I dare say at least half of them were war protesters from the git-go. The deal is that you join the military, go through training, and then put on your spiffy uniform and march around bloviating about how you have had a change of heart and are now opposed to the war.
A spell of time turning big rocks into smaller rocks will let them demonstrate their dedication to the cause of peace.
What is that ancient saying I learned in the Marines: You take the kings gold, you do the kings bidding!
Without hearing their case...the Canadian court has basically forced the group to go back to the US or just disappear. They can’t leave Canada without some type of passport for another country. I’m guessing they could show up at the North Korean consulate or the Cuban consulate...and get some kind of visa...but seriously...would any idiot do such a thing?
If I were the US military...I’d offer them a simple deal...two years in prison and get them off the front pages of any newspapers. Give them the dishonorable discharge and a simple two year sentence.
Face it....its a volunteer military...if you don’t want to be around....then its your enlistment decision. Obviously, they all screwed up....so do the 3 or 4 years...and leave the service...its that simple.