Ottawa and Montreal - Day of Action: 4th Anniversary of Iraq War

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Hundreds of people once again braved icy winds and snow flurries today to join at least 37 Canadian cities and thousands of U.S. cities in voicing grave concern over the wars inflicted by the West on Iraq and Afghanistan, and currently being threatened against Iran. There was actually a global callout that included protests against regional wars such as in Somalia, Palestine and Darfur as well.

Below you will see photos from the Ottawa demo and below that are a few words and some photos of the Montreal demo, courtesy of Ron Saba, Editor of Montreal Planet Magazine.

I need to say very little about the Ottawa rally, because the protest signs spoke volumes. It was obvious the people are not fooled by the false premises - such as, we're there to "help with reconstruction" - on which the wars and horrendous human rights violations are based and by which they are lamely justified.

The Ottawa demonstration was cooperatively organized by groups such as ROCG, NOWAR-PAIX and SCAW. Information about those groups, their websites, and the names of persons who spoke at the event can be found here.

I heard several times today from people of my advanced age how wonderful it was to see so many bright young faces in the crowd. Students probably have no idea how much their enthusiasm and creativity are appreciated by worn out older activists.

On with the photos. If you notice white spots, that's falling snow. (Click on each image to see a larger version)

Gatineau, Ottawa and student groups converged at the National Art Gallery. In this photo a man is holding one of the most stand-out, homemade peace symbols I've ever seen. Someone else is carrying a sign that says: "War is a moral issue - Thou shalt not kill" It seems that even though Stephen Harper and George Bush proudly proclaim their Christianity, they have missed the point of it entirely.

"Harper Dearest: Don't Assume I Share Your Prejudices"
This sign also contains the universal symbol for "No" (a red circle with a diagonal line) and the word "Fascism" inside the circle.

"No to military attack on Iran! No to Islamic Republic of Iran!"
(Worker Communist Party of Iran)

Another sign in this photo: "The Emperor has no brain"

Two signs: "War is not the Answer" and "Stop the Bloodshed - Troops out Now!"



Two signs: "9.11 - 20.3.03; Lest We Forget - the official version IS a conspiracy!"
"Blessed are the Peace Makers for they shall be called Children of God, Matt. 5:9"



Then the march began through the Byward Market area and toward the US Embassy.
This sign says: "This is what Democracy looks like!" (In case anyone has forgotten)

"Collateral damage is not reconstruction"



"Bombs are not smart"

"We are all to blame - it's time to take a stand"

"War = The best terrorist recruitment tool our tax dollars can buy"

"Troops' lives are not worth Harper's lies"

"There is no 'reconstruction' in military destruction"

"To live the American Dream, you have to be ASLEEP! WAKE UP CANADA!"

This sign is orange and diamond-shaped like a stop sign.
It has images of Harper and Bush side by side and the words:
"Caution - War Mongers in Progress"

Here we are at the US Embassy. Photo: Girl holding bomb. I don't think it's real.



This is the speakers' dais, decorated with two wooden coffins made by a professor from one of the universities. That's the embassy in the background at which Ottawa activists have so often vented their frustration with George Bush.

Moving on toward Parliament Hill
Sign: "Our Troops are Amazing! Our Foreign Policy is Abominable!"

Banner: "Industrial Workers of the World - An injury to one is an injury to all!"

"No Illegal Imprisonment"

"Stop Fascism"
I have to assume this means the fascism in our own country. The word Islamofascism was coined by those who are trying to project our own sins onto someone else.

Taking the message right to the steps of Parliament.

The Raging Grannies received an enthusiastic response to their songs.

Here are my favourite photo subjects - I always love to see the all-important drummers and the sweet little kids

One of the drummers.

Child wearing military style helmet with the words "Class Warrior" in red at the front. The "A" in warrior is changed to a peace symbol, and there is a larger peace symbol on the back of the helmet.

This little girl made and decorated her own sign. It says "Peace on Earth" and it has hearts and stars and flowers and Mr. Sun on it, all in pretty pastel colours.

On to Montreal
Israeli Apartheid is always included in Montreal rallies. This one was no exception.

By Ron Saba: Montreal Anti-Occupation/War/Apartheid Demo, March 17, 2007
(Photo captions added by YYC)

With a cunning smile, the US Empire and its Canadian lackey offers imperial soup. And then guns them down with imperial guns. Canadians have much blood on their hands. We will have even more blood on our hands unless we act now to stop the Harper/Bush Military Industrial Complex before it attacks Iran. We the people must stand together and demand an end to the military industrial complex. We the people must stand together and demand an end to the illegal occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine.

Sign: "Palestiniens et Juifs Unis Contre L'Occupation Israélienne"

View of marchers in the street

Sign: "Massacre Charitable? C'est Louche!"

Street theatre - tough guy soldiers with guns

Sign: "No More Bantustans - South Africa 1988, Now Palestine"
(The Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid)

A pointed message about Petro Canada : "See ya in Iran"
In other words, we're onto you guys. We know what you're really after, and what you don't mind shedding other people's blood for.

Related:
CanadaWatch: PHOTOS of Hamilton demo
CBC: Rallies in Canada and U.S. protest Iraq war, Afghan mission
More links to photos at WhatReallyHappened.com