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| By Alison Bodine On March 16th,, Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) brought peace-loving people together to mark 15 years since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Held at the downtown Vancouver Art Gallery, activists held picket signs and banners reading “U.S. Out of Iraq Now!” and “U.S. Out of the Middle East!” During the program, speakers called attention to the impact that 15 years of brutal war has had on the people of Iraq. Speakers also drew attention to the last three years of a brutal Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war and bombing of Yemen.  The spirited rally appealed to people walking by to get more information about the Western wars and occupations in the Middle East and North Africa. People were also encouraged to sign MAWO petitions against war; including one demanding an end Canada’s continued involvement in the occupation of Iraq and another demanding Canada end its $15 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Throughout the rally chants of “No to War and Occupation, Yes to Self-determination”, “U.S. Out of Iraq Now!” and “Stop Bombing Yemen Now!” echoed throughout downtown Vancouver. Every month MAWO is out on the streets, rallying and petitioning to demand an end to U.S.-led wars and occupations. The next MAWO action is a rally organized as part of a coordinated international period of action, known as the “Spring Mobilizations to End the Wars at Home and Abroad.” At 5pm on Friday, April 13 at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Robson Street and Howe Street, Downtown Vancouver) MAWO invites all peace-loving people to join us in demanding “Stop the Wars at Home and Abroad!” “Money for Jobs, Healthcare, Education, Housing & Environment! No to War and Occupation!” and “No to Islamophobia!” To find out about Mobilization Against War and Occupation visit www.mawovancouver.org or follow on Facebook or Twitter @MAWOVan |
Thursday, April 23, 2026
