Owen Sound Residents to Join Nationwide Day of Action Demanding Arms Embargo on Israel
Local residents will join the June 5 national Day of Action calling for a full arms embargo on Israel with a demonstration outside MP Alex Ruff’s office.
On Thursday, June 5, from 1:00–2:00 PM, concerned residents of Owen Sound will gather outside MP Alex Ruff’s constituency office to participate in a nationwide Day of Action organized by the Arms Embargo Now campaign.
This coordinated, cross-country effort calls on the Canadian government to take immediate and meaningful action by enacting a full two-way arms embargo on Israel.
The demonstration in Owen Sound will mirror similar actions happening in Port Elgin and Collingwood, and across Canada, with residents delivering a formal Mandate Letter to their MP.
The letter outlines the current state of Canada’s arms trade with Israel and urges elected officials to help end Canada’s complicity in what international human rights experts have called a genocide in Gaza.
“Israel has now killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, including over 17,400 children,” said local organizer Tamara Sargent. “Canada cannot continue to buy or sell weapons to a country committing genocide, while claiming to stand for international law and human rights. We’re demanding concrete action, not just words.”
Participants are calling on MP Ruff to advocate within his party to:
Use Canada’s unilateral sanction legislation to urgently impose a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel.
Cancel all permits for transfers of arms, parts, and components to Israel and end all direct shipments immediately.
End indirect transfers of arms to Israel through the United States by banning Canadian arms from being sent as military aid to Israel or being sold by the US to Israel. Require end-use assurances for all arms transferred to the US to not end up in Israel.
Cancel all contracts and planned purchases of military goods from Israel.
Update Canada’s procurement code of conduct to include measures that prevent the purchase of arms from companies involved in Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid system, and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.
The call for an arms embargo has gained momentum following a joint statement issued by the governments of Canada, France, and the UK on May 19, which criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “intolerable,” “disproportionate,” and potentially in breach of international law.
Organizers stress that this action is part of a broader grassroots movement for peace, justice, and accountability. “We stand against Israeli occupation, apartheid and human rights violations,” said Sargent. “It’s time our government did too.”
Media are invited to attend. Visuals will include banners, signage, and the formal letter delivery. Interviews with organizers and participants will be available on-site.
Submitted by Tamara Roma Sargent
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