join an action on July 10th.
Let the government know that it is time they start representing the will of Canadians and stop acting as the enforcement arm of the Bush administration.
What you can do:
Call and email Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
613.992.4211
pm@pm.gc.ca
Call and email Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley.
613.996.4974
finley.d@parl.gc.ca
finled1@parl.gc.ca
If you're Canadian and your riding is represented by a Conservative MP, please contact her or him to express your support for war resisters. To find contact information, click here.
Write letters to your local newspaper. Demand that Diane Finley and Stephen Harper to respect the will of Parliament and Canadians and let the war resisters stay!
Join the protests on Thursday, July 10. Events will be taking place in cities across Canada. Watch our events page for an action in your area.
"Thank You Canada" from U.S. Veterans for Peace
TORONTO/CNW – The major U.S. organization representing 7,000 U.S. veterans has issued a public “Thank You” to the people of Canada and an appeal to the government on behalf of Corey Glass and other U.S. Iraq War conscientious objectors seeking refuge.Veterans for Peace (VFP) whose members fought in WW II, the Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars says: “Thank you, Canada, for providing a safe haven for young American men and women who, although they were in the military, decided they could not in good conscience participate in the illegal and immoral U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.” Read the full press release
Appeal from Canada's faith communities to the government of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley:
Re: Iraq War resister Corey Glass: July 10 deportation looming
We are writing to request your quick action to stop the deportation and removal proceedings against U.S. Iraq War conscientious objector Corey Glass who came to Canada seeking refuge.The federal government’s July 10 deportation order against Glass is still in effect, creating enormous stress, anxiety and turmoil for him and for all the conscientious objectors and their families who are hoping the government will be guided by the will of Parliament. This was expressed June 3rd with the passage of a landmark parliamentary motion that called on the Government of Canada to allow U.S. conscientious objectors who have left military service related to the illegal invasion of Iraq, and their immediate family members, the opportunity to apply to remain in Canada as permanent residents, and to immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals. Read the full letter
_______________________________________________
Soldier Say No / Project Safe Haven
projectsafehaven@hotmail.com, SoldierSayNo@yahoo.com
www.SoldierSayNo.blogspot.com
(206) 499-1220
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Join the July 2 "Phone-In" for U.S. War Resisters in Canada
Stop the Deportation of U.S. War Resisters in Canada!
Join with the War Resisters Support Campaign in their July 2 "Phone-In"
Join with the War Resisters Support Campaign in their July 2 "Phone-In"
STOP THE DEPORTATION OF U.S. WAR RESISTER COREY GLASS
On July 2nd…
On July 2nd…
CALL CANADA'S IMMIGRATION MINISTER DIANE FINLEY!
Yes, calls from supporters in the U.S. are encouraged too!
Yes, calls from supporters in the U.S. are encouraged too!
U.S. Iraq War resister Corey Glass is still facing deportation on July 10th, despite the Parliament of Canada having voted in favour of a motion to let Corey and other U.S. war resisters stay.
The federal government and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration must respect the will of Parliament and implement the motion which calls on the government to “immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members […] to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and … the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions … against such individuals.”
On July 2nd, the War Resisters Support Campaign is calling on all supporters to call Minister Diane Finley and ask her to:
• STOP deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and all U.S. Iraq war resisters; and
• IMPLEMENT the motion adopted by Canada’s Parliament to allow U.S. Iraq war resisters to apply for permanent resident status.
Here are the numbers to call:Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley
613.996.4974
MP Diane Finley’s constituency office (Simcoe):
MP Diane Finley’s constituency office (Simcoe):
519.426.3400
Or email her at:
Or email her at:
or
finled1@parl.gc.ca
___________________________________________________________________
VETERANS FOR PEACE CALLS FOR JULY 9 VIGILS
AT CANADIAN CONSULATES
___________________________________________________________________
VETERANS FOR PEACE CALLS FOR JULY 9 VIGILS
AT CANADIAN CONSULATES
Dear Canada: Do Not Deport U.S. War Resisters!
The struggle of AWOL GIs to gain sanctuary in Canada is coming to a head.
On June 3, the House of Commons passed a motion calling on the Canadian government to stop all deportation proceedings against U.S. war resisters and allow them to immigrate to Canada.But the minority Conservative government is ignoring the will of the Canadian Parliament. Iraq veteran and war resister Corey Glass has been told to leave Canada by July 10 or face deportation. The War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada is calling for urgent actions across Canada and the U.S.
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VETERANS FOR PEACE has joined with Courage To Resist and Project Safe Haven to organize July 9 vigils and delegations to Canadian consular offices throughout the U.S.
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VETERANS FOR PEACE is sending an Open Letter to the Canadian Government and People and is encouraging its 7,000 members to contact the Canadian government directly.
The War Resisters Support Campaign is hoping for thousands of calls from both the Canada and the U.S. on Wednesday, July 2.
Write letters to the Canadian government. You can send your own letters or you can go online and Courage To Resist will do it for you. Either way, you can get the contact information at www.couragetoresist.org/canada.
Write letters to the Canadian government. You can send your own letters or you can go online and Courage To Resist will do it for you. Either way, you can get the contact information at www.couragetoresist.org/canada.
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Can you help organize a local action on July 9? Contact us ASAP!
Gerry Condon
Project Safe Haven / VFP 92
206-499-1220
Jeff Paterson
Courage To Resist / VFP 69
510-488-3559
Betsy Reznicek
Veterans For Peace National Office
314-725-6005
_________________________________________________________
GI resisters are refusing to fight in the illegal and immoral U.S. occupation of Iraq.
By supporting them, we will encourage others to follow their example.
Help spread the word. Send this Call to Action to your networks!
We can make a real difference by acting NOW!
GI resisters are refusing to fight in the illegal and immoral U.S. occupation of Iraq.
By supporting them, we will encourage others to follow their example.
Help spread the word. Send this Call to Action to your networks!
We can make a real difference by acting NOW!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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