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Upcoming Events/News
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Hands Off Libya!
Oppose all Foreign Intervention in Libya!
The Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism strongly opposes the intervention of Canada and all foreign powers in Libya, including sanctions and the imposition of a no-fly zone.
The Canadian military has sent a reconnaissance team to Malta and according to defence sources, special forces teams are preparing to deploy. U.S., British and French special forces have already landed in eastern Libya. Several countries – including Canada – have already contributed heavily armed warships to a naval armada in international waters off Libya.
Both the U.S. and Britain have stated that all option are on the table. It has now reported that the U.S. has asked King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to secretly deliver arms to the anti-Gaddafi forces in Libya.
Both the Harper government and the opposition have given their approval to sanctions and a no-fly zone. Sanctions imposed by Canada and then by the U.N. Security Council are in themselves an act of war. Sanctions played a murderous role in Iraq. They were designed to either force Saddam Hussein to hand over power to the U.S. imperialists or to create a "failed state" and set the stage for invasion, regime change and occupation. More than a million Iraqis, mainly children, died as a result of sanctions against Iraq, according to the U.N.
Establishment of a no-fly zone is also an act of war. It is a violation of Libyan sovereignty, and entails establishing foreign control over Libyan airspace, shooting down Libyan aircraft and destroying anti-aircraft defences. As in Iraq, establishing a no-fly zone is a prelude to further aggression. The inevitable deaths of civilians are called "collateral damage" for which no one will be held responsible, just as one no has been brought to justice for the deaths of civilians including many children killed by U.S.-NATO bombs or U.S. drones in Afghanistan or Pakistan. It is Yugoslavia, Iraq and Afghanistan all over again and it must not pass!
The hypocrisy of the big powers knows no bounds. Just as Saddam Hussein was demonized to justify invasion, regime change and occupation, today it is the same with Muammar Gadaffi. The Security Council has approved the investigation of Gaddafi by the International Criminal Court while George W. Bush has never been brought to trial for his crimes. Nor have the Israeli leaders been charged for the brutal siege of Gaza or the continuous occupation of Palestine. No imperialist power is demanding that Mubarek or his chief torturer Omar Suleiman be brought before the ICC. The U.S. which approved the ICC investigation does not even recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. Before signing on, it insisted that a clause be added exempting U.S. citizens from the court's jurisdiction.
ECAWAR calls on everyone to reject the doctrine of "responsibility to protect" which is invoked in the name of protecting civilians, but in reality is imperialist aggression masquerading as humanitarianism. Where was the "responsibility to protect"? the people of Lebanon and of Gaza against Israeli aggression and today against the murderous blockade. In 2004 Canada together with the U.S. and France overthrew the government of Haiti, an intervention they claimed they were doing for "humanitarian" reasons. But the Canadian government did not lift a finger when cholera struck Haiti.
Calls for intervention on the basis of "responsibility to protect" serve the interests of the international financial oligarchy, which has caused so much social and economic devastation globally. These are the interests being protected, not the interests of the people. Foreign intervention under today's conditions is a means to foreign control of Libya's oil and protection of the interests of the big powers in the face of the revolutionary upsurge which is sweeping the entire region.
Only the people of Libya have the right to decide their future and must do so without foreign interference or intervention. The use of force to solve conflicts between or within countries must be opposed. It hurts the peoples' interests and favours the warmongers, merchants of death and those bent on exercising their political, economic and military control over other nations and peoples.
Our support for all democratic struggles around the world is always based upon certain fundamental principles. We oppose the use of force to resolve conflicts within and between nations; We call on everyone to work to establish an anti-war government in Canada which will work to avert the growing danger of a third world war. Such a government will:
- Uphold international laws, treaties and conventions;
- Uphold the right of self-determination for all nations;
- Defend the right of all peoples to resist foreign occupation;
- Act as a force for peace and not as a war-monger;
- Get Canada Out of NATO and NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command!
- Stand with people everywhere who are working to establish anti-war governments and a bulwark against the scourge of war.
Speakers Bureau
ECAWAR has several speakers available to speak to high school, university, college classes, union locals, church groups, etc. about various issues. Contact us for more information.
Speeches
A collection of speeches made at ECAWAR events or on related issues can be found here.
Gallery/Past Events
To view photos and videos from past ECAWAR events, click here.
Here are highlights from some of our most recent events:National Day of Action to End the War in Afghanistan
April 9, 2011 - Rally at Gazebo Park to call for the Harper Government to bring the troops home now.
George Galloway: Free Palestine, Free Afghanistan, Free Speech
National Day of Action - Bring the Troops Home Now!
End the Wars of Occupation!
George Bush Go Home!
This is a song and slideshow created and performed by Paula E. Kirman. The song, "Walls," was written for the End the Siege of Gaza rally. ECAWAR uses the song as the backdrop for our radio spots on CJSR.
An archive of images from ECAWAR's marches and rallies, as well as other Edmonton-based activist events, are available at RaiseMyVoice.com. Raising My Voice (at YouTube) has a video archive of these events.
Stay Informed
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ecawar.org was launched February 26, 2004. Last updated: July 6, 2011.
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