Anti-poverty protesters target Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee

ARMINA LIGAYA -- VANCOUVER
May 16, 2007 at 6:57 PM EDT
The Globe and Mail

Protesters who are threatening to storm their way into a meeting of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee today say they will start “evicting” individual board members at their workplaces and homes to get their message across – including tossing their belongings into the street.

The Anti-Poverty Committee — a local activist group that wants to cancel the games and direct Olympic funding towards social housing — plans to target VANOC board members at their workplaces.

Committee organizer David Cunningham said protesters intend to “symbolically evict” the VANOC board members in the same manner people have been displaced from the downtown lower east side.

“It would be just going in with a very confrontational attitude, much like the police go in to people's hotels,” said Mr. Cunningham. “When those places are evicted, people's belongings are just literally thrown into the streets. We'd be looking at doing about the same thing.”

In recent months there have been a series of protests surrounding the Olympic games preparations, including a February clash where activists stormed the stage of a VANOC ceremony, vandalism of the Olympic clock and today's planned protest.

The APC will go to board members' offices if protesters aren't able to force their way into VANOC's board of directors meeting. These regular meetings are traditionally closed to the public, but greater transparency and accountability is on the meeting agenda, said VANOC vice-president of communications, Renee Smith-Valade.

The APC is scheduled to meet at Pigeon Park at 1 p.m. PDT, before taking a bus which can seat 62 to VANOC's Graveley Street headquarters.

“Hopefully, they'll let us into the meeting today and we won't need to do this,” Mr. Cunningham said. “Otherwise, we'll start immediately... it will be a campaign of escalating office invasions.”

Constable Tim Fanning of Vancouver police said it's too early to speculate, but if the APC commits a crime, they will be dealt with.

“It's a no brainer... they're talking about a criminal offence, whether be it mischief or disturbance,” he said. “We won't know until we get there, or if it happens.”

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Map: The anti-immigrant right in the United States

From NACLA.

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When Justice Fails, Stop the Rails

“There’s only two ways to deal with white people, to have an effective resolution of the issues. You either pick up a gun and deal with the issue, or you stand between the white man and his money. On June 29, we’re going to stand between the white man and his money.” -- Terrence Nelson of the Roseau River First Nation in Manitoba

[Photo (l) of rail blockade by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte in Eastern Ontario.]

In response to the recent blockade of the CN Rail Line between Montreal and Toronto by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, CN has decided to sue the Mohawks for over $100 million.

Here’s a great response -- “Railways and Colonialism” -- that proposes targeting CN’s corporate headquarters in Montreal for protest.

Terrence Nelson of the Roseau River First Nation south of Winnipeg is taking the blockade threat beyond Eastern Ontario, to Western Canada, if native land claims are not resolved. In his words:

“There’s only two ways to deal with white people, to have an effective resolution of the issues. You either pick up a gun and deal with the issue, or you stand between the white man and his money. On June 29, we’re going to stand between the white man and his money.”

Nelson’s quote is from a CBC National News TV Report. The same report refers to a “step by step guide to sabotage the country’s rail lines.” They’re referring to a video by the “railway ties collective.” Their communiqué was posted on infoshop.org

According to Jim Prentice, the federal Minister of Indian Affairs” “This kind of a video is irresponsible, it’s unacceptable, it endangers people’s lives.”

Decide for yourself. You can view the “unacceptable” video HERE. [UPDATE 11:42am: The video has been removed, as threatened by various police agencies; read more HERE.]

To state the obvious: more to come.

-- JBS.

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Recherché/Wanted: René D'Aoust

Photo d'un affiche trouvé à Parc Extension.

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May 2007: No One Is Illegal Radio

LISTEN to our May 2007 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23164

Our May 3, 2007 show was part of CKUT’s Annual Funding Drive. This month’s show – our first in our new timeslot on Thursday’s Off-the-Hour from 5-6pm, includes interviews from Six Nations, Tyendinaga, New York City, Oakland, Jersey City and Ottawa.

The May 2007 show includes:

-> A pre-recorded interview by Liam of Prison Radio with RHONDA MARTIN, mother of former Six Nations political prisoner Chris Hill. Chris was held in a Hamilton-area detention centre for over three months in relation to charges relating to the Ontario Provincial Police raid on the Six Nations Land Reclamation that has been ongoing since February 2006. Chris has been denied legal aid, and his family are need of support, namely in the form of contributions to his legal defense fund. Cheques marked 'legal defense' can be sent to his mother, Rhonda Martin at: PO Box 383, Oshweken Ontario, N0A 1MO.

-> A live interview by phone with JASON MARACLE of the Mohawk Community of Tyendinaga. A spokesperson for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Jason has been involved in the ongoing reclamation of a quarry site on a part of Mohawk land called the “Culberston Tract”. As well, he was a part of a 30-hour plus blockade of CN railway lines to put pressure on government officials to properly settle land claims. This short interview takes place a few hours after a bail hearing for Tyendinaga Mohawk Shawn Brandt, who was charged by the Ontario Provincial Police in relation to the CN rail blockade.

-> A live interview from New York City with MARIA MUENTEZ of Families for Freedom. Maria gives a report from the May 1 immigrant justice protests in New York. Families for Freedom is multi-ethnic defense network by and for immigrants facing and fighting deportation.

-> A live interview from Oakland, California with former Black Panther and prison abolition activist ASHANTI ALSTON. Ashanti speaks about the importance of independent media, as well as providing an update about the San Franciso 8 trial of several former Black Panthers.

-> A live interview from Ottawa with SOPHIE HARKAT. Sophie is an activist against secret trials and security certificates, and the partner of Mohamed Harkat, one of Canada’s “Secret Trial Five”. Sophie speaks about the current fight against deportation by Mohamed, as well as the severe bail conditions faced by her and her husband.

-> A live interview from Jersey City with AMIR HODHOD. Amir, a refugee from Egypt, was an active member of the Workers Solidarity Network and Solidarity Across Borders in Montreal. He lived as an “illegal” in Canada, and was deported to the United States where he was detained in December 2006. Amir continues his struggle for status in the USA.

LISTEN to our May 2007 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23164

::::::::::
For two decades, CKUT has been embedded in Montreal's movements for
social justice and self-determination. Support grassroots, independent radio by contributing to CKUT 90.3 FM's funding drive!

You can still CONTRIBUTE or PLEDGE online at: https://secure.ckut.ca/pledge.php
::::::::::


ABOUT NO ONE IS ILLEGAL RADIO:

-> Previous shows (May 2006-April 2007) are linked at:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2007/05/no-one-is-illegal-radio-may-2006-april.html <-

NO ONE IS ILLEGAL RADIO is a monthly news and current affairs show on CKUT 90.3 FM, community radio in Montreal, produced and hosted by members of the No One Is Illegal-Montreal collective on the first Thursday of every month, on Off-the-Hour from 5-6pm.

For one year, NO ONE IS ILLEGAL RADIO has brought you voices from the frontlines of the movements for the self-determination of migrant and indigenous peoples, against borders & capitalism, racial profiling & police brutality, and detentions & deportation.

In the past year, we're heard from indigenous sovereignty movements from Six Nations to Tyendinaga, Grassy Narrows to Kahnawake. We've listened to US activists fighting for migrant justice, from New York to New Bedford to Oakland. We've heard from activists in Lebanon, Palestine and England.

We've spoken with individuals who have experienced and survived removals and detention, and continue to fight against detention centers, prisons and borders. Locally, we've been inspired by activists fighting deportation, racial profiling and security certificates

CKUT Community Radio is unabashedly embedded within Montreal's migrant justice and indigenous solidarity movements.

Please support independent and grassroots radio – and another year of NO ONE IS ILLEGAL RADIO – by contributing to CKUT Radio's funding drive (visit www.ckut.ca ).

-> Previous shows (May 2006-April 2007) are linked at:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2007/05/no-one-is-illegal-radio-may-2006-april.html <-

-----
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com
514-848-7583 - noii-montreal@resist.ca

"Je ne comprends pas grand chose aux États et aux frontières. Je sais seulement que la Terre est ronde, et contrairement aux arbres qui ont des racines, les humains ont des pieds pour marcher."

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BBC: Migrants Land on Canary Islands

Hundreds of African migrants landed on Spain's Canary Islands on Monday, bringing to at least 800 the number who have landed there since Thursday.

The Spanish Interior Ministry says the immigrants, mostly young men from Gambia, Guinea and Senegal, arrived in five boats.



[Original article HERE.]

Last year, more than 30,000 illegal immigrants landed on the islands.

In recent months, the number making the journey from Africa has fallen sharply compared to the same time last year.

Lack of patrols

The recent increase in the numbers making it to the Canaries has been attributed to calm seas, warm weather and the fact the European Union's external borders agency Frontex is not patrolling between the islands and Africa's west coast.

Two of the boats were carrying 103 people each, Spanish interior ministry spokeswoman Candelaria Cedallos told the Associated Press.

The migrants included 30 children, she said.

Passengers on one of the vessels told the AFP news agency they had travelled for four or five days and had not eaten anything for the last two days.

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Au moins 60 migrants haïtiens décédés dans un naufrage « criminel »

[Grioo.com, 9 mai 2007] Haïti réclame une enquête après la mort de 60 de ses ressortissants, tués lors du naufrage de leur voilier vendredi dernier.

Ces haïtiens, tentant vraisemblablement de joindre les Etats-Unis clandestinement, se trouvaient à proximité de l’archipel britannique de Turks and Caicos lorsque leur embarcation aurait été heurtée à deux reprises par un sloop originaire de ces îles.


[Article original ICI.]

Leur bateau aurait alors chaviré, entraînant à la mort des dizaines de passagers, sans obtenir d’aide du navire ayant causé leur perte.

C’est du moins la version racontée par les survivants du drame, qui est contestée par le gouverneur des Turks and Caicos. Celui-ci affirme qu'après le choc, le sloop a été remorqué par un bateau des forces de l’ordre qui l'a ramené au rivage en raison de la tempête grondant à ce moment. C’est pendant ce remorquage que les haïtiens seraient tombés "accidentellement" à l’eau.

Les autorités haïtiennes ont annoncé leur volonté de mener une enquête sur ce dossier, que le gouvernement de Port au Prince considère comme « criminel » selon la direction de l’Office National des Migrations de Haïti.

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Des migrants haïtiens accusent

Port-au-Prince, Haïti (9 mai 2007) -- Selon des migrants haïtiens, un navire des îles Turks and Caicos a heurté deux fois leur bateau à voiles qui a ensuite chaviré la semaine dernière, tuant des dizaines de passagers, a annoncé hier le directeur général de l'Office national des Migrations de Haïti.

Jeanne Bernard Pierre, directrice générale de l'Office national des Migrations, a déclaré que le récit de ces migrants n'avait pas été confirmé, mais que le gouvernement d'Haïti considérerait cet événement comme «criminel» s'il était vrai. Hier matin, le gouverneur des îles Turks and Caicos, Richard Tauwhare, a déclaré que les migrants haïtiens étaient tombés à l'eau tandis que le sloop se faisait remorquer jusqu'au rivage. Le bilan s'est établi à 61 victimes, selon le gouvernement des îles Turks and Caicos. Un premier bilan donné vendredi après le naufrage au large du territoire des Caraïbes britanniques s'est alourdi après la découverte de plusieurs corps dérivant dans l'océan Atlantique.

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Articles: Death of Chinese migrant workers in Alberta

Energy company Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. is confirming that two workers killed Tuesday at its Horizon oilsands construction site in northern Alberta were Chinese citizens.

Real Doucet, the company's senior vice-president of oilsands, says four other workers hurt in the accident were also foreign workers from China.


Canadian Natural confirms two dead oilsands workers were Chinese

Canadian Press

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

CALGARY (CP) - Energy company Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (TSX:CNQ) is confirming that two workers killed Tuesday at its Horizon oilsands construction site in northern Alberta were Chinese citizens.

Real Doucet, the company's senior vice-president of oilsands, says four other workers hurt in the accident were also foreign workers from China.

The accident occurred when the roof collapsed on a massive oil container being built as part of Canadian Natural's $10.8-billion oilsands project north of Fort McMurray, Alta.

Canadian Natural says it's unlikely that the fact the workers were Chinese had anything to do with the accident.

It says everyone on site has to be fully certified and adhere to strict safety rules.

Organized labour groups have railed against Canadian Natural for bringing in temporary foreign workers to help alleviate the costly labour shortage in northern Alberta.

:::::

Two killed in Alberta job site accident

By HAMID AHMED

FORT MCKAY, Alta. (CP) -- Two workers were killed and four others injured Tuesday when a roof collapsed at a Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. job site north of Fort McMurray.

The company said in a news release that the 2:30 p.m. accident involved a roof support structure at the tank erection site of the Horizon Oil Sands Project.

"All authorities have been notified of this incident," the company said in a news release.

"The site has been immediately secured and injured workers are receiving appropriate medical attention by the on-site medical staff."

A worker told CTV Edmonton it was windy and the large tank just flew apart.

"I heard this horrible noise, just crashing steel, smashing, crashing, and I looked over and I saw bunch of steel flying, these huge towers they use for holding up the tank roof," the unidentified worker said.

All workers were evacuated from the site, the worker said.

Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said he received a few phone calls from union members at the site.

"They told us there'd been an accident on the Horizon site involving temp foreign workers form China brought in by CNR or one of their contractors to work on a big tank farm on the Horizon site," McGowan said.

"Our understanding is that one of the big tanks collapsed and in the process at least two workers were killed and as many as four were injured."

McGowan said he did not know what caused the collapse.

"That's all we got before our members' cellphones were confiscated by management."

The Horizon project is being developed over a seven-year period on a 46,500 hectare site 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

Canadian Natural had recently introduced direct charter flights to Cape Breton and Newfoundland for workers commuting to jobs on the project.

Horizon workers generally work three or four weeks at the camp-like site with eight days off, during which they are flown home.

:::::

Two Chinese workers die on Alta. construction site

Updated Wed. Apr. 25 2007 10:00 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Critics are calling for a review of Canada's temporary foreign worker program, after two Chinese workers died when a roof collapsed in northern Alberta.

"I heard a big snap, and that was the cable," witness Brett Taylor, a boilmaker apprentice, told CTV Edmonton.

"I looked over and could see the whole entire things just twist and the roof pulled out and slammed right down on top of everybody."

The accident happened on an oilsands construction site about 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

The workers were building a large oil container as part of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.'s $10.8-billion Horizon project.

The company has since confirmed the two killed workers were Chinese employees, and four others injured in the same incident were also from China.

Horizon is one of the largest construction sites in Canada with 4,000 people, many of them foreign temporary workers.

"We knew that it was just a matter of time before somebody was going to lose their life on that site," said Tim Brower of IBEW Local 424.

Witnesses say there were high winds at the time of the collapse that may have caused the accident.

One witness said it had nothing to do with the workers' nationality or any perceived lack of training.

"I don't think you can blame the foreign workers," he said. "They're just working men. They work hard."

Some labour groups have said Canadian Natural relies too much on foreign workers to help cover a massive labour shortage in northern Alberta.

"Over the last year or so, especially on construction projects in northern Alberta, we've gone from a situation where the program was used as a temporary stop-gap to a one-stop human resources strategy for employers," Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, told The Canadian Press.

He added that questions must be asked about how well trained such workers are, and whether the temporary foreign worker program must be overhauled.

"For example, did these workers receive adequate health and safety training before they started working on a Canadian worksite?" he asked. "Were there issues related to language and communication that played a role?

"These are questions that aren't always addressed in ordinary health and safety investigations, but given the nature of this particular workplace accident, we think the investigative authorities need to leave no stone unturned."

Peter Janson, vice-president of engineering and integration, defended the skill and training of the Chinese workers.

"My belief is that they are competent, they meet those requirements or they wouldn't be certified," he said.

A Health and Safety spokeswoman told CP a thorough investigation of the accident means it could take years to write a final report.

With a report by CTV Edmonton's Dan Kobe and files from The Canadian Press

:::::

Canadian Natural confirms two dead oilsands workers were Chinese

Wed Apr 25 13:20:06 CDT 2007

CALGARY (CP) - The deaths of two Chinese workers at an oilsands construction site in northern Alberta has reignited a debate over Canada's temporary foreign worker program.

Energy company Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX:CNQ) confirmed Wednesday that the victims were Chinese employees who had been brought over by an unnamed Canadian contractor. Four others who were injured are also from China.

Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said questions surrounding the accident's cause are "more urgent" due to the involvement of foreign workers.

He called on both the Alberta and federal governments to broaden their investigation to include a look at whether the temporary foreign worker program can be at all blamed in the deaths.

"For example, did these workers receive adequate health and safety training before they started working on a Canadian worksite?" McGowan asked. "Were there issues related to language and communication that played a role?

"These are questions that aren't always addressed in ordinary health and safety investigations, but given the nature of this particular workplace accident, we think the investigative authorities need to leave no stone unturned."

The workers died Tuesday when the roof collapsed on a massive oil container being built as part of Canadian Natural's $10.8-billion Horizon oilsands project north of Fort McMurray, Alta.

Two of the injured were released from hospital within 24 hours, while the other two were transferred to a facility in Edmonton.

Real Doucet, the company's senior vice-president of oilsands, said it's unlikely that their nationality had anything to do with the accident.

"The way we see it here, when people come on site there are very, very strict rules, very strict regulations and standards that Canadian Natural has imposed on all its contractors on site."

Doucet also said that all workers - no matter where they come from - have to be certified and fully competent before being allowed to work.

But Alberta Liberal employment critic Bruce Miller said better protection and improved monitoring of workplace conditions for temporary foreign workers are still needed.

"We have a duty to protect the people who come to Alberta through this program," he said.

Miller also suggested that foreign workers who do face unsafe working conditions may find it difficult to complain due to restrictive work visas. The Horizon project, which is 65 per cent complete, will be Canada's fourth major open-pit oilsands megaproject when it comes onstream in late 2008.

There are currently about 4,500 workers on site, but another 2,000 are expected to join the ranks by this summer when the project reaches its peak construction period.

The tank farm where the accident occurred is now under a stop-work order and five investigators from Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Department were at the scene.

Doucet said winds that were gusting upwards of 30 kilometres an hour around the time of the accident may have played a role.

"That's probably what the investigation will determine - whether wind was the cause or not. We don't know what the cause is at this time."

The tank farm is not a critical part of the Horizon project, but the long-term implications of the accident remain unclear, he added.

"It all depends on the investigation. We definitely want to do a very thorough root-cause analysis and we want to do also lessons-learned out of this. Definitely it is something that we take very, very seriously."

Organized labour groups had already railed against Canadian Natural for bringing in international workers to help alleviate the costly labour shortage in northern Alberta.

Tuesday's deaths show the foreign worker program is being relied upon too heavily in the overheated oilpatch economy, McGowan said. "Over the last year or so, especially on construction projects in northern Alberta, we've gone from a situation where the program was used as a temporary stop-gap to a one-stop human resources strategy for employers."

A Health and Safety spokeswoman said a thorough investigation of the accident means a final report may take years to assemble.

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More on the drownings of Haitian migrants

Rarely, in the numerous posts on this site about migration deaths, are we able to offer some sense of the individuals who make the courageous and tragic journeys across the walls of global apartheid.

The following from the May 7, 2007 issue of TIME Magazine, while imperfect, gives some sense, at least, of one individual (who is named), from Haiti, who drowned trying to reach the USA (read background stories HERE and HERE):
-----
Last Words

Addressing 1200 mourners in an emotional and politically charged service, the Rev. Reginald Jean-Mary eulogized Lifaite Lully, 24, who drowned trying to reach the U.S. in a boat carrying 102 Haitian refugees:

"We have come to mourn the death of hope. This young man was ... in search of security and freedom and meaning in his life."

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BBC: Boat rammed, say Haiti survivors

Survivors of a capsizing in which 61 Haitian migrants died have said that their vessel was rammed by a patrol boat from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Survivors told Associated Press news agency that their boat was rammed, towed into deeper water and then abandoned when it overturned.


[Original article HERE]

[Previous article HERE.]

The boat was carrying about 150 people from Haiti to the US when it sank early Friday 4 May off the Turks and Caicos.

The islands' government has said it is investigating the incident.

The US Coast Guard has said the migrants' vessel capsized as it was being towed to Providenciales, one of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Dangerous crossing

The Associated Press interviewed six of the survivors after they were repatriated to Haiti. They all gave the same story, AP said.

"When they hit us the first time," said Dona Daniel, "water rushed into the boat and everybody screamed."

He said crew on the Turks and Caicos patrol boat ordered them to lower their sails and began towing them into deeper water.

The boat then capsized, the AP witnesses said.

Another survivor, Lovderson Nacon, said he was in the water for 15 minutes before another patrol boat arrived and began pulling people out of the shark-infested waters.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory, is located to the north of Haiti and south-east of the Bahamas.

The government of the islands has said it will not comment on the capsizing until two investigations being conducted are complete.

Three British government experts are carrying out an independent investigation.

The number of Haitian migrants attempting the dangerous crossings to the US or to other Caribbean islands has increased in recent months.

Some 909 Haitians have been caught by the US Coast Guard since January, officials say.

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Photos, Audio, Flyer: STATUS FOR ALL March in Montreal

MONTREAL -- Several hundred demonstrators marched along Jean-Talon Boulevard this past Saturday, May 5, 2007, as part of a pan-Canadian Day of Action for immigrant justice demanding: STATUS FOR ALL!

--> A PHOTO ESSAY from the May 5 Montreal demonstration and Parc Extension Community Festival (including Mayworks!, the Contingent Précaires, and a Mayday action by the Committee of the Unemployed) is linked at: http://gallery.cmaq.net/may5statusforall

--> The "WHY WE ARE MARCHING" flyer text that was passed out in the thousands on May 5 is linked at: http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-we-are-marching.html

The protest, organized by Solidarity Across Borders, marched east into Villeray and Rosemont, and west to the busy Jean-Talon market-area until finally crossing into the mostly immigrant Parc Extension neighborhood. Many demonstrators covered their faces in a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the hundreds of thousands people who live without status in Canada. The day ended with a Community Festival in Athena Park in the heart of Parc X, with dancing, music, food and speakers.

Montreal's May 5 demonstration – under the theme "Immigrant rights are workers' rights" – was the culmination of several Mayday activities supported by the Solidarity Across Borders network, including the Mayworks Festival, and the "Contingent Précaires" on Mayday. As well, our demonstration was undertaken in solidarity with immigrant justice mobilizations in the United States. We particularly emphasized the immigrant worker traditions of Mayday, dating back to they Haymarket martyrs of 1886.


-> Aside from various speakers at the May 5 demo and community festival, Solidarity Across Borders recorded the following RECORDED STATEMENTS that were played at the demonstration:

* A message from Kader Belaouni, in sanctuary at the St-Gabriel's Church in Montreal since January 2006; Kader marched with Solidarity Across Borders from Montreal to Ottawa in 2005, and continues to defy a deportation order, and to demand permanent residency in Canada. His message is linked at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23048
More info about Kader is available at: http://www.soutienpourkader.net

* A message from Amir Hodhod, from Jersey City; Amir was an active member of Solidarity Across Borders who also organized and marched to Ottawa in June 2005 to demand a full and inclusive regularization program for all non-status migrants; in 2006, Amir was deported to the United States, where he continues his struggle for status. His message is linked at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23046
More info about Amir Hodhod is available at: http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org/en/node/124

* And a message from Amir Kazemian, who was in sanctuary in a Vancouver-area church for almost three years, before winning status this past February. His message is linked at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23047


-> Several of the MAINSTREAM MEDIA articles about May 5 demonstrations are linked on the Solidarity Across Borders news blog:

Montreal Gazette: Protesters march for refugees, migrants; many demonstrators wear masks in show of solidarity with illegal, non-status immigrants

Canadian Press: Demonstrators demand status for migrants

CTV (Toronto): Protesters rally against the deportation of refugees

Radio-Canada: Marche de solidarité avec les clandestins

Presse Canadienne: Marche pour les libertés civiles à Montréal

----------

If you're interested in knowing more about Solidarity Across Borders, supporting our work, or getting involved, please attend our next GENERAL ASSEMBLY (May 11), or our COMMUNITY DINNER (May 12):

--> Solidarity Across Borders GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FRIDAY, May 11th
1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, #204
(metro Guy-Concordia)
6pm: for newcomers
6:30pm: assembly begins
Childcare and rides are available upon request, please phone 514-848-7583 to confirm.
Snacks will also be available.

--> Our next COMMUNITY DINNER
Welcome to all!
A free dinner, with music, films and more...
SATURDAY, MAY 12th, 6pm
6839 rue Drolet, corner Belanger
Metro Jean-Talon, exit Jean-Talon South
(one street south of Jean-Talon and one street West of St-Denis)

Solidarity Across Borders is a Montreal-based network engaged in the struggle for justice and dignity of immigrants and refugees. We are comprised of migrants, immigrants, refugees and allies, and come together in support of four main demands: the regularization of all non-status people (Status for All!), an end to deportations, an end to detentions, and the abolition of security certificates.

----------
INFO:
http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org
514-848-7583 / sansfrontieres@resist.ca

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Photo-reportage, audio, tract: UN STATUT POUR TOUS ET TOUTES! Montreal

MONTRÉAL – Plusieurs centaines de manifestant-e-s ont défilé pendant plusieurs heures sur la rue Jean-Talon le 5 mai dernier, dans le cadre d'une journée d'action pan-canadienne de justice pour les immigrant-e-s visant à revendiquer un la mise en place d'un programme de régularisation complet pour tout-e-s les sans-papiers, c'est-à-dire un STATUT POUR TOUTES ET TOUS.

-> Un PHOTO-REPORTAGE portant sur la manifestation et le festival communautaire du 5 mai dernier (ainsi que sur le festival Mai à l'œuvre!, le Contingent « Précaires en colère » et une action organisée par le Comité des sans-emploi) peut être visionné à l'adresse suivante : http://gallery.cmaq.net/may5statusforall

--> Une copie du tract « POURQUOI NOUS MARCHONS », distribué massivement le 5 mai dernier, se trouve à l'adresse suivante : http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/pourquoi-nous-marchons.html


La manifestation du 5 mai, qui a été organisée par le réseau Solidarité sans frontières, a marché vers l'est, traversant les quartiers de Villeray et de Rosemont, ensuite vers l'ouest le long de Jean-Talon, près du marché, et finalement à travers le quartier majoritairement immigrant de Parc-Extension. Plusieurs manifestant-e-s ont choisi de se masquer, un geste symbolique pour témoigner de leur solidarité avec les centaines de milliers de sans-papiers vivant au Canada. La marche a pris fin par un festival communautaire au Parc Athéna, au cœur de Parc-Extension, où plusieurs artistes se sont donnés en spectacle.

La manifestation – qui s'est déroulée sous la bannière « Immigrants, immigrantes, travailleurs, travailleuses, même combat! », a été le point culminant d'une séries d'activités autour du Premier mai appuyées par le réseau Solidarité sans frontières, notamment le festival Mai à l'œuvre! et le Contingent « Précaires ». Notre manifestation se voulait également un acte de solidarité avec les mobilisations immigrantes qui ont eu lieu aux États-Unis. Nous avons ainsi choisi de mettre un accent particulier sur les traditions des travailleurs immigrants et des travailleuses immigrantes en lien avec le Premier mai, traditions qui peuvent être retracées jusqu'au temps des martyrs du Haymarket en 1886.


--> Plusieurs personnes ont pris la parole lors de la manifestation. Solidarité sans frontière a également enregistré les témoignages suivants, qui ont été diffusés pendant la manifestation.

* Un message de Kader Belaouni, en sanctuaire à l'Église Saint-Gabriel de Montréal depuis janvier 2006. Kader a marché vers Ottawa avec Solidarité sans frontières en 2005. Il continue de défier un ordre de déportation qui pèse contre lui et de revendiquer la résidence permanente au Canada. Vous pouvez entendre son message ici : http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23048

* Un message d'Amir Hodhod, de Jersey City, USA. Amir était un membre actif de Solidarité sans frontières, qui a lui aussi marché vers Ottawa en 2005 pour revendiquer la mise en place d'un programme de régularisation complet et inclusif pour tous les immigrant-e-s sans-statut. En 2006, Amir a été déporté aux États-Unis, où il continue de lutter pour ses papiers. Vous pouvez entendre son message ici :
http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23046

* Et, finalement, un message d'Amir Kazemian, qui a été en sanctuaire à Vancouver pendant près de 3 ans avant d'obtenir son statut en février dernier. Vous pouvez entendre son message ici : http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23047

--> Plusieurs ARTICLES ET REPORTAGES portant sur la manifestation du 5 mai sont disponibles sur le blogue de Solidarité sans frontières :

Radio-Canada: Marche de solidarité avec les clandestins

Presse Canadienne: Marche pour les libertés civiles à Montréal

Montreal Gazette: Montreal Gazette: Protesters march for refugees, migrants; many
demonstrators wear masks in show of solidarity with illegal, non-status
immigrants

Canadian Press: Demonstrators demand status for migrants

CTV (Toronto): Protesters rally against deportation of refugees


Si vous voulez en savoir plus sur Solidarité sans frontières, si vous voulez appuyer notre travail ou vous impliquer, assistez à notre prochaine ASSEMBLÉE GÉNÉRALE ou à notre prochain SOUPER COMMUNAUTAIRE :

-> VENDREDI LE 11 MAI
1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, #204
(metro Guy-Concordia)
18h: accueil pour les nouveaux et nouvelles
18h30: début de l'assemblée

-> Notre prochain SOUPER COMMUNAUTAIRE:
Bienvenue à toutes et tous!
Un souper gratuit, de la musique, des films et plus encore…
SAMEDI LE 12 MAI À 18H
6839 rue Drolet, coin Bélanger
Métro Jean-Talon, sortie Jean-Talon Sud
(une rue au sud de Jean-Talon et une rue à l'ouest de Saint-Denis)


Solidarité sans frontières est un réseau montréalais engagé dans la lutte pour la justice et la dignité pour les immigrant-e-s et les réfugié-e-s. Les membres de notre réseau, migrant-e-s, immigrant-e-s, réfugié-e-s et allié-e-s, se rassemblent autour de nos principales revendications: la régularisation de toutes les personnes sans-statut (Un statut pour tous et (toutes!); l'arrêt des déportations et des detentions et l'abolition des certificats de sécurité.

----------
INFO:
http://www.solidaritesansfrontieres.org
514-848-7583 / sansfrontieres@resist.ca

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BBC: Haiti migrants in boat disaster

(May 4, 2007) At least 22 Haitian migrants died after their boat capsized in shark-infested waters near the Turks and Caicos Islands, the US Coast Guard has said.

At least 73 of the 150 people believed to have been on board were rescued, but more than 50 are still missing.

Several of the victims appeared to have been bitten by sharks, officials said.

A police boat from the islands, north of Haiti, were trying to tow the sinking boat to port when it capsized.


[Original article HERE.]

The incident occurred at 0420 (0920 GMT) about half a mile (0.8km) south of Providenciales Island, a spokesman for the Coast Guard in Miami said.

Sixty-three people were immediately picked up by the police vessel and taken to South Dock on Providenciales.

Ten others were later saved by the police after a US Coast Guard helicopter spotted them clinging to the 25ft sail freighter's hull.

Dangerous crossing

The helicopter also located a number of bodies in the water, some of which appeared to have been attacked by sharks.

"We have reports that some did have bites that appeared to be from sharks," US Coast Guard Petty Officer Barry Bena told reporters.

"We don't know how many."

The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory, is located to the north of Haiti and south-east of the Bahamas.

The most commonly seen sharks in the area are nurse, lemon, Caribbean reef, and blacktip sharks. According to experts, the lemon and reef sharks occasionally are of danger to humans.

The number of Haitian migrants attempting the dangerous crossings to the US or to other Caribbean islands has increased in recent months.

Some 909 Haitians have been caught by the US Coast Guard since January, officials say.

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"Lutte sans frontière contre le facisme"

Selon des articles tirés de divers médias de masse, des individus inconnus ont re-décoré lundi le 30 avril dernier les bureaux du candidat de droite aux Présidentielles françaises, Nicolas Sarkozy. Ses bureaux sont situés dans le quartier huppé d’Outremont, à Montréal.

Pour plus d’information sur la couverture mainstream de cet événements, cliquez ICI.

Le bureau de Sarkozy à Montréal est son plus gros bureau à l’extérieur de l’Europe. Montréal est également la ville où il y a la plus grande proportion de Français-e-s inscrit-e-s sur la liste électorale à l’extérieur de la France même.


Selon les articles, les trois individus ont fait des graffitis et ont collé des affiches dénonçant Nicolas Sarkozy en tant que fasciste et démagogue.

Parmi les graffitis : “Sarko facho”, “Votez Sarko le démago”, “Sarko, sacre ton camp d'ici”, “Ni en France ni au Canada, pas de patrie pour les fachos”.

Une affiche collée sur les fenêtres du bureau déclarait aussi :
“Lutte sans frontières contre le fascisme”.

Un des aspects totalement ignoré dans la couverture médiatique au Québec et au Canada est que Nicolas Sarkozy, en tant qu’ex-Ministre de l’Intérieur, a bâti sa réputation à coups d’attaques contre la jeunesse immigrante en France. En 2005, dans le contexte des émeutes de la banlieue – qui ont été déclenchées suite au meurtre par des policiers de deux jeunes originaires de la banlieue parisienne de Clichy-sous-Bois – Sarkozy a qualifié les émeutiers et émeutières de “racaille”. Poursuivant dans la même veine fasciste, il a fait la promesse de “karcheriser” les quartiers à majorité immigrante.

De façon plus générale, Sarkozy a directement contribué à augmenter la répression policière et étatique à l’endroit des immigrant-e-s et des communautés racialisées, ainsi qu’à l’endroit des autres secteurs marginalisés en France, notamment les pauvres, les travailleurs et travailleuses et les sans-emploi. L’état d’urgence décrété en 2005 – un acte sans précédent – était raciste. Ainsi, les nombreux sans-papiers en France sont de plus en la cible d’arrestations, d’emprisonnement et de déportations. Enfin, Sarkozy courtise très ouvertement l’électorat et les partisan-e-s du facho Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Personne n’est illegal-Montréal, un collectif de justice pour les immigrant-e-s qui lutte contre les États et contre les frontières – tient à signifier son appui aux individus qui ont ciblé les bureaux de Sarkozy. Nous tenons également à réitérer notre solidarité avec la « racaille » qui continue de revendiquer et de lutter à tous les jours pour la justice et la dignité.

Notre terrain de lutte, l’État colonial du Canada, est l’hôte de plusieurs mouvements pour la justice, la dignité et l’autodétermination, auxquels nous prenons part. Ce sont des luttes, pour en nommer quelques unes, contre la brutalité policière, contre le profilage racial, contre les détentions et contre les déportations. En solidarités avec nos allié-e-s des mouvements immigrants en France, en Europe et ailleurs dans le monde, nous continuerons à exiger la liberté de mouvement et un statut pour toutes et tous.

Vive la racaille! Sarko: Y'est où ton char?
Lutte sans frontières contre le fascisme!

-- Personne n’est illegal-Montréal (le 2 mai 2007)
noii-montreal@resist.ca
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com

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"A struggle without borders against fascism"

According to mainstream media reports, this past Monday night (April 30, 2007), unknown individuals ("les inconnus", in French) re-decorated the exterior of French right-wing Presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy's offices in the upscale Outremont neighborhood of Montreal.

Articles, in English and French, are linked HERE.

Sarkozy's Montreal office is his biggest outside Europe, in a city that has the largest concentration of French voters outside of France itself.

According to mainstream news reports, the three unknown individuals left spray-painted graffiti and posters denouncing Sarkozy as a fascist and demagogue.



Some of the graffiti read: “Sarko facho”, “Votez Sarko le démago”, “Sarko, sacre ton camp d'ici”, “Ni en France ni au Canada, pas de patrie pour les fachos”.

One poster that was plastered over the office windows read: "Lutte sans frontière contre le fascisme" ["A struggle without borders against fascism"].

One point the mainstream media in Canada and Quebec hasn't mentioned is that Nicolas Sarkozy, as French Interior Minister, built his reputation on the scapegoating and attacking of France's immigrant youth. In the midst of the banlieue [immigrant suburbs] uprising of 2005 -- which was prompted by the police-initiated murder of two youths in the Paris banlieue of Clichy-sous-Bois -- Sarkozy described youth rioters as "racaille" (which can mean both "scum" or "rabble"). Using fascist language, he has vowed to "karcherise" immigrant-dominated neighborhoods.

More generally, Sarkozy has increased the repression of immigrants and racialized communities, as well as other marginalized sectors of France, particularly the poor, working class and unemployed, by the cops and state. The state of emergency, declared and enforced in 2005, was racist and without precedent. France's large non-status population ("sans papiers") has been increasingly targeted for arrest, imprisonment and deportation. Sarkozy has openly pandered to the constituency represented by French fascist Jean-Marie Le Pen.

No One Is Illegal-Montreal -- an immigrant justice collective that fights against borders and states -- supports the individuals who targeted Sarkozy's office. Moreover we reiterate our solidarity with "the rabble" who continue to demand and fight for justice with dignity.

On our terrain of struggle, in colonial Canada, we continue to be actively engaged in movements for justice, dignity and self-determination, in opposition to police brutality, racial profiling, detentions and deportations. In solidarity with our migrant justice allies in France, Europe and the rest of the world, we continue to demand free movement, and status for all.

Vive la racaille! Sarko: Y'est où ton char?
Lutte sans frontières contre le fascisme!

--No One Is Illegal-Montreal (May 2, 2007)
noii-montreal@resist.ca
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com

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Le local de Nicolas Sarkozy à Montréal vandalisé par des inconnus

(Associated Press) Les policiers montréalais ont été appelés lundi matin au 1587 de la rue Van Horne, dans l'arrondissement d'Outremont, où ils ont découvert que le local de M. Sarkozy avait été couvert de tracts et de graffitis. Ceux-ci condamnaient le candidat de l'UMP, le qualifiant de "fasciste" et de "démagogue" et l'enjoignant de mener sa campagne en dehors du Québec.



Articles:

Associated Press (fr.)
Presse Canadienne (fr.)
Le Journal de Montréal (fr.)
Radio-Canada (fr.)
LCN (fr.)
CBC (eng.)
Montreal Gazette (eng.)

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Affiche SSF :: SAB Poster

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NO ONE IS ILLEGAL RADIO (MAY 2006-APRIL 2007)

An archive of the first year of programming of No One Is Illegal Radio, including links to uploaded audio.

For one year, NO ONE IS ILLEGAL RADIO has brought you voices from the frontlines of the movements for the self-determination of migrant and indigenous peoples, against borders & capitalism, racial profiling & police brutality, and detentions & deportation.


:::: APRIL 2007 :::

A firsthand view from the occupation of a quarry by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte in Eastern Ontario; a perspective on recent raid on migrant workers in New Bedford, Massachusetts; and the sister of Anas Bennis, the victim of an unexplained police killing in Montreal in 2005; Interviews include:

-> SHAWN BRANT of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Community in Eastern Ontario, about the ongoing occupation of a quarry, as part of a land reclamation effort on the Culberston Tract;

-> CORINN WILLIAMS who played an active role in lending support to the targeted immigrant workers of a recent raid by Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a manufacturing plant; the raid, which involved hundreds of armed agents, police, military, as well as helicopters, resulted in the detention of more than 350 migrant workers, mainly young women with infant and small children;

-> KHADIJA BENNIS, the twin sister of Anas Bennis who was killed by Montreal police in still unexplained circumstances on December 1, 2005.

Listen to the APRIL 2007 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=22676



::: MARCH 2007 :::

A special uploaded edition of No One Is Illegal Radio, with a compilation of audio from the launch of the final report of the "People's Commission into Immigration "Security" Measures." Includes the voices of 11 participants in the People’s Commission:

-> FETYA AHMED, SARWAT VIQUAR & JARED WILL, commissioners: presenting the findings of the People's Commission

-> SARITA AHOOJA, member of No One Is Illegal-Montreal and a commissioner: speaking on the Land Reclamation at Six Nations

-> KHADIJA BENNIS, spokesperson of the Justice for Anas Campaign: speaking about the killing of her brother by Montreal police

-> MARY FOSTER, member of the Justice Coalition for Adil Charkaoui and an organizer of the People's Commission: speaking about the Kingston Immigration Holding Center ("Guantanamo North") and the Secret Trial Five

-> TATIANA GOMEZ, member of Solidarity Across Borders and an organizer of the People's Commission: speaking about the case of Amparo Torres, a Colombia refugee facing deportation based on secret evidence

-> HICHAM HALLAL, member of the Al Hidaya Association: speaking about Islamophobia and the racial and religious profiling of Arab and Muslim communities

-> MARIE-EVE LAMY, member of the Justice Coalition for Adil Charkaoui and an organizer of the People's Commission: speaking about the case of Suleyman Goven, a Kurdish refugee to Canada who was denied status for 15 years due to CSIS harassment and intimidation

-> LEILA POURTAVAF, member of No One Is Illegal-Montreal and a researcher for the People's Commission: speaking on the current immigration regime in Canada

-> LAURA SCHEVCHENKO, organizer with the Sogi Bachan Singh Support Committee: providing an update about the deportation to possible torture of Sogi Singh, based on secret evidence

Listen to the MARCH 2007 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=22700



:::: FEBRUARY 2007 ::::

This show looks at indigenous resistance at the
US-Canadian border, as well as migrant resistance to the War on
Terror, with two interviews:

-> KATENIES, member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Community, who is currently wanted on an arrest warrant for refusing to appear in court as she steadfastly refuses to recognize the jurisdiction of the Canadian courts and border officials;

-> KAVITHA PAWRIA, organizer with Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) in New York City, about the recent dawn arrest of an entire Pakistani family in New York City, part of the ongoing "War on Terror" in migrant communities.

Listen to the FEBRUARY 2007 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=21783



::: JANUARY 2007 :::

On this month's show: the re-opening of the Confederacy Council at Six Nations; the hunger strike at Guantanamo North; a message from a former deportee and detainee in Jersey City. Interviews include:

-> KAHNTINETHA of Mohawk Nation News from January 1, 2007; she reports on historic events at the Grand River Territory of Six Nations, where a traditional Confederacy House, shut down by the Canadian government in 1924, was re-opened.

-> AHMAD JABALLAH, the 20-year old eldest son of Mahmoud Jaballah, one of the three detainees at the "Guantanamo North" prison near Kingston, Ontario. Jaballah was detained without charge, on secret evidence, for more than five years; includes a reading of the "Open Letter from Guantanamo North".

-> AMIR HODHOD, who on December 27, 2006, after several
months living without legal status in Canada, he was deported to the United States and spent 7 days in the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. Amir was recently released on payment of an expensive bond, and speaks about his experience from the streets of Jersey City where he currently lives and continues his struggle for status.

Listen to the JANUARY 2007 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=21252



::: DECEMBER 2006 :::

On this month's edition of No One Is Illegal Radio, we hear directly from the voices of supporters fighting against injustice on behalf of their family members.

-> We speak with TRUDY MILLER and ANGEL SMITH, mother and cousin of indigenous political prisoner Trevor Miller. Trevor has been in preventive custody for more than four months, since August when he was arrested at a blockade at Grassy Narrows. Trevor has been referred to as the "Forgotten Warrior" because his situation was not publicly known for several months, until a letter he wrote his mother was published in a local Six Nations newspaper.

-> We also speak with KHADIJA BENNIS, the twin sister of Mohamed Anas Bennis who was killed by Montreal police last December 2005. Mohamed Anas Bennis left a neighbourhood mosque, just minutes from his home, after early morning prayers on December 1, 2005. He was shot by Montreal police. Bennis is alleged to have tried to stab a cop and was shot twice and killed. Bennis' family is adamant that the allegations against Mohamed are ludicrous. The mystery and secrecy surrounding this Anas killing reinforces the belief by many in the Montreal community that Mohamed Anas Bennis was killed by police in a case of racial profiling.

Listen to the DECEMBER 2006 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=20889



::: NOVEMBER 2006 :::

On this month's edition of No One Is Illegal Radio, we hear from two organizers and activists based in the New York City area:

-> ASHANTI ALSTON OMOWALI: Ashanti is an anarchist activist, a former political prisoner, and member of the Black Panther Party; he is the former northeast coordinator for Critical Resistance, a current co-chair of the National Jericho Movement to free U.S. political prisoners and a member of pro-Zapatista people-of-color U.S.-based Estación Libre.

-> BIJU MATHEW: Biju is originally from Hyderabad, India. For the past decade, he has been an organizer with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which represents thousands of predominantly immigrant taxi drivers. He is also the author of "Taxi: Cabs and Capitalism in New York City" and active with the Campaign to Stop Funding Hate.

Listen to the NOVEMBER 2006 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=20530



::: OCTOBER 2006 :::

The October 2006 edition of No One Is Illegal Radio focuses on the struggles of queer and LGBT people in the Middle East, as well as efforts to launch a boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel. On this month's show, you will hear from:

-> RASHA MOUMNEH of Helem; Helem is a LGBT group based in Beirut, Lebanon, and NAY of Aswat in Palestine; Aswat is a Palestinian Lesbian group. Both Rasha and Nay were speakers at "Out Against the Occupation" events in Montreal. Out Against the Occupation is a Montreal-based queer and LGBT response to the recent Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the ongoing occupation of Palestine.

-> RAFEEF ZIADAH, of the Sumoud Political Prisoner Solidarity Group and the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) in Toronto. Rafeef speaks at the opening of the "Boycotting Israeli Apartheid: The Struggle Continues" conference (October 6-8 in Toronto) dedicated to promoting the growing anti-apartheid movement in Palestine and abroad through a comprehensive boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaign targeting Israeli apartheid.

Listen to the OCTOBER 2006 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=21176



::: AUGUST 2006 :::

This month, No One Is Illegal Radio contributes to CKUT's special programming for Prisoner Justice Day, with a focus on immigration and detention. This month's show includes recorded presentations and interviews with:

-> ARASH ASLANI: Arash, a refugee from Iran, was a detainee at the Laval Immigration Prevention Center near Montreal for 10 months. He speaks out about the conditions at the detention center, and his experiences as a migrant in Europe and Canada. At any one time, there can be upwards of 100 detainees at the Laval Immigration Prevention Center. Arash continues his struggle for status in Canada.

-> TERESA HAYTER: Teresa is an activist and writer based in England. She is the author of "Open Borders: The Case Against Immigration Controls" (Pluto Press 2004), and has been an organizer of the Campaign to Close Campsfield (an immigration detention center near Oxford, England) for over a decade. Teresa speaks about current campaigns against detention in Britain, and the case for abolishing all detentions centers (as well as the inherently racist nature of all immigration controls).

-> AARTI SHAHANI: Aarti is an immigrant rights organizer based in New York City. She is the co-founder of Families for Freedom, a multi-ethnic defence network by and for immigrants facing and fighting deportation, comprised of immigrant prisoners, former immigrant prisoners, their loved ones and individuals at risk of deportation. Aarti speaks about current campaigns against detentions and deportations in the United States.

Listen to the AUGUST 2006 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=21175



::: JULY 2006 :::

July 11 marks the anniversary of the 1990 police invasion of the Kanehsatake Mohawk Territory. The July No One Is Illegal radio show highlights indigenous resistance across "Canada". The show includes:

-> An interview with HAZEL HILL of Six Nations, spokesperson for the Land Reclamation near Caledonia, Ontario. Since February 28, 2006, Six Nations people and their supporters have blocked further construction by Henco Industries on their land, saying they will stay until jurisdiction and title over the land is properly restored to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

-> An interview with KAHENTINETHA HORN of Mohawk Nation News (MNN), and an elder from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. Kahentinetha reflects on the July 11 anniversary of the police invasion at Kanehsatake in 1990 (the so-called Oka Crisis). Kahentinetha, with her daughters, was directly involved in the resistance at Kanehsatake.

-> An interview with ROBERTA KEESICK of the Grassy Narrows indigenous community in Northwestern Ontario. Roberta is a trapper and grandmother, as well as a blockader against the clear-cut logging of Grassy Narrows territory. The blockade began in December 2002, and is the longest standing indigenous blockade in Canadian history.

Listen to the JULY 2006 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=21174



::: JUNE 2006 :::

This month's No One Is Illegal radio show focusses on the struggle against security certificates and secret trials. Excerpts include:

-> SHERENE RAZACK: Sherene is the author of "Looking White People in the Eye: Gender, Race, and Culture in Courtrooms and Classrooms" and "Dark threats and white knights: The Somalia affair, peacekeeping and the new imperialism." We play her testimony from the People's Commission into Immigration "Security" Measures.

-> HASSAN ALMREI: Hassan has been detained without charge since October 2001, one of the Secret Trial Five. For almost four years he was held in solidarity confinement, and he has undertaken several long-term hunger strikes to obtain basic rights while in prison.

-> KAREN COQ: Karen is an organizer with No One Is Illegal-Kingston, and is active in mobilizing against the "Guantanamo North" prison at Millhaven, near Kingston, Ontario.

-> AMIR HODHOD: Amir is a refugee from Egypt, active with the Worker's Solidarity Network and Solidarity Across Borders in Montreal. We play an excerpt of a speech by Amir outside the offices of Immigration Canada, just three days before a scheduled deportation on April 3, 2006.

Listen to the JUNE 2006 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=21173



::: MAY 2006 :::

Our first show! Excerpts include:

-> LATIFA CHARKAOUI: Latifa is the mother of Adil Charkaoui, who was arrested and detained without trial on a security certificate in 2003. This excerpt is her testimony at the People's Commission into Immigration "Security" Measures in Montreal.

-> ARNOLDO GARCIA: Arnoldo is an organizer with the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights in Oakland, California. In this live phone interview, he speaks about the immigrant justice mobilizations in the USA.

-> KAHEHTI:IO: Kahedio is a Mohawk youth activist from Kahnawake. He was arrested and detained at the Six Nations Land Reclamation, after a police raid on April 20, 2006. He refused to recognize the authority of the colonial courts and was eventually released from custody without charge after several days of detention.

Listen to the MAY 2006 show at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=21172

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