(The following articles are from the Oct. 16-31, 2007, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

People's Voice Editorial, Oct. 16-31, 2007

This month marks the sixth anniversary of Canada's military involvement in the NATO occupation of Afghanistan. Originally painted as a small contribution to the "war on terror" and the "liberation" of Afghan women, this mission has morphed into the symbol of Canada's role as a fully subservient part of the U.S. imperialist war machine. Any minor improvements for women in Afghanistan pale in comparison to the thousands of killings committed by the NATO forces, including the recent shooting of two young boys by Canadian troops.

     Despite the growing demands in both the U.S. and Canada to bring the troops home, Bush and Harper remain determined to "stay the course," at any cost in human lives and economic destruction. On October 27, anti-war movements in both countries will be in the streets to protest the catastrophic wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

     This day of action is crucial as Canada teeters on the brink of a federal election. A powerful turnout for the Oct. 27 rallies is the best way to tell the Harper Tories - the most pro-war, pro-US party in Parliament - that most Canadians still reject their policies, despite every attempt to rouse enthusiasm for this failed mission. Massive protests on Oct. 27 will also warn the other parties in Parliament that instead of playing one-upmanship, they should isolate the Tories and unite to set a quick deadline to bring the troops home. If the Harper government is defeated - and the sooner the better - all the labour and democratic forces must also unite to make withdrawal from Afghanistan the key issue of the campaign.

     The stakes are too high to stay home. For details of the anti-war rally in your community, visit the Canadian Peace Alliance website, www.acp-cpa.ca. Be there, and bring everyone you can!

Found at: https://peoplesvoice.ca/articleprint06/