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Deserters Fleeing War Go North—Again

In Canada, AWOL troops join forces with Vietnam draft-dodgers

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Mar 17, 2008 3:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – Iraq war deserters aren't crossing the Canadian border in VW buses, but they are trickling across—and connecting with Vietnam draft dodgers who made the same trek 4 decades ago. About 200 Iraq resisters have migrated north, the Washington Post reports. Some grew disillusioned in Baghdad; others went AWOL from boot camp. And both generations are lobbying the Canadian government to let the younger ones stay.

Ottawa must decide whether fighting in a non-UN-sanctioned war qualifies conscientious objectors for permanent residency; Canadian courts have denied them asylum. Today's deserters don't have society behind them, but many have a lawyer who's one of the 25,000 Americans who took shelter in Canada during the Vietnam war and stayed. "This movement has crystallized a movement that didn't know it even existed," says the Toronto attorney.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (2)]

The skyline of Toronto, Ontario Canada. (Shutterstock.com)

An Anti Vietnam war rally is seen in this archival photo. (Magnum Photos)

A US soldier of 3rd Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry secures the area during a military operation at Al-leg area about 60 kilometers (40 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday, March 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Anti Vietnam war protesters holding their posters outside White House in this archival photo. (Magnum Photos)

A US soldier of 3rd Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry Division aims his rifle beside a military vehicle during a patrol at Al-leg, Iraq, March 10, 2008. ( AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (AP Photo)

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U.S. military deserters seek refuge in Canada (ProAmericanBriton (YouTube))

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Deserters Fleeing War Go North—Again