Rally for resisters

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

As part of a Pan-Canadian Day of Action for War Resisters, a rally in support of U.S. resisters, was held in Wolfville Sept 13, following the regular weekly peace vigil.

The rally was in support of war resisters’ efforts to be allowed to remain in Canada, rather than face deportation. About 35 people took part.

Emcee for the event was Tony Napoli. The Raging Grannies sang in support, with the refrain, “Have a heart and let them stay.” Kim Smith and Hope Gillis each sang songs a capella.

Among those who spoke were Peggy Hope-Simpson, Bill Zimmerman and NDP candidate Carol Harris.

A letter to Kings/ Hants MP Scott Brison was passed around the group for signatures. June 3, Parliament voted 137 to 110 to allow war resisters to stay. An Angus Reid poll completed shortly after the parliamentary vote revealed 64 per cent of Canadians are in favour of providing refuge for ex-soldiers who do not wish to return to Iraq. War resister Jeremy Hinzman is facing a Sept. 23 deportation order. Robin Long was the first ex-soldier deported by the federal government in July. He was sentenced to 15 months’ prison in Colorado.