Posted on 04/04/2003 5:26:00 PM PST by albertabound
Saturday 5th April, 2003
Canadian rally backs U.S. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big News Network.com Saturday 5th April, 2003
A freak spring ice storm only slightly dampened the enthusiasm and turnout at a Pro-America rally held in the heart of Canada's financial district Friday.
Some 2,000 shivering and chanting people draped in Canadian and U.S. flags milled in front of Toronto's City Hall in a show of support for the U.S.-led coalition's war against Iraq.
The organizers of the rally, Friends of America, told the crowd they were part of the silent majority of Canadians who support the United States and the war. Various speakers evoked cheers saying Prime Minister Jean Chretien's Liberal government does not reflect national sentiment.
One Liberal Member of Parliament was soundly booed during her explanation of how Canada and the United States could remain on friendly terms without fighting a war together. When she began speaking in French -- Canada's second official language -- the catcalls became obscene.
The most prominent speaker at the rally was Ontario Premier Ernie Eves, a conservative who has been very vocal in denouncing Canada's decision not to participate in the war.
Friendship is a commitment, Eves said Friendship is not a commitment just for good times -- friendship is a commitment to be there when times are difficult and times are tough. ... We should be standing by our American friends now.
Those attending varied in age from late 20s to seniors, with numerous Canadian war veterans wearing their dress blazers with berets and medals. There were no parents with young children to be seen.
Among the mass-produced and hand-fashioned banners were messages such as Chretien resign, Give war a chance, and Chretien doesn't speak for me.
Since the United States, Britain and Australia in the region sent troops into Iraq on March 20, there have been small but widespread rallies across Canada, all of which had a dual focus: support for Canada's biggest trading partner and ally, and disdain for the government's decision not to send troops into action. Last weekend, more than 5,000 gathered at Parliament Hill in Ottawa to wave U.S. flags and decry the government's position.
Chretien waffled repeatedly on whether Canada would participate until the war began, citing a lack of a formal resolution by the United Nations. And this week, Liberal members of Parliament introduced a motion reaffirming Canada's stand that Washington should have had U.N. backing before going to war. Observers said the motion was likely to pass.
Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 Canadian soldiers remain deployed in Afghanistan in active combat roles.
The Toronto rally was peaceful, although a heavy contingent of police was present. Some 50 anti-war protesters arrived with posters and masks of President George Bush. They were surrounded by police, presumably to avoid any physical confrontations. Eight officers on horseback also stood at the ready nearby.
Friends of America was founded only nine days ago by about a dozen Canadians dismayed by the consequences of Canada's inaction. Among them is Raymond Heard, a communications consultant who served as communications director for Prime Minister John Turner -- a Liberal.
We (supporters) are the majority in Canada and we're proud of it, Heard said. We hope and we pray that the Americans win this war quickly.
Much was made by speakers at the rally about remarks made by a Liberal member of Parliament who didn't realize she was being quoted by reporters last month. As the Bush administration was seeking support for the war effort, Caroline Parrish uttered that she hated those bastards.
A gray-haired woman sporting the flags of both countries from her lapels, Lois Nealy said she braved the weather out of disgust at those remarks by an elected official.
It's pure racism, she told UPI. We couldn't say 'We hate the Jews' -- we couldn't say 'They're all bastards.' But we can say it to Americans? That's not right. They're our best friends.
As she spoke, a boisterous trio of men walked by stretching a banner that read Regime change in Baghdad and Ottawa.
Saddam Hussein appeared on Iraq TV and toured Baghdad streets Friday, in the first indications the Iraqi President is alive.
We appreciate your support, but let's get a bit more passionate with the sign messages, eh?? ;-)
Canada - Oh Canada (where are you?)
It was truly nasty to even go out for a smoke. The power was off in parts of town, my truck was encased in ice, and so I thank you all for braving that.
I work with several Canadians -- they all agree that they're disgusted with Chretien's government. Boy, I hope you can put something together and get that gang of Liberals out of there come election time.
Saturday 5th April, 2003...Ummm...
TODAY is Friday, April 4, right?From http://mitchworld.tripod.com//Rally_Pics1.htm:
"In Toronto today, April 4th, 2003 we gathered to declare our support for America, and our outrage with our government's positions and behaviour..."Otherwise...
WAY TO GO, Canadian FReepers!
A man bows his head during speeches at a peaceful rally to show friendship and support for the United States in Toronto, April 4, 2003. Thousands of people gathered to show that Canadians still consider the American people their good friends regardless of the Canadian government's decision to not send troops to Iraq (news - web sites). REUTERS/Mike Cassese
- Apr 04 5:18 PM ET
People wave Canadian and USA flags during a peaceful rally to show friendship and support for the United States in Toronto, April 4, 2003. Thousands of people gathered for the pro-U.S. rally. REUTERS/Mike Cassese
- Apr 04 5:18 PM ET
Phil Dewhurst from Ajax Ontario, wearing a Canadian and USA flag, cheers during a peaceful rally to show friendship and support for the United States in Toronto, April 4, 2003. Thousands of people gathered to show that Canadians still consider the American people their good friends regardless of the Canadian government's decision to not send troops to Iraq (news - web sites). REUTERS/Mike Cassese
- Apr 04 5:14 PM ET
Toronto resident Bridget Lunn shows her solidarity for America's war in Iraq (news - web sites) by wearing an American flag around her head while sporting a Canada sticker on her cheek during a rally at Toronto City Hall(AFP/J.P. Moczulski)
- Apr 04 3:39 PM ET
It is already TOMORROW in the U.K.Nevermind.
From www.guardian.co.uk:
Canada Tries to Soothe U.S. Anger
Saturday April 5, 2003 3:00 AM
TORONTO (AP) - Fighting what he believes is a perception that Canadians have become anti-American, Canada's deputy prime minister said Friday that his country stands behind the U.S.-led forces in Iraq, even though it decided against joining them.
In a telephone interview, John Manley said his government has failed to clearly express its support for the U.S.-led mission to oust Saddam Hussein after refusing to join the fight.
``I think it should have been part of the message from the beginning,'' said Manley, who is also finance minister. ``There ought to have been no ambiguity in how we thought the conflict should conclude, once it's engaged.''
With a recent rebuke by the U.S. ambassador and anecdotal evidence of business orders canceled and visits by Americans called off, conservative political parties and the Canadian business community have decided to launch a pro-American campaign to show support for the United States.
What worries business leaders and politicians is that Americans - fueled by reports of anti-war protests, insulting comments by political leaders and booing of ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' at a hockey game - may believe that Canadians people are strongly anti-American.
While no one expects a permanent rift between the North American neighbors that share a strategic alliance and the world's largest trade partnership, concern about an anti-Canadian response exists.
Pro-American rallies have taken place across Canada, including more than 500 people who turned out in freezing rain Friday in Toronto, carrying posters that said "Canada Loves America," and "Freedom Isn't Free."
"We're not fair-weather friends of the Americans - we're their friends in all weather, in war and in peace, even though some of us may disagree with the war," said Ray Heard of Friends of America, which organized the rally.Canadian officials say Prime Minister Jean Chretien's anti-war stance has had no impact on the traditional Canada-U.S. friendship. They note Canada's continued role in the war on terror, with ships patrolling the Persian Gulf and more than 1,500 soldiers headed to Afghanistan later this year.
On Monday, Manley will meet with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge in Washington to discuss border security and other terrorism related issues.
A delegation of Canadian business leaders will also travel to Washington next week for meetings on reshaping security and economic ties in the post-Sept. 11 era.
In an emotional speech Thursday in Parliament, Manley defended the right of Canadians to express their views - whether pro- or anti-war - but insisted it should be done with respect.
``I don't want to hear another story about people booing each other's anthems at sporting events,'' he said. ``I don't want to hear about Canadians and Americans canceling business transactions. I don't want to hear voices of disrespect at any level.''
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003
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