Canadian Court Bans G20 Defendant from Speaking

[Lars77]

Run time: 10:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmhDrgurJic   Posted on YouTube: October 16, 2010 By YouTube Member: TheRealNews Views on YouTube: 242   Posted on DU: October 16, 2010 By DU Member: Lars77 Views on DU: 636

 

[redirish28]

1. Have to wonder if the American legal system is watching and taking

notes.


From what I understand Canada does have Free Speech laws and wouldn't the court be violating that?

Please any Canadian DUers set me right on this.

[jberryhill]

2. It was part of conditions of his pre-trial release

You can accept conditions of bail, or you can stay in prison awaiting trial.

[JohnyCanuck]

3. In Canadian law, participating in a panel discussion at a university

is apparently equivalent to participating in a demonstration.

According to the original bail conditions he was, among other conditions, supposed to refrain from participating in "demonstrations." He was then re-arrested for participating on a panel discussion at a university as the cops said was equivalent to a "demonstration."

Alex Hundert's G20 nightmare began on June 26th when Toronto Police raided his home at 4am, arresting he and his partner Leah Henderson at gunpoint. One month later they were released from prison on $100,000 bail each, with 20 stringent conditions, including conditional house arrest, non-associations with some of their best friends, and a ban on posting to the internet and attending or planning any public demonstrations. Upon his release, Hundert gave a handful of interviews to the media, and the police tried to return him to prison for breaking his 'no demonstration' condition. A judge ruled in September that speaking to the media was protected and didn't break the condition. Four days later Hundert was arrested again immediately after participating as an invited speaker on a university panel. This time, after spending an additional four weeks in prison, a judge sided with the police that Hundert did break the 'no demonstration' condition. Hundert's bail was amended to include a total ban on voicing any political view, specifically mentioning that he not speak with the media.

From our research this represents a modern first in Canada, and many are gearing up to fight it.

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=5741

[jberryhill]

4. That's one judge's opinion

But we don't have the exact text of the conditions nor the specific reasoning of the judge.

He is certainly entitled to challenge both the conditions and their interpretation, but in general, pre-trial release conditions are highly discretionary and are typically designed to prevent further behavior of the type alleged. If he is charged with inciting or promoting riot, then placing conditions on his speech is not unusual.

[Generic Other]

5. This is unbelieveable!

Hope he defies them.