.jpg) VANCOUVER – It was the day after Valentines Day and tens of thousands said ‘make love not war’ as they marched for peace, marched against George Bush as he recklessly pushes the world to the brink of war.
CUPE’s pink flags fluttered overhead as national president Judy Darcy, CUPE BC secretary-treasurer Colleen Jordan and Hospital Employees’ Union president Fred Muzin led members through the city.
“We are here today to say to you and to say to our government that peace is a workers’ issue, peace is a trade union issue,' Darcy said in a fiery speech to the more than 35,000 marchers amassed at the art gallery.
'It is sons and daughters of working people that are sent off to fight the wars, not the children of the rich and the wealthy in this country or the United States.
“It is working people and their children and their parents who suffer the cost of war. And as working men and women who are proud to deliver health care and education and public water and public power to communities across this country, we know that the war on Iraq will not just target Saddam Hussein.
“This war is not a war that is about self-defence,' she said. 'This war is not about securing peace and justice in the world. This war is not about getting rid of terrorism and dictatorships. This war is about power. This war is about oil. And we say no to George Bush’s. We won’t join your war.”
As the rain began, a tent city of umbrellas sprung up. Some of them were black, some had “War sucks” hand-lettered on them. A wall of signs and banners thrust out of the umbrellas. “Stop mad cowboy disease,” said one. “Smoke weed not Baghdad”, “Weapons inspectors into America”, and “No more blood for oil” were prominent.
Many young people painted the ban the bomb symbol on their cheeks and carried “Make love not war” signs. “Candy not bombs”, said a sign carried by three young women who offered marchers chocolate buds. Another said, “War is just terrorism with a bigger budget”.
President George Bush was clearly the target of much of the anger. “America your emperor has no clothes”, said one placard. Others said: “Let children grow up not blow up”, “Stop George W. Hitler”, and “Somewhere in Texas there is a village without an idiot.”
“I am here as a CUPE member, fighting for democracy and global equality,” said Surrey school board worker member Steve Wilding (Local 728). It was a view shared by a crowd from many walks of life and many perspectives, all there with one goal in common: Stop the war.
Click here for video of the peace rally. |
Water Watch
Public Employee Fall 2009
Child Care NOW!
