On Sunday August, 2015, a US-backed
Saudi airstrike killed 31 innocent workers
when they aimed and fired upon a bottling
plant in the province of Hajjah. Another
testament to what the United Nations on
August 19
th
called a ‘humanitarian catastrophe
in Yemen’.
Meanwhile the ongoing and ever expanding
US led wars and occupations in the Middle
East and North Africa are leading millions of
people to flee for their lives in search of safety
and basic human necessities. Syrians alone
account for more than 4 million refugees
who have fled to escape the US orchestrated
destruction of their country.
With the ever worsening crisis of war and
occupation, Vancouver based Mobilization
Against War & Occupation (MAWO) has
been organizing, educating and mobilizing
supporters of peace in consistent monthly
activities.
On Tuesday August 11th, 2015, MAWO
organized a forum in the campaign to
defend WikiLeaks whistle-blower, Private
Chelsea Manning. People from all walks of
life participated in the forum demonstrating
their solidarity with this
Soldier of Humanity.
Since the forum a new campaign has begun in
Vancouver called the
Free Chelsea Manning
Campaign. The campaign held a fundraiser
on August 23rd complete with live music,
poetry and film at an event aimed at raising
much needed donations towards Chelsea’s
legal defence fund.
On Tuesday August 21
st, 2015, MAWO
organized its first in a series of discussions
on the Iran nuclear deal. The forum titled
“One Step Closer to Peace: Why Iran and
the P5+1 nuclear deal is a turning point in
the Middle East” enticed many including
an encouraging participation from the
Iranian community. The forum featured
writer and researcher Phil Wilayto speaking
via video conference from Richmond,
Virginia. Following Wilayto was Iranian
social justice activist and Fire This Time
Political Editor, Ali Yerevani.
The Iran deal forum was followed the next day
by MAWO’s monthly anti-war petition drive
and rally. Peace and anti-war activists gathered
in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery asking
many of the thousands of people passing by to
sign petitions against the wars in Yemen, Syria
and for the freedom of Chelsea Manning.
Thousands of anti-war fliers were distributed,
hundreds of petition signatures collected
and many great discussions took place while
MAWO activists interrupted the normal flow
of downtown Vancouver bringing anti-war
and pro peace politics to the scene.
As the summer comes to a close MAWO
is preparing for a busy month of anti-
war activities in the Fall. With many
different events to participate in, MAWO is
encouraging all people who believe in peace to
get involved and join the anti-war movement.
On campuses, in the streets or in forums,
the time to come together to protest against
war and occupation has never been more
important than now.
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