Peace groups battle war on terrorism

By ART BABYCH
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

The campaign was kicked off with rallies April 27 in Halifax, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. In Ottawa, about a dozen protestors picketed in front of the US Embassy.

The CPA is a coalition of 140 groups and organizations across Canada including Greenpeace and the Canadian Labour Congress and bills itself as the largest umbrella peace organization in Canada.

Coordinator Carolyn Bassett said at a news conference on Parliament Hill April 25 that the Canadian Religious Conference - which represents almost 30,000 men and women Catholic religious in Canada - is not a CPA member but has been working closely with the organization on the campaign.

The coalition says the public has not been properly informed or consulted about recent government decisions that have committed the lives of Canadian soldiers to the war on terrorism launched by the Americans.

Four Canadian soldiers recently lost their lives under friendly fire in Afghanistan when a U.S. fighter plane bombed them during a night training exercise.

"We are convinced that the majority of Canadians don't feel more secure because we are at war, don't want to sacrifice their constitutional rights and don't want their tax dollars funding the arms trade," said Bassett.

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