INFORMATION ABOUT CANADIAN SOLDIERS BEING TRAINED IN URBAN TACTICAL WARFARE
BY THE U.K. MILITARY IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD STREETS!
...from Fredericton Residents for Education on the Economically-motivated
Deployment Of the Military (F.R.E.E.D.O.M.)
In December, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR -
mechanized infantry) engaged in the largest live-ammunition combat exercise
in the Commonwealth at CFB Gage town - half an hour outside of Fredericton,
NB. The troops fired almost $5 million worth of munitions during the night
time training. It is unknown if shells using depleted uranium were used.
Over the next six months, this group of unfortunate soldiers may be
deployed anywhere in the world on behalf of a U.S.-led coalition within 72
hours (Daily Gleaner, December 28, 2002). As part of the 2RCR preparation
for battle, Canadian soldiers, instructed by the BRITISH MILITARY, are
engaged in “basic tactical training in urban warfare” on the downtown
streets of Fredericton (Telegraph Journal, January 9, 2003).
Overhead, military helicopters fly above Fredericton’s universities and
residential neighbourhoods. The pilots fly low enough that their green
camouflage bellies can be seen clearly from the ground. Armored vehicles,
equipped with the latest military technology, travel on local highways with
“student driver” signs displayed on the rear (Daily Gleaner, January 11,
2003).
On February 18 and 19, 2RCR will participate in a “paper military exercise”
during which soldiers will “study infrastructure and consider it in the
context of a military operation” (Daily Gleaner, January 14, 2003). The
Fredericton Mayor and City Council have already granted permission for this
“special event” without consulting residents (on January 13). When
F.R.E.E.D.O.M. called City Hall yesterday, we were told to contact CFB
Gagetown for information. The City Hall clerk said they knew nothing beyond
a nebulous, one-line statement. A transcription of the minutes from the
last council meeting will not be available to the public until they are
passed at the next council meeting. There will be a FULL GALLERY at the
next open City Council meeting - with many more spilling outside. The mayor
has some explaining to do!
WE WON’T ACCEPT OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD STREETS BEING USED TO TRAIN SOLDIERS FOR
AN URBAN WAR WE DON’T CONDONE! WE WANT THE U.K. AND U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL
DEPORTED FROM OUR COMMUNITY!
On February 18 and 19, F.R.E.E.D.O.M. encourages all Fredericton and New
Brunswick residents to walk through OUR STREETS with information pamphlets
describing the very real threat of depleted uranium sickness (2000 of the
4,500 soldiers who served in the previous Gulf War experienced severe
sickness upon their return), the probability of many more Canadian
‘friendly fire’ deaths (1/3 of U.S. coalition casualties in the previous
Gulf War resulted from ‘friendly fire’) and the cruel injustice of
continued U.S. aggression against Iraq.
We will do our best to educate these young and impressionable soldiers.
Perhaps we can save their health, their lives and their consciences by
convincing them to stay at home. Some residents may choose to carry pots
and pans to make noise when they see U.S. or U.K. soldiers trying to
instruct younger recruits in matters military. More creative, and equally
legal, strategies to come. This is our community. These are our sidewalks.
In the meantime, please contact Fredericton Mayor Les Hull and other city
council members. In your own words, explain why you, personally, feel it is
unacceptable to use our community to train soldiers for a war we do not
condone.
Fredericton City Hall: (506) 460-2020
FAX: (506) 460-2042
P.O. Box 130 Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y7
Mayor Les Hull: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Councilor Walter Brown: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Other Councilors:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
…and don’t forget Fredericton MP Andy Scott:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
61 Carleton Street Fredericton, NB E3B 3T2 (506) 452-4110 (Office) (506)
452-4076 (Fax)
…also please express yourself to local New Brunswick media as well:
Daily Gleaner: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Telegraph Journal: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Brunswickan: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Aquinian: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PLEASE SIGN THE FREDERICTON CITY HALL ONLINE GUEST BOOK:
http://www.city.fredericton.nb.ca/guest.asp
_______________________
Gather at Fredericton City Hall for a STREET PARTY and MARCH against WAR +
U.$. IMPERIALI$M!
Join the Raging Grannies and Fredericton’s finest Revolutionary SAMBA BAND!
WHEN: 1pm, Saturday, January 18 (TOMORROW)
PLEASE DRESS VERY WARMLY!
"We owe it to the future of civilization not to allow the world's worst
leaders to develop and deploy and therefore blackmail the freedom-loving
nations with the world's worst weapons ..." George W. Bush. Saturday,
August 3, 2002.
F.R.E.E.D.O.M. (Fredericton Residents for Education on the
Economically-motivated Deployment of the Military)
www.bushwatch.com
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=03/01/16/8166902
