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B.C. doctor ends 2-week fast to protest proposed fighter jets purchase

Part of Canadian campaign to have the money used for other purposes
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For the first seven days of his protest fast, Langley doctor Brendan Martin spent six hours every day in Langley CityB次元官网网址檚 Douglas Park with protest signs. He was part of a cross-Canada campaign against fighter jet funding (Special to Black Press Media)

Langley doctor Brendan Martin ended his two-week fast a few minutes after midnight on Saturday, April 24, with a bowl of chick pea and leek soup and some vegetables run through a juicer.

B次元官网网址淚 just had a very small serving,B次元官网网址 Martin told Black Press Media.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 all I could take.B次元官网网址

By then, the Brookswood resident was 21 pounds lighter and very tired.

He was part of a Canada-wide protest against federal government plans to buy 88 new fighter jets for up to $19 billion, organized by the B次元官网网址淣o Fighter Jets CoalitionB次元官网网址 of peace, justice, and faith groups across Canada.

They argue buying new fighter jets is fiscally irresponsible when the federal government is running a $268-billion deficit during the pandemic, and the fighter jet money would be better spent on other things.

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Martin spent six hours a day during the first week of his fast under the shelter of the bandstand at Langley CityB次元官网网址檚 Douglas Park, with signs explaining the protest.

He said only a small percentage of people passing through the park opted to investigate and speak with him.

B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 a reflection that people are not aware of the fighter jets issue,B次元官网网址 Martin suggested.

Those who spoke to him were supportive, with a single exception.

B次元官网网址淥ne shook his head and said he didnB次元官网网址檛 support it, and walked away,B次元官网网址 Martin related.

He said another man went on a one-day fast to show support.

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A street ministry that usually conducts services in the same bandstand proved willing to share the space and even included some words of support with their scriptures, Martin said.

It was his first protest fast, and he believes it did have an impact.

B次元官网网址淚t certainly has created awareness across Canada,B次元官网网址 he commented.

B次元官网网址淚t has kind of turbo-charged our coalition.B次元官网网址

Martin urged supporters to write two-sentence letters to their federal politicians and the prime minister saying B次元官网网址渄o not purchase fighter jets. Speak up in parliament against this purchase.B次元官网网址

More information can be found at .

The federal government is looking for a new fighter aircraft to , keeping them in the air by buying second-hand jets and parts from Australia.

Three replacements are currently under consideration: the Boeing Super Hornet, an updated version of the CF-18, the Swedish-engineered Saab Gripen, and the Lockheed Martin F-35, which was developed by a consortium of countries including Canada.


Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, IB次元官网网址檓 the guy youB次元官网网址檒l often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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