On May 11, MAWO organized its monthly antiwar rally and petition drive, focusing on the demands “Don’t Attack Syria!” and “Stop Bombing Yemen!” Antiwar activists and peace-loving people talked with people passing by or at the information table, many who added their signatures on the petitions demanding that Canada end its sanctions and military intervention in Syria, and that the government of Canada also end its $15 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The petition against Canada’s arms deal with Saudi Arabia called attention to the government of Canada’s support for Saudi Arabia, the country which has been leading a criminal and brutal war against Yemen.
A few days later on May 14, MAWO organized a public forum and discussion titled “Hands Off Syria!” featuring Joe Lombardo, chair of the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) who spoke from New York, United States via videoconference and Alison Bodine, the Chair of MAWO. Also discussed at the forum was the massacre of Palestinian protesters which had occurred just earlier that day, where over 60 Palestinian demonstrators were brutally killed and over 2,700 injured by Zionist Israeli forces as well as US President Trump’s announcement to pull out of the Iran Nuclear Agreement.
Mobilization Against War and Occupation is continuing to campaign against war and to demand self-determination for all oppressed nations, with public educational forums and antiwar rallies and petition campaigns as reported here, and by organizing and participating in conferences, demonstrations, cultural and community events, both locally and internationally. For more information about MAWO’s upcoming antiwar events and actions visit www.mawovancouver.org or follow on Facebook or Twitter @MAWOVan
