War rally peaceful
Armed with placards, megaphones and umbrellas, several hundred students from across Ontario participated in a global rally on Saturday the one-year anniversary of America's invasion of Iraq.
At noon, the group met in Dundas Square. From there, they marched in the rain down Yonge Street chanting, "People of Iraq, under attack. What do we do? Stand up, fight back!" In Nathan Phillips square they met with thousands of other Torontonians of all ages, calling for the end of war.
Surrounded by police and fenced off from the crowds, about a dozen supporters of the war gathered near the front of the square. They waved American flags and yelled at the passing activists about Liberty for all.' Despite some harsh words between the two crowds, the rally ended peacefully.
Many of the students toted tuition freeze signs, others NDP posters. A group wearing red armbands handed out leaflets naming Canadian companies who were profiting from the war. They wanted to see more vigorous action against these businesses.
"Everyone has their own issue here, but all of us want an end to what we feel is an illegal occupation of Iraq," said Rebecca Rose, co-ordinator of the women's centre. The second-year journalism student will also be next year's VP of Education on RyeSAC.
Rose thinks prime minister Jean Chretien's decision to stay out of the war was in part because of these types of demonstrations. The protest may not stop a war itself, but it will hold politicians accountable for the decisions they make, she said.
"Ryerson's turnout for rallies like this are usually pretty low. It's the same group of passionate people every time, but I think it's quality not quantity."
Joining the small group of Ryerson demonstrators was Joel Duff, Ontario's chairperson for the Canadian Federation of students.
"These kinds of rallies do a great job of showing other citizens there are people who feel just like them," he said.
Duff says Ryerson students do a great job of organizing and promoting events like the one held on the weekend, and that by raising awareness amongst their peers, they achieve the goals of the rally. He worries many don't understand the full extent to which Canada has assisted President George W. Bush in his crusade'. For example, although Canada didn't participate directly in the invasion, their military presence in Afghanistan allowed the Americans to leave for Iraq, and this, said Duff is unacceptable.
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