Shouts of “Harper out! Resisters in!” and “Stop the war!” rang out Saturday along Yonge Street Saturday, as a march in support of Iraq War resisters made its way to the U.S. consulate. The War Resisters Support Campaign has been working working towards amnesty for the approximately 200 war resisters in Canada. The march began near Lake Devo on the Ryerson University campus, with support from student groups, labour unions, and various fringe groups. The event was one of at least 19 taking place all over Canada in support of the resisters on that day.
A June 3 motion in the House of Commons showed that the majority of MPs support giving the resisters a path to Canadian citizenship. However, the Conservative government began deporting resisters, beginning with Robin Long in July. Long faces 15 months in a military prison for refusing to fight in Iraq and being absent without leave from the U.S. military.
Jeremy Hinzman, attending the rally with his wife and two children, could face Long’s fate. His deportation date is Sept. 23, pending a hearing the day before. Hinzman is asking for a stay of removal, as granted to fellow resister Corey Glass in July. However, the legal battle would not end with a stay. Hinzman and Glass, among others, will still need leave from the federal government to appeal their cases. Despite the consequences of a possible deportation, Hinzman is resolute. “Whatever happens happens, we did everything we could do to be able to stay here,” he said. “I’d rather go to jail than kill innocent people.”
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley has said the system in place is fair, and resisters should continue to navigate the courts if they want to stay. “We have a system in Canada that’s fair […] with numerous opportunities for appeal,” said Finley. “Once […] the courts have ruled, we expect people to obey the rules.” Activists insist that Finley could bring justice to the resisters, and plan to rally in front of her office in Simcoe on Sept. 21.
Mohammed Ali Aumeer, who performed his poetry and rap at the rally, is a student activist and vice-president programming & outreach of CFS Local 150 at Ryerson. Ali is interested in building inter-campus coalitions to address issues such as student fees, racism, and war. He sees student action as paramount. ”Students have the power to change a lot, change the world, change the environment around them and the best way is to get involved,” said Ali. “I think students are at the forefront of these battles.”
