Thousands Rally in Canada Against War with Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, November 17, 2002

Thousands Rally in Canada Against War with Iraq

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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the center of Canada's largest city Toronto Saturday as part of a national series of protests this weekend against ongoing sanctions and the possibility of war in Iraq, reports reaching here said.

Carrying signs bearing slogans such as "Don't Attack Iraq and Love Heals," protesters cheered as speakers from a variety of labour and peace groups decried military action in Iraq.

"The war against Iraq will have a horrific impact against innocent civilians," said Marilyn Churley, a member of provincial parliament who was among the speakers.

"Canada should take back our traditional role as peace-makers and say no to war."

Protesters later marched from the legislature to the American Embassy.

"There's a real need for a peace movement," said Ali Mallah, president of the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Arab Federation.

He said the Canadian government needs to stand up on the world stage as an advocate of peace, even if that means disagreeing with the United States.

The Toronto demonstration, which drew as many as 2,500 people, was organized by a coalition of groups including the Toronto Committee Against Sanctions and War on Iraq, the United Church, Arab organizations, labour unions and other social justice groups.

"I strongly don't believe Canada should have anything do with such a war," said protester Jerry Berman, 72, who turned out for the protest with his wife after reading about it in a local newspaper.

Other demonstrations were planned in a number of other cities across Canada and more were planned in many cities on Sunday, according to the reports.

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