London War Resister Support Group

I personally try to buy fair trade whenever and wherever I can. But, I nearly a man of complete destitution find it sometimes hard to grab the tastier, fair trade bananas over the cheaper,brighter doles. In the current economic climate people are looking to save money wherever they can. The supermarkets' “value” brands are rising in popularity and discount stores such as walmart and the dollar shop are reporting brisk business.But,is shopping ethically a luxury, something that is fine in more affluent times but to be discarded when we start counting our pennies?

I just finished watching fight club and that movie always seems to inspire the anarchist side of me a lot of times. But, that is another blog for another day. I was looking at CBC news' website(I know there was my first mistake), and I was nothing but infuriated at the fact that yet again their main story was of a plane that crashed in buffalo NY. The story has been in the news for three days now and only 50 people Died. My condolences to the families that lost people on that flight,but come on how many times can they continue to do this.

Well, it's been quite some time since I've posted a blog entry. I blame life, really. I've been very focused on school lately, so I haven't been updating like I said I would. I would like to apologize to (if I have any) readers of this blog. A lot has happened since I last posted, so I'll just give a few thoughts and promise to do MUCH better from now on!

(from spoken word artist Taylor Davy, who performed this piece for our Second Annual War Resisters Benefit Concert at the London Music Club, March 29, 2009. thanks so much for donating your words to LWRSG, Taylor!)

Brothers and sisters
be careful when making your way through
the chaos of the mirrors and smoke,
for the truth is what people can be conditioned
to believe
and the powers that be
have a lot invested
in us
buying into this hoax

They tell us that we must protect
our freedoms
by extinguishing the threat of terror
that grows from the under-nourished soil

Inspired by U.S. war resisters' personal accounts of why they refused to serve in Iraq, internationally-acclaimed Lionel Lodge (Definitely Schrägged, The Rock Quartet Live in Vienna) composed this original song, I'm Putting Down my Gun Now, recorded it with his London-based band The Dodeldogs and donated it to the LWRSG to help support war resisters.

Inspired by U.S. war resisters' personal accounts of why they refused to serve in Iraq, internationally-acclaimed Lionel Lodge (Definitely Schrägged, The Rock Quartet Live in Vienna) composed this original song, I'm Putting Down my Gun Now, recorded it with his London-based band The Dodeldogs and donated it to the LWRSG to help support war resisters.

Canadians call on Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to use his authority to act

OTTAWA—On Monday evening the House of Commons voted, for the second time in 10 months, to let Iraq War resisters live in Canada. The vote on a motion from the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration directs the Government of Canada to immediately stop the deportation of U.S. Iraq War resisters and establish a program to facilitate permanent resident status for the resisters and their families.

“It’s time for Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Prime Minister Harper to follow the will of the majority of Canadians and act as directed by Parliament,” said Michelle Robidoux, spokesperson for the War Resisters Support Campaign. “It could be as simple as Jason Kenney using his discretion as minister to grant the resisters’ applications to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.”

From Laura K's excellent "We Move To Canada" blog:

We just heard from Toronto that the amazing Alyssa Manning was able to win a temporary stay of deportation for Kim and her family. It is hard to describe how relieved everyone is. More details to follow. Please keep up pressure on the politicians (see below), we NEED a political solution for ALL the resisters

(and thanks to everyone who attended the rally today, below)

War Resister and family WERE facing deportation Thursday

Nursing mother of 3, Kim Rivera & family, currently in Toronto, have been ordered to leave Canada by this Thursday, March 26. Kimberly Rivera, originally from Texas, is a former US soldier who sought asylum in Canada after refusing to re-deploy to Iraq. Kim, her husband and three children – including a newborn Canadian daughter – face deportation from Canada on March 26th.