Peace rally in Regina calls on Canadian government to end military interventions in Middle East

REGINA – Regina activists took to the Peace Fountain in front of City Hall Saturday with one clear message: peace in the Middle East.

The rally, hosted by a variety of peace groups, including Regina’s Making Peace Vigil, PeaceQuest Regina, and the Regina Peace Council, was held on the 13th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

Protesters called on the Canadian government to end military operations in Syria and Iraq.

“We replaced the previous government. We want the current government to take a different course, not continue the old ways, and continue to involve Canada in an endless series of wars in the Middle East”, local peace activist Stephen Moore explained.

Activists say Canada needs to stop contributing to the violence and conflict overseas.

“A decade of military intervention in the middle east hasn’t led to peace, and hasn’t stopped terrorism. So that approach isn’t working. And I think it is time for Canada to take a different approach”, Lewvan-Regina MP Erin Weir said.

Due to pressure from the Canadian government, last month Canadian Armed Forces ceased air strike operations in Iraq and Syria.

“The more we continue in war, the closer we’re bringing war to this country. And I have four grandsons and I don’t want to see them go to war”, Pat Colpittes said.

Postcards addressed to the prime minister were handed out at the rally, encouraging people to write to the government to take a more diplomatic role, and engage in more peacekeeping operations.

Similar events were scheduled for Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Sudbury, Calgary and Vancouver.