Author: VOW Editor

Sandy posting to NSVOW
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Standing for Peace: NSVOW Protests the DEFSEC Arms Show in Halifax

Standing for Peace: NSVOW Protests the DEFSEC Arms Show in Halifax

From October 1–3, 2024, members of the Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace (NSVOW) joined allies to protest the DEFSEC Atlantic arms show in Halifax. Each day, from 12 to 1 pm, we gathered to stand against the global arms trade and its direct links to violence in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.

As reported by Peace Brigades International–Canada, DEFSEC’s sponsors and exhibitors included some of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers, among them Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Leonardo, BAE Systems, and Rolls-Royce. According to the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), these companies supply aircraft, artillery, naval weapons, and tanks that have been used extensively in attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.

This protest came in the wake of alarming findings by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israeli authorities are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The International Court of Justice has also ruled that it is plausible that genocide is being committed against the Palestinian people.

By showing up at DEFSEC, we join a growing movement demanding an arms embargo now—calling on Canada to end the export of weapons to Israel and to fulfill its obligation to prevent genocide.

📢 We stand with peace activists across the globe in saying:
No more weapons. No more war. We choose peace.

For more details, you can read the full press release here: PBI-Canada Report on the DEFSEC Protest

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Peace Walk 2024

Peace walkers follow a grassy path at dusk, with the moon rising on the horizon. The person in the foreground wears a backpack with a red peace symbol. Wildflowers line the trail, and the sky glows with soft shades of purple and pink.

 

 

Walking Together for Peace

September 8, 2024 – September 21, 2024
Pugwash to Halifax

“We have to learn to think in a new way. We have to learn to ask ourselves, not what steps can be taken to give military victory to whatever group we prefer, for there no longer are such steps; the question we have to ask ourselves is: what steps can be taken to prevent a military contest of which the issue must be disastrous to all parties?”

— Russell Einstein Manifesto, 1955

Our Journey

From September 8th to 21st, 2024, communities across Nova Scotia came together for the Walking Together for Peace initiative — a 200-kilometer journey from Pugwash to Halifax. This walk supported the abolition of nuclear weapons worldwide, called on Canada to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and promoted the vision to Decolonize, Decarbonize, Demilitarize.

Our Roots in History

The peace walk drew inspiration from the Pugwash Conference of 1957, where scientists, inspired by the Russell–Einstein Manifesto, gathered to oppose nuclear weapons at the height of the Cold War. This year’s walk reawakened the Pugwash story, renewing Canada’s legacy in international disarmament and the urgent need for commitment today.

Walking Through Mi’kma’ki

Sharing local Mi’kmaq history and African Nova Scotian experiences with participants was essential. Peace means understanding decolonization, reconciliation, and reparations, and supporting innovative possibilities such as land trusts in African Nova Scotian communities.

The People Who Walked

From beginning to end we were accompanied, smudged, prayed for, and guided by grassroots Mi’kmaq Water Protectors — Doreen Bernard, Marian Nickolas, Amy Maloney, and Darleen Gilbert. A diverse community of youth, peace advocates, ecological activists, and Gandhian Peace Walkers from India joined the full route. Local residents also walked beside them, creating a living network of solidarity.

Education

High school visits, organized by Lia Holla, Executive Director of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, brought nuclear disarmament discussions to Pugwash HS and Auburn Drive HS. Stories were shared by Peace Walkers from India, British Columbia, and Syria. Mi’kmaq water grandmother Doreen Bernard led a water ceremony.

Elementary visits by Raging Grannie and peace walker Kathrin Winkler reached Wallace Elementary, Enfield Elementary, and Le Marchand in Halifax, with presentations including Buddhist monks, an Indigenous educator, and Gandhian walkers. Over 100 letters from students to the Prime Minister were later presented to Senator Marilou MacPhedran.

Community Connections

Community members generously hosted dinners, including the Maritime Sikh Society, Vedanta Ashram Society, Maggie’s Place in Truro, Brahma Kumari friends in Carroll’s Corners, and Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Dartmouth. The Ummah Mosque in Halifax welcomed the walkers on the last day.

The DownTheMarsh Land Trust blessing was a highlight, celebrating justice and peace through historic community rebuilding for African Nova Scotians.

Sharing Stories of Activism

  • Rajagopal P.V. and Dr. Jill Carr-Harris shared peace work in India, enabling Zoom conversations with Peace Walkers there.
  • Dr. Joy Masura shared her family’s experience as Japanese Canadians during WWII.
  • Ann Verrall’s film with Elder Phyllis Googoo, “Phyllis and the Lady Bugs,” was screened during the Shubenacadie visit.

Gratitude

We thank the individuals, churches, community centres, and groups who supported this journey, including:

  • Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
  • WILPF Canada
  • Jai Jagat International
  • Science for Peace
  • Canadian Pugwash Group
  • International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada
  • ICAN
  • Peace Quest
  • Reverse The Trend
  • Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace

Voices from the Walk

Kathrin Winkler: “You can’t aspire to global peace without local justice and peace. In Nova Scotia, that means connecting to Mi’kmaw history and African Nova Scotian struggles.”

Lia Holla: “Really cool about this walk is that it’s co-led by Mi’kmaq grassroots grandmothers… The movement for nuclear disarmament is led primarily by Indigenous leaders.”

 

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People’s Parade for Life on Earth

Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace and the Raging Grannies proudly marched in the People’s Parade for Life on Earth with 36 other groups on the Halifax Waterfront.  Then we led singing at the post-parade gathering at Peace and Friendship Park.  Our message is that Peace is Essential for a Liveable Planet. Let’s turn our attention to how to stop current wars and prevent future ones.
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NO NEW FIGHTER JETS!

On April 10 and 11, 2021, Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace and the Halifax Raging Grannies called on the Canadian government to cancel the proposed purchase of 88 new fighter jets.

Fighter Jets – Fast Facts

  • In July 2019: Canadian government launched a $19 billion competition for 88 new fighter jets
  • A fighter jet is flown by one pilot and carries many bombs or missiles
  • Canadian fighter jets have illegally bombed Serbia in 1999 and have bombed Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and Syria in the past decade that have killed innocent people and destroyed civilian infrastructure
  • Former Deputy Minister of Defense Charles Nixon stated Canada does not need fighter jets as Canada does not face any credible threat and they are not necessary to protect our populace or sovereignty.
  • Fighter jets have severe environmental consequences
  • The excessive carbon emissions will cause carbon lock-in, preventing Canada from decarbonizing and meeting the Paris Agreement targets to prevent catastrophic climate change
  • We need to be investing in a Green New Deal, not new weapons that drive climate change
  • Fighter jets and COVID-19
    • Currently, 14.9 million Canadians are relying on financial assistance
    • Public funds should support a just recovery from the pandemic and strengthen the social safety net, not combat aircraft

    http://nsvow.org/

    https://nofighterjets.ca/