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No One Is Illegal-Toronto: News, Analysis and Updates
Related to country: Canada
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

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News, Analysis and Updates
No One Is Illegal-Toronto
http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org
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MIGRANT JUSTICE

=(1)= Stop the Raids! Campaign Launched

=(2)= June 13: Good Jobs for All! Rally in Toronto

=(3)= June 18: Whose Security? Adil Charkaoui speaks in Toronto


INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY

=(4)= June 11: Grassy Narrows Clan Mothers Speak in Toronto (& JUNE UPDATE)

=(5)= Tyindenaga Mohawk Territory JUNE UPDATE

=(6)= Algonquins of Barriere Lake JUNE UPDATE

=(7)= Akwesasne/CBSA UPDATE JUNE 8, 2009


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Migrant Justice Advocates Launch "Stop the Raids!" Campaign in Toronto

Pledge to end racist scapegoating of migrant workers during economic
recession

On Saturday June 6, 2009, nearly a hundred people assembled to hear from
people directly affected by the recent Immigration raids that have
terrorized migrant communities.

Immigration raids conducted in April saw over 100 migrant workers arrested
and were followed by another raid in May where nearly 2 dozen workers were
arrested.

"We are not illegal" related Flor, a migrant farm worker who witnessed the
raids this May. "All we ask for is to make a living".

Another migrant worker who was arrested in the April raids explained her
situation: She was forced to quit the job she had a work permit for
because of horrendous conditions involving a criminal investigation
against her employer. She was arrested in an Immigration raids while
working and was jailed for a month.

These stories are typical of an immigration system that exploits migrants,
too-often people of colour, and then blames them for their exploitation.
Two other workers who were meant to speak on the day could not be present
because their deportation was scheduled for the same day.

The assembly vowed to stop immigration raids and the scapegoating of
immigrant communities. Instead, calling for dignity and respect for all
migrants, full regularization and an end to deportations. Renewed energy
was also directed towards the Access Without Fear campaign that aims to
make Toronto an accessible city for all its residents.

Prior to the assembly, workers and activists from nearly two dozen
organizations met to sow the seeds of the campaign that would include
education around immigration enforcement, political mobilization for a
comprehensive and inclusive regularization program and a broad response in
the event of a raid.

Follow up meetings for Education, Health, Community Organization, Legal
and Labor activists were announced. A large assembly is also planned for
the fall. To attend these follow up meetings and/or to support the Stop
the Raids campaign, please email nooneisillegal@riseup.net


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June 13 - 1pm
Good Jobs for All Rally

Its time
- To fix Employment Insurance to cover all workers, irrespective of
Immigration status
- To protect pensions
- To ensure strong accessible social services for all people
- Its time to put people before profits

Join the Migrant Justice contingent!
Bring banners and signs.
Meet at Metro Hall.

Rally organised by the Good Jobs for All Coalition.


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WHOSE SECURITY?
ADIL CHARKOUI SPEAKS IN TORONTO
with Barbara Jackman and Others.

| Thursday | 18 June | 6:30pm | 25 Cecil Street |

Canadian laws that claim to secure communities brutalize migrants, target
marginalized people, and use the fear of detention and deportation to
regulate every part of people's lives and justify coercion. These laws
make nobody safe.

Under the guise of national security, Canada has instituted laws that deny
basic human rights, civil liberties and justice to anyone that it deems
worthy of suspicion. Security Certificates, Secret Trials, Extraordinary
Renditions, Confinement without Trial, Overseas detention and Torture are
the dirty underbelly of Canadian immigration policy.

Come hear Adil Charkoui speak about Security Certificates and Secret
Trials. Adil will be joined by Barbara Jackman and others.

Adil Charkaoui, a Montreal teacher, father of three children, was held
without charge since May 2003 in Montreal. Released under severe
conditions in February 2005, he has only recently been allowed to travel
outside of Montreal. (See http://www.adilinfo.org/ for more)

"What is a security certificate?
A security certificate,
It's the right to be treated outside the law
It's two-speed justice
It's precedent for secret trials…
It's contact visits with no contact
It's the glass that separates you from loved ones,
It's deadlock, solitude; it's breathing corruption…
It's the guilt of being born elsewhere…
It's human folly clothed as wisdom.
It's me today, maybe you tomorrow! "
- Excerpt of poem by Adil Charkaoui, translated from French

Barbara Jackman has represented clients in a number of high profile cases
involving Canada's anti-terrorism laws and immigration security
certificates.

Hosted by: No One Is Illegal - Toronto, Toronto Action for Social Change,
Christian Peacemaker Teams Toronto, Canadian Arab Federation, Jesuit
Refugee and Migrant Service-Canada, The Council of Canadians,
Ontario/Quebec Regional Office, Toronto Coalition to Stop the War,
Parkdale Community Legal Services


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Grassy Narrows Clan Mothers Speak
Thursday June 11, 7pm

OISE Peace Lounge-7th Floor
252 Bloor Street West (near St. George Subway)

Gwa wich Taypaywaykejick (Roberta Keesick) and Barbara Fobister are
Indigenous Grassy Narrows trappers, clan mothers, grandmothers, and
blockaders. They have been a key force in sustaining the Grassy Narrows
blockade (now in its seventh year) and in the grassroots efforts of their
community to assert control over their traditional territory, protect the
earth, and exercise their right to self-determination.

In October, Roberta will go on trial for building a cabin on her family's
ancestral lands without a provincial building permit. The act for which
she now faces criminal charges is part of a process of reclamation and
revival where people are using the land on their territory as their
ancestors have for generations. It is a critically important piece of the
work that is being undertaken by the people of Grassy Narrows to empower
themselves and to sustain their families, revive their culture and heal
their community.

This is a unique opportunity to hear Roberta Keesick and Barbara Fobister
speak in Toronto - 1700 kilometers from their home in Grassy Narrows.

Suggested Donation: $10 (waged), $5 (unwaged and student).
NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY.

All Proceeds go to Roberta's legal defence fund. To donate to the legal
defence fund please contact: leah.m.henderson@gmail.com

Nearest cross street Bloor and St George
Closest TTC stop: St George Station.
Enter the OISE building, take the elevator to the 7th floor, look for
signs to the Peace Lounge.

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

BACKGROUND

In early June, 2008 the Grassy Narrows First Nation's demand that
industrial logging on their territory stop was met when Abitibi-Bowater
announced that they would not be seeking a licence in the Whiskey Jack
Forest. However the struggle is not over. While the chainsaws have stopped
at Grassy Narrows, persecution of those that assert their traditional
rights on the land has not ended.

Roberta Keesick, a Grassy Narrows clan mother, trapper, blockader, and
grandmother, is facing charges in Red Lake Ontario for building a
trappers' cabin on her traditional family lands without a Provincial
permit. She has been a tremendous force in the grassroots struggles at
Grassy Narrows to reclaim traditional land and assert the right of self
determination. The act for which she now faces criminal charges is part of
a process of reclamation and revival where people are using the land on
their territory as their ancestors have for generations. It is a
critically important piece of the work that is being undertaken by the
people of Grassy Narrows to empower themselves and to sustain their
families, revive their culture and heal their community. This access to
land is crucial for the healing of First Nations, and it is this right
that is being challenged by the court with the charges that have been
brought against Roberta Keesick.

Roberta's trial date is in the spring. While Roberta has a lawyer who will
donate his services, he needs his costs of travel, and filing documents
with the court, covered. These costs will be approximately $4000. She is
seeking donations for a legal defence fund. The assertion of rights on
traditional land is one of the most important components of the ongoing
struggle for Indigenous rights. This case has the potential to set an
important precedent; Indigenous people have a right to traditional land
use on their traditional territories. This case represents an example of
the way that governments disable First Nations from sustaining and
empowering themselves. Roberta Keesick's actions-the building of a
trapping cabin on her own family's trap line-is a perfect example of how
people from Grassy Narrows are asserting their rights through the
straightforward actions of living an Anishnabe life. It is of the utmost
importance that any and all of us who are concerned with Indigenous rights
and the well being of First Nations communities, support the grassroots
struggles at Grassy Narrows and in other communities and to support
Roberta Keesick in her struggle to simply live her life on her land.
Please donate generously.

To make a donation to Roberta Keesick's legal defence fund through email,
cheque, or cash, please email leah.m.henderson@gmail.com.

For more information on Grassy Narrows, go to
www.FreeGrassy.org
http://www.amnesty.ca/themes/indigenous_grassy_narrows.php

For more information about this speaking event contact
david.sone@gmail.com


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TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY

In September and October of 2008, Tyendinaga community members objected to
the delivery of a $1.9 million pre-fabricated police station, funded
jointly by the Band Council and the federal Ministry of Public Safety and
Emergency Preparedness. The Band Council failed to consult the broader
community before making the decision that a new police station should take
priority over clean drinking water on the reserve and other pressing
issues. The reserve school down the road from the proposed police station
site lacks drinkable water, and the majority of reserve homes remain on a
boil-water advisory. Tyendinaga police issued 12 warrants for Tyendinaga
Mohawks and over the ensuing months, arrested and charged them in
connection with protests against the police station, as well as protests
against an illegal quarry operation on the Territory.

Tyendinaga Mohawks Shawn Brant, Tara Green and Jason Maracle continue to
fight a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against them by CN, seeking
damages for the rail blockades on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in 2007.

In addition, there are still more than a dozen members of the community
facing charges for protesting, and the government has still not resolved
any of Tyendinaga’s outstanding land issues.

For more information, email support.tmt@gmail.com or visit:
http://www.ocap.ca/supporttmt/


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UPDATE ON THE ALGONQUINS OF BARRIERE LAKE (MITCHIKINABIKO'INIK) OF RAPID
LAKE, QUEBEC (4 HOURS NORTH OF MONTREAL)

The leadership of Benjamin Nottaway, supported by the majority of the
community and selected according to customary method, had offered to
resign and enter into a new leadership selection process, mediated by
respected former MP Keith Penner.

The offer had been rejected by the government-backed Chief Casey Ratt.
Nottaway had then proposed a reconciliation process to resolve the
leadership situation, to which the Ratt minority faction could nominate a
co-facilitator.

This was seen as urgent in light of the fact that DIA appears to be
preparing to use the leadership conflict as a pretext to impose an
electoral system on the community, unilaterally and unconstitutionally
sweeping aside their customary system, by invoking section 74 of the
Indian Act (for more information on this section, see:
http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/2560).

Ratt's lawyer, funded by a Third Party Manager using community funds, has
tried to block this reconciliation process with injunctions in federal
court. One injunction went so far as to attempt to block Elders
responsible for leadership customs from actually convening meetings. The
injunction, however, failed. As of writing, the government-backed Chief
has finally, though tentatively, agreed to the leadership resolution
process.

For more information, visit http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/ or
write to barrierelakesolidaritytoronto@gmail.com


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Akwesasne/CBSA UPDATE JUNE 8, 2009

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Seaway International Bridge, on the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne,
remains closed
- Akwesasne community still not allowed full free movement on their own
territory
- Tyendinaga Mohawks shut down Skyway Bridge in support of Akwesasne -
Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan states that permanently "moving the
border crossing off the Akwesasne reserve" is an option

IN QUOTES:

"What the border has done to far too many of our First Nations communities
is horrific and atrocious on so many levels -- and it has poisoned our
minds to think in singular factions, instead of a full circle...Which way
is going to best resolve this situation I'm not sure of yet but I do know
we have a right to stand up for our own community, which will never solely
be in Canada or the United States. We belong to Mother Earth in whom no
one has claim over - and where there aren't any borders." - Jessica Yee,
Kanionke:haka (writing in rabble.ca, June 5, 2009)

"When the people make their decision, that's what needs to be carried out,
and the people have made their decision: there will be no firearms carried
by customs agents on our territory." -- Sakoietah, member of the Men's
Traditional Council at Akwesasne (in an interview with No One Is Illegal
Radio, June 4, 2009)

"[The Canadian Border Service Agency] is a foreign oppressive force who
occupies our sovereign community and territory. (They are) unwelcome,
uninvited and now carrying firearms. For lack of a different description,
that is considered by some an act of war." - Larry King, member of the
Akwesasne Mohawk Territory (quoted in the Ottawa Citizen, May 29, 2009)

"They'll have to accept armed border officers there." - Peter Van Loan,
Canadian Minister of Public Safety, responsible for the Canadian Border
Services Agency (quoted by Canadian Press, June 7, 2009)

[further updates, comprehensive chronology, and backgrounder included below]

RECENT ARTICLES, AUDIO, VIDEO & ANALYSIS:

1) "Akwesasne under siege" (rabble.ca, June 5, 2009):
http://rabble.ca/columnists/2009/06/akwesasne-under-siege

2) Mohawks continue struggle at border (Indian Country Today, June 5,
2009): http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/home/content/47044112.html

3) AUDIO: Interview with Sakoietah, member of the Men's Traditional
Council at Akwesasne (No One Is Illegal-Montreal Radio, June 4, 2009):
http://www.radio4all.net:8080/files/jaggisingh@gmail.com/2840-1-sakoiepah-final.mp3

4) Interview with Brendan White, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (Ottawa
Citizen, June 3, 2009):
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/This+unique+situation+have+Akwesasne+with+Mohawk+spokesman+Brendan+White/1658208/story.htm
l

5) VIDEO: Kanietakeron gives message to CBSA agents (video by Neddie
Thompson, May 31, 2009)
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J-479EaojM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH7zuzkbjuc

6) VIDEO: Protest at border crossing by Akwesasne Mohawks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRM6ev4FBVg

7) Mohawk Nation News (MNN) Articles:
http://www.mohawknationnews.com/news/news4.php?en=en&layout=mnn&category=26&srcurl=%2Fnews%2Fnews3.php%3Flang%3Den%26layout%3Dmnn%26sortorder%3D0

8) Akwesasne Forums:
http://akwesasne.ca/
http://myakwesasne.com/

9) PHOTOS from Akwesasne (by independent journalist Sandra Cuffe):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lavagabunda/

10) Previous No One Is Illegal-Montreal Updates:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2009/06/akwesasne.html

UPDATES FROM MAY-JUNE 2009

* June 7, 2009: Tyendinaga Mohawks issue a release stating "Tyendinaga
Answers Akwesasne’s Call, Shuts Down Skyway Bridge in Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory." The release in full:

“The community of Akwesasne has been living without the freedom of
mobility for one week. People have been cut off from family and friends,
barred from access to elder relatives in need of care, unable to get to
work and hundreds of children have had their school year disrupted. It is
no secret that there are significant tensions between the community of
Akwesasne and Canadian Border Services Agency. Hundred of complaints have
been filed for incidents like conducting a cavity search on a teenager,
subjecting a pregnant woman to repeated x-rays and interrogating children
after forcibly removing them from the care of adult family members. As a
result, the community of Akwesasne has clearly stated that it has
substantial concerns over the arming of these same guards. The position
of the Federal Government that it refuses any discussion with Akwesasne is
ludicrous and will only engender further mistrust and frustration.
Tyendinaga understands this frustration and calls for the Federal
Government to enter into meaningful discussions with the community of
Akwesasne. Ignoring the concerns of First Nations communities will not
make the issues go away.”

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/08/mohawk-bridge-blockade697.html

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_35153.aspx

* June 6, 2009: Akwesasne band council chief Tim Thompson states that
despite claims by politicians of dialogue with Akwesasne, federal
politicians are not in discussion with Akwesasne leaders. The only
concrete discussion was a request from CBSA to remove equipment out of the
customs facility, but the Akwesasne leader rejected the request.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2009/06/06/9698246-sun.html

* June 6, 2009: "A sense of emergency is in the air, but tensions remain
cool on Cornwall Island in light of the ongoing dispute over the arming of
border guards. Akwesasne residents have been chipping in to assist one
another in numerous ways as the international passage that bisects their
community remains closed as a result of the dispute. A food drive has been
set up on the U. S. side of Akwesasne, and food, supplies and money are
being dropped off and shipped to the island by boat."

http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1601017

* June 5, 2009: Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan states that
permanently "moving the border crossing off the Akwesasne reserve" is a
serious option being evaluated. Peter Van Loan says the government is
examining all options, including moving the port of entry that now links
Cornwall, Ont., and Massena, N.Y. Appearing Sunday on a national political
television program, he refused to say when a decision would be made.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Feds+confirm+relocation+border+crossing+under+review/1666915/story.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ipHHAbgXjqj4In9fuvY8cwlXpX5Q

* June 3, 2009: Canadian Border Services Agency states it is considering
entering third-party mediation with Akwesasne Mohawk leaders. Guy Lauzon,
Conservative MP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, said he has been told
a mediation process to settle the dispute is currently "in play".
Akwesasne band council chief Larry King said, as far as he knew, the band
council leadership had yet to be informed of the mediation proposal, but
said they were open to more talk.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Mohawks+border+agency+considering+mediation/1656859/story.html

* June 2, 2009: Mayor Bob Kilger of Cornwall is calling on the federal
government to resolve the current dispute in Akwesasne.

http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1593559

* As of 5 pm on June 1 2009, the bridge to the Akwesasne reserve is opened
for residents to return home, according to Akwesasne's Chief Tim Thompson.
The border crossing to the US remains closed.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Akwesasne+bridge+opened+local+residents/1651926/story.html

* On June 1, 2009, the federal Minister of Public Safety, Peter Van Loan,
states that the Canada-U.S. border crossing near Cornwall, Ont. won't
reopen until the Mohawk community accepts that guards at the border will
be armed with handguns.

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090601/OTT_Border_Protest_090601/20090601?hub=Ottawa

* On June 1 2009, during the afternoon, the federal Minister of Public
Safety, Peter Van Loan, said the Cornwall Island crossing will not be
exempted from arming because the Conservative government plans on
committing to its promise to arm all 4,800 border officers at land and sea
ports of entry by 2016.

http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1593213

* June 1, 2009 (5:35am): More than 50 protesters are maintaining a
presence near the Canadian customs building on Cornwall Island. There are
at least five fires burning to keep demonstrators warm. Many more
residents and
supporters are expected to be on-site as the morning progresses.

http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2009/06/akwesasne.html

* On midnight of May 30, 2009, Canadian Border Services Agency workers
left their posts on Cornwall Island, citing safety concerns, in advance of
the Akwesasne Mohawk demonstration. Soon after the Canadian guards left,
their U.S. counterparts did the same thing and police on both sides
barricaded the crossing. Vehicular traffic onto the Seaway International
Bridge has been shut down by police on both sides of the border, although
pedestrians were still being allowed to access the bridge.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article
/ALeqM5jc3eZgl16gB4iY56X6QorsZC0a9A

* On May 29, 2009, over 100 Akwesasne Mohawks marched on the border and
served CBSA with yet another notice and demand that the CBSA not arm the
guards and that their demand be sent to officials in Ottawa. "What we are
waiting for is an answer from Ottawa. We don't get that answer, action has
got to be taken by the people," said Thomas Stacy. "We are not getting
anywhere with the government. The government is going to come over here
and take over everything."

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Mohawks+protest+slated+arming+Canadian+border+guards/1647377/story.html

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

- CBSA agents were due to be armed at the Port of Cornwall (Kahwehnoke)
crossing on June 1 2009, a policy universally opposed and condemned by the
Akwesasne Mohawk Community -

[CBSA press release (May 9, 2009):
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/release-communique/2009/2009-05-09-eng.html
]

The Mohawk territory of Akwesasne straddles the jurisdictions of Ontario,
Quebec and New York State, and is a major international border crossing
between Canada and the United States. Canadian Border Service Agency
(CBSA) guards began arming in 2007, and there are currently more than 800
armed CBSA guards across Canada. The entire CBSA aims to be armed, in
stages, by 2016. The CBSA announced that their agents at the Port of Entry
at Cornwall (at Akwesasne) would be armed by June 1 of 2009.

As written in Mohawk Nation News on May 3, 2009: "For the next month
Mohawks of Akwesasne will be protesting colonial Canadian border guards
arming themselves with Beretta 9 mm handguns in the middle of our
community. They hope to start on June 1. Akwesasne is on both sides of the
foreign Canada-U.S. border and home to the whole community regardless of
this imaginary line... A letter was sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper
to have meetings with Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan and his
predecessor Stockwell Day over a year ago. There has been no response. We
hear that the European settler experience at the border is completely
different. They are often waved through without harassment." (For full
article visit: http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=1076 )

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne passed resolution #318 on February 28,
2008 forbidding firearms to be carried by Canada Border Services Agents
CBSA on the territory of Akwesasne.

On May 8, 2009 over 250 Mohawks marched on the U.S.-Canada border. As
written in Mohawk Nation News: "We are the most policed people in the
world. Almost 20 U.S. and Canadian enforcement agencies traverse our
community." Daily disagreements have been instigated against Mohawks who
must pass through the checkpoint on a daily basis. There have been serious
injuries, hospitalizations, charges and assaults. So far there have been
no fatalities. There has been a steady increase in racial profiling and
slurs direct at us sanctioned by Canada. Incidents are being provoked to
justify armed guards. Hundreds of complaints have been filed with the
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Canada Justice Department and the Canadian
Human Rights Commission. No peaceful resolution has come forward."

During the month of May, the community attempted to pressure and negotiate
with the federal government and lobby at the international level. On May
26, 2009 Cornwall city council passed a resolution that no guns should be
given to the CBSA guards. On May 28, 2009 Skarohreh Doug Anderson of the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy presented a request to the Secretary of the UN
Security Council to ask the UN to send officials to Akwesasne. Kenneth
Deer of Kahnawake raised the issue of guns at Akwesasne with the Permanent
Forum on Indigenous People.

Excerpt of statement to Secretary of the UN Security Council in New York:
"On June 1 the Canada Border Services Agency guards will try to carry 9mm
Berettas, which are meant to kill people. The UN must stop this attempt at
ethnic cleansing at Akwesasne. Canada at the behest of the U.S. is trying
to commit genocide on us, the real people of mother earth. The reasonable
decision of the Haudenosaunee, our friends and supporters, is that there
should be no guns anywhere on the Canada-U.S. border on the Canadian side.
Canada is setting a precedent that any visitor arriving will have the
barrel of a gun in their faces, so to say. We want the border station to
be removed from the middle of Akwesasne. We know the power they presently
exercise without the guns. They ridicule and demean us as we come through
the border. They use their power of intimidation to pull us into their
building away from the protective eyes of our friends and relatives. We
have no choice but to cross many times a day to carry on our normal lives.
The violence will always be directed at us and not at them. We want peace.
These supposed peace officers are acting like war zone combatants. What a
contradictory message Canada sends out to the world."

The Akwesasne Mohawk Council Chiefs offered several compromise positions
to senior Canada Border Services Agency officials during a meeting in
Ottawa, but were rebuffed on May 28, 2009, according to Chief Larry King.
During the Ottawa meeting, the chiefs unsuccessfully asked that the move
be delayed for at least a year or until the end of CBSA’s arming process
in 2016 to allow more time for community consultations as well as time for
officers to be trained in cultural sensitivity by the community. The
meeting ended with a declaration from CBSA president Stephen Rigby that
our position is what it is; to which the chiefs responded, whatever
happens will happen said King. (Source:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Armed+border+guards/1644877/story.html )

SOME ADDITIONAL HISTORY AND BACKGROUND:

-> Many members of the Akwesasne community currently opposing armed border
guards have referenced the story of Saiowisakeron (Jake Ice), a
traditional Mohawk man who was shot and killed by Dominion police in 1899.
There is a statue of Jake Ice at Akwesasne, which has become a focal point
to express opposition to armed border agents. More information about Jake
Ice available here: www.wampumchronicles.com/saiowisakeron.html

-> In 1968, members of the community blocked the border-crossing bridge
against the policy that forced Akwesasne residents to pay duty on
purchases they made in the United States, despite the fact that the Jay
Treaty of 1794, also known as the “Treaty of Amity, Commerce and
Navigation” affirmed that they were not required to do so. An NFB
documentary by Mort Ransen is available online at:
http://intercontinentalcry.org/you-are-on-indian-land/

For an extensive backgrounder, read “Forty-one year legacy of Mohawk
resistance at Akwesasne border” by Mohawk Nation News:
http://www.mohawknationnews.com/news/singlenews.php?en=en&layout=mnn&newsnr=709&backurl=%2Fnews%2Fnews3.php%3Flang%3Den%26layout%3Dmnn%26sortorder%3D0&srcscript=/news/news3.php

-> June 2008: Mohawk grandmothers attacked by CBSA guards; more info here:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/06/cbsa-attack.html

-> Katenies, a member of the Akwesasne community, has openly challenged
the colonial “Canada-US” border. She refuses to recognize the authority of
the Canadian courts to judge her for “border violations”. Article/Audio
compilation here:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/06/katenies-cbsa-background.html

[Information compiled by Harsha (No One Is Illegal-Vancouver) & Jaggi (No
One Is Illegal-Montreal). Please send information for future updates to
BOTH noii-van@resist.ca AND nooneisillegal@gmail.com]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No One Is Illegal-Toronto
Web: http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2232590266
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/nooneisillegal
Email: nooneisillegal@riseup.net
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

June 9, 2009 | 8:13 AM Comments  0 comments
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Refugee Rights Day 2009 - Toronto Meeting Call
Related to country: Canada
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

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Refugee Rights Day 2009
Toronto Meeting Call

Refugee Rights Day commemorates the April 4, 1985 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, recognizing that refugees have the right to fundamental justice. Every year, community groups and individuals in Toronto come together to mark this important day.

Please join us to help organize Refugee Rights Day 2009 in Toronto. This meeting is open to everyone.

* If cannot come to the meeting, but wish to receive Refugee Rights Day 2009 (Toronto) planning updates, please email amy@ocasi.org

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) – 110
Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200
Near Yonge & Eglinton - Eglinton Subway Station - Follow this link for directions: http://www.ocasi.org/contact_us.php

Agenda:
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Event Dates
3. Major activities:
a. Mayor's Proclamation and Panel Discussion - evening
b. Training Workshop - daytime
c. Art Display/Community Fair
d. Evening celebration
4. Outreach and promotion
5. Volunteers
6. Financial support/donations

If you have questions, please contact Amy Casipullai at amy@ocasi.org or phone 416.322.4950 ext. 239


--
Amy Casipullai
Policy and Public Education Coordinator
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
110 Eglinton Ave. W., Suite 200 Toronto ON M4R 1A3
Tel: 416.322.4950 ext. 239
Fax: 416.322.8084
acasipullai@ocasi.org
www.ocasi.org
www.settlement.org
www.etablissement.org
www.settlement.org/atwork

February 8, 2009 | 9:30 AM Comments  0 comments
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August 21, 2007 - Toronto, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto Youth Cabinet

August 21, 2007 - Toronto FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1,500 Torontonians tell Minister of Immigration to ‘Let Leo Stay’

Award-winning community activist Leonardo Zuniga and his supporters are calling on Minister of Immigration Diane Finley to stop his removal to Mexico, where he faces persecution due to his sexual orientation and threats against his life.

In addition to gathering over 1,000 online petition signatures and 500 hard copy signatures, Leo’s grassroots campaign has received support from MP Olivia Chow, MPP Cheri DiNovo, MPP George Smitherman, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Councillor Shelly Carroll, Councillor Adam Giambrone, Councillor Howard Moscoe, Councillor Kyle Rae, and Councillor Adam Vaughan.

On Wednesday, August 22nd at 11am in the Council Chambers of Toronto City Hall, Leo will deliver a personal message intended for the Minister of Immigration. He will be joined by MPP-Toronto Centre Rosedale, George Smitherman, Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of EGALE Canada, John Campey, Executive Director of Community Social Planning Council of Toronto, community supporters, and members of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, Supporting our Youth, and No One Is Illegal – Toronto.

"Leo has already contributed a great deal to our community as a human rights advocate and supporter," said Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of Egale Canada. "Now we have to focus our efforts on making sure he is not deported to Mexico where being gay is not an accepted way of life."

Xtra! Magazine recently published the story of Enrique Villegas, the Mexican refugee claimant who was murdered upon return to Mexico after the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board rejected his refugee protection claim in 2003. Villegas was found dead in his Mexico City apartment in April, 2007.

Since arriving in Canada, Leo has been active in the LGTBQ, Latino, and youth communities and has drawn on his own experiences as an LGTBQ immigrant youth to support those who find themselves in similar situations. Leo is the recipient of the 2006 David Barker Maltby Award for his photography work and received the 2007 Youth Line Award for Queer Youth Activism.

“As a country that prides itself on upholding human rights, Canada should not be deporting its human rights advocates,” said Gabriela Rodriguez Director of Council Relation of the Toronto Youth Cabinet. “In addition to working full-time, Leo has selflessly dedicated himself to promoting the rights of others. The fact that Leo has been treated so callously by the immigration system is further evidence that the discriminatory system itself is ‘un-Canadian’ and in need of a serious overhaul.”

In June of 2006, William T. Short of the Immigration and Refugee Board refused Leo’s claim on the grounds that his fears were not well-established. Ignoring the pervasiveness of homophobia in Mexico, including the fact that over 1000 gay men have been murdered in the past 10 years with little sign of justice, Short reported that Leo could simply move to another part of Mexico.

On July 12th, 2007, Leo organized an event at the 519 Community Centre attended by over 150 community members entitled the “Invisible Struggle” to highlight the conditions of LGTBQ people in Mexico and the barriers they face upon seeking asylum in Canada.

The Toronto Youth Cabinet is the official voice of Toronto’s 300,000 youth at City Hall since 1998.

For more information, please contact: Leonardo Zuniga – 416-312-0523, Ryan Hayes, Toronto Youth Cabinet – 416-655-0161, Suhail Abualsameed, Supporting our Youth – 416-924-0774

Website: www.leonardozuniga.ca
Petition: www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?004612

August 21, 2007 | 11:26 AM Comments  0 comments
Tags:


So near and yet so far
Related to country: Canada

So near and yet so far
IMMIGRATION / Queer & trans refugees face similar threats but separate struggles
Candace Joseph / Xtra / Thursday, July 05, 2007

In Toronto being trans and being queer are clearly two different, if potentially overlapping, experiences. But the distinctions between queer and trans become less meaningful in places where homophobia is more prevalent.

"For 20 years back home I've been facing discrimination from society, even my own family," says Mexican-born Leonardo Zuniga, who is currently seeking refugee status in Canada. "I'm kind of an effeminate person, so even if I was pretending not to be gay, it's not something I was able to do... to stay in the closet."

It is queers who push gender roles, above and beyond loving people of the same gender, who are more likely to be the targets of discrimination and violence.

"The roles that we apply to gender is the basis of homophobia," says immigration lawyer and activist El-Farouk Khaki. "Women and men who are queer and who violate those gender norms are the ones that are the most victimized."

Khaki, whose immigration practice focusses on queer, trans and HIV-positive people fleeing persecution and women fleeing violence, has been filing refugee claims for more than 12 years. Through his experience he has concluded that trans people are often less able to escape persecution than other queers.

"A gay man or a lesbian woman or someone who is bisexual can pass [as straight] in many cases whereas trans people have a harder time passing for their chosen genders."

Shadmith Manzo, also from Mexico, came to Canada because she was afraid of what would happen if she came out as trans.

"I tried to hide [being trans]," says Manzo, "but you cannot hide it very well and then you have people threatening you, trying to blackmail you, even sometimes close people, and then you have to be careful of everybody and then eventually it governs your life.

"For me at a certain point I developed a lot of anxiety and a lot of problems. I reached a point where I realized my life in Mexico was practically drowning my existence."

At the time that she left Mexico Manzo says that there were incidents of trans people being murdered, their bodies found on the outskirts of the city. People would make fun of them, she says, "And say, 'Oh, this happened because it was a homosexual.'"

Zuniga agrees that in Mexico there is the dominant thinking that victims of homophobic or transphobic violence have somehow brought it upon themselves.

"Police say, 'Oh, it's just a passionate crime,'" says Zuniga. "Because this person was homosexual it was like it was something that he or she deserved."

On Thu, Jul 12 Zuniga will present a forum on the realities of life for queer and trans people in Mexico. The event, to be held at the 519 Community Centre, will include information taken from the recently published Homo-fobia: Odio, Crimen y Justicia (Homophobia: Hate, Crime And Justice) by Fernando del Collado, which documents the more than 1,000 queer and trans people who were killed or went missing in Mexico from 1995 to 2005.

"I called this event Invisible Struggle because I'm going to try to talk about all these thousands of people murdered," says Zuniga. "There's injustice for all these people."

The forum will also touch on the struggles that refugees face when they come to Canada.

"I'll try to raise awareness of queer refugees in Canada who are struggling on a daily basis with the [immigration and refugee] system," says Zuniga, who is currently waiting on the outcome of an application to let him stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Zuniga has already been denied refugee status once. His first claim was on the basis of persecution due to sexual orientation, which was complicated by the fact that he was on the run from an abusive boyfriend.

"The situation with ex-boyfriend forced me to leave," says Zuniga. "It was really hard. My life was in danger and I was completely alone, isolated, all by myself. I wasn't able to ask my family for help because I wasn't sure how they'd react. There is in Mexico the machismo culture and the Catholic religion and my family was very religious. I felt that I had no choice [but to leave]."

But at an immigration hearing in May 2006, Zuniga's first refugee claim was denied. "[The Immigration And Refugee Board member] reported he had not found well-established fear. That I wasn't a person in need of protection.

"[He said] 'Mexico City has 25 million people so your ex-boyfriend will not find you there. It's a very open city right now... so you won't face discrimination there.'"

The trouble with proving persecution is something that Manzo is also familiar with. In 1994 Manzo claimed refugee status in Canada on the basis of persecution related to gender identity. But her claim was rejected. On Aug 12, 1998, less than a week after she married her partner, Crystal Manzo Chavez, Shadmith was taken from her apartment and detained at a facility in Malton.

"The only reason I came here was to a have a right for living a life for who I am and then you go to this journey where all of a sudden, you are misunderstood.... You are treated like a criminal," she says, describing her detainment. "You feel like it's so unbelievably unfair and [you feel] isolated and misunderstood. It's a very anguished and very painful time. It was very dehumanizing in many ways because you are treated like a product, not an individual. You are treated like a number, not like a person."

Manzo appealed to the federal court offering evidence supporting her claims of persecution in Mexico. But a risk assessment officer determined that while transsexuals were discriminated against, they were not persecuted. After 17 days in detention, Manzo was deported back to Mexico. She was eventually granted landed immigrant status on the basis of her relationship with her partner.

Part of what complicates the process of claiming refugee status in Canada as a Mexican is that the country is in the process of becoming more accepting of sexual diversity — at least in theory.

In November 2006 civil unions in Mexico City were legalized, allowing same-sex couples to register their relationships and providing them with inheritance rights and other benefits normally given to spouses. Earlier this year David Sanchez Camacho of the Democratic Revolution Party planned to submit a bill amending Mexico's constitution to include the rights of transsexuals, and to change civil laws to ensure that they can change their names and genders.

"Even a few months ago there was passed into different states civil unions of same-sex couples," says Zuniga. "But that's paper. I don't need papers in my life. I need reality."

Although trans and other queer refugees face many similarities in their struggles to be allowed to stay in Canada, their particular challenges once here are unique.

"Issues around gender and sex are very different to issues around sexuality," says Rachna Contractor, the coordinator of Among Friends, a three-year program to improve access to services for queer and trans immigrants and refugees in Toronto. "It's two different communities. They get lumped together for obvious reasons, but someone's gender identity is not the same as their sexual identity."

Contractor says there exists a level of transphobia within Toronto's queer scene. "I think that the queer community is a place where there's a lot of internalized homophobia, but [also] a lot of transphobia, a lot of sexism. There's a lot of racism, there's a lot of classism.

"I think what happens in communities that are marginalized is that it's almost like, 'Here's my piece of the pie and you can't come in and I'm not going to share it with you'.... It's almost like your power is on the backs of others so sometimes the queer community doesn't want to look at the trans people, the gender piece because, 'No, we've already gotten our power, now why do we want to take on your issue?'"

Khaki agrees that there is transphobia among queers, as well as homophobia among trans people.

"I think that many gay and lesbian people don't understand what makes a person transsexual," says Khaki. "They can understand not fitting into a gender norm and maybe it's a discomfort that most gay and lesbian people have with the visibility of somebody who is trans.... One would hope that your own experience of exclusion or disadvantage would make you more sensitive to others, but I think that human experience tells you otherwise."

In addition to possible discrimination within the queer scene, trans people face unique difficulties around accessibility to hormones, treatments and surgeries, says Suhail Abual Sameed, coordinator for Newcomer/Immigrant Youth Project. Sex reassignment surgery was removed from Ontario's health coverage in 1998.

It can also be a challenge to find trans-positive employers, he adds. "To find employers that are friendly enough to youth or to immigrants or to refugees is one thing. To find one that is friendly enough to trans people who are all these things, we can't even imagine how difficult that is or how problematic."

But for both queer and trans refugees there is the process of navigating the refugee system and the possibility of being taken advantage of along the way.

"They often don't know that there's a process which allows them to apply on the basis of sexuality. They wait for a while and that affects their cases. If they do know the process they look for a lawyer because they don't have connections and they often stumble onto really bad lawyers who take advantage of them and that's a very common situation."

Because of their lack of resources and support systems, refugees, particularly young ones, may do things that put their health at risk, says Abual Sameed.

"Lots of them meet older people within the community who sometimes take advantage of them and they go and do things to them sexually that are unsafe and, even though it's not safe, they will jeopardize that and compromise that safety for the sake of making a connection to somebody and making a new friend or thinking that this person might help them."

So then with all of the hardships and upheaval that queer and trans refugees face, is it worth it? Zuniga and Manzo certainly think so.

"Many people say, 'Why not lie? You have a much better life if you just lie,'" says Manzo. "But again, could you live without yourself? Could you just cover an existence without being you?"

"I love my country but if I can't be free, if I can't be Leonardo in Mexico it doesn't make sense to me," says Zuniga. "I want to be without fear of persecution, without fear that my life will be in danger."




Invisible Struggle takes place Thu, Jul 12 at the 519 Community Centre (519 Church St) beginning with a photo exhibit at 6:30pm. There will be a short film at 7pm and then the forum at 7:30pm. The petition asking the minister of immigration to let Leonardo Zuniga stay in Canada is available at Leonardozuniga.ca.

www.Leonardozuniga.ca


July 5, 2007 | 10:15 AM Comments  0 comments
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Bill C280 at Senate second reading - Senators MUST RISE AND SPEAK
Related to country: Canada

A message from:
Colleen French
Communications and Networking Coordinator
Canadian Council for Refugees

"Hello and thank you for continuing to contact senators in your region
asking them to support Bill C280, calling for the immediate implementation
of the Refugee Appeal Division!"

On 12 June, Senator Yoine Goldstein rose and spoke to the bill, opening
debate at second reading in the Senate. Other Senators MUST rise and speak
to the bill during second reading, however. After a few sittings, if no
one has spoken to Bill C280, it will be removed from the Order Paper and
our efforts to have the Refugee Appeal Diviaion implemented will be lost.

We know that several Senators have expressed their support for the
Bill. Senators that may be particularly favourable of speaking to Bill
C280 include: Vivienne Poy (Ontario), Sharon Carstairs (Manitoba), Lucie
Pépin (Québec), Claudette Tardif (Alberta), Mobina Jaffer (British
Columbia), and others in the Atlantic region and elsewhere.

Please contact these senators and others you have already been in touch
with and ask them to voice their opinions in the Senate chamber! It is
more important now than ever to take action. Contact details for senators
can be found online at:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/senate/isenator.asp?Language=E

June 20, 2007 | 5:31 PM Comments  0 comments
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