Widows on a Warpath demand justice for chemical spraying victims

http://www.globaltoronto.com/Widows+Warpath+demand+justice+chemical+spraying+victims/3611258/story.html

OROMOCTO, NB – Widows of soldiers affected by the deadly chemical Agent Orange held a protest outside CFB Gagetown on Friday.

The group Widows on a Warpath are fighting against what they believe is unfair compensation for the victims of chemical spraying.

Agent Orange and other deadly herbicides were tested at CFB Gagetown in the 1960s and 1970s.

In 2007 the government agreed to pay $20,000 to the families of those who fell ill or died from the sprayings – but only if the victims fell ill within certain guidelines.

The widows say that everyone affected by Agent Orange needs to be compensated.

“We want Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harper to know that we’re no finished with this,” says the head of Widows on a Warpath Bette Hudson.

“We will continue,” says Hudson, “because we want justice for our husbands, and that’s all we’ve wanted from the beginning – justice for our husbands and our families.”

As of now, only women whose husbands became ill or died before the cut off date of February 2006 are eligible for compensation.

The protestors also said Friday that they want Veterans Ombudsman Pat Stogran reinstated.
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