Montrealers join international war protest
At least 150,000 Canadians braved the cold with a fervent message of peace Saturday, joining a worldwide day of protest against war in Iraq.
The largest demonstration was in Montreal, where an estimated 100,000 people marched through the streets. They gathered in front of federal building Complexe Guy Favreau and denounced Washington's threats to use force against Baghdad.
 Ste. Catherine St. protest |
BQ speaks out
The crowd carried signs with messages reading "No to War," "Stop Bush" and "A village in Texas has lost its idiot."
Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe said the United States should not act against Iraq without the approval of the United Nations.
Demonstrations were held in at least 60 other towns and cities, including Halifax, Windsor, Fredericton, Edmonton and Victoria. Men, women and children came out even though temperatures were below -20 C in some spots.
'Worried and fearful'
Canada's peace movement is building as the U.S. inches closer to launching military action against Iraq, according to NDP Leader Jack Layton.
"There's no question Canadians are beginning to become worried and fearful," Layton said in Toronto. "But more and more of them expressing their views like this opens up the door to some hope."
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Toronto resident Elaine Brandt called the worldwide anti-war marches wonderful. She said Saturday's protest is the second one she's been to in two months.
"I am here to voice my opinion against the murder of innocent Iraqi citizens. We cannot continue to deal with political issues with violence. The bottom line is innocent people will pay. And that's what I am against," said Brandt.
"Thirty-five years ago, we were protesting the Vietnam War that was a waste of time and a waste of innocent lives," said another woman in the crowd. "And here we are again."
Some voiced support for Washington as it threatens to use force to disarm Iraq.
 Halifax protest |
Ashamed of Canadians
Patricia Persovsky went to the Toronto rally wearing a pro-U.S. sign: "May God Bless America 9-11 was the smoking gun boys." She said Canada should back the United States in its war on terrorism.
"And I'd like to know where the naturalized Canadian citizens are the ones that gloriously holiday in Vegas, Florida, North Carolina they enjoy America's Disneyland why am I the only one here with a sign?" Persovsky asked.
She said she's ashamed of Canadians and the Canadian government for not supporting the United States.
About 2,000 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, chanting and banging drums. The protest began across the Ottawa River in Hull.