From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: DISRUPTING THE WAR GAMES
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 08:23:07 GMT

The ACTivist July/August 92

The ACTivist is published monthly (one issue during July and August)
by the ACT for Disarmament Coalition, 736 Bathurst St., Toronto, 
Ontario, Canada, M5S 2R4, phone 416-531-6154, fax 416-531-5850,
e-mail web:act.

Reprint freely, but please credit us (and send us a copy!)

/** gen.newsletter: 121.14 **/
** Written 11:27 pm  Aug 11, 1992 by web:act in cdp:gen.newsletter **
DISRUPTING THE WAR GAMES

By Chris Sheridan
The ACTivist

The 19th Annual London International Air Show, which took place 
in London, Ontario on June 6, was greeted this year by a group of 
enthusiastic protestors, gathered to voice opposition to low-level 
flight testing over the Innu land of Nitassinan (Labrador and 
north-eastern Quebec).

The demonstration, of about fifteen people, was organized by the 
London chapter of CASNP (Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with 
Native Peoples) with some members of the local Greenpeace chapter 
joining in.

While some of the world's most advanced killing machines, including 
the Stealth Bomber, stormed overhead, we held signs with slogans
 denouncing the use of Innu land for military activities.

As the traffic congested at the gates, most of us shoved information 
flyers in car windows and talked to people about the reason for the 
demonstration. At the same time, we managed to collect a number 
of signatures on petitions addressed to Brian Mulroney, 'Defense' 
Minister Marcel Masse, and Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells.

One CASNP member, Harold Koehler, purchased a ticket into the 
show and walked around the area where the jets were on display 
for about three hours, with a sign saying 'NATO out of Nitassinan'.

It was a day in which learning was key, not just for those Air 
Show-goers, but for us as well. Many of the demonstrators were 
given the opportunity to see how deeply entrenched ignorance is 
in our so-called 'free' society. While some Show-goers were quite 
interested to learn more about the issue, others voiced their outright 
distaste for the opposition to low-level flights. Comments like 
"Communists," "Get a job," and various obscenities accompanied 
many of the pro-military retorts.

Most people at least took information sheets which served to 
raise awareness and, hopefully, support for the Innu. Most 
encouraging was that people of all different social, economic and 
ethnic backgrounds lent their support to the demonstration. 

One of the most interesting aspects of the day was the amount of 
interest shown by young children. Many parents, who initially 
walked by without paying attention to the demonstration, returned 
to the gates to get an information sheet because their children had 
asked them so many questions as to why we were there. This 
illustrated the importance that children will play in future social 
change. Without prejudices or politically partisan ties, it seems 
that children are often the most interested in finding out the truth 
about issues like aboriginal rights.

It is important that demonstrations at local Air Shows continue 
across the country to display that support for the Innu of 
Nitassinan is indeed growing. Solidarity with the Innu Nation is 
becoming increasingly vital. The latest reports from Goose Bay 
indicate the town council's willingness to entice NATO into 
expanding its military activity in the area. As one placard 
at the demonstration read, "No One Can Be Free, Until All 
Are Free." We must continue to push for the freedom of 
all people in this country, including the Innu people of 
Nitassinan.


** End of text from cdp:gen.newsletter **

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