U.S. peace activist refused entry for second time

[rodeodance]

Source: THE CANADIAN PRESS



U.S. peace activist refused entry for second time

Oct 25, 2007 04:20 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS


An American peace activist has been refused entry to Canada for the second time because of misdemeanour convictions related to peaceful anti-war protests.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Ann Wright, a former diplomat, was detained today by Canadian Customs officials at the Ottawa airport en route to Parliament Hill.

She was to take part in a panel discussion with MPs, ironically titled Peacemakers Without Borders. It’s a forum to share concerns about post 9/11 security crackdowns.

While other passengers passed through Customs, Wright was held back.



Read more: http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/270460

[Canuckistanian]

1. This is bizarre

Col. Wright was invited by a group of NDP (leftist party) MP's and they had given the proper notice that she was to appear.

Obviously, the Conservative ruling party put out an order quashing the appearance.

You're not the only ones dealing with a dictatorial government.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

3. Canada Customs will turn you away for ANYTHING

I don't think it is political, they have turned people away for charges of disorderly conduct. And show me a person who HAS NOT done something that could be charged as disorderly conduct.

[GliderGuider]

2. It's in moments like this

that I understand the shame you feel in your country when it does this kind of crap.

Please rest assured that this will not go without protest on our side of the border.
The New Democratic Party (the people who invited Wright and Benjamin) has been on the side of human rights and peace since its birth.

[Hissyspit]

4. Please post updates on the north of the border protests if you might.

[GliderGuider]

8. I'll keep on top of it.

It's sure to come up on the 27th during our national day of action against the war in Afghanistan.
Our anti-SPP groups are livid and the NDP, as elected officials, will give their voices legitimacy.

And I read in this article that Col. Wright was going to meet with Maher Arar's wife, Dr. Monia Mazigh, after her meeting with the MPs.

And it quotes Wright:
"It's ironic that I find myself in this situation," she commented, noting she was in town to spotlight the use of "watch lists and how people find themselves on these lists and are detained."

[mogster]

5. Surreal

Link to Code Pinks webpages:
http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?list=type&type=328

[gratuitous]

6. Bet they let Henry Kissinger in

Nonsense, that's what this is.

[GliderGuider]

7. We let Bush in, ferchrissakes!

We don't let in people with a DUI. Normally.
But, then, what's normal any more?

[Lisa]

9. NDP opposition sent formal request to PM

http://www.ndp.ca/page/5813

"In a letter sent today to Harper, the Public Safety Minister, and Foreign Affairs Minister, the NDP MPs advised that Medea Benjamin and Col. Ann Wright, cofounders of Code Pink, have been invited to address legislators and representatives of civil society in a public forum to be held in Ottawa on October 25. The letter requested the government to “ensure unimpeded entry into Canada, to enable Ms. Benjamin and Colonel Wright to share their message of peace with Members of Parliament, and the broader community.”

“New Democrats are deeply concerned that Canadian border police are enforcing rules determined not by our own Canadian government, but by the FBI and other US security agencies,” the letter states. “Foreign government ‘watch lists’ should not form the basis for automatically denying entry into Canada of US citizens, or any other nationals. Government policies, not the individuals who oppose them, often present the greater threat to democracy, security and freedom.”"


As a Canadian, I am very upset that Canada Customs is being used to play petty politics.