-- Church sanctuary violated in Quebec City
-- Mohamed Cherfi arrested by at least 15 police officers
---> FOR PEOPLE IN THE MONTREAL-AREA: There will be a vigil for Mohamed at Immigration Canada (1010 St-Antoine Ouest, metro Bonaventure) beginning at 4pm this afternoon (Friday). We have information that Mohamed is being transported to Montreal for an eventual removal order. Please come and show your solidarity with Mohamed Cherfi!

(Please post and forward)

-- Church sanctuary violated in Quebec City

-- Mohamed Cherfi arrested by at least 15 police officers

---> FOR PEOPLE IN THE MONTREAL-AREA: There will be a vigil for Mohamed at Immigration Canada (1010 St-Antoine Ouest, metro Bonaventure) beginning at 4pm this afternoon (Friday). We have information that Mohamed is being transported to Montreal for an eventual removal order. Please come and show your solidarity with Mohamed Cherfi!

Friday, March 5, 2:30pm -- Members of the No One Is Illegal Campaign in Montreal have learned that Mohamed Cherfi has been arrested in Quebec City. Mohamed had been in sanctuary inside the Saint-Pierre United Church, on the invitation of the church's pastor, the Reverend Gerald Dore.

According to eyewitness reports in Quebec City, at least 15 police officers from the City of Quebec broke into the church at approximately 12:45pm this afternoon to arrest Mohamed. The police claimed to have an arrest warrant for Mohamed on a breach of a previous condition of release. That condition apparently stipulated that Mohamed reside at the same address in Montreal. Mohamed took sanctuary inside the Saint-Pierre Church in Quebec City on February 18 in order to avoid an eventual deportation to Algeria.

According to lawyers working on the case, Mohamed is currently being transported to Montreal from Quebec City. It is expected that he will be put into detention, or forcibly removed to the United States.

Mohamed has been an active member of the Action Committee of Non-Status Algerians in Montreal. He has resided in Canada for close to seven years, speaks fluent French, and has been a tireless advocate on behalf of non-status refugees in Canada. He has helped hundreds of non-status Algerians gain status in Canada, but he himself has been targeted for removal due to his outspoken advocacy. Mohamed has previously been arrested three times for his participation at sit-ins and pickets.

A Solidarity Committee for Mohamed is active in Quebec City. They can be reached at 418-262-0144 or soli...@yahoo.fr

The No One Is Illegal Campaign in Montreal can be reached at noon...@tao.ca or 514-859-9023.