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Article link/Kitchener Waterloo Record: http://www.therecord.com/home_page_local_story/home_page_local_story_1102227.html
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N.B. group behind anti-yellow ribbon campaign
Updated Fri. Sep. 28 2007 10:26 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Fredericton's mayor is calling a peace coalition misguided as the group pressures local businesses to stop displaying yellow decals calling for support of Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
Mayor Brad Woodside says the group is focusing its criticism on local proprietors when it should be lobbying the government.
"When you ask people to take down the yellow ribbon that says support our troops, I think we're really going after the wrong people," Woodside told CTV Atlantic.
"If you have a problem with what the military is doing, then go after the politicians."
Tracey Glynn is a member of the Fredericton Peace Coalition and says that wearing a "Support Our Troops" yellow ribbon trumpets positive support for the war.
"I think by putting the yellow ribbon on or wearing the red shirt, you're being a cheerleader for the war," Glynn said.
Glynn says members of the coalition have threatened to withdraw support of local businesses if they continue to display the decals. The group's intention is to reignite the debate over the war in Afghanistan.
"We'll be launching a take down your ribbon campaign in October, just before the sixth anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan," Glynn told CTV Atlantic.
Cathy Delong is responsible for the visible sea of yellow around Fredericton. After being inspired by the support of another New Brunswick town, Delong went door to door asking residents and business owners to display their support for Canadian troops.
"If (the coalition) doesn't want to support the troops and their families, leave the people alone who want to do it," Delong said.
The decision to show support for the Canadian Armed Forces with the decals has not been without controversy in other parts of the country.
In August, Ottawa police began displaying the yellow ribbons on their cruisers causing some civic politicians to vocally oppose the plan.
While in Vancouver police allow the decals on their patrol cars, in Calgary, police have been prohibited from displaying the decals by the city.
In June, a similar backlash to the yellow ribbons occurred in Toronto when emergency personnel were ordered to take down decals on city-owned EMS, ambulance or fire vehicles.
City council voted unanimously on a motion to indefinitely extend the use of decals after concerned veterans voiced their complaints to city hall.
Canadian troops are in Afghanistan as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force. Seventy-one Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died since the combat mission began in 2002.
With a report from CTV Atlantic's Erin O'Hallahan
Tracey Glynn seems to like talking to the media, quite a bit when she can. It is a shame, she can not seperate her political views, from the views of support others have for the troops.
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