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Non-Status Algerians on Trial -- Fighting Criminalization of their StruggleAnonyme, Miércoles, Junio 23, 2004 - 18:34
No One Is Illegal-Mtl
BACKGROUND INFO: Last week, 5 out of the 31 police witnesses from Ottawa Police Services took the stand. The initial trial testimony heard from witnesses representing security at Immigration Canada and Ottawa Police officers did little to prove mischief. Moreover, their testimony has confirmed that Following the crown's evidence, the defence intends to make a motion for a "stay of proceedings" due to the excessive and brutal force employed by the Ottawa police (some of which was captured on video). The defence motion will also highlight the fact that one key witness for the defence The trial accused thanks everyone for their support, especially the "welcoming committee" in Ottawa. We call again on your support and solidarity during the reaminder of the trial. There are two main ways you can help : ---> Make a donation! In addition to legal fees, the accused have several costs associated with the trial, including travel between Montreal and Ottawa. Whether $5 or $100, your donation helps! Please make cheques out to the Libertas Legal Collective and mark "May 29th trial" in the memo field. Please mail cheques to: Libertas Legal Collective [If you are sending a cheque, please let us know by e-mail or by phone: noii...@resist.ca or 514-859-9023.] ---> Attend court! Your physical presence in court is appreciated, and sends a clear message that the accused enjoy community support. Please note the following updated court dates : Monday, June 21 The trial takes place at the Ottawa Courthouse, located at 161 Elgin Street. The trial is usually in courtroom #8. Court hours are generally from 10am to 4:30pm, with a break for lunch. If you are from Montreal, and would like a ride to Ottawa, please contact noii...@resist.ca or phone 514-859-9023. We will do our best to arrange rides. Background information to the trial is provided below. Once again, thank you for your support and solidarity. -- The May 29 Trial Support Team (noii...@resist.ca, 514-859-9023) BACKGROUND INFO: THE STRUGGLE The Action Committee for Non-Status Algerians has been organizing against the deportation of non-status Algerians for almost three years. Their struggle intensified in April 2002, when then-Immigration Minister Denis Coderre lifted the moratorium on deportations to Algeria, leaving over 1000 non-status Algerians facing removal to a country still torn by civil conflict and brutal violence. In October 2002, their dynamic struggle won a partial victory. After months of public meetings, petitions, demonstrations, meetings with immigration bureaucrats -- and after the Bourouisa family sought sanctuary in a Montreal Church -- Immigration Canada and Immigration Quebec announced the implementation of a special Joint Procedure for the regularization of some non-status Algerians. However, numerous individuals are excluded from that regularization procedure, and so the Action Committee has continued to fight for justice. On May 29, 2003, 10 non-status Algerians and 2 supporters from the No One Is Illegal Campaign of Montreal, Sarita Ahooja and Andrea Schmidt, entered the waiting room of Coderre's Ottawa office. They were delivering a letter THE CRIME The police response to the action was brutal. At approximately 10:30PM, members of the Ottawa Police Services tactical squad, in coordination with the RCMP, charged the people occupying the waiting room. After forcing THE TRIAL Almost one year to the day after the police attacked the unarmed protesters peacefully waiting in the immigration minister's waiting room, the people they brutalized will be tried summarily in Ottawa court. The trial will open on Tuesday, June 1st, 2004 at the Elgin Street Courthouse THE STAKES In fact, when the trial opens, only 10 of the 12 accused will be able to be present. Immigration Canada deported one man to Algerian last fall, and his ability to return to Canada to be reunited with his wife depends on the results of the trial. A second defendant, Mohamed Cherfi, was Indeed, all the non-status defendants' ability to remain in Canada where they have built their lives and struggled courageously for status depends on the outcome of this trial. They need YOUR support to win a victory that will not only remove one obstacle to gaining status but also make it clear to the Ottawa Police, the RCMP and Immigration Canada that the racist and brutal attack on non-status people demanding justice was the only criminal act that took place in Coderre's office on May 29th 2003. Thank you in advance for your support. We'll see you in court. In solidarity and struggle, noii...@resist.ca |
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