January 16, 2009

Peace advocates occupy conservative MP's office demanding action on Gaza war crimes

Four peace advocates in London, Ontario are at the office of London West
Conservative MP Ed Holder (390 Commissioners Road West) demanding immediate
action from the Canadian government to denounce the continuing massacre in
Gaza. They are determined not to leave willingly until Mr.
Holder agrees to advocate that the minority Conservative government:

1. call publicly and vigorously for Israel to accept the ceasefire proposed
   by Hamas without further conditions or stalling;
2. condemn the Israeli aggression against Gaza for what it is?a war crime (as
   is the firing of Hamas rockets into Israel);
3. demand that Israel ensure the full and safe delivery of humanitarian aid
   to the needy in Gaza and cease targeting relief workers and emergency
   medical staff;
4. demand that Israel end the collective punishment of Gazans and lift the
   illegal blockade of the territory (failing which,
5. boycott-divestment-sanction measures against Israel must be coordinated by
   the international community;
6. immediately reverse its shameful opposition to the recent UN Human Rights
   Council resolution condemning Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip and set
   up a probe into ?grave? human rights violations by Israeli forces against
   the Palestinians.

Wendy Goldsmith, a social worker, Beth Guthrie, a library reference
specialist, David Heap, a professor, all three from People for Peace, London
and Cory Morningstar, president of Council of Canadians London Chapter are
outraged at Canada's complicity with Israeli aggression and crimes against
humanity, and deeply concerned over the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"If my family and my community were being bombed to pieces and incinerated
by white phosphorous shells, I would hope that people in other countries
would take a stand against such atrocities." remarked Cory Morningstar,
mother of five. Wendy Goldsmith adds "As a social worker in London, my job
is to keep children safe. Who is helping to keep the children of Gaza safe?"

"Thousands of people in London have been crying out for justice for Gaza,"
points out Beth Guthrie, who has helped organize rallies and other events
over the last three weeks." But our government has been ignoring Canadians
and ignoring international law. This complicity has to end."

"All Conservative government offices have turned into mouthpieces for
Israeli war criminals." comments David Heap. "There are 142 more
Conservative MPs offices across the country where other Canadians should be
taking their peaceful, persistent and creative protests."

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