NAL libya Niagara event, march
Hello Niagara – Join The Discussion This March 10 On The Crisis In Libya. What Can We In This Region, As Global Neighbours, Do To Help?
Niagara At Large is posting this advance on a “mini-march and open discussion” taking place in St. Catharines, Ontario this coming Thursday, March 10 on the ongoing crisis in Libya, and the fight for people in that country for the same rights and freedoms that we too often take for granted here in Canada.
We include an introduction by Susan Howard-Azzeh, a piece activist and brave member of our Niagara community when it comes to human rights issues for peoples in the Middle Easte, and below that, the information on the March 10 event.)
A Note from Susan Howard-Azzeh
The Canadian Libyan Human Rights Committee, based in St. Catharines, Ontario, and peace activists invite you to an open discussion regarding the crisis in Libya. Peace activists and Canadian Libyans are having an on-going conversation regarding what is the best course of action to prevent further loss of life in Libya.
Niagara peace activist Susan Howard-Azzeh
It is a complicated situation. On Friday, March 4, Mostafa Abduljalil, the Chair of the Transitional Revolutionary Council from the Eastern city of Benigazi, asked the international community via BBC-Arabic for a no-fly zone.
What does that actually entail? What are the consequences of a no-fly zone?
Many people both in Libya and in Canada feel that a no-fly zone is military interference in a soverign country, which could open the door for foreign militaries to enter Libya but not leave. For example, the USA entered Iraq apparently on a humanitarian mission to remove Saddam Hussein, supposedly at the request of some human rights activists in Iraq. Yet years later the US is still in Iraq, the country is in ruins and the Lancet has reported the loss of more than a million civilians.
What began as peaceful protests in Libya to oust Moammar Gadhafi has quickly deteriorated into civil war. What are the options for peace, prosperity and democracy? Come join the conversation.
THE CRISIS IN LIBYA – MINI-MARCH AND OPEN DISCUSSION
MINI-MARCH
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2011
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Meet at the steps of St. Catharines City Hall, 50 Church St., St. Catharines, ON.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Centennial Library, Rotary and Bankers Rooms, 54 Church and James St., St. Catharines, ON.
How the evening will unfold:
1. Please meet us for a brief rally and march around Church, King and James Sts led by Niagara youth concerned by the loss of life in Libya.
2. Then join us for hot chocolate, coffee and an open discussion at the Library. Speakers will give a brief background on the situation in Libya. Then together with Niagara residents, Canadian Libyans, and peace activists we will discuss the situation and explore solutions to the current crisis.
Speakers:
Khaled Elghul, Chairperson, Canadian Libyan Human Rights Committee
Zainab Rlghul, Youth Member, Canadian Libyan Human Rights Committee
Saleh Waziruddin, Niagara Coalition for Peace
Susan Howard-Azzeh, Niagara Coalition for Peace
Other speakers to be confirmed.
We anticipate respectful discussion. Anyone behaving in a disruptive manner will be asked to leave.
Hosted by: the Canadian Libyan Human Rights Committee CLHRC
All welcome.
(Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary of interest and concern to residents in our greater Niagara region and beyond.)
Niagara At Large 
The U.S used the “Weapons Of Mass Destruction” pretext to violate international law and invade Iraq.
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Gadhafi is a brutal dictator and Libya under his rule is a rogue state. A no fly zone is the first step with options to intercede by force if necessary. There is no peaceful solution when confronted with pure evil.
The west has squandered opportunities of creating good will in the Arab world so is now gun shy about intervening. Other than the “usual suspects” of other rogue states, consensus can be achieved throughout the world community to justify a multi-national force of arms. The first objective is to stabilize the country then assist in establishing a Libyans born democratic solution.
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I remain in opposition to any western interference in Libya. In the first sense it is highly unlikely the U.N. Security Council would support such an action because Russian and China would oppose. A NATO undertaking has absolutely no basis in legitimacy and would be fraught with danger.
The better way in this situation is for mediation. Hugo Chavez offered to participate in a mediation effort and the suggestion that President Jimmy Carter be approached. Both have experience in international mediation. According to a 2009 University of Maryland poll, Chavez is the most popular leader among the Arab population in the Middle East; more appreciated than any leader from the region.
The likelihood is that any such mediation would result in a stepping down of Moammar Gadhafi so it is questionable why the opposition rejects outright a mediation process especially so when the alternative may very well be a civil war. Let’s give peace a chance.
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What about the Arab League?
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