Dear Activists, here's the May 2008 newsletter from SHAC Canada

1- UPDATE OF GABRIEL VILLENEUVE CASE
2- TRIAL IN QUEBEC CITY – COME IN BIG NUMBERS!
3- CONFERENCE AND MOVIE NIGHT AT L’AGITÉE! (Quebec city)
4- CONFERENCE AND MOVIE NIGHT AT KATACOMBES! (Montreal)
5- MONTREAL’S ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR

1- UPDATE OF GABRIEL VILLENEVE CASE

Release from police custody following a breach of conditions
Gabriel Villeneuve was release on March 31 after his arrest for suppositively breaking his court conditions. Remember that he was arrested on March 29 while participating in a petition gathering against animal cruelty in Berri-UQAM metro station. The conditions that he allegibly broke are the one to not communicate with any SHAC member and to not organize any SHAC activity. The fact is that he participated with his girlfriend in an activity organized by another animal rights group. He was released on bail of 750$ and under the condition that he’s not allowed to be in any Montreal metro station at any given time. The preliminary investigation will be held on September 3rd 2008, at the Montreal Court House.

One month in jail for a summary charge

Gabriel Villeneuve and his lawyer Me Alain Dumas went to Quebec courthouse on April 7 to fix the date of the joint trial with the one of the three other activists arrested with him last February. During this court appearance, the crown attorney dropped all the criminal charges (illegal assembly and wearing a disguise with criminal intent) to retain only the summary charge relating to interrupting the activity of a business. Because of these changes, the trial won’t be held in front of a Jury as asked, but in front of a Judge. The trial will be held Tuesday May 13 at the Quebec courthouse.

2- TRIAL IN QUEBEC CITY

Next Tuesday, the trial begins for 4 activists arrested in Quebec City relating to a peaceful protest against a company that has links with Huntingdon Life Sciences. Remember that one of the activists, Gabriel Villeneuve, had to spend 1 month in jail because of this event, even though he wasn’t at the protest!

Moreover, from the time of the arrest to the legal proceeding of pro-format, the criminal charges (illegal assembly and wearing a disguise with criminal intent) against the activists were all dropped, to retain only the summary charge relating to interrupting the activity of a business.

These arrests and imprisonment are an infringement of our civil liberties of freedom of expression and are an abuse of police power. Come in big numbers to support these 4 activists!

WHEN: TUESDAY MAY 13, 2008
WHERE: Palais de Justice de Québec (300, boulevard Jean-Lesage, Québec)
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
ROOM OF AUDIENCE: ask reception for this information

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3- CONFERENCE AND MOVIE NIGHT AT L’AGITÉE!

Having been stopped unfairly, separated, thrown into prison in the wing of pedophiles and refused vegan food during their stay, the 4 activists have a lot to say regarding their experience since their arrests on February 22nd of this year. Three were released after three days of detention, while one activist remained jailed for 27 days, only to be arrested again 10 days after his release on bail. He was released on bail 2 days later with new conditions, pending trial.

Come meet them next Tuesday and listen to them talk about their experiences before, during and after their arrests.

After the conference, there’s going to be militant movie screening about the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaign and a documentary, “Behind the Mask,” a movie produced by an animal rights lawyer about the ALF (Animal Liberation Front). “Behind the Mask” documents the animal liberation movement in the United States and the United Kingdom. This poignant work has already won two awards and is inspiring people to make compassionate changes in their lives. True stories of animals saved from horrendous circumstances will touch your heart, while interviews with the rescuers will inspire you. For more information about the movie, visit: www.uncagedfilms.com/behindthemask.php.
(Please note that all the movies will be in English only)

SCHEDULE OF THE NIGHT:
7 - 8 p.m.: conference
8 - 8:15 p.m.: SHAC movie
8:15 -9:45 p.m.: “Behind the Mask” movie
9:45 – 3 a.m.: usual night at l’Agitée (music, fun and beer!)

WHEN: Tuesday May 13, 2008
TIME: 7 p.m.
WHERE : Café-Bar-Spectacle l’Agitée (251 Dorchester street, Quebec, corner Prince-Édouard)
COST: Free! (Donations are welcome to help with expenses.)

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4- CONFERENCE AND MOVIE NIGHT AT KATACOMBES!

Same conference and movie night of that at l’Agitée (see point 2) but in Montreal!

SCHEDULE OF THE NIGHT:
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.: conference
8 - 8:15: SHAC movie
8:15 – 9:45 p.m.: “Behind the Mask” movie
9:45 – 3 a.m.: usual night at Katacombes (punk rock music, fun and beer!)

WHEN: Thursday May 15, 2008
WHERE: Katacombes (1222 St-Laurent, corner Ste-Catherine)
TIME: 7 p.m.
COST: Free! (Donations are welcome to help with expenses.)

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5- MONTREAL’S ANARCHIST BOOK FAIR

For a third year, SHAC will be at the 9th edition of Montreal’s anarchist book fair!
For more information, visit: www.salonanarchiste.ca/fr/node/1

WHEN: Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2008
WHERE: CEDA (2515 Delisle, Lionel-Groulx metro)
TIME: Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
COST: Free!

DISCLAIMER #1
The above information is not meant to incite or request any illegal actions or illegal activities of any kind, no matter how much it makes us smile. If you have any questions about the legality of any act, we encourage everyone receiving this (or the) action alert(s) to check your local laws and ordinances before proceeding with anything.
Thanks for your support!

DISCLAIMER #2
Because of court conditions, Gabriel Villeneuve was not implicated or contacted in any way for this newsletter or any of the above-described activities.

Thanks for your support!