Crowd Takes To Streets Across Canada To Protest Afghanistan

Calgary - Despite the cold and the snow, about 60 protesters gathered in Calgary outside to march and make their combined voices heard on Saturday.  Rallies were held at the same time in Calgary, Edmonton, and other locations across Canada in opposition to the War in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the fifth anniversary of the occupation of Iraq draws closer, protest is rising across North America.  The protestors on Saturday brandished peace banners, peace flags, and marched and sang in unison.

There were reports of similar groups in at least 20 cities across Canada, gathered to protest the war in Iraq, and to make known their opposition to the extension of Canada’s participation in Afghanistan.

The Canadian government recently last Thursday to extend the time in Afghanistan until 2011.  This was not without a lot of debate, and the role of troops in Afghanistan has some conditions, including that it hinges on at least 1000 troops from NATO being assigned to help.  A similar rally was held in Edmonton downtown.

Calgary Rally organizer Collette Lemieux spoke about the rally.  “This is a method of educating the people of Calgary and the nation about the missions in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Lemieux. Ms. Lemieux is also the co-chairperson of the Canadian Peace Alliance.

“We are trying to raise the awareness of people, and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan can see that we are here in Canada, supporting them.