On Aug. 6, the 1945 nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be marked with a Lantern Ceremony at Memorial Park in Winnipeg. The keynote address will be given by MP Bill Siksay (Burnaby-Douglas) on a private members bill (C-447) now before Parliament for the establishment of a Department of Peace.

Date: Friday, August 6, 2010
Place: Memorial Park (by the fountain, York Avenue and Memorial Boulevard)
Time: Lantern making begins at 7:30 p.m.; speakers begin at 8:30 p.m.; lanterns will be launched at 9:15 p.m.

The annual commemoration of the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings is part of a world wide observance held to promote nuclear disarmament and world peace. In Winnipeg, the event is sponsored by the Manitoba Japanese Canadian Citizens Association, Peace Alliance Winnipeg, and Project Peacemakers.

In August, 1945, after 6 months of firebombing attacks on 67 Japanese cities, US President Harry Truman ordered the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). The death toll was enormous – 140,000 in Hiroshima and 80,000 in Nagasaki by the end of 1945. Many more thousands died over the months and years to come from injuries and illnesses caused by radiation poisoning.

For many years, Winnipeggers have commemorated these tragedies and reaffirmed our commitment to peace and freedom from nuclear terror. We symbolize our commitment with a Lantern Ceremony.

The Lantern Ceremony is part of an ancient Buddhist Ceremony (O-Bon), that commemorates the lives of deceased loved ones. For many years around the world, this ceremony has been used on Hiroshima Peace Day to remember and embrace the memory of people who died because of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During these ceremonies, participants are invited to design a lantern that represents their thoughts and feelings regarding personal losses, global concerns of peace, nuclear disarmament and any other issues relevant to keeping our planet safe.

Video of last year’s Lantern Ceremony in Winnipeg

Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes

In addition to lanterns we will be making origami peace cranes to commemorate the story of “Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes.”

Sadako Sasaki, a young girl of 10 years old, became sick with leukemia from the effects of the atomic bomb in post war Japan. She believed in an ancient tale that if you made 1000 paper cranes, you would be granted a wish. She wished for good health.

She died before she completed making the cranes and her classmates completed the task for her.

Each year, thousands of paper cranes from all over the world adorn the statue of Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park in Hiroshima, Japan.

Bill C-447 – An Act to establish the Department of Peace

Bill Siksay, MP (Burnaby-Douglas) is the mover of Bill C-447 – An Act to Establish a Department of Peace. Seconded by Jim Karygiannis, MP (Scarborough-Agincourt ), the bill passed First Reading in the House of Commons, Sept. 30, 2009. Mr. Siksay will speak about this bill at the Lantern Ceremony.

You can read the full Bill in English and French, here: Bill C-447

According to the Campaign to Establish a Canadian Department of Peace, the mandate envisioned for the Minister of Peace is to “reinvigorate Canada’s role as a peacekeeper and peacebuilder” as follows:

1. Develop early detection and rapid response processes to deal with emerging conflicts and establish systemic responses to post-conflict demobilization, reconciliation and reconstruction

2. Lead internationally to abolish nuclear, biological, chemical weapons, to reduce conventional weapon arsenals and to ban the weaponization of space

3. Implement the UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (1999) to safeguard human rights and enhance the security of persons and their communities

4. Implement UN Resolution 1325 on the key role played by women in the wide spectrum of peacebuilding work

5. Establish a Civilian Peace Service that, with other training organizations, will recruit, train and accredit peace professionals and volunteers to work at home and abroad, as an alternative to armed intervention.

6. Address issues of violence in Canada by promoting nonviolent approaches that encourage community involvement and responsibility such as Restorative Justice, Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

7. Support the development of peace education at all levels including post-secondary peace and conflict studies

8. Promote the transition from a war-based to a peace-based economy.

“Peace, Freedom and Democracy” was the theme of this year’s annual Winnipeg Walk for Peace.

In its 29th year, the Walk for Peace is a shadow of its former self. In the 1980s, under the ever present threat of nuclear annihilation at the hands of competing super powers, thousands of Winnipeggers felt motivated to participate. The end of the Cold War changed all that, and today, the event is kept alive by a stubborn handful of activists who continue to insist that a peaceful world is possible and necessary.

This year’s walk drew about 150 people. While small in comparison to the marches of the 1980s, it was larger than those held in the last few years, and I sensed a more positive mood. While the mood may have been the result of  the sunshine and the melodies of Winnipeg’s beloved Flaming Trolleys marching band, I think something else is affoot.

A broader range of organizations turned out for the walk, expressing their concerns about domestic and international threats to peace and human rights. Supporters of freedom for Gaza marched along side activists against police brutality in Winnipeg; opponents to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq accompanied activists in solidarity with the Haitian people. And so on.

Notably, the Peace Walk was sandwiched between a World Refugee Day “Rally for Refugees” and a conference about the prospects for peace in Sudan called “Eyes on Sudan.” The organizers of all these events worked together, along with Peace Alliance Winnipeg, to promote these events to their respective members.

It’s too early to say if this cooperation points toward a renewed peace movement in Winnipeg but the signs are all positive at this point.

My alter ego packed his video camera. Grab some popcorn and join me in wishing a long life to the Flaming Trolleys marching band.

Every August 6, citizens in thousands of communities around the world commemorate the nuclear attack on Hiroshima and rededicate themselves to the cause of peace and disarmament. In Winnipeg, a Lanterns for Peace Ceremony is conducted annually by Peace Alliance Winnipeg, Project Peacemakers and the Manitoba Japanese Canadians Association. Here’s my video of this year’s ceremony.

In that spirit, here are some actions and activities I hope local (Winnipeg and area) readers will find time to support.

Alternative Remembrance Day Ceremony – Nov. 11

View the film “Breaking Ranks,” a moving documentary about the plight of U.S. soldiers seeking sanctuary in Canada as part of their resistance to the war in Iraq. With intimate access to four American military deserters, their lawyers and families, this film documents their experiences as they try to exercise their consciences amidst profound emotional, ethical and international consequences. This will be followed by a discussion and a candle lighting vigil.

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: St. Matthews Anglican Church, 641 St. Matthews Avenue (at Maryland St.)
Please help promote this event. Click here to download a poster that you can distribute.

War Resister Joshua Keys to speak in Winnipeg, Nov. 13, 14

Joshua Key’s autobiography, “The Deserter’s Tale,” written with Lawrence Hill (House of Anansi Press, 2007), raises disturbing issues concerning the conduct of the Iraq war and the status of those seeking asylum in Canada as conscientious objectors. Joshua will be speaking at several locations.

* Thursday, Nov. 13, 7:00 p.m. at Mondragon Books (91 Albert St.)
* Friday, Nov. 14, 2:30-4:00 p.m., 310 Tier Building, University of Manitoba

He will also be at at Menno Simons College – 520 Portage at Spence St, on Friday, November 14 at 6 p.m. for the screening of the film “Close the School of the Assassins” — an event sponsored by the Student Christian Movement and Menno Simons College.

Rally Against the Harper Agenda, Nov. 15

The Majority Agenda Coalition is holding a rally at the national convention of the Conservative Party of Canada. According to the organizers:

“We urge all progressive organizations in Manitoba to mobilize their members to attend the rally! We invite you to join the coalition organizing the rally – The Majority Agenda Coalition – or to endorse the rally. The approach we are taking is that “we are the majority” – we are the 62 per cent of people who did not vote Conservative in the last election! Even worse, the Conservative Party plunged 185,000 votes compared to 2006 yet has 19 more members in Parliament.

“As the rally organizers, we have agreed that the rally will be peaceful and respectful of the law.

“Much is at stake! The majority of people voted for parties that promised action to create jobs during the economic crisis, improve the lives of Aboriginal peoples, create a child care program support equality for women, save the Wheat Board and protect the family farm, keep funding the Arts, and save our public Post Office.

“We are the majority of Canadians who want our soldiers out of Afghanistan and for Canada to meet its Kyoto commitments. We are the majority who oppose further deep integration with the United States and who want an end to the secret “Security and Prosperity” talks. We are the majority who want more affordable access to higher education and action to end poverty and homelessness. These are all policies that the Harper government is trying to block. So we the majority need to block his agenda!”

When: Saturday, November 15, 12 Noon

Where: Winnipeg Convention Centre, York St. between Carleton and Edmonton

More Information: (204) 947-9334

Please help promote this event. If you click on the image you will get a downloadable poster that you can distribute via email and post wherever you like.

Annual Meeting of Peace Alliance Winnipeg, Nov. 16

Date: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008
Time: 1:30 pm
Place: Workers Organizing Resource Centre, 180 Smith, Mezzanine Level
Press the buzzer to get access to the building.

The AGM will discuss the work the Peace Alliance has engaged in during the past year and set priorities for the coming year. To be eligible to vote at the AGM you must have paid your membership for 2008. If you are not a member you can join by submitting the membership form at the web site by Friday, November 14 so that your membership can be processed. Current members can direct inquiries about their membership status to “info [at} peacealliancewinnipeg [dot] ca.”

Winnipeg Citizens Coalition General Meeting – Nov. 26

The Winipeg Citizens Coalition would like to invite members and the public at large to its upcoming general meeting!

Date: Wednesday, November 26th

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Silver Heights Community Centre, 2080 Ness Avenue

The agenda will include a presentation on the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Alternative Municipal Budget by University of Manitoba Professor Ian Hudson.

Peace activists occupy Tory election campaign office in Winnipeg, Sept. 20, 2008 to focus attention on deportation of American war resister Jeremy Hinzman. Photo: Paul Graham

(Winnipeg, Sept. 20, 2008) Anti-war activists peacefully occupied the campaign office of federal Conservative candidate Trevor Kennerd to focus attention on the planned deportation of American Iraq war resister Jeremy Hinzman and his family to the United States. The occupation began at 10:00 AM Central Time today.

The protestors intend to continue their nonviolent occupation until Hinzman’s deportation, expected Sept. 23, is stayed, or until they are compelled to leave.

Jeremy Hinzman moved to Canada in early 2004 to avoid military service in what he believes is an unjust, unlawful war. His application for refugee status was rejected and he is scheduled to be deported September 23.

Organizers fear Hinzman will face a fate similar to that of war resister Robin Long who was deported from earlier this year and subsequently court-martialed and sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Hinzman is one of thirteen American war resisters in whose cases have been championed by the War Resisters Support Campaign.

Canadians have repeatedly expressed their support for Iraq war resisters. On June 3, 2008, a motion was adopted by the House of Commons in favour of allowing resisters to stay in Canada, and calling on the federal government to cease deportation proceedings. A recent poll by Angus Reid found that two-thirds of Canadians support letting US war resisters stay.

Despite this, the federal government has refused to allow war resisters to remain in Canada. This is in sharp contrast to the Vietnam War era during which then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau declared: “Canada should be a refuge from militarism” and 30,000 to 40,000 war resisters found refuge in Canada.

“The American war on Iraq has caused the deaths of an estimated 1.2 million Iraqis. Refugees number more than 4 million. American war resisters are refusing to participate in these crimes and that is why we are supporting them,” said spokesperson Michael Welch, one of the participants in the sit-in.

Welch added that polls taken in 2008 show that 82 percent of Canadians and 65 percent of Americans oppose the war in Iraq.

What you can do

Call Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Immigration Diane Finley to demand:
• that they stop the deportation of Jeremy Hinzman and his family;
• that they respect the democratic will of Parliament and implement the War Resisters motion.

Stephen Harper:
Campaign office: 1-403-266-4451
Constituency office: 1-403-253-7990

Diane Finley, Minister of Immigration:
Campaign office: 1-519-429-3382
Constituency office: 1-519-426-3400

Vic Toews, Senior Manitoban MP and Cabinet Minister:
Campaign office: 1-204-346-7710
Constituency office: 1-204-326-9889

Sitting Winnipeg MPs:

Go to Manitoba Conservative Candidates: Make sure to link to the candidate’s web site for current number. Call them and let them know that peace and human rights are election issues.

Show up at Town Halls and Forums, phone into radio shows. The media are inviting people to submit questions for the October 2nd televised debate. Send your question to question@electiondebate08.ca

CBC TV wants election story ideas. Contact them here.

War resister supporter Michael Welch sits in Tory candidate Trevor Kennerd’s campaign headquarters, Sept. 20, 2008. Photo: Paul Graham

Source: crossposted from Peace Alliance Winnipeg

The Razas wish to make Canada their home. The middle two children were born in the United States after the Razas left Pakistan in 1998 and sought asylum in the United States. They moved to Montreal in 2002 and came to Winnipeg in 2004 in search of better job opportunities and more affordable housing. The two youngest children are Canadians. It is only fair and compassionate that they be allowed to remain in Canada.

Many people in the Crescent-Ft. Rouge congregation (and others who are not involved in the church) have rallied to their side. Broader support is needed, and that is where you come in.

The family faces a deportation hearing in Winnipeg this Friday, Mar. 2 and is requesting letters of support from Canadians, urging the federal government to allow them to remain in Canada. I urge you to write an email indicating your support, and send it to the Raza family at raza@shaw.ca. Your letter will be presented along with many others at this hearing. Please do so without delay.

Much has been written about the Raza family and their struggle. A good source of information is at the Crescent-Ft. Rouge United Church web site.
The United Church, which has been supporting the family, advises letters be drafted with the following in mind:

• maintain a polite and respectful tone always
• ask the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration to make a compassionate intervention in the case of the Raza family to allow them to remain in Canada
• ask the Minister of Public Safety to grant a “stay of removal” and allow them to leave sanctuary without fear of being apprehended
• emphasize that there are six children – the two youngest (ages three and one) are Canadian-born citizens
• note that the family has been in Canada for four years, the father, Hassan Raza was employed and has a job awaiting his freedom and that the children of school age have been in school
• copy the letters to your own MP and to Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the House of Commons (you can get their contact information here).

In addition to sending a letter of support to the Raza family that can be presented at their hearing, letters to government ministers would be helpful as well.

Write to:

The Hon. Diane Finley,
Minister of Citizenship & Immigration,
House of Commons,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Phone 613-996-4974
Finley.D@parl.gc.ca

A copy may be sent to Ms Finlay’s Constituency Address: 70 Queensway West, Simcoe, ON, N3Y 2M6.

The Hon. Stockwell Day,
Minister of Public Safety,
House of Commons,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Phone 613-995-1702
Day.S@parl.gc.ca

A copy may be sent to Mr. Day’s Constituency Address: 202-301 Main Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5B7.

I’ve spent a bit of time with Hassan over the past few weeks, helping him with his English and I’ve met his family. They are good and gentle people. I like them. I’m pleased and proud that they want to live here. With our support, perhaps they can. Please take some time to write your letters today.

In the words of the Mayor, “Unfortunately the business tax has long been identified as an impediment to growth. Fortunately, we’re going to eliminate it.”

This suggests to me that the Mayor has made up his mind. Axing the business tax has been a key plank for Katz in his last two elections. Regardless of the nature or quality of the EOC’s recommendations, he plans to deliver on this one. The EOC process is window dressing and will likely provide a platform for promoting other aspects of the Mayor’s pro-business agenda, such as privatization, contracting out, and reductions in services.

The EOC process has a veneer of democracy insofar as the public is invited to submit suggestions, in writing or online. But bear in mind that the discussion is about how businesses taxes should be eliminated, not if. And it is very much a one way process in that citizens are invited to submit recommendations, but there is no forum for citizens to see which recommendations have been submitted and who made them. Neither is there a way to debate them. This is unfortunate, because internet technology makes it easy to set up web forums that would facilitate the lively public debate that this issue deserves.

The makeup of the EOC is revealing. The members are all, in one way or another, strongly linked to the business community. Conspicuously absent are people who would bring alternative perspectives. There are no members associated with labour, or community development, aboriginal people, social services – and certainly no representatives of the workers who provide Winnipeg’s public services.

Also revealing are the links the EOC site provides for further information. In addition to links to various City sites and reports, there is a list of pro-business sites that clearly support the Mayor’s one-sided rightwing vision. As with the EOC membership, alternative visions are not present.

While the fix is in, the EOC process does provide at least a partial forum to debate critical issues underlying the future of Winnipeg. Although we can’t afford to limit our activities to making submissions that may never see the light of day, we shouldn’t ignore the opportunity to express our views.

Disclosure Time: I’m not a fan of our Mayor. And last year, I managed the electoral campaign of Marianne Cerilli, in which we put forward a positive, constructive vision for Winnipeg that remains relevant. I invite you to review these ideas here.