No One Is Illegal Strategy Meeting

(Le français suit; El español sigue)

Location: Jack Purcell Community Centre, Room 101 (Elgin at Jack Purcell Lane, across from Minto Park)
Date: Wednesday, June 4th 2008
Time: 6:30pm
Style: Potluck! (bring something if you can, but come by whether you can or not)

Dear community members,

Several activists have been meeting through the winter months to lay the groundwork for a No One is Illegal-Ottawa collective. Like NOII collectives in other cities (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, etc), we want to challenge racist, neo-imperialist immigrant and refugee policies, as well as linking these to ongoing forms of colonialism.

We invite all community members who share a concern with these local and global struggles to join us for a potluck dinner to strategize what a viable NOII-Ottawa would look like, and how it could connect with and support local issues and needs faced by communities in Ottawa (for example, how these challenges might be rooted in local issues/needs.)
**

Endroit : Centre Communautaire Jack Purcell, Salle 101 (rue Elgin, en face du Parc Minto)
Date : le mercredi, 4 juin 2008
Heure : 18h30
Style : ‘Potluck’ ou souper-partage (amener quelque chose si vous pouvez, mais sinon, venez quand même)

Chers membres de la communauté,

Depuis l’hiver, quelques militant-es se rencontrent pour planifier la formation d’un collectif Personne n’est illégal-Ottawa. Comme dans l’esprit des collectifs dans plusieurs autres villes canadiannes, tels qu’à Montréal, Vancouver et Toronto, le but du collectif à Ottawa serait de militer contre les politiques racistes et néo-impérialistes de l’état canadien en ce qui trait aux réfugiés et aux immigrants, en plus de faire les liens avec ces politiques et les formes de colonialisme qui continuent à nous affecter.

Nous invitons tous ceux et celles qui partagent nos préoccupations avec ces luttes locales et globales de nous joindre pour un souper-partage pendant lequel nous envisageons discuter et planifier quel rôle un collectif Personne n’est illégal-Ottawa pourrait jouer dans ces luttes. Nous voulons particulièrement considérer comment un tel collectif pourrait être basé dans les besoins et enjeux locaux, exprimé par les communautés les plus affectées par ces enjeux.
**

Lugar: Jack Purcell Community Centre, sala 101 (calle Elgin con Jack Purcell Lane, frente al parque Minto)

Fecha: miercoles, 4 de junio del 2008

Hora: 6:30pm

Estilo: Potluck (traiga algo para comer si puede, pero sino es posible, será bienvenid@ de todas formas)


Estimad@s miembr@s de nuestras comunidades,

Un grupo de activistas han estado reuniéndose durante el invierno para preparar el establecimiento de un colectivo No One Is Illegal-Ottawa (Nadie es Ilegal-Ottawa). Tal como colectivos NOII en otras ciudades (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, y otras), queremos resistir políticas canadienses de migración que son racistas y neo-imperialistas, vinculándolas con formas de colonialismo aún vigentes en este país.

Invitamos a tod@s miembr@s de la comunidad que comparten nuestra preocupación con estas luchas locales y globales que nos juntemos a cenar, para desarrollar estrategias y visiones para como funcionaría un colectivo NOII-Ottawa, y cómo este colectivo pueda vincularse y apoyar a las luchas, necesidades, y desafíos que están enfrentando nuestras comunidades en Ottawa.

www.noii-ottawa.blogspot.com

OPP Out of Tyendinaga!

**URGENT**

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, 9:30 am Monday morning, April 28th

We have just been informed by the Tyendinaga Mohawk community spokespeople that SWAT teams are amassing now on the Deseronto and Slash Roads, bordering the Tyendinaga quarry reclamation site.

Community spokesperson Jason Maracle has just been told by the OPP to pull people out of the quarry because they are going in.

Tyendinaga Support Committee
support.tmt@gmail.com

For up-to-date information, please visit- http://www.ocap.ca/supporttmt.html

-------------------------------------------------

CALL THE PREMIER! CALL THE PREMIER! CALL THE PREMIER! CALL THE PREMIER!

Please call the premier's office immediately and urge them to:

-Honour Mohawk land, call off the OPP: Do not risk people's lives for a gravel pit the government has already acknowledged is on Mohawk land!

-Release all First Nations political prisoners!

Premier Dalton McGuinty: 416-325-1941 (phone)
416-325-3745 (fax)
daltonmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca

-------------------------------------------------

Yesterday's Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FROM TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY:

Ontario Jails Five More First Nations People Involved in Land Struggles

(Sunday, April 27, 2008 -Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) Five men from Tyendinaga are in jail today bringing the total number of First Nations people in Ontario jails for defending their land to 12.

Ontario, it appears, has opted for the incarceration of First Nations people over the resolution of outstanding land issues as their status quo.

As for the Ontario Provincial Police, it appears the adoption of Justice Linden's Ipperwash Inquiry recommendations is experiencing some delay. While in custody at the Napanee Detachment several different officers
repeatedly informed Shawn Brant that they were going to "slit his throat" and that he was a "dead man."

This followed a similarly disturbing incident that occurred on Monday, April 22nd during the road closures in Deseronto when an officer on the scene clearly and audibly commented to her colleagues "we should just shoot them (Mohawks) all."

Meanwhile, road closures continue in Tyendinaga and Six Nations until, as one man said, "We finish the job."

Spokesperson: Jay Maracle: 613-243-4993

- 30 -

Abdullah Almalki Speaks

Canadian Complicity in Torture: Almalki's Struggle

March 6, University of Ottawa

Ottawa resident Abdullah Almalki has been the center of intense media attention over the past years. On a visit to Syria to see his late grandmother, who was extremely ill at the time, Mr. Almalki was detained and severely tortured in Syria. The Arar Commission report gives a detailed account of the horrendous events that Almalki was subject to in Syrian prisons. Additionally, it established that the RCMP sent Syrian intelligence questions to interrogate Abdullah Almalki by proxy.

This lecture will give you the chance to hear Mr. Almalki's story first hand.

What: Canadian Complicity in Torture: Almalki's Struggle

Where: University of Ottawa, Fauteux building, Hall 147

When: Thursday, March 6 at 11:30 AM

For more information contact: muslimlaw@gmail.com


Complicité du gouvernement canadien pour la torture: Les tribulations de Almalki: 6 mars, Université d'Ottawa

Résidant d'Ottawa Abdullah Almalki a été le centre d'attraction des médias durant les dernières années. Pendant son voyage en Syrie pour visiter sa grand-mère décédée qui était extrêmement malade à l'époque, M. Almalki fut détenu et sévèrement torturé en Syrie.

Le rapport de la Commission D'Arar fournit un récit détaillé des évènements horribles que Almalki a subit durant sa détention dans les prisons syriennes. De plus, le rapport dévoile que la GRC a envoyé des questions provenant des intelligences syriennes pour interroger Abdullah Almalki par l'entremise d'un proxy.

Cette séance vous donnera la chance d'entendre l'histoire émouvante directement de Almalki lui-même.

Quoi : La complicité du gouvernement canadien pour la torture : les tribulations de Almalki

Où : Université d'Ottawa, Édifice Fauteux, Local 147

Quand : Jeudi le 6 mars à 11 :30 AM

Response to the Minister of Public Safety

Here is what Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day said at the Senate anti-terrorism committee to justify Bill C-3 last week.

"As you know, there is an organization whose motto is "nobody is illegal." I disagree with that notion. There are some people who are illegal. Every organization has the right to make their own claims and speak freely, and I appreciate that they are
robust organizations, but some people should be declared illegal."

No One Is Illegal strongly disagrees with Day. He seems to be a bit confused. To say that anybody is inherently illegal is absurdity at its height, since illegality has never been, nor will it ever be, some natural human characteristic. Illegality is constructed by the state through the law, hardly a feature of some individuals and not others. It is no coincidence that racialized people are those most often deemed illegal since Canadian nationalist practices are premised on white supremacy, or the idea of a white nation threatened by racial outsiders. Therefore, No One Is Illegal looks to point to the processes through which illegality is constructed- how the Canadian state makes people illegal through its policies and practices- in order to challenge how illegality is naturalized in the Canadian imagination.

We Support Mohamed Harkat/Nous appuyons Mohamed Harkat

No One Is Illegal- Ottawa fully supports the following statement originally drafted by the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee (en francais ci-dessous) in relation to the violent arrest of Mohamed Harkat yesterday afternoon.

MOHAMED HARKAT, SECURITY CERTIFICATE DETAINEE UNJUSTLY ARRESTED IN OTTAWA

What happened:

Mohamed Harkat was arrested Tuesday afternoon by Ottawa police accompanied by Canadian Border Services agents at his home in Ottawa. CBSA alleges that Mohamed Harkat breached his bail conditions. In fact, no breach occurred. The crown has 48 hours to bring him before a federal court judge. Mohamed Harkat is also already scheduled to appear in court next week to argue for changes in his bail conditions.

Statement from the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee

1. There was no breach of Mohamed Harkat's bail conditions. This, despite the conditions imposed being the toughest in Canadian history.

2. The arrest's timing was highly questionable given the facts: a) Mohamed Harkat's bail is up for review next week; b) Bill C-3, the new Security Certificates law, is being debated this week in the House of Commons. This arrest could only have happened by order of a cabinet Minister – which was confirmed to Mohamed Harkat by CBSA officials. It also occurred on the eve of Adil Charkaoui's Supreme Court appeal.

3. The arrest constitutes harassment in the context of an unconstitutional law.

4. The Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee continues to call for release or a fair trial for the five Security Certificate detainees.
**

Déclaration du Comité Justice pour Mohamed Harkat

1. Il n'y a eu aucun bris des conditions de libération de Mohamed Harkat. Ceci en dépit du fait que les conditions qui lui ont été imposées sont les plus strictes jamais vues au Canada.

2. Le moment de cette arrestation est très douteux étant donné que : a) Ses conditions de « libération » seront l'objet d'une audience la semaine prochaine; b) Le projet de loi C-3, la nouvelle loi sur les Certificats de sécurité, est débatue à la Chambre des communes cette semaine. Cette arrestation ne pouvait survenir que sur ordre d'un Ministre fédéral – ce qui a été confirmé à Mohamed Harkat par des agents de l'ASFC. L'arrestation s'est également produite juste avant l'appel de Adil Charkaoui devant la Cour suprême.

3. Cet arrestation constitue une tactique de harcèlement dans le contexte d'une loi qui a été déclarée inconstitutionnelle.

4. Le Comité Justice pour Mohamed Harkat continue d'appeler à la libération ou à un procès équitable pour les cinq détenus des Certificats de sécurité.

Mohamed Harkat Arrested

For Immediate Release - January 29, 2008

Harkat supporters react with to shock to unjust arrest

Ottawa – Supporters of Mohamed Harkat reacted with shock to his unexpected and unjustified arrest Tuesday.

"It was just your average day. Moe was in the shower when our house was invaded by members of the Ottawa Police and Canadian Border Services Agency," said Sophie Harkat, wife of Mohamed Harkat.

"They took him away and now our nightmare has returned."

Mohamed and Sophie Harkat and the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee strongly deny that there was a breach of Mr. Harkat's bail conditions as CBSA alleges. The Harkat family has complied to the letter with all the conditions imposed – which are the toughest in Canadian history.

"Mohamed's bail conditions are being reviewed by the federal court next Monday. In addition, MPs are currently debating a new – but likely unconstitutional – Security Certificate law this week," said Kevin Skerrett of the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee.

"It is clear to us that this unjustified arrest was a calculated move by the government. According to statements by CBSA officials, the arrest order was signed by a Cabinet Minister."

The members of the committee agree with Sophie Harkat when she says: "This arrest is harassment – pure and simple!"

For more information:

Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee
Christain Legeais 613-276-9102
Kevin Skerrett 613-864-1590

Legal advisors
Matthew Webber 613-235-9779
Paul Copeland 416-964-8126 ext. 142

Demonstration against CSIS impunity/Manifestation contre l'impunité du SCRS

DEMONSTRATION against CSIS impunity

No to security certificates, No to C-3! End CSIS criminalization, profiling and harassment of refugees and
immigrants!

Thursday, 31 January, 12:15pm-- Rally in front of the Supreme Court (301 Wellington Street), OTTAWA

Just as it was recently discovered that the CIA destroyed records, it was revealed in 2005 that CSIS destroyed evidence in the file of security certificate detainee Adil Charkaoui. On January 31st, Charkaoui will be challenging the legality of the destruction of evidence in his file by CSIS at the Supreme Court.

The case will expose some of the weakness of the "evidence" CSIS uses in security certificate and similar cases: hearsay, rumours, unproven information from foreign spy agencies, and information obtained under torture. This information can be as tenuous as CSIS assessments of foreign intelligence agencies assessments of informers' unconfirmed allegations.

On the basis of such flimsy - and secret - information, immigrants can and have been refused entry to Canada, kept in legal limbo for decades ("security delayed"), put under surveillance, held under house arrest, imprisoned, deported, and even handed over to torture.

If it passes, Bill C-3, the "new" security certificate law, will continue to allow the government to use such information to justify indefinite detention, house arrest and deportation to torture. This information will still be withheld from the detainee, the detainee's lawyer, and the public, while CSIS will not be obligated to disclose all of its file even to the judge. In other words, C-3 will provide legal cover for CSIS to continue racial profiling and other abusive behaviours with impunity.

Join us on 31 January to denounce the actions of CSIS and its role in the criminalization, racial profiling and harassment of immigrants and targeted communities.

More information on CSIS: www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/170. Analysis of C-3: www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/232


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Coalition Justice for Adil Charkaoui
www.adilinfo.org
justiceforadil@riseup.net
tel. 514 848 7583

Join our mailing list: justiceforadil-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

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WWW.ADILINFO.ORG

Manifestation contre l'impunité du SCRS !

Non aux certificats de sécurité, non au C-3 !
Non à la criminalisation, au profilage et au harcèlement des réfugiés et des immigrants par le SCRS !

Tout comme il a été récemment découvert que la CIA avait détruit des preuves, on a découvert en 2005 que le SCRS avait détruit des éléments de preuves dans le dossier d'Adil Charkaoui, détenu en vertu d'un certificat de sécurité. Le 31 janvier, Charkaoui contestera la légalité cette bavure du SCRS devant la Cour suprême.

Cette audience sera l'occasion d'exposer certaines des faiblesses de la "preuve " utilisée par le SCRS : ouï-dire, rumeurs, profilage, information non prouvée obtenue par des agences d'espionnage étrangères, et informations obtenues sous la torture. Cette information peut être aussi ténue que des évaluations par le SCRS des évaluations par des services secrets étrangers d'allégations non confirmées faites par des informateurs.

Sur la base d'information aussi ténue - et secrète - , on refuse l'entrée au pays à des immigrants, on les maintient dans l'incertitude pendant des décennies (retardé pour des raisons de sécurité), on les met sous surveillance, en assignation à résidence, en prison, on les déporte et on les renvoie même vers la torture.

Si la loi C3 est adoptée, le gouvernement pourra continuer de se baser sur de tels renseignements afin de justifier la détention indéfinie ou l'assignation à résidence et la déportation vers la torture. De plus, cette information sera cachée au détenu, à son avocat et au public et le SCRS ne sera pas tenu de dévoiler tout son dossier, et ce, même au juge. En d'autres
mots, C3 fournira au SCRS le cadre légal avec le profilage et d'autres comportements abusifs en toute impunité.

Joignez-vous à nous le 31 janvier pour dénoncer les actions du SCRS et son rôle dans la criminalisation, le profilage racial et le harcèlement des immigrants et des communautés ciblées.

Plus d'information sur le SCRS : www.adilinfo.org/?q=en/node/170
Analyse du Projet C-3 : www.adilinfo.org/?q=fr/node/243

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Coalition Justice pour Adil Charkaoui
www.adilinfo.org
justiceforadil@riseup.net