Grannie Judith and Grannie Ria The umbrella signifies the amount of protection that Missile Defence will provide in reality. Other Grannies present: Rosalie, Virginia, and Alma - with Webgran Corinne as the "official photographer".

Five Grannies joined  many other citizens from the Green Party, the NDP and the CAP, plus others not party affiliated, to oppose the Harper plan and Martin's flirting with involving Canada in the US Star Wars project.  Our huge banner "MISGUIDED MEN MAKE GUIDED MISSILES" and other appropriately worded placards festooned the busy corner of Somerset and Bank Streets at noon on Saturday June 12.  Grannies sang, of course, "MISSILE ENVY " during which the "biggest missile" was prominently displayed by one of the Grannies, as she swept aside her apron.  We also sang STAR WARS, and WHOA CANADA* and held our Raging Grannie umbrella over our heads to illustrate what level of "Defence" we can expect! Between songs and speeches we handed out information pamphlets about MISSILE "DEFENCE" to passers by. Many accepted the leaflets, though some refused. It was heartening, too, to hear the numbers of Honks as drivers supported our message. To our surprise the Police were conspicuous by their absence, which in any case would not have been a deterrant.

plus a small group of NOWAR people were outside of the Westin Hotel early in the morning to 'welcome' the participants arriving for the Canadian-Israeli Weapons Industry Conference.

Yes indeed, although Canada does not approve of the Occupation in Palestine  the business has to go on!!! Not surprisingly Mr. Art Eggleton was the Chair of the Conference.

Although we were just a small group it was still worthwhile to be an 'irritant', I feel.  The Media was there and took pictures and interviewed some of us.  Our WALL was made of some large sheets and some great banners all taped together, and Corinne had made a wonderful Humpty Dumpty Puppet ('EGG'leton), that sat atop it, with captions, "The Dishonourable Eggs Eggleton" and "Free Run Tax Thief".  A few good signs helped as well to get the message out.

After an hour some Palestinian activists arrived; they brought pamphlets which we handed out.

We had good songs and chants, from peaceful to 'angry' ones and we sang  with great enthusiasm.  The weather was good, so we lasted for a few hours

The fun thing was that the police came to us when we arrived and said that they had received an order from the Westin to remove us, since they  OWNED the sidewalk, up to one foot from the edge!!!   They also said that a military parade was coming by; if we did not move we would be removed and charged.

The whole group discussed it, decided to stay and if necessary be arrested.  But the police left us alone and were quite friendly to us. Did they feel embarrassed about it??

 By Grannie Ria

 by Grannie Alma

and by Grannie Jeanette

March 20-2004: Global Day of Action Against War and Occupation

We gathered on the Hill at the Flame at 1:00 PM. There were between 1000-1500demonstrators on a very cold, windy, snowy  day.  Among the large crowd were NDP candidates, Project Ploughshares members, many young people, and parents carrying children in back carriers, as well as representatives from many churches and religious groups. These included Women for Peace who hold a weekly peace vigil on Parliament Hill every Wedesday at noon ( they’re the ones who wear the green scarves), and representatives from World Religions for Peace, an umbrella group which includes a variety of faiths.

After some speeches (very short) and a writer reciting his poem (very moving) the Grannies Jo, Rosalie, Alma and Ria sang the song "When Nobody Marches Off To War" and gave out some copies to the audience to sing along.

Some Grannies took part in the march going from the Hill toward the British Embassy (Grannie Jeanette was one), DND (speech), Market and ending at the US Embassy, where some people spoke, one from War Resisters USA and a person from Haiti. 

A 'Peace Celebration' started at 3:00 PM in the Rainbow Bistro. Grannies Jo, Alma, Virginia, Tudy, and Ria sang the 'Tears for the Bride' song in the skit "Marriage of Martin and Bush".