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Rememberance Day Protest
RHIANNON WHITE
Last week, several Afghan-Canadians protested during a Remembrance Day ceremony at Old City Hall. The protesters claimed that Afghans were detained, tortured and killed by Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan. Though a peaceful protest, many have voiced their disgust at a group picketing a day of respect for Canada’s aging veterans and their families. Is this an example of free speech gone too far? Or should all forms of expression be tolerated, no matter how misguided they may appear?
CON: CHARLES-PHILLIPE LAMY
When I was in Washington D.C., I visited the Vietnam War Memorial. As I walked along, a middle-aged man beside me burst into tears. The guards near the monument shook his hand as he continued forward. This scene is familiar to all who are close to veterans and their families. We like to think that war is an experience that ends with a treaty or ceasefire, but the psychological torment endures long after the last wound is inflicted. A soldier returning from war, having left part of his or her soul with fallen countrymen, should be treated with unwavering respect at home.
On November 11, these psychological wounds are opened once more in the necessary and tormenting process of remembrance. For these protesters to shout insults at veterans and their families is intolerable. From a legal standpoint, the protesters should have been arrested for Breach of the Peace under Section 175(1a) of the Canadian Criminal Code.
We should also examine whether protesting Canada’s role in Afghanistan is justified, only made cruel by timing. It is reasonable to conclude that at least some of the protesters were Afghan men and women who have suffered from the conflict. Their pains are undeniable. Although I am greatly saddened by their pain, I am also angered by how they chose to express it. If they disagreed with Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan, why not protest our politicians instead?
Our soldiers did not start this war, nor did they ask for it. Canada asked its citizens for help, and our soldiers bravely dedicated themselves to our country. Protesting our politicians rather than our veterans may have removed the cruelty from the protests, but still would not have legitimized them. This war began when terrorists attacked our strongest ally and killed nearly 3000 innocent people. These terrorists committed acts of evil and were protected by the Taliban government.
Let these protesters be angry with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. They are responsible, not us. The war has been tragic, but our veterans should be seen as heroes both at home and in Afghanistan. They fought those dedicated to evil, and their sacrifices merit a respectful remembrance.
PRO: ZACH MORGENSTERN
Charles Lamy believes that Afghan-Canadian activists Laila Rashidie and Suraia Sahar should have been arrested for protesting the war in Afghanistan at a Remembrance Day service. He has justified this anti-democratic position by saying the protest was aimed at the wrong people, poorly timed, and outright offensive.
Instead of Canadian soldiers and their families, Lamy argues that the protest should have been directed at the Taliban. While these protestors are certainly anti-Taliban, they understand what Lamy does not: protesting Taliban crimes in Canada is preaching to the converted. To protest a Canadian war, however, is to fight for a cause that does not have universal support and thus requires promotion.
According to Lamy, the demonstrators’ crime was a “Breach of the Peace” on Remembrance Day. Rashidie and Sahar did not pick November 11th without just cause. Not wanting their protest to go ignored as many others, they decided to hold it on a day when war is on people’s minds. They also argue that Stephen Harper has used Remembrance Day to promote the war. If pro-war ideologues can politicize Remembrance Day, it is only fair that their opponents get the chance to fight back.
Lamy believes that Sahar and Rashidie’s protest was disrespectful to veterans. Indeed, wars cause immense physical and psychological trauma to individuals that should be remembered. The problem with Remembrance Day is that it is not a private memorial for people, but rather a public memorial for soldiers. While many consider criticism of Remembrance Day to be offensive, I would argue that it is equally offensive to assume that every soldier would like to be remembered as someone who believed in the war they fought in.
Rashidie and Sahar’s critics ignore the veteran who stood with the pair in support of their cause. Countless other soldiers are also against the wars they have fought in. For example, WWI veteran Harry Patch proposed that “politicians who took us to war should have been given the guns and told to settle their differences themselves, instead of organizing nothing better than legalized mass murder”.
Lamy’s arguments may be based on the status quo, but that does not make them right or fair. For the sake of the people, reluctant soldiers and civilians alike, we should not only allow but encourage the work of anti-war activists.
http://www.thenewspaper.ca/the-inside/the-debate-remembrance-day-protests-activism-or-abuse/
Last week, several Afghan-Canadians protested during a Remembrance Day ceremony at Old City Hall. The protesters claimed that Afghans were detained, tortured and killed by Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan. Though a peaceful protest, many have voiced their disgust at a group picketing a day of respect for Canada’s aging veterans and their families. Is this an example of free speech gone too far? Or should all forms of expression be tolerated, no matter how misguided they may appear?
CON: CHARLES-PHILLIPE LAMY
When I was in Washington D.C., I visited the Vietnam War Memorial. As I walked along, a middle-aged man beside me burst into tears. The guards near the monument shook his hand as he continued forward. This scene is familiar to all who are close to veterans and their families. We like to think that war is an experience that ends with a treaty or ceasefire, but the psychological torment endures long after the last wound is inflicted. A soldier returning from war, having left part of his or her soul with fallen countrymen, should be treated with unwavering respect at home.
On November 11, these psychological wounds are opened once more in the necessary and tormenting process of remembrance. For these protesters to shout insults at veterans and their families is intolerable. From a legal standpoint, the protesters should have been arrested for Breach of the Peace under Section 175(1a) of the Canadian Criminal Code.
We should also examine whether protesting Canada’s role in Afghanistan is justified, only made cruel by timing. It is reasonable to conclude that at least some of the protesters were Afghan men and women who have suffered from the conflict. Their pains are undeniable. Although I am greatly saddened by their pain, I am also angered by how they chose to express it. If they disagreed with Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan, why not protest our politicians instead?
Our soldiers did not start this war, nor did they ask for it. Canada asked its citizens for help, and our soldiers bravely dedicated themselves to our country. Protesting our politicians rather than our veterans may have removed the cruelty from the protests, but still would not have legitimized them. This war began when terrorists attacked our strongest ally and killed nearly 3000 innocent people. These terrorists committed acts of evil and were protected by the Taliban government.
Let these protesters be angry with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. They are responsible, not us. The war has been tragic, but our veterans should be seen as heroes both at home and in Afghanistan. They fought those dedicated to evil, and their sacrifices merit a respectful remembrance.
PRO: ZACH MORGENSTERN
Charles Lamy believes that Afghan-Canadian activists Laila Rashidie and Suraia Sahar should have been arrested for protesting the war in Afghanistan at a Remembrance Day service. He has justified this anti-democratic position by saying the protest was aimed at the wrong people, poorly timed, and outright offensive.
Instead of Canadian soldiers and their families, Lamy argues that the protest should have been directed at the Taliban. While these protestors are certainly anti-Taliban, they understand what Lamy does not: protesting Taliban crimes in Canada is preaching to the converted. To protest a Canadian war, however, is to fight for a cause that does not have universal support and thus requires promotion.
According to Lamy, the demonstrators’ crime was a “Breach of the Peace” on Remembrance Day. Rashidie and Sahar did not pick November 11th without just cause. Not wanting their protest to go ignored as many others, they decided to hold it on a day when war is on people’s minds. They also argue that Stephen Harper has used Remembrance Day to promote the war. If pro-war ideologues can politicize Remembrance Day, it is only fair that their opponents get the chance to fight back.
Lamy believes that Sahar and Rashidie’s protest was disrespectful to veterans. Indeed, wars cause immense physical and psychological trauma to individuals that should be remembered. The problem with Remembrance Day is that it is not a private memorial for people, but rather a public memorial for soldiers. While many consider criticism of Remembrance Day to be offensive, I would argue that it is equally offensive to assume that every soldier would like to be remembered as someone who believed in the war they fought in.
Rashidie and Sahar’s critics ignore the veteran who stood with the pair in support of their cause. Countless other soldiers are also against the wars they have fought in. For example, WWI veteran Harry Patch proposed that “politicians who took us to war should have been given the guns and told to settle their differences themselves, instead of organizing nothing better than legalized mass murder”.
Lamy’s arguments may be based on the status quo, but that does not make them right or fair. For the sake of the people, reluctant soldiers and civilians alike, we should not only allow but encourage the work of anti-war activists.
http://www.thenewspaper.ca/the-inside/the-debate-remembrance-day-protests-activism-or-abuse/
We’re not so tolerant here in Baton Rouge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzFd8nU4TI8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzFd8nU4TI8
We call today Rememberance Day. I believe you call it Veterans Day? Regardless of the name, the purpose is the same. To remember those that risked and gave their lives for what they believed in.
Now, I am very much a pacifist at heart. I hate war and wish it were never necessary. I also respect everyones right to protest in a peaceful manner. However, I find this incredibly upsetting.
Rememberance Day or Veterans Day has nothing to do with how you feel about war or weather or not you think any of our wars have been justified. It is quite simply about honoring those who so bravely fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and it's allies. These men and women gave their lives for their beliefs and for me, that deserves my utmost respect. To protest this day is wrong, no matter how you feel about any of the wars. It is disrespectful and makes me so sad that someone would behave that way.
Now, I am very much a pacifist at heart. I hate war and wish it were never necessary. I also respect everyones right to protest in a peaceful manner. However, I find this incredibly upsetting.
Rememberance Day or Veterans Day has nothing to do with how you feel about war or weather or not you think any of our wars have been justified. It is quite simply about honoring those who so bravely fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and it's allies. These men and women gave their lives for their beliefs and for me, that deserves my utmost respect. To protest this day is wrong, no matter how you feel about any of the wars. It is disrespectful and makes me so sad that someone would behave that way.
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