Canadian activists support Cindy Sheehan

Solidarity vigils planned for this weekend

The Toronto Coalition to Stop the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign will hold a jointly-sponsored vigil this Saturday in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan and American military families who continue to protest the war in Iraq. Although Cindy herself has temporarily suspended her protest due to a family illness, anti-war activists across the United States and Canada - including military families in Crawford, Texas - will go ahead with vigils as planned.

Cindy’s protest at the gates of President Bush’s summer ranch in Crawford, Texas have inspired millions of people around the world who oppose the war in Iraq and the ongoing occupation. On Wednesday this week, more than 100,000 people in more than 1,600 communities all over the US held vigils calling on Bush to bring the troops home now.

"Cindy Sheehan’s courageous action outside Bush’s Texas compound honours the memory of her son Casey and all the others, invaders and Iraqis, who have died in Bush’s war," says Lee Zaslofsky, co-ordinator of the War Resisters Support Campaign. "That’s why so many Gold Star parents and spouses are going to Texas to stand with her. Our vigil in Toronto is a good opportunity for Canadians to stand with her too."

This weekend’s vigil will take place on Saturday, August 20 at 5:00pm at the United States Consulate, 360 University Avenue in downtown Toronto.

For more information about the Toronto vigil, please contact:
Lee Zaslofsky, War Resisters Support Campaign: 416-598-1222
Michelle Robidoux, War Resisters Support Campaign: 416-856-5008

For information about vigils across Canada, please contact:
Sid Lacombe, Canadian Peace Alliance: 416-588-5555