Stop the Imminent Deportation of US War Resisters

Stop the Imminent Deportation of US War Resisters: Cross Canada Actions
via Chris Web, Canadian Dimension blogs, July 10, 2008.

This from the Canadian War Resisters Support Campaign

War Resister Robin Long is being held in jail in Nelson, B.C. and is threatened with deportation to the United States on Monday, July 14.

Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has told Long they intend to deport him as early as next Monday. This was a shocking revelation to Mr. Long and his counsel. At what was expected to be a routine detention hearing, it was revealed that a negative decision had been issued on his Pre-Removal Risk Assessment in early May; however, it was never communicated to either Long or his lawyer.

Bob Ages of the War Resisters Support Campaign said, “This is the closest thing Canada has seen to Extraordinary Rendition since Maher Arar was spirited to Syria. This is a violation of every principle of natural justice.”

War resister Corey Glass is facing removal proceedings on Thursday, July 10. Actions are planned across the country on that date to stop the deportation proceedings. (Update: The Federal Court has granted a temporary stay to Glass in a ruling handed down today by Deputy Justice Orville Frenette.)

This is a critical week in the campaign to win asylum for Iraq war resisters in Canada. In spite of a Parliamentary motion calling on the federal government to allow war resisters to stay; in spite of a positive court decision in Joshua Key’s refugee case which calls into question the decisions made by the Immigration and Refugee Board in these cases; and in spite of overwhelming public opinion in support of permanent resident status for war resisters, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Immigration Minister Diane Finley appear set to act against the wishes of Canadians and deport Corey Glass and Robin Long.

Corey and Robin are the first of a growing number of Iraq war resisters who are facing removal proceedings. Every action taken between now and July 10 can make a big difference to the fate of these young men and women and their families. Please take the time to make as many phone calls, send as many emails and write as many letters as you can, and then join an action on July 10.

Let the government know that it is time they start representing the will of Canadians and stop acting as the enforcement arm of the Bush administration.

What you can do:

Call and email Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
613.992.4211
pm@pm.gc.ca

Call and email Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley.
613.996.4974
finley.d@parl.gc.ca
finled1@parl.gc.ca

ACTIONS:

If you are in WINNIPEG, there’s a vigil at the Manitoba Legislature July 10, beginning at 8:00 PM.

CALGARY
Street polling in front of CityTV
5pm to 6:30pm (Southeast corner of 5th St and 7th Ave SW)

LONDON
Rally for Resisters
5 pm at Central & Richmond
(NW Corner of Victoria Park),
London War Resisters Support group londonresisters@yahoo.ca
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=17192754751&ref=mf

MIDLAND
Meet at 11.00am on Thursday, July 10 outside the library on King St to leaflet and protest Corey Glass’s deportation, scheduled for that day.
Organized by Peaceworks Midland.

ORILLIA
Meet in the Peace Garden with signs and sandwiches at lunch-hour.

TORONTO
Human Chain stretching from the Federal Court to U.S. Consulate
Thursday, July 10
4:30pm to 6:00pm
Northwest corner of Queen Street West and University Avenue
TTC: Osgoode Station
Bring banners and placards!

VANCOUVER
Rush hour rally in support of U.S. War Resisters
July 10, 2008 , 5:30-6:30 pm
Canada Immigration offices at 300 W. Georgia St (corner of W. Georgia and
Hamilton St.)
info: vanresisters@yahoo.ca