Canadians take to the streets to demand an end to Ukraine war and NATO

 

Around the world, more people are taking the streets to demand peace and an end to the war that tragically continues to rage in Ukraine. The United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights announced that almost 7,000 civilians have been killed and 11,075 injured over this past year. Tens of thousands of soldiers are dead on both sides and millions of people displaced.

Outside the Munich Security Forum (MSF) last weekend, over 30,000 German demonstrators called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to stop the tanks to Kyiv and start talks with Moscow. At the same time, there were at least twenty “We want peace” rallies held across Germany.

For months, large-scale anti-war protests have taken place in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Prague and many other cities in Europe. In Rome, 100,000 people recently marched with signs “No to war and sanctions” and “Yes to peace and work.” These protests are organized by civil society organizations and trade unions under the banner Europe for Peace. 

Europeans worry that extending the war will lead to more Ukrainians and Russians dying and a greater risk of nuclear escalation. They are also struggling with rising food and energy costs and lay-offs as a result of the conflict. 

Europeans are now challenging the claim by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the political elite of their countries that continuing to arm Ukraine is the way to end the conflict.

Last month, NATO’s Ukraine Defense Contact Group met at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany for the 8th time and announced another massive $2.5 billion military aid package to Ukraine. The transatlantic members will be sending more tanks, guns, ammunition, rocket launchers and missiles to Ukraine.

At the MSF, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg irresponsibly urged allies to provide more weapons and boost their military budgets. The continuous flow of arms only serves to prolong this dangerous NATO proxy war against Russia and enrich European and American weapons manufacturers.  

Last Sunday in Washington D.C., a huge rally billed as Rage Against the War Machine saw thousands of Americans from across the political divide converge on the National Mall. Politicians like Tulsi Gabbard, who used to be in the Democratic Party, and Republican Party member Ron Paul addressed the crowd. They spoke alongside high-profile activists, journalists and musicians.  (more...)

Canadians take to the streets to demand an end to Ukraine war and NATO