US War Resisters: deportation from Canada?

Here is a link to a September 18 article on US war resisters in Canada
http://rabble.ca/news/2012/09/ prominent-canadians-jason-kenney-let-iraq-war-resister-kimberly-rivera-stay-canada#.UFk36kJRi4

Here is a link to Globe and Mail (Toronto) op-ed article by Archbishop Tutu, supporting Kim Rivera (US war resister in Canada), facing planned deportation. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/dont-deport-war-resister-kimberly-rivera/ article4544856/

September 18: here is the text of two letters to the editor in the Globe and Mail (Toronto) in response to the Archbishop Tutu op-ed supporting Kim Rivera:

In 1969, I was drafted into the U.S. Army (Don’t Deport War Resister Kimberly Rivera – Sept. 17). I didn’t have the courage to stand up and resist. As a result, I was trained as an infantry soldier and sent to Vietnam. My most vivid memories are of the children. As a father and grandfather, my military experience haunts me to this day.

It’s easy to go along with the crowd, to do as you are told. It takes massive courage to stand up to the wrongs of the world. Kimberly Rivera, by moving to Canada, showed that she has that courage.

The Canadian government should not only allow her to stay, she and her family should be congratulated for following their moral compass. Canada would have been my home – if I had the courage.

Arnold Stieber, Grass Lake, Mich.

.........

Kimberly Rivera became a conscientious objector while serving in Iraq, after witnessing the reality of this war. She even refused to carry a loaded weapon in a war zone. Her objections spring from religious convictions.

On the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, we are reminded of a significant development that took place during that conflict: Canada’s recognition of the right of conscientious objection.

Canada has a long tradition of welcoming conscientious objectors. John Graves Simcoe’s enactment of the Militia Act of 1793 recognized “scruples of conscience.” This tradition of respect for conscientious objection to war has become a part of Canada’s identity and international reputation.

The UN Commission on Human Rights recognizes that “persons performing military service should not be excluded from the right to have conscientious objection to military service” and that “persons performing military service may develop conscientious objection.”

Canada should recognize the rights of Kimberly Rivera and her family.

Ruth Pincoe, Ginny Walsh, co-chairs, Toronto Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Below, a photo of Kimberly and her son at the Labor Day Parade: