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| Public Works personal place barriers around Parliament Hill in preparation for a visit from American President George W. Bush.(CP/Jonathan Hayward) |
| Title | Ottawa prepares for anti-Bush protests over everything from war to capitalism | |
| Date | Sunday November 28, @09:00PM | |
| Author | admin | |
| Topic | dissent | |
| from the canada.com dept. | ||
| UPDATE: protest photos & video Stephen Thorne | |
| Canadian Press |
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OTTAWA (CP) - They're protesting everything from capitalism and corruption to criminality, and they're blaming it all on U.S. President George W. Bush.
Thousands of activists are expected to march on the capital Tuesday,
clogging streets and shouting complaints over all manner of perceived
wrongs - imperialism, racism, elitism, torture, treaties and terrorism.
One group, Lawyers Against the War (LAW), wants Bush arrested and charged with war crimes.
"LAW believes that George Bush must be brought to justice rather than
be treated as a guest in Canada," said Amy Bartholomew, whose
Canadian-based group claims about 150 members in 14 countries.
The group wants Ottawa to rescind Bush's invitation and deny the U.S. president entry into Canada "on the basis of Canadian immigration law, which bars entry to those who have engaged in gross violations of human rights."
It has advised Immigration Minister Judy Sgro that Bush should be declared inadmissible to Canada.
Bartholomew's group believes Bush has committed crimes like waging aggressive war by invading Iraq, violating the Geneva Conventions by torturing detainees and using indiscriminate weapons like cluster bombs.
"This terrible and mounting toll in life, limb and in property and community in Iraq constitutes gross violations of human rights," she said.
"These acts . . . are illegal, immoral and irrational and they must be recognized by the Canadian government as an ongoing criminal enterprise directed by George W. Bush and others in the U.S. administration."
Another group, the People's Global Action Block, says that by inviting the "murderous" Bush to visit, Canada is "a willing ally to a terrorist regime and its imperial adventures."
"There should be no mistake," said group spokesman Jeremy Bell. "Behind the rhetoric of 'peacekeeping,' Canada is involved in and profits from the occupations of Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Haiti."
The group also opposes capitalism, imperialism, "corporate mercenaries and war profiteers." It's inviting activists to join its members in downtown Ottawa for a "Breakfast with Bush."
The No to Bush Committee has produced posters urging people to "say no to Bush when Bush comes to shove." It is organizing the two main protests on Tuesday, a march at noon and a candlelight vigil on Parliament Hill at 5 p.m.
For most Ottawa residents, however, the Bush visit and the accompanying protests simply mean traffic and other logistical headaches.
City officials are warning commuters to expect delays and shutdowns throughout the downtown core and its approaches.
One of the main bridges between Ottawa and neighbouring Gatineau, Que., will be closed from noon to 11 p.m. on Tuesday while the main thoroughfare to and from the airport will be subject to shutdown during morning rush hours both Tuesday and Wednesday.
More...The crowd assembles at Confederation Park
The view from Parliament Hill at 1:30 pm
The Standoff at the Chateau Laurier Hotel at 3:30 pm
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printed from GlobalFreePress, Ottawa prepares for anti-Bush protests over everything from war to capitalism on 2004-12-04 02:20:38