Update: So sorry to hear that the U.S. military has just sentenced Rivera to 14 months in prison, which was pleaded down to 10 months. Amy Goodman of the Guardian, outlines my feelings about this better than I can, at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/02/george-bush-kimberly-rivera.

Canada is about to deport another deserter to the United States. This time, it’s a 26-year-old mother, Kim Rivera.

Many people know that I’m in favour of supporting soldiers, so they may be surprised that I also want deserters and draft dodgers respected. The issue for me is the same as it has always been. People who fight wars on behalf of the public deserve our support, even if they once joined the military, thinking they wanted to fight. People who don’t want to fight wars for any reason shouldn’t have to.

The petition below links to lots of information about Rivera’s case. The links on the page include several media articles including one by Noah Richler. Richler defines the problem best:

If our society is so weak that a few deserters can threaten our alliances, then we should stop bullying the weak and the poor and do what’s fair: Conscript across all classes. Then see who wails.”

To sign the petition, go to:

http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/minister-kenney-stop-the-deportation-of-iraq-war-resister-kimberly-rivera#

 

*This post was initially titled draft dodgers deserve to stay in Canada, but as Mary pointed out below, this case concerns someone who has already served and left for Canada while on vacation.

About

Tracey Arial

Unapologetically Canadian Tracey Arial promotes creative entrepreneurship as an author, cooperative business leader, gardener, family historian and podcaster.

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