Arrests And Threats At Halifax Demonstration Against Harper's Military State

One demonstrator was arrested and two others were threatened with arrest today (June 26, 2006 - 12:30 ast).One of the two threatened with arrest was also threatened with a $500 fine for sliping an anti-war flier under the windsheild wiper of a vehicle. The other threat of arrest was for swearing. The one arrest that did take place was for the removal of a magnet from a car. The individual was taken into custody and is currently in detention.

All officers refused over 20 requests for identification (see video at bottom of above link).

The marchers had congregated at Parade Square at 11:00 am (ast) to protest the announcement of $15 Billion in military spending. Many leaflets were handed out comparing the $15 Billion in military spending with (appox) $1 Billion in environmental, health care and education spending!!!

Demonstrators also spoke out against the changing role of canada's military to a more violent, imperialist and decidedly american presence.

Corporate media decided to largely ignore the civic event (except for a CTV camera crew), focusing instead on the staged and scriped event, hand fed to them by the Conservative government.

After a brief rally at both entrances of the Corwallis Department of National Defence, and jail solidarity, demonstrators dispersed voluntarily.

It should be mentioned that although the demonstration may have looked small in numbers, but it was actually a substanial number of people considering there was just a few hours notice. The important thing to remember is that canadians want that $15 Billion to go to health care, education and the environment, and most canadians don't support our imperialist involvement in the middle east or haiti.

For Photos and Shocking Videos of the Arrest and Threats go to:

http://maritimes.indymedia.org/news/2006/06/12914.php

The videos are in the comments at the bottom.

John D