| A group of local artists, lead by renowned playwright Stephen Massicotte, has launched a public campaign opposing war in Iraq.
Massicotte, Theatre Calgary's writer-in-residence, says he started the campaign because he wanted to "stand up and be counted" among those opposed to a potential U.S.-lead invasion of Iraq.
"I'm pretty distressed about the state of the world and the fact there may be a war – an unjust war," Massicotte says. "I think many people think there is nothing they can do about it, and I thought this is something I can do. Even if it's just to be counted, then I think it's worth it."
He circulated an e-mail through Calgary's artistic community and three days later, he had more than 100 people signed on in support.
The group took out a full-page advertisement in Fast Forward promoting a peaceful solution to the Iraq-U.S. tensions through the use of non-violence, an initiative that gathered media attention throughout the city.
Massicotte is careful to point out that he doesn't support Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, but he doesn't think war will benefit Iraq.
"This (war) is not a way to solve terrorism and not a way to stabilize the Middle East. In fact, I think it will do the opposite," Massicotte says. "This is a war for oil… and it’s going to hurt hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis."
Massicotte says he was inspired to start the campaign partly by his research into the history of the West's involvement in the Middle East for an upcoming play, and partly by similar actions by artists in the United States.
He also says he knows some people will disregard the campaign because it comes from artists, rather than so-called experts. However, he adds, such criticism misses the point.
"We're actors and theatre people. People are going to say 'What do they know?'" he says. "I'm not an expert…. It's something anyone can (understand) by reading the paper and using a library card."
Ultimately, Massicotte says he simply wants to be heard.
"Three days and a Hotmail account, and look what we've done. I think that's kind of proof something can be done and I hope it snowballs and somebody will pick it up.
"If you're for the war, then be for it. If you're against it then be against it and be heard…. This is scary shit. Nobody wants to think about it. I don't want to think about it. But you need to stand up and get in the game." |
