Area resident Corey Glass faces deportation to the U.S. July 10

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It was standing room only at a loud and boisterous rally July 3 in support of U.S. war deserter and Parkdale resident Corey Glass.

 

Glass, 25, is one of nine American military personnel currently residing in Parkdale hoping the federal government will grant them permanent status in Canada. As it stands, Glass faced deportation to the U.S. on July 10 but was granted a reprieve Wednesday by the Federal Court. If he is sent packing, he would likely face imprisonment for refusing to return to participate in the Iraq War.

That scenario could be averted if the Conservative government in Ottawa decides to honour a June 3 motion passed in Parliament demanding a halt to all deportation proceedings against U.S. war deserters and to grant them Canadian citizenship. However, the motion is not legally binding therefore Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government could choose to defy it.

As NDP Parkdale-High Park MP Peggy Nash put it, the federal government "which says it believes in law and order, ought to obey the decision of our Parliament.

"We're here to show support for the war resisters, many of whom live in our neighbourhood, and we do so because we believe in the concept of 'sanctuary'," she said. "The war resisters are seeking sanctuary from a government that has flouted international law by waging a war in another country that has since proven to be based on lies and deception."

More than 130 area residents squeezed into the May Robinson Building (20 West Lodge) on this night, prompting Ward 14 (Parkdale-High Park) Councillor Gord Perks to quip, "I've seen big crowds here of 10, 15, or 20 people when critical issues are facing the community."

Perks' address was particularly moving. He told the crowd the sight of such strong, local support for Glass and the other young Americans reaffirms all that is good about human beings.

"There are a lot of reasons that we encounter day-to-day to despair about the human condition," he said. "There are moments like tonight when you realize 'No, we don't need to despair' when you encounter the courage, the profound moral commitment and the deep sacrifice that these young people are making for their beliefs. We have a reason to believe again in what human beings are capable of."

Looking a little worn out from the toll of being the veritable poster child for the Toronto-based U.S. War Deserters Support Campaign, Glass told the audience regardless of how it turns out, he is grateful to Canadians.

"I've had the best times of my life here and for that I thank you," he said quietly. "And thank you to all the (War Resisters Support Campaign) volunteers (who) opened their hearts and their homes to us and shepherded us through all of this. Without any of you, none of this would have been possible."

That drew a standing ovation from the crowd.

Meanwhile, fellow army deserter and Parkdale resident Kimberly Riviera - the first female U.S. war deserter in history - said she fears she and her family would be deported next if Glass is ordered back to the U.S. on July 10.

"My time in Canada has been the best times in my life," she said. "For me and my family, I want this to be the place we always call 'home'. The only thing that stands between me and my home is the Conservative government. ... I'm excited but I'm also scared I may be the next one to be (deported) with my kids."

Dirk Townsend, president of the Parkdale Residents Association, drew thunderous applause for declaring the association fully supports the war resisters.

"The (association) doesn't take many stands on matters of international, political scope. However in this case, in Corey's case, we consider this a local issue," he said. "Parkdale is a very diverse neighbourhood and in many senses a place of refuge for citizens of all countries including our own. ... We continue to welcome refugees from places as far away as Tibet, Sri Lanka, and now, the United States."

Lee Zaslofsky, co-ordinator of the War Deserters Support Campaign, cited a June 27 Angus-Reid poll that showed three in five Canadians (64 per cent) favour giving U.S. soldiers the opportunity to remain here as permanent residents.

And he denounced the recent reports posted on American news websites stating Glass wouldn't face persecution if he is sent stateside.

"There seems to be an attempt in the media to try to confuse people about our friend and neighbour Corey Glass. This is emanating from the Pentagon and as you know it's not the first time we've heard misleading statements from the Pentagon," he said. "If Corey is sent back to the United States ... he will be liable to face court marital, punishment, imprisonment, and a bad conduct charge, which is equivalent to a criminal record and felony conviction. That's because he didn't want to kill people in Iraq."

Visit www.resisters.ca for details.