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London Free Press
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/12/27/4740962-sun.html
Martin Schoots-McAlpine is at the helm of a group protesting military recruiting in local schools.
By PATRICK MALONEY, SUN MEDIA
A teenage London activist wants you to join his campaign to end in-school recruiting by the Canadian Forces.
Martin Schoots-McAlpine, a student who has protested the practice at London's South secondary school, is looking for teens from across the city to be part of a group that will hold similar demonstrations at other city high schools.
"We need to be extremely critical of the people that are in charge of the military," said the 18-year-old, whose group is called the Student Network Against Recruitment in London (SNARL).
A scheduled October visit to South by a Canadian Forces recruiter so irked Schools-McAlpine, he organized his own simultaneous counter-recruitment event.
Originally opposed by school administrators, he was ultimately allowed to hold his counter-event.
Now, through the social networking website Facebook.com, he's started SNARL, attracting about 100 members so far -- and some fierce criticism.
Another London student apparently considers SNARL a cyber shot across the bow and, in response, has started his own Facebook page, the Student Association for Respecting our Military.
The page includes a rebuke of Schoots-McAlpine and his views on the military.
"If you were smart, knew how to debate (which you claim you do) and knew how to present a problem well . . . you would show both sides of the story," the page's administrator wrote.
"Why are you covering up the good side (of enlisting)?"
The military had no criticism of SNARL's efforts.
"It (protest) happens from time to time and that's the beauty of our democracy. Even if it's against us, that's perfectly fine," said Capt. Holly Brown of the Canadian Forces recruiting group.
"We've been (going into schools) for years and years and years. We're going in just like any other employer, to offer career options. We're not actively recruiting, we're not signing anyone up."
To join SNARL, enter its full name into Facebook.
Schoots-McAlpine can also be reached at Snarllondon@gmail.com
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/12/27/4740962-sun.html
Martin Schoots-McAlpine is at the helm of a group protesting military recruiting in local schools.
By PATRICK MALONEY, SUN MEDIA
A teenage London activist wants you to join his campaign to end in-school recruiting by the Canadian Forces.
Martin Schoots-McAlpine, a student who has protested the practice at London's South secondary school, is looking for teens from across the city to be part of a group that will hold similar demonstrations at other city high schools.
"We need to be extremely critical of the people that are in charge of the military," said the 18-year-old, whose group is called the Student Network Against Recruitment in London (SNARL).
A scheduled October visit to South by a Canadian Forces recruiter so irked Schools-McAlpine, he organized his own simultaneous counter-recruitment event.
Originally opposed by school administrators, he was ultimately allowed to hold his counter-event.
Now, through the social networking website Facebook.com, he's started SNARL, attracting about 100 members so far -- and some fierce criticism.
Another London student apparently considers SNARL a cyber shot across the bow and, in response, has started his own Facebook page, the Student Association for Respecting our Military.
The page includes a rebuke of Schoots-McAlpine and his views on the military.
"If you were smart, knew how to debate (which you claim you do) and knew how to present a problem well . . . you would show both sides of the story," the page's administrator wrote.
"Why are you covering up the good side (of enlisting)?"
The military had no criticism of SNARL's efforts.
"It (protest) happens from time to time and that's the beauty of our democracy. Even if it's against us, that's perfectly fine," said Capt. Holly Brown of the Canadian Forces recruiting group.
"We've been (going into schools) for years and years and years. We're going in just like any other employer, to offer career options. We're not actively recruiting, we're not signing anyone up."
To join SNARL, enter its full name into Facebook.
Schoots-McAlpine can also be reached at Snarllondon@gmail.com