Posted on 03/31/2003 6:53:47 PM PST by new cruelty
CALGARY -- Waving U.S. flags and pro-American signs, about 600 people turned out at the University of Calgary yesterday for a rally in support of the U.S.-led war on Iraq.
It was the second such demonstration in as many days in Calgary, and one of several across the country on the weekend.
The supporters carried placards reading "Chrétien is a Coward" and "Stop the War and Saddam Murders a Million More," but organizers insisted they leave them at the door of the MacEwan Hall students centre.
Inside, flags from the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia were on sale, with proceeds going toward the purchase of telephone cards for the troops in Iraq. People were also invited to sign a letter to the U.S. consul general praising his government's "determination to protect the innocent from the hands of evil dictators and terrorists."
Myron Thompson, a Canadian Alliance MP from Alberta whose 29-year-old son, Dennis, is a U.S. combat soldier in Iraq, told the crowd Canada should be supporting the United States in the war.
"When allies stand together strong as they have in the past, they will overcome," he said. "Let's not turn our backs on them today."
Mr. Thompson pointed out there was no debate and no vote in the House of Commons on whether Canada should send troops to Iraq.
Monte Solberg, another Alberta Alliance MP, called the Liberal government morally bankrupt.
"Jean Chrétien's government wants the shade from the tree, but aren't willing to do anything to keep that tree strong," he said.
The other side of the issue was highlighted in downtown Toronto, where NDP Leader Jack Layton and his wife, city councillor Olivia Chow, led an anti-war march to the sounds of bagpipes and beating drums.
"We have to keep participating in these protests to build the popular movement against the war," Mr. Layton said. "Everyone who can possibly participate in whatever way they can needs to put pressure on Jean Chrétien."
He also called for the return of 31 Canadian troops who are on exchange programs with the U.S. and British forces and serving in Iraq.
"They are in dangerous situations and they're tying themselves, unfortunately, to the American aggression," Mr. Layton said. "It would be best if we pulled our troops right out."
There was a brief skirmish when a half-dozen pro-U.S. demonstrators confronted the head of the peace march, but the two sides parted without incident.
Police were out in full force and armed with riot shields after a demonstration last week culminated with a few protesters throwing objects at a police line.
In Vancouver, supporters of the war in Iraq rallied in a pair of gatherings yesterday that were marked by feisty but peaceful arguments with anti-war activists.
In the larger rally, about 300 people gathered in a park south of downtown Vancouver, singing the anthems of both Canada and the United States and listening to speeches in driving rain as they were heckled by peace protesters on the edge of the gathering.
Police officers looked on, including four on horseback, but there were no arrests.
The rally was organized by Cheryl Kaysser, a 24-year-old political-science student at an area college.
"We felt it was very necessary to show our support to our American allies," she said. "We wanted to show the American people that real Canadians -- not the government -- that real, actual Canadians do support the United States.
"We think that whether or not Canada has the resources to send military troops to Iraq, we should be throwing our moral support behind our allies -- the U.K. and the United States."
Anti-war protesters heckled Ms. Kaysser's rally. As organizers began departing, one man engaged in an increasingly angry discussion with five to six rally activists, heatedly discussing various aspects of the war.
During the argument, Vancouver police officers looked on. At one point, an officer asked the participants if they could agree to disagree.
The Calgary rally also ended with a peaceful confrontation. About two dozen anti-war protesters chanted "Stop Killing!" as the war supporters filed out and shouted "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" in reply. One heated shouting match ended quickly when security officers escorted two of the anti-war protesters away.
On Saturday, pro-U.S. protesters took to the streets in Ottawa, Red Deer, Winnipeg and Calgary while peace marches were staged in Vancouver and Halifax.
But Bill Graham, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said his government stands by its decision not to join a military campaign that has no United Nations backing.
"Obviously, Canadians are free to express their political preferences," he said on Saturday in Longueuil, Que.
"That is what it means to live in a democratic country, a free country. I have the impression that public opinion largely supports the actions and position of the government."
A poll conducted earlier in the week and released Saturday suggested a majority still opposed Canadian involvement in the war
They showed 100 times the class of the Saddamites with this move of restraint. But they should have showed the placards anyhow. Imagine the public divide if thes were shown on TV.
Perhaps the "Silent Majority" we first identified in the seventies is coming to life in Canada.
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