Touchdown after the ban: George Galloway arrives in Canada

[JohnyCanuck]

Run time: 10:03 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7aG51TSjYI   Posted on YouTube: October 03, 2010 By YouTube Member: rabbletv Views on YouTube: 167   Posted on DU: October 03, 2010 By DU Member: JohnyCanuck Views on DU: 862

 
This video is of George Galloway arrival in Toronto this evening for the first time after the British MP was told 18 months ago by Canada's minister of Citizenship & Immigration, Jason Kenney, that he was banned from entering Canada for being a terrorist sympathizer and a security risk. In the video, Galloway takes some questions at the airport in an impromptu press conference.

A court case brought by Galloway and freedom of speech supporters in Canada resulted in the judge dismissing their case against the Canadian government because, as the judge explained it, Galloway, upon being warned from official Canadian government sources that he was considered a terrorist sympathizer and security risk and would risk being turned away and denied entry at the border, did not actually attempt to enter at a border crossing point. The judge stated that since Galloway had not actually attempted to enter Canada and confirm that he was turned away by the immigration authorities because of the minister's instructions, he could not rule on the case and therefore for legal reasons had to dismiss it. However, the judge also made quite clear that he believed that this was a freedom of speech issue and although for technical, legal reasons, he could not rule in the plaintiffs' favor, he indicated that in his view the immigration minister had abused his authority to keep Galloway from his scheduled Canadian speaking engagements, not because Galloway was in anyway a terrorist or a genuine security threat, but because the Canadian gov't did not like Galloway's views on the Middle East situation and the war in Afghanistan and did not want him to have a platform to promote those views to Canadians.

The dumb-ass, right wing press in Canada jumped up and down with glee that Galloway's supporters had had their case against the gov't dismissed without realizing, or perhaps intentionally glossing over, that the full text of the judgment made it clear that had Galloway actually put the minister to the test at the time of the attempted ban 18 months ago and had been turned away because of the minister's instructions to the immigration officers, he would in all likelihood have ruled in Galloway's favor, because the judge felt it was clear that the minister had abused his authority in an attempt to stifle free speech.

At the time of original attempt at banning him from the Great White North, Galloway was in the US on a speaking tour. He did not want to test the Canadian ban by appearing at a border crossing point to try and enter Canada, because had he been turned away by Canadian authorities as a "security risk," it could have affected his status in the US as well and caused him trouble with the US immigration authorities.

Anyway, as a result of the judges ruling, the all clear was in effect sounded, and Galloway returned to Canada this evening and will be holding a speaking engagement in Toronto tomorrow afternoon. More details on the Galloway banning and the recent judgment here:

http://rabble.ca/news/2010/09/what-galloway-court-decision-means-free-speech-canada

His talk tomorrow (Sunday Oct 3rd) at 3pm Eastern time is supposed to be streamed live at http://rabble.ca/rabbletv .

[midnight]

1. K&R

[Jim Sagle]

2. Fuck'm.

[pinboy3niner]

3. Darn! I only clicked 'cause I thought it was a Touchdown Jesus thread

Using 'Touchdown' in your subject line is very misleading, dude. :evilgrin:

But seriously, this is a win for free speech. :thumbsup:

K&R

[BetterThanNoSN]

4. THE SCORE....

Will always be George Galloway-1, Norm Coleman-0

One of my favorite video exchanges was George bitch slapping Norm Coleman in a 'food for oil' hearing in the US Senate. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, fond memories

[JohnyCanuck]

5. Is George Galloway set to sue Jason Kenney for defamation?

Is George Galloway set to sue Jason Kenney for defamation?

Reading between the lines of the Star's first news brief about Galloway's visit to Canada -- his first since March 2009 when Kenney absurdly declared him to pose a threat to national security -- the outline of a defamation strategy can be seen.

The Star reported Galloway "would consult with his Canadian legal team to see what actions might be taken against his political nemesis, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. He said Kenney put him in danger and hurt his reputation by falsely branding him a terrorist."

SNIP

Of course, if it were to come to a lawsuit, Kenney and his aide would have the traditional defences available to defamation defendants in Canada and the United Kingdom. (Since the words most likely to be complained of were published in both countries, an action could proceed in either.)

SNIP

In Canada and the U.K., defamation law is still biased heavily in favour of plaintiffs and profoundly unconcerned about the rights of citizens to freely express their views. So Kenney would face the same hurdles to a successful defence as any Canadian caught in the web of defamation law.

Perhaps this could do some good. Many have thought for a long time that we will be stuck with this horrible law until it begins to afflict the powerful as it has the rest of us who wish to exercise our right to free expression.

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/djclimenhaga/2010/10/george-galloway-set-sue-jason-kenney-defamation

[molly77]

6. I live near the Canadian border

Used to watch Canadian TV until Stephen Harper was elected.Suddenly the news was slanted to the right with a lot of condemnation toward "leftists". Suddenly the military budget was expanded , and free health care was just too expensive.In jeopardy.

Their news and programming was much more interesting than ours up to that point. One thing I heard on the news. " A representative for Home Depot , bush and Harper met. The Home Depot rep. was cursing saying he could get lumber cheaper from Norway than Canada. A 500,000 gift was given to the WH with the stipulation that none of that money would go to congress."

The bribery was out in the open in Canada, destroying jobs of woodsmen and mills all across the US.All the talk of no jobs...why aren't we addressing the repeal of NAFTA?

[molly77]

7. Kahentinethe Horn

70 year old editor of mohawknationnews was assaulted by the canadian border patrol..they threw her down on the ground..relulting in her having a heart attack. Her brother who is a lawyer managed to get her to a hospital. Now she is being charged with assault. Canada just might be meaner to their Native Americans than the US.Fascists.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000613389938