EDMONTON - Michael Kalmanovitch might not be allowed to sell white poppies this Remembrance Day, but that hasn't stopped him from keeping the message of the controversial flower alive.
According to peace activists, the accessory was an option for Canadians who didn't want to glorify war but still felt compelled to honour those who have died in combat. It was also meant to remember civilian casualties.
Veterans, however, saw it as a symbol of disrespect. As a result, the Royal Canadian Legion took legal action to end the sale of the flowers saying they infringed on copyright of the red version.
Although Kalmanovitch had to stop selling the poppies -- which originated in England in 1933 -- in 2006, he has come up with a compromise: remove the black centre of red poppies and replace them with tiny peace signs.
"A lot of people see the red poppy as something that glorifies war," he said.
The demand for a poppy that sends a dual message remains high, he added.
When he was able to sell the white flowers from Earth's General Store, his shop in Edmonton, he went through about 800.
This year he got e-mails from people in British Columbia and Manitoba wondering if he would have them available for this Nov. 11.
Instead, peaceniks are encouraged to tromp up the stairs to his store and use the supplies on his front counter for free to create the poppy peace signs.
"We're not selling anything," he said. "But you can do your own poppy if you like.
