ALISON BODINE DEFENCE COMMITTEE UPDATE

Greens, who have spoken out against these charges, continue to monitor this case:

*URGENT! WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!*

Dear friends and supporters of Alison Bodine,

As you may already know, on October 31st, the Immigration & Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) ordered US antiwar activist Alison Bodine banned from Canada for 2 years. News of the unjust and politically motivated ban has already spread around the world. Alison Bodine was targeted as a political activist based on the antiwar and social justice materials in her car, harassed and arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency in September 2007. Currently Alison Bodine is Co-chair, Executive Committee Member and Spokesperson of Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) in Vancouver, BC. The October 31st decision orders her to leave Canada by November 17th. The Alison Bodine Defence Committee has launched a campaign against this unjust decision, pursuing all legal and political avenues possible to stop the removal of Alison Bodine and to lift the 2-year ban against her.

As part of this campaign, we are again asking for help from you and from the hundreds of others who have supported Alison in this struggle so far. We are appealing directly to the Federal Minister of Citizenship & Immigration, Diane Finley, to lift the ban and to stop the removal of Alison. Your support is critical for this appeal. We need to flood her office with letters of support, showing her that Alison is not alone. The ABDC is again carrying out a major drive for more letters from unions, churches, grassroots organizations, student groups and individuals, and we need your support now more than ever!

PLEASE SEND A LETTER DEMANDING:  “Lift the Ban and Stop the Removal of Alison Bodine from Canada”

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

And…
SPREAD THE WORD to your organization and affiliations about the case of Alison Bodine, and in defence of human and civil rights for all of us!

In solidarity,
The Alison Bodine Defence Committee

http://alisonbodine.blogspot.com
defendalisonbodine@hotmail.com
778.891.1470 | 778.882.5223 | 604.339.7103CASE UPDATE #22 – ALISON BODINE DEFENCE COMMITTEE
Monday November 12, 2007

http://alisonbodine.blogspot.com
defendalisonbodine at hotmail.com
778.891.1470 | 604.780.4029

ALISON BODINE DEFENCE COMMITTEE LAUNCHES THE DEMANDS:
LIFT THE BAN! STOP THE REMOVAL OF ALISON BODINE!

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>> Tuesday NOV 13

– Forum –
“Why is Canada Banning Antiwar Activists?
– The Case of Alison Bodine”
6:30pm
SFU Harbour Centre (515 West Hastings St)

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The campaign to defend Alison Bodine is kicking into high-gear once again with the newest stage of battle for civil liberties, democratic and human rights in Canada. Nearly two months ago Alison Bodine was targeted as a political activist after border agents
found antiwar materials in her car. She was harassed by Canada Border Services Agents when she entered Canada on Sept 10th, and arrested by them when she attempted to exit Canada on Sept 13th. Currently Alison Bodine is Co-chair, executive committee member and spokesperson of Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) in Vancouver, BC. Her hearing on the false and unjust charge of “misrepresentation” took
place on Oct 11th. The decision was released on Oct 31st ordering her to leave Canada by November 17th and imposing a 2 year ban from Canada.

The Alison Bodine Defence Committee (ABDC) has taken on a slate of actions to continue the political battle against this ruling. A new petition has just been released demanding “Lift the Ban, Stop the Removal of Alison Bodine from Canada”. The first major collection took place Nov 10th, with a day-long petition drive downtown Vancouver that gathered
over 300 signatures!

As the case enters this new stage, the ABDC will also be holding a forum entitled “Why is Canada Banning Antiwar Activists? – The Case of Alison Bodine” on Tuesday Nov 13th, to discuss the legal and political developments with the case. The battle for Alison’s
civil liberties is a precedent setting fight, the outcome of which will impact how extensively the government of Canada can further accelerate their immigration law to target and attack political activists, which began a few years ago.

On the legal front, the ABDC is continuing to pursue all avenues to have the ruling overturned. This also means a fundraising drive is underway. Saturday November 10th the committee hosted a fundraising event with live musical performances from local progressive artists and musicians, which was a great success, raising money and energy through a faboulous cultural evening.
Following the Oct 31st ruling, the President of the Hospital Employees Union immediately sent a letter to Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Citizenship
and Immigration Minister Diane Finley protesting the decision. The ABDC is now carrying out a major drive for more letters of support from other unions, churches, grassroots organizations, student groups and individuals. We need your support now more than ever!

SEND A LETTER DEMANDING:
“Lift the Ban and Stop the Removal of Alison Bodine from Canada”

>>> Address your letter to:

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

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FOR MORE UPDATES VISIT:
http://alisonbodine.blogspot.com