Despite two motions to let Iraq War Resisters stay in Canada that were adopted by the House of Commons on June 3, 2008 and March 30, 2009, the Conservative minority government ordered Mr. Watson to leave Canada on September 11, 2009. Mr. Watson appealed to the First United Church for sanctuary, and given the injustice of the Canadian government’s decision to send Mr. Watson to prison in America, the church accepted his request.

“This year of Sanctuary has been a very important pause in the unfolding application of the law, allowing critical space for upholding justice rather than simple legal process,” said Rev. Ric Matthews of Vancouver’s First United Church. “It is our deep hope that Bill C-440, the ongoing protests of those seeking justice for war resisters, and the support of the citizens of Canada will soon allow Rodney – and other war resisters – to be welcomed fully and freely into Canada.”

“To embrace those resisting war is part of out heritage, the will of the majority in Parliament and the desire of the majority of Canadians. The time in sanctuary will be well worth it if it prevents Rodney from being summarily deported and finally allows him to be given a fair opportunity to be accepted into this country,” said Rev. Matthews.

Mr. Watson is still awaiting a decision on his application to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

After completing one tour of duty in Iraq, Mr. Watson was informed that the U.S. Army was unilaterally extending his contract in order to send him back to Iraq. While serving in Iraq, Mr. Watson saw the true nature of the illegal occupation and refused to return.

“I did not return to Iraq because it is a war of aggression based on lies about weapons of mass destruction. I witnessed U.S. soldiers beating Iraqi civilians and using racist terms,” said Rodney Watson.

Rather than go to prison in the U.S. while the criminals who started the war remained free, he came to Vancouver in 2006.

With the assistance of the War resisters Support Campaign, Mr. Watson appealed for refugee status on the grounds that he faced persecution in America for his refusal to take part in an illegal occupation that involved war crimes against the people of Iraq.

Since the arrival of the first U.S. Iraq War resister Jeremy Hinzman in 2004, Canadians have opened their homes and hearts to them.

“Canadians have reacted to the arrival of War Resisters with logic and compassion, citing our history of being a place of political refuge over many generations, and have been shocked at the government’s interference in the refuge process and its refusal to honour the will of Parliament,” said Sarah Bjorknas, spokesperson for the War Resisters Support Campaign in Vancouver.

“The case of Rodney Watson living in sanctuary has become a test of national honour for many who believe that Canada’s strength is in its collective compassion,” said Bjorknas.

Mr. Watson is eagerly awaiting the upcoming House of Commons vote on Bill C-440 that will amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow U.S. Iraq War resisters to apply for permanent resident status in Canada. The second hour of Second Reading debate on Bill C-440 is scheduled for Monday, September 27 with a vote expected to take place on Wednesday, September 29.

The war in Iraq continues with over 50,000 U.S. soldiers still occupying the country. Iraqi civilians and American soldiers are still being injured and killed in combat.

A public opinion poll conducted by Angus Reid Strategies shortly after Parliament’s first vote found that 64 per cent of Canadians want the Government of Canada stop the deportations and grant permanent resident status to Iraq War resisters.

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