PRINCE GEORGE JOINS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-WAR
MOVMENT WITH UPCOMMING PEACE RALLEY
Prince George citizens are planning another peace rally next Saturday, November 16th, at 11:00 in front of the Courthouse. The rally is a call to all for World Peace. It is part of a series of international peace protests which will be going on places such as London, New York, Paris, Ottawa, and Vancouver, and is being organized locally by the Prince George Collective of the Communist Party of Canada (CPC) and the Popular Front for the Defense of Community (PFDC).
The rally occurs in the context of increased military build-up in the Persian Gulf and a recent United Nations Security Council resolution threatening “serious consequences” if Iraq does not comply with sanctions.[1] Already, the United States has stepped-up its air strikes on Iraq, and three US aircraft carriers are moving into the Gulf region.[2] If UN resolution 1441 proves imposable to comply to, as some suggest, another war is likely.
November 16th is also political day across British Columbia, as voters will be electing their municipal governments. The group organizers hope to capitalize on this political spirit and raise awareness about broader issues, such as war, which also effect our community. “We live in an age of globalization,” notes Johan Boyden, a volunteer in the PFDC. “Destroying communities in Iraq can effect communities in Prince George – gas prices are a good example.”
The rally follows an earlier peace protest in October, the first large event organized by the CPC in recent years. “Bush's war on terror is a blatant attack on human rights,” said Stephen Von Sychowski, a CPC member. “The people of Iraq have the right to live their lives, and that right is being taken away from them by sanctions and wars. Our goal is to send a clear message that there is opposition to this war in Prince George and around the country.” The rally is planned to start at 11:00.
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Sources:
[1] British Broadcasting Corporation. “UN adopts tough Iraq resolution” Friday November 8, 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2418975.stm
[2] British Broadcasting Corporation. “US intensifies Iraq build-up” Tuesday, 29 October, 2002 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2371379.stm
More Information
Jason Mann, Member,
Communist Part of Canada, Prince George Collective
Tel: (250) 563-8286
Email: pgcpc@hotmail.com