November 17, 2001

Cross-Canada Day of Non-Violent Action

for Global Peace and Justice

From the press release (Council of Canadians):

Peace Coalition Calls for Cross Canada Day of Action Against War and Corporate Globalization

The September Eleventh Peace Coalition has called on groups across the country to join a cross Canada day of non-violent action for Global Peace and Justice Saturday November 17th, 2001.

Actions will call on the Canadian government to withdraw Canadian Forces from military action and to asses WTO, IMF and World Bank agreements and policies based on peace and economic development.

The coalition announced that already events are being planned in towns and cities across the country. "Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto are among the more high profile cities that will have non-violent actions against war and corporate globalization," said Peter Coombes, National Organizer of End the Arms Race, and Co-chair of the September 11 Peace Coalition.

The November 17th call for a cross Canada day of action for Global Peace and Justice coincides with the recently announced meetings of the G-20 Finance Ministerial meetings to be held in Ottawa on the same day.

"The Government must use the upcoming meetings of the G20, IMF, and World Bank in Ottawa to asses current agreements and policies of institutions such as the WTO, IMF, and World Bank against Canadian values of promoting peace, social justice, and security for all people," said Steven Staples of the Council of Canadians.

"The alternative to war is to begin rebuilding the world's infrastructures and to provide the things that working people need, like food, shelter, medical care, education, jobs and justice. Canadians implicitly understand the need for real justice and that's why thousands of people across the country will participate in the November 17th day of Global Peace and Justice," said Deborah Bourque of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, and Co-chair of the September 11 Peace Coalition.

The September Eleventh Peace Coalition, which includes high-profile national peace, labour, students, religious, women, environmental, cultural and community groups formed October 5th to oppose Canada's participation in military retaliation and to speak out against racist attacks resulting from the September 11 terrorists attacks on the United States.

For more information, contact Peter Coombs, End the Arms Race, 604-687-6223; ear@peacewire.org.

Materials

Materials are available for November 17 peace events using this graphic developed for the September Eleventh Peace Coalition:

Posters:        11 by 17, pdf format, click here to download.

Handbills:      5 1/2 by 8 1/2, pdf format, click here to download. 

 

Events

Victoria, 12 pm. Rally and March. Meet at Centennial Square and walk to legislature while conducting a mass leafleting (each marcher will be asked to give away at least ten leaflets). We are trying to arrange for a very high energy event (with drummers, etc.) and link it to anti-globalization. Speakers still to be confirmed. We also plan to give each marcher at least one anti-war window poster for their home and/or workplace or classroom.

Nanoose, BC, 12 pm. Islands' residents are invited to gather at the Nanoose military base gates. You are invited to bring spring bulbs to plant in the peace garden located at the base gate. Bring your proposals, too, for positive solutions to terrorism and we'll plant those ideas in the barren landscape of Canadian foreign policy as well. Those will further ideas or questions contact Sunshine 250-248-8809 or your local representative to the Vancouver Island Network for Disarmament.

Vancouver, BC, 11 am. Walk and Rally for Global Peace and Justice. Gather at Peace Flame Park (South end of the Burrard Street Bridge). Walk to Vancouver Art Gallery starts at 12 pm. Rally at North end of Vancouver Art Gallery at 1 pm. People are excited to get the Burrard Street Bridge march going again - its the traditional 80's no-nuke march that always drew thousands.

Bowen Island, BC, 10 am. Timed to co-incide with other cross Canada Peace Activities, Bowen Islanders are rallying in front of the Old General Store at 10 am on Saturday, Nov. 17th. This way those who can't won't have to leave the Island, and anyone wanting to can easily catch the ferry and join   events at the Vancouver Art Gallery at noon. To prepare for this event, think about the meaning of civilization and talk with your children. For more info., and if you would like to help organize this in any way, please call Canadians Against Collateral Damage at 604-947-0267.

Denman Island, BC, 10 am. Community Petiton for Peace signing on the porch of the General Store until 2 pm. Will be repeated on Nov 24.

Salmon Arm, BC, 11 am. Walk for Peace. Please bring a yard of white ribbon to tie to the gazebo to symbolize our desire for peace. Speaker: Warren Bell. Sponsors: the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Council of Canadians, Amnesty International and Physicians for Peace. Location: The Cenotaph, then walk to the Peace Park at the Wharf. Contact: Carol, 250-833-1896.

Campbell River, BC, 2:30 pm. A rally in central downtown. Peter Johnson will speak, the recently organized grannies will sing, and there will be a two-minute silence. Participants have been asked to bring their own candle for the silence.

Nelson, BC, 2 pm. Peace walk and demo. A peace walk will start at the government building's courtyard (310 Ward St). Themes: Stop the war on Afghanistan, oppose the G8/G20, solidarity with the efforts to shut down the School of the Americas at Ft Benning.

Vernon, BC, 1:30 pm. Peace Rally - Give Peace a Chance at the Museum / Library area. Sponsored by the Canadian Peace Alliance and the Vernon Peace Coalition.

Prince George, BC, 1 pm. Concerned citizens from around Prince George are rallying together on Saturday, November 17th.   They invite everyone in Prince George and surrounding communities to come to join the collective call for peace in the Middle East and around the world. Saturday, November 17th marks a NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR PEACE.  The rally will commence outside the Civic Centre in downtown Prince George. A march is planned through the downtown area and people are encouraged to make banners for the event. The march will bring people to the courthouse where speakers with current perspectives on the "War On Terrorism" will share their concerns. Organizers encourage parents and children to attend and remind participants to dress warmly.  For more information contact the Prince George Public Interest Research Group, 250-960-7474

Whitehorse, YK, 11 am. The local MSF volunteeers will have a table at the 10th Annual Global Village Craft Fair, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the CYO hall in Whitehorse. "Helping to build a just and peaceful world".

Edmonton, AB, 12 noon. Rally in solidarity with the National Day of Action for Global Peace and Justice. Meeting at Tipton Park (81 Avenue and 109 Street) and marching to Gazebo Park.

Calgary, AB, 12 noon. Rally at noon at Memorial Park. For information contact Lisa.Lorenzetti@gov.calgary.ab.ca.

North Battleford, SK, 1 pm. Day for Peace. We would like to welcome everyone to join us in the following activities, as we express our desire for peace in Afghanistan. Gather in the lower hall at 3rd Ave United Church at 1:00 pm; Walk for Peace at 1:30; Music, discussion, hot chocolate, tea and coffee back at 3rd Ave. United Church at 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

Saskatoon, SK, Friday November 16, 5:30 pm. Gather Vimy Memorial Band Shell on West River Bank between the Broadway Bridge and the Bessborough Hotel. For information: 306-652-4622.

Brandon, MB, 2 pm. March from Brandon University to MP Rick Borotsik's office to present him with a resolution. For information, contact Lisa at 204-725-5206 or leecloud@mts.net.

Winnipeg, MB, 11 am. Rally, March and Teach-In. Rally at the Legislature. March to the University of Winnipeg, Bulman Centre, for teach-in from 12 pm - 6 pm. Teach-in features speakers from many walks of life, poets, visual artists, singers, improv sketches, etc. Each hour will feature a complete variety of programming. Music at 6 pm. Refreshments available. For further information, contact cawar@hotmail.com.

Guelph, ON, 1 pm. Silent march for peace. Assemble at Riverside Park, Speedvale Rally. Then, at  2:30pm at St. Georges Square, speakers will include Prof. J. McMurtry. The route of the march will pass the local mosque to show solidarity against racist attacks (this mosque has been vandalized) and by the local MP's office to oppose Canada's participation in the U.S. war and the government's attacks on civil liberties.  A large banner will be posted in downtown Guelph and postering and leafleting to begin shortly. Contact: Brian Ostrow, brian@bookshelf.ca, 519-821-4625.

St. Catharines, ON, 11 pm. Peace Rally against the war, starting in Montebello Park. For more information, contact Niagara Coalition Against War and Racism, ncawr@hotmail.com.

Toronto, ON, 1 pm. Stop the War on Afghanistan - Peace Now! Rally and March. The Toronto September 11 Peace Coalition. The rally will begin at Queen's Park at 1 pm and pass the US Consulate to finish at Metro Hall Square (King and John) at 2:30. To find out about the speakers scheduled for Queen's Park and Metro Hall, please contact toanti_war@hotmail.com or 416-588-5555 after Thursday, November 8.

Ottawa, Friday November 16, 2:30 pm. March and Vigil for Peace. 2:30-Carleton Students will be bused to Ottawa U. 3:00-Short Rally-Students for Peace, Speakers from the Muslim Students Association and the Canadian Federation of Students. 3:30-March from Ottawa U to the Human Rights Memorial. 4:00-Arrive at Human Rights Memorial and break for Muslim Prayer. 5:30-6:00-Speakers.

Ottawa, Friday November 16, 6 pm. Global Justice - Global Peace. The Council of Canadians and other sponsors will host a teach-in to coincide with the meetings of the G20, IMF and World Bank in Ottawa, Canada. St. Matthew's Anglican Church, 130 Glebe Avenue (just west of Bank Street). Free Admission - Wheelchair accessible.

Ottawa, 9 am. A Call for Global Peace and Justice. You are invited to join with members of NOWAR/PAIX, The Council of Canadians, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Religious Conference, and many others as we gather at Lebretton Flats (or at Ottawa University) at 9 AM on November 17th, 2001 to march to the Supreme Court. For more information, you can contact inquiries@canadians.org.

Montreal, QC, 12:30 pm. March for Peace and Global Justice. Gather at 12:30 pm at Lafontaine Park (corner of Sherbrooke and Calixa-Lavallée). We will depart at 1:00 PM from Lafontaine Park and proceed towards Complexe Guy Favreau, a federal building. This "Stop the War" event also calls for social solidarity to counter the rise of racism and for the defense of civil liberties and the withdrawal of bill C-36. For more information, 514-876-0166 or Daniel.Breton@sympatico.ca

Saint John, NB, 7 pm. The Saint John Chapter of the Council of Canadians is holding a vigil for peace.  Featuring speakers and songs from different ethnic/religious communities.

Bridgewater, NS, 1:45 pm. March and Rally for Global Peace and Justice. March starts at Apple Berry Farm parking lot at 1:45 pm, goes through Bridgewater to St. Joseph's Church Hall on Queen Street where Rally begins at2:30 pm with speakers and peace songs. For information call 1 902-634 3231.

Wolfville, NS, 12 noon. There will be a rally and peace march. The rally begins at the Student Union Building, main floor, at Acadia University and ends after a walk through downtown Wolfville. The leading banner will proclaim "Peace Through Social Justice! Stop the War Now!" This event is being facilitated by the September 11 Peace Coalition, Wolfville.

Halifax, NS, 1 pm. Call for Globa Peace and Justice. Rally at Parade Square with speakers and entertainment at 1 pm. Teach-in and t-shire making at St. Matthew's on Barrington at 2 pm. Organized in Halifax by a coalition of women's, students,' peace, labour, social justice, international solidarity and faith groups. For more information, call 902-423-4967 or 902-446-5182.

Local Chapters of the Council of Canadians are organizing events in Cambridge, Ontario; South Shore, Nova Scotia; Sackville (Tantramar), New Brunswick; Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Penticton, BC; Vernon, BC; Quesnel, BC; Kelowna, BC. For more information about these events contact the Council of Canadians, 1-800-387-7177.

Please check this page regularly for updates. If you know about an event taking please in your community, please forward the information to cpa@web.ca.

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