Widespread Resistance to War Threats: ONTARIO

Public opposition to Canadian assistance with U.S. war plans against Iraq was pointedly expressed February 9 with the occupation of War Minister Eggleton's constituency office in North York.  About 30 protesters entered the office that morning to do "all we can to ensure that Canada not participate in the murder of Iraqi civilians."  The MP refused to talk with the group, and at the end of the day, five people decided to wait until he was willing to talk.  After 31 hours, the five were physically removed, dragged down stairs and charged with trespass.  They were released pending trial June 4.

Making good on a vow to continue nonviolent disruptions of Liberal Party Member of Parliament's offices and other war-related facilities, about a dozen people - including students, seniors, a WWII veteran and some of those arrested at MP Eggleton's office - occupied the Toronto constituency office of Liberal MP Bill Graham on February 20.  Graham was reached in Austria and spoke briefly with the group, only to affirm his backing for the government's support of the United States.  He then asked Metro police to remove the demonstrators, which they did without arrest.

As diplomacy was given a chance, the planned February 27 blockade of the Canadian War Department in Ottawa was placed on hold.  But for members of the ad-hoc War Department Blockade Committee, the issue had certainly not gone away.  Ten people instead occupied the office of Member of Parliament and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps in Hamilton, Ontario, asking her to speak out against the war.  Her faxed response did not address these issues, so the group stayed until police arrested them at closing time, 6 p.m.  They were cited for trespass and released that evening, pending court appearance June 1.

For more information, contact Toronto Action for Social Change, POB 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave W., Toronto, ON M6C 1C0, Canada; (416)651-5800; e-mail: burch@web.net

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last updated July 10 1998