Saturday November 17, 2007

 

Her hearing on the false and unjust charge of "misrepresentation" took place on October 11th. The decision was released on October 31st ordering her to leave Canada by November 17th and imposes a 2 year ban from Canada.

Since the October 31st decision the Alison Bodine Defence Committee (ABDC) has pursued all possible legal avenues to have her stay in Canada extended, while continuing to increase support in a political campaign in defence of democratic and human rights. The government of Canada has denied the applications for Alison to be able to remain in Canada as we fight for a Federal Court review of her case to lift the 2 year ban against her entering Canada. It is now clear that they are attempting to shut down the case and sweep Alison out of the country because they think that it will halt the campaign for human and democratic rights that has gained so much support and momentum over the last two months. They want to shut up and shut down Alison as an activist as an example to others taking part in opposition to war and occupation, and organizing for peace and social justice.

This fight is not over. We have one more legal possibility for Alison to be able to stay in Canada past November 17th and we urgently need your support. There are less than 24 hours before the exclusion order against Alison is enforced in which the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration Diane Finley can intervene and stop this unjust removal and 2 year banning. This will only happen with petitions, letters and the continued support of MP's and MLA's, adding to those already received from individuals and organizations including the Hospital Employees Union and NDP MP Libby Davies and others.

Friday November 16th brought positive gains for the defence campaign. At the opening night of the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) convention being held in Vancouver this weekend, Alison was asked to speak from the stage about her urgent case. 

 

Hundreds of NDP delegates from across BC listened as she explained this case of political targeting, harassment and unjust banning from Canada. When Alison finished her speech, the room erupted in applause and a standing ovation. More than 100 people then signed support letters including two more MPs, Penny Priddy and Nathan Cullen.

If Minster Finley does not intervene before midnight on November 17th, then Alison will have to cross back into the United States, and a new stage of the battle will open. The ABDC will launch a massive campaign starting November 18th demanding "LIFT THE 2 YEAR BAN!" collecting 5,000 - 10,000 or tens of thousands of petition signatures – to expand the support for Alison's case broader and wider than ever before! The ABDC will fight until the Federal Court or Minister Finley reverses this injustice.

Achieving the demand of "LIFT THE 2 YEAR BAN" will effectively negate the original charges against Alison and will ultimately mean a victory against the political frame-up that began more than two months ago. With the ban is lifted, Alison will finally have her full rights to travel between the US and Canada restored.

It doesn't matter what side of the 49th parallel Alison is on, this fight for civil liberties will continue until to achieve victory. Reversing the exclusion order and the 2 year ban will be a step forward in the struggle to stop the government of Canada from executing their agenda of silence and intimidation against anti-war and social justice activists. Over the next days, weeks and months the Alison Bodine Defence Committee vows to keep fighting in defence of the civil liberties for all people especially  those who are fighting for justice, humanity and a better world.

SEND A LETTER DEMANDING:
"Lift the 2 year Ban and Stop the Removal of Alison Bodine from Canada"

Address your letter to:
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca
Fax:(613) 996-9749
Email a copy to: defendalisonbodine@hotmail.com


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