[antiwar-van] *Update 19* Alison Bodine Case Gains Support of BC Civil Liberties Association!

[Kira Koshelanyk]

ALISON BODINE DEFENCE COMMITTEE
http://alisonbodine.blogspot.com
defendalisonbodine at hotmail.com
778.891.1470 | 778.882.5223 | 604.339.7103 | 604.780.4029

UPDATE #19 – Saturday October 27, 2007

ALISON BODINE DEFENCE CAMPAIGN GROWS!
BC CIVIL LIBERTIES ASSOCIATION ADDS THEIR SUPPORT!
DROP ALL CHARGES AGAINST ALISON NOW!

There are only five days left until the scheduled legal decision on the case of targeted and arrested antiwar activist Alison Bodine. After six weeks of this battle, the “Canada Border Services Agency: Drop All Charges Against Alison Bodine!” campaign is still gaining momentum and support. Alison has been living in legal limbo since September 13th, when she was targeted as an anti-war activist and arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

After monitoring Alison’s case since her first scheduled (and cancelled) Admissibility hearing on September 17th, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has decided to support Alison in her fight. They will be continuing to investigate the case through the Access to Information Act and encouraging publicity for Alison’s case. The BCCLA is also linking Alison’s case with the case of the
CODEPINK Women for Peace activists who were denied entry into Canada at the US/Canada border a few weeks ago. The BCCLA, as the oldest and most active civil liberties groups in Canada, is reinforcing this campaign in defence of democratic rights and civil liberties.

To add to the letters of support for Alison’s case from 3 Federal MPs and a BC MLA, this week the Alison Bodine Defence Committee (ABDC) received a letter of support from MLA Raj Chouhan. In addition to the letter of support the ABDC received from the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) in early October, a second letter was also received from VOW. This letter was sent to Prime Minister
Stephen Harper, Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day and as well as to many federal MPs and federal opposition critics connecting the case of Alison Bodine and the case of CODEPINK Women for Peace activists, Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright.

As part of continuing the broad campaign to win public support for the demand that the CBSA drop all charges against Alison Bodine, Alison toured Lower Mainland campuses this week speaking to students as part of Mobilization Against War & Occupation’s “Student Week Against War & Occupation”.

The ABDC is continuing to work toward the goal of 3,000 signatures on the “Drop All Charges Against Alison Bodine!” petition campaign by Tuesday October 30th, the day before Alison’s hearing reconvenes for the legal decision. In the two days before the October 31st legal decision, the ABDC will be carrying out a petition drive at several locations to collect more signatures. Alison will also be in attendance at the International weekend of Action rally against war October 27th Vancouver rally at the ABDC tent to speak and answer questions.  Alison will be giving a workshop the following day at the “Anti-war Conference for Activists, Organizers AND everyone”, organized by Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO).

The Alison Bodine Defence Committee is continuing the appeal for letters in defence of the human and democratic rights of Alison, and by extension, of all immigrants, refugees, non-residents and social-justice activists! Please send your letter of support to the Canada Border Services Agency and defendalisonbodine@ hotmail.com

Please send a letter of support, sign the petition, and get involved in the campaign to demand “DROP ALL CHARGES AGAINST ALISON BODINE!”

****************************************************************
UPCOMING EVENTS ORGANIZED BY THE ALISON BODINE DEFENCE COMMITTEE:

(( 1 )) MONDAY OCTOBER 29 & TUESDAY OCTOBER 30
“Drop All Charges Against Alison Bodine!” Petition Drive
12noon-4pm
*For locations & to get involved contact the Alison Bodine Defence Committee!

(( 2 )) WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 31
Decision Release Defence Rally
12:30 PM
Citizenship & Immigration Canada Offices
300 W. Georgia St.

******************************************************************
UPCOMING EVENTS WHERE ALISON WILL BE SPEAKING:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
International Weekend of Action Against War
(( 3 )) SATURDAY OCTOBER 27
Bring Our Troops Home Now!
Anti-war Rally
Gather: 12noon
Waterfront Station
March: 1pm
Rally: 2pm
Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia & Howe)
Org’d by: StopWar.ca
Endorsed by: Alison Bodine Defence Committee (ABDC)

*Come visit the Alison Bodine Defence Committee tent where Alison will be available to speak!

(( 4 )) SUNDAY OCTOBER 28
Anti-war Conference For Activists, Organizers AND everyone!
11AM-5PM
Britannia Community Centre
1661 Napier St (at Commercial Dr)
Org’d by: Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

_________________________________________________________________
Are you ready for Windows Live Messenger Beta 8.5 ? Get the latest for free today!
http://entertainment.sympatico.msn.ca/WindowsLiveMessenger