TOUR DATES:
* Weds. March 16, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Community Rm., New Glasgow Public Library, 182 Dalhousie St. New Glasgow.
* Th. March 17, 12:00-2:00 p.m., Riverview Room of Jenkins Hall, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, College Road, Bible Hill.
* Th. March 17, 7:00- 9:00 p.m., Rm. 241, Beveridge Arts Centre, Acadia University, 10 Highland Ave.,Wolfville.
* Fri. March 18, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Rm. 1107, Mona Campbell, Dalhousie University, 1459 LeMarchant St., Halifax.
* Fri. March 18, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Sobeys 255, Sobeys Bldg., 903 Robie St. Saint Mary's University, Halifax.
* (*Vigil for Justice for Iraq) Sat. March 19, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Halifax Public Library, 5381 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax
Event description: Free, public talk and film screening with Chuck Wiley,
the most senior U.S. military officer to become a war resister in Canada.
Chuck was with the U.S. Navy for 17 years and deployed to Iraq on the USS
Enterprise. In 2007, he refused to redeploy to Iraq and came to Canada as a
war resister. He will share his compelling personal story of conscience.
Plus there will also be a special screening of the NFB documentary "Breaking
Ranks" about four U.S. soldiers seeking sanctuary in Canada. Chuck is on a
tour of Nova Scotia to raise awareness of the plight of war resisters in
Canada and to mark the 8th anniversary of the illegal war and occupation of
Iraq and. Part of the national campaign to "LET THEM STAY". More information
at www.resisters.ca
Tour Organizers: Halifax Peace Coalition.
Sponsors: New Glasgow Public Library, Students' Union of the Nova Scotia
Agricultural College, Acadia University, Saint Mary's University, SMU-PIRG,
and the Centre for Foreign Policy Studies.
About Chuck Wiley:
Chuck Wiley is a member of a family with deep military roots: one of his
ancestors was a Revolutionary War soldier, and every generation since has
had a member who has been proud to defend his country. Until February 2007,
Chuck was no exception. Chuck entered the U.S. Army before he had even
finished high school. He was in the Navy as a nuclear engineering technician
and rose to a supervisory position on the USS Enterprise. In May 2006, the
USS Enterprise was deployed as part of Operation: Iraqi Freedom, to provide
air support off the coast for troops on the ground in Iraq and carrying out
bombing and surveillance missions at their request. This was his first
deployment as a Chief Petty Officer; this rank allowed him access to a new
range of information about what was happening in Iraq. Chuck says, "Much of
this information troubled me on a personal level." He returned to the United
States with his ship in November 2006. The ship would be redeployed to Iraq,
but Chuck made the decision not to go and was reprimanded for open
discussion of his concerns about the war with others in his crew, and
threatened with the charge of sedition. So on February 11, 2007, Chuck and
his partner Jamie discreetly left Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia and came to
Canada.
About the Film:
Breaking Ranks is a moving documentary about the plight of four U.S.
soldiers seeking sanctuary in Canada as part of their resistance to the war
in Iraq. With intimate access to four American military deserters, their
lawyers and families, this film documents their experiences as they try to
exercise their consciences amidst profound emotional, ethical and
international consequences. If deported, they face the venom of mainstream
American opinion and one to five years in prison. Filmed over the course of
the refugee process, this provocative film explores the meaning of duty as
these young soldiers share their personal stories of moral awakening and the
burden that it brings. Director: Michelle Mason. National Film Board of
Canada (2005).
About War Resisters Campaign Canada: www.resisters.ca - LET THEM STAY
For more information about Nova Scotia Tour, please contact Halifax Peace
Coalition:
(Web) www.halifaxpeacecoalition.ca
(Email) hfxpeace_AT_chebucto.ca
(Facebook) "Halifax Peace Coalition"
