On being a refugee from America in 1969 and today

My husband and I had been looking for hope to live in a peace in 1969 and we found it in Canada.

On Woodstock weekend 1969 we were in the New York City Port of Authority catching a bus to Toronto. There were hundreds of young people like ourselves also in the bus terminal but trying to get to Woodstock. We would have liked to have gone there too, but we were leaving America in order for my husband to not go to Viet Nam. He had orders to report to California at the end of August as an infantry soldier. We were 21 and 23 when we came to Canada, married only a year. He had been a Conscientious Objector, going through all the steps and been denied by the blue haired ladies on the draft board. Then he was a draft dodger, keeping the Justice department informed of his whereabouts with letters of protest of the war. He was finally picked up from the hospital when he had a at work accident and after spending some time in jail to be extradited, went into the army. He wanted to be able to perform no combative duties but that was not to be.

Trudeau had just made it possible in May 1969 for American deserters against the war to be able to come for sanctuary in Canada.

It was such a tremendous experience to walk off the bus and see the tall buildings of Toronto. I had believed there would be smaller city and everyone would be speaking French.

My husband had friends here already who were draft dodgers. They helped us as well as the AMEX - a group for war protesters. We found many Canadians to be helpful and so supportive.



Early 2008 I met Maria Rivera. I saw myself 40 years ago when I spoke to her. She and her husband had to make a decision like my husband and I, to go to Canada for their belief that a war was too unjust to fight in it,

It is not easy going to another country, not knowing anyone and the possibility of never seeing your parents, siblings and friends again.



Maria does face a harder situation. My husband had the Canadian government on his side in 1969. This time around it is in reverse. The difference though that helps in Maria's case is the written word as in the Internet. This wonderful tool of technology has enabled truth and justice to be heard instantly. Through the Internet groups like War Resistors Support Campaign, Canadian Council for Refugees and Ammesty International were able to help her. Canadians sent their emails and calls to Parliament.



The other good sign is Barack Obama being elected in America. If he had not been elected I think Maria would not have been granted a stay of removal just recently given by the Federal Court of Canada. Americans are realizing that going to war with Iraq was not a good choice. I hope Maria and her family will be able to stay in Canada like my husband and me.