Ukraine, "Freedom Convoy," and more
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
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Open letter calls on Canada to make serious changes and start working for peace in the complex Ukraine situation
"The way that Canada can be useful at this moment is to stand up to hawkish forces within our own country and amongst our allies, to stand up to weapons lobbyists and those who would profit from a horrible war, and to work relentlessly for peace," notes a new open letter from Canadian Friends Service Committee.... Read our suggestions to the government of Canada: https://QuakerService.ca/Ukraine
“Freedom Convoy”, Wellington Street, Ottawa, Jan. 28, 2022. CC-BY-3.0 JIMMYSUPERSTARZ/Wikimedia Commons
“Freedom Convoy” and the impacts of victimhood narratives
On February 10th we wrote for Psychology Today:
Since late January, a “Freedom Convoy” has been occupying parts of Ottawa, the capital of Canada. There is no clear leadership, and many different people and groups are involved with different agendas—from more moderate positions to neo-Nazi ideologies. There seems to be at least one common thread: feeling victimized by COVID-19 public health mandates. What can we learn from this bitter conflict? One key lesson is to study the role of victimhood.... Keep reading this post.
See also this reflection statement from the Canadian Council of Churches, of which Quakers are members.
No New Fighter Jets!
A new Parliamentary e-petition calls on Canada to cancel the purchase of 88 new fighter jets. It notes that fighter jets are for killing people internationally but conflicts can be addressed through other means. It also notes the devastating environmental impact:
"Fighter jets use a specialized fuel JP8, emit excessive emissions and exacerbate the climate crisis. There is no plan to offset these emissions, preventing the government from decarbonizing and meeting its Paris Agreement target. National Defense is the largest emitter among all federal departments, yet most of its emissions are exempt from the federal emission reduction plan."
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3821
Find out more about the No Fighter Jets campaign endorsed by CFSC: https://NoFighterJets.ca
Canada must take Amnesty report seriously and respond
Earlier this month Amnesty International released a lengthy and carefully documented report that was years in the making. It reaches the same conclusions as other human rights groups in earlier reports—that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid against Palestinians.
To date critics have said they reject the report but have not spelled out which pieces of documented evidence they deny.
Please consider writing to the government of Canada to ask that this report be taken seriously and Canada act to address the situation. Our friends at Independent Jewish Voices have created an easy tool you can use for this.
Find out about CFSC's concern for a just peace that will benefit all in Israel/Palestine.
Frank Showler signs the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as part of a protest inviting Canada to sign the treaty too. Toronto, Sep, 2017.
Giving thanks for the Spirit in the life of Frank Showler
Frank Showler was a coordinator of CFSC, a conscientious objector to military service during WWII, and a life-long pattern and example of peace and justice. He always brought a calm energy to the many different social justice events he attended and was known for mentoring younger activists. We give thanks for the Spirit in the life of Frank Showler, who died at age 102.
Friend Carl Stieren shares: “I will miss Frank so much. Among many other things, he was the Coordinator of Canadian Friends Service Committee just before my term at that job. A friend of mine told this story: ‘There is not one Frank Showler: there are twenty. They meet every morning to divide up the demonstrations and vigils to go to. One day, one of the Frank Showlers will get his dance card mixed up and two will show up at the same demo... and the cat will be out of the bag.’”
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