On this Tuesday November the 19th, I will be putting forward a motion to condemn the white poppy campaign before CUSA Council. Its a motion that has attracted a great deal of controversy on campus, and there are some who have accused me of playing politics with Remembrance Day and our veterans. But to me, its not about politics. Its about the fact that, according to the Globe and Mail, the Red Poppy Campaign raises around $14 million to assist those men and women that have fought for our country. It goes towards helping our veterans pay for such basic necessities as dental and eye care, meals, shelter, and vital medical prescriptions. To some people Remembrance Day may just be about politics or an opportunity for creative self-expression, but for countless veterans in our country, the red poppy campaign is something real, something that matters in their day to day lives. By stigmatising the Red Poppy campaign as something that glorifies war and bloodlust, we are attacking a campaign that we know factually aids our veterans who are in many cases in important need. At the council meeting on the 19th at 6:00 in 608 Robertson Hall, I am going to take a stand for a depoliticised Remembrance Day, and take a stand for a campaign that goes towards helping countless veterans in need, and that provides a symbol worn by a silent majority of Canadians, around 18 million according to figures cited in the press. Some will condemn me, but I will make that stand with pride, and I know many other councillors will make that stand with me. And in making that stand, I will always bear in mind, its not about me, its about the veterans for whom this is more than politics, this is real life. On the 19th, I hope you will make that stand with me.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 03:31:31 +0000
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