The Canadian Conservative government has banned British MP George Galloway from entering Canada for his North American speaking tour.
From the Guardian: "Anti-war MP George Galloway has been banned from Canada, it emerged today.
A Canadian spokesman confirmed that the Respect MP had been deemed inadmissible on national security grounds and would not be allowed into the country.
Galloway today branded the ban "idiotic" and vowed to fight the ruling with "all means" at his disposal. He is due to give a speech in Toronto on 30 March.
Earlier today the Sun said border security officials had declared Galloway, 54, "inadmissible" because of his views on Afghanistan and the presence of Canadian troops there and would be turned away if he attempted to enter the country."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/mar/20/george-galloway-banned-canada
This group is dedicated to lifting the ban on Galloway's entry into Canada, and ensuring his right to speak, and engage with Canadian civil society.
*** Sign The Petition ***
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/galcan09/petition.html
Remember, this group is in favour of Galloway's right to speak and engage with Canadians, and is against the Conservative government's shameful decision to block his entry into our country.
We have growing numbers including those who do and don't agree with Galloway, those who do and don't support Hamas and Hezbolla and those who are in favour and against the war in Afghanistan. We have Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Christians, Sikhs, countless other religious groups, atheists, agnostics and secular minded folks.
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Dear Friends, please spread the word through the following ways:
TEXT MESSAGE - Send text message to your friends - George Galloway banned frm Canada. Get every1 u know to phone Jason kenneys office - (403) 2253480 or (613) 992 2235 to let him in or good-bye freedom of speech.
PHONE CALLS - Call him and ask WHY George Galoway is not allowed to do his talk on March 30th and 31st.
Constituency office: (403) 225-3480
Parliamentary office: (613) 992-2235
EMAILS:
Please send an email to the Minister and your Member of Parliament.
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
Hon. Jason Kenney
House of Commons
Ottawa, Canada
E-mail: minister@cic.gc.ca, Kennej@parl.gc.ca
The Right Hon. Stephen Harper
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
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Minister,
Freedom of speech is an essential part of our democracy. Banning British MP George Galloway from speaking at public meetings in Canada is an affront to Canadian democracy and freedom of speech.
As a Minister and MP, you have claimed to be a proponent of freedom of speech. Apparently, you are afraid of what George Galloway has to say, including his critique of your government's pro-war and anti-Arab policies including your failed combat operations in an increasingly dangerous and deadly war in Afghanistan.
As the Minister responsible for keeping George Galloway out of Canada -- an act even the repressive regime in Egypt was not able to do -- you will stand solely responsible, along with your Conservative government, of denying freedom of speech and association for political reasons of censure and ideology.
I call on you as Minister responsible not just to your minority party but to all Canadians to allow George Galloway to come to Canada and speak. As a democratic advocate, you have no right to censor a British Member of Parliament who has been invited to Canada by thousands of his Canadian supporters to travel and speak freely about the failures and biases of your Conservative minority government.
Sincerely,
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WE CAN NOT BE COMPLICIT, WHILE OUR FREEDOMS ARE UNDER ATTACK!
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Here is a list of contacts compiled by Bahija at NCCAR. Copies of emails can be sent to all these MPs.
If you wish to have a say on the banning of George Galloway from entering Canada, here is a list of officials who can be contacted:
1. Prime Minister's Office: Phone: 613-992-4211 and email pm@pm.gc.ca
2. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney
Ministry Office: 613.954.1064
Parliamentary Office: 613.992.2235
minister@cic.gc.ca and Kennej@parl.gc.ca
3. Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (Senate):
kennyco@sen.parl.gc.ca
gautht@sen.parl.gc.ca
dayja@sen.parl.gc.ca
kennyco@sen.parl.gc.ca
meighen@sen.parl.gc.ca
moorew@sen.parl.gc.ca
tkachd@sen.parl.gc.ca
wallip@sen.parl.gc.ca
zimmer@sen.parl.gc.ca
lebrem@sen.parl.gc.ca
cowanj@sen.parl.gc.ca
defence@sen.parl.gc.ca
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Phone: 613-944-4000 - FAX: 613-944-4500 -
L.Cannon@international.gc.ca ;
Cannon.L@parl.gc.ca ,
Obhrai.D@parl.gc.ca ;
Opposition:
Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca ;
Parliamentary Office: Phone (613) 995-9364 Fax: (613) 992-5880
Constituency office: (416) 251-5510 Fax: (416) 251-2845
Layton.J@parl.gc.ca ;
Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca ;
leader@greenparty.ca ;
RaeB1@parl.gc.ca ;
Patry.B@parl.gc.ca ;
Martin.K@parl.gc.ca ;
Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca ;
Leblanc.D@parl.gc.ca ;
Dewar.P@parl.gc.ca ;
Paquette.P@parl.gc.ca ;
Faille.M@parl.gc.ca .
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Facebook Action Groups - PLEASE JOIN TODAY!
Let Him Speak: Allow George Galloway To Speak In Canada
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=62965075809&topic=8523#/group.php?gid=62965075809
GEORGE GALLOWAY speaks in Toronto
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=56664028510 |