Ee Saaaaaa Tee — ae Aipril 9, 2003 News the other press Consulate Demonstration Eileen Velthuis News Editor On April’ 1, four local students chained themselves to the doors of the US con- sulate in Vancouver, and an hour later they were arrested by the Vancouver Police. Macdonald Stainsby, Chris Jacob, Elise Thornburn, and Heather Jones locked down at around 7:45a.m. and were arrest- ed on mischief charges at approximately 8:45a.m. Stainsby explained that when the war on Iraq began, he felt regular anti-war demonstrations weren't working, and that something different needed to be done to get anti-war activists’ points across. “Things are bad enough, we have to http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca Students Arrested at US make changes [in the way we demon- strate] to get our point across,” he said. “The anti-war movement just seems to be marching around parading and there's no energy being put forward by organizations for discussion. We wanted to give a kick in the butt to the way war is protested.” He joined up with a group of students, and they started calling themselves MOAB (Mobilization Opposed to the Aggression on Baghdad). The group stated that they planned the action on April 1 in response to the US’ disregard for international law, and that they believe the US plans to re-colonize not just Iraq, but the entire Middle East. Stainsby, who says he has spent at least 12 years as an anti-war activist and that he’s never been arrested before, expanded on the group’s statement and said that there are a few different reasons the four students did what they did. “There are three main reasons. The war in Iraq. The fact that [we think the US] is using the war as a cover for future attacks on Palestine, and we understand that the day the US started bombing they round- ed up asylum seekers in what their Department of Homeland Security called ‘Operation Liberty Shield,” he said. “But basically, we believe [the US] wants direct control of the Middle East. This is not Pro-War Demonstrators Sage Rallies in Vancouver and Calgary Protesters urge Canada to support US attack on Iraq Kevin Groves British Columbia Bureau VANCOUVER (CUP)—About 200 pro-war demonstrators braved bucketing Vancouver rain over the weekend to show their support for the US-led invasion of Iraq. The pro-war demonstrators, some draped in US flags, began the Sunday rally at the south end of the Burrard bridge by singing the Canadian and US national anthems, while a handful of anti-war demonstrators also at the rally called them “warmongers.” They then listened to several speakers, including BC Unity Party leader Chris Delaney, while a large number of Vancouver Police officers kept watch. “We are here today because we disagree with our government's opposition to our allies and best friends the Americans in this fight for freedom,” said Delaney, to the cheering, largely middle-aged crowd. “And we are here to tell Prime Minister Chretien that you are wrong and you do © page 4 not speak for us.” A scuffle broke out in the crowd after Delaney finished as a lone anti-war demonstrator condemned the rally before being led away by Vancouver Police as the crowd chanted “USA!” “Canada has every right not to send their people over to kill other people,” said Paul Boyd, after being escorted to the edge of the rally. “The US has got enough troops to do it, and Britain has enough to do it.” But other demonstrators in the crowd disagreed. “Canada is showing cowardice in not being involved in this war,” said Layna Wilson, who described herself as a descen- dant of American pioneers and British statesmen. “If Canadians love their coun- try and their neighbours, then they need to get involved and support this war.” Pro-war rallies also turned up in other Canadian cities over the weekend. On Saturday, pro-war demonstrators took to the streets in Ottawa, Red Deer, Winnipeg, and Calgary while anti-war marches were staged in Vancouver and Halifax. About 600 pro-war demonstrators also turned out at the University of Calgary on Sunday, carrying signs reading “Chretien is a Coward” and “Stop the War” and “Saddam Murders a Million More.” The Calgary rally also ended with a peaceful confrontation. About two dozen antiwar protesters chanted “Stop Killing!” as the war sup- porters filed out and shouted “USA! USA!” in reply. One heated shouting match ended quickly when security officers escorted two of the anti-war protesters away. The other side of the war issue was highlighted in downtown Toronto, where NDP Leader Jack Layton and his wife, city councillor Olivia Chow, led an anti- Photos by Ali Yerevani just about oil, it’s an expansionist war.” According to Stainsby, the students spent approximately 12 hours in jail, and a small group of people were rallying out side to support their release. Stainsby said the arrest hasn’t dampened the students’ desires to demonstrate. “We're going to keep going,” he said. Stainsby asks that anti-war supporters attend the students’ first court appearance on April 15 at the Main and Hastings courthouse. The Vancouver Police Department did not return the OP’s phone calls by pres time. Photos by Devon Lewis 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,” Layton said. “Everyone who can possibly participate in whatever way they can needs to put pressure on Jean Chretien.” Foreign Minister Bill Graham 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 Saturday in Longueuil, Que. “That is what it means to live in a democratic country, a free country. I have the impres- sion that public opinion largely supports the actions and position of the govern- ment.”