George W. Bush is speaking at a breakfast gathering of CEOs and Executives from across the country at the Toronto Hilton on September 20th. He is there to raise money -- the intention being several million dollars -- to support a right-wing Evangelical Toronto-based College named Tyndale. The event has been made possible due to the support of Prem Watsa, CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings who also happens to be a supporter of Tyndale.
A number of people who once crossed paths with Tyndale -- which used to attract a broader range of folks from liberal peace activists inspired by the likes of Dorothy Day, the Berrigan Brothers or John Dear to more conservative anabaptist folks -- are appalled by this and wish to protest what they see as a betrayal of some of the fundamental principles of their faith (you know, the stuff about not killing millions of innocent civilians, not torturing others, not pillaging the earth... all that).
However, there is no need to limit the number of people who wish to object to the presence of George W. Bush in this city. Come one, come all. No need to make war criminals feel welcome. And no need for those who enrich war criminals, while also making money off of them, to feel welcome. Be as creative or as confrontational as you want.
Due to some rapid mobilization and a negative media campaign, this event has now been canceled.
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