[antiwar-van] SEPT 17: UPDATE #5 Alison Bodine's Admissibility Hearing Cancelled - DROP ALL CHARGES NOW!

[Kira Koshelanyk]

News Update #5 - Monday, September 17, 2007
 
DROP ALL CHARGES AGAINST ALISON BODINE NOW!
 
Canada Border Services Agency Cancels Admissibility Hearing for Antiwar Activist Alison Bodine!
 
-----------------------------------------------------SUPPORT RALLY AT CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION CANADA OFFICES***Alison must present herself to Canada Border Services Agency at 10AM!***~~ TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2007~~ 9:30AM~~ 300 W GEORGIA ST (on corner of Hamilton & Georgia, Downtown Vancouver)-----------------------------------------------------
 
On Monday, September 17, 2007 at approximately 11:45am Alison Bodine learned from a CBC reporter that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) had cancelled her Admissibility hearing that was scheduled for 2pm that day. This was confirmed by calling the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) about the status of the hearing though Alison herself was never officially notified by CBSA. 
 
Alison, a political organizer, social justice activist and US citizen, was arrested by the Canadian Border Agency at the Peace Arch border crossing when voluntarily leaving Canada for the US Thursday September 13th. She was released in less than 24 hours due to a huge outpouring of support and public pressure and widespread media coverage. However, she is still being charged by the CBSA and they are still in possession of her identification documents, passport, many different political materials, car and other possessions.
 
At 1:30pm Monday September 17th, more than 50 supporters rallied outside the downtown Citizenship & Immigration Canada offices, especially because of the cancelled hearing, to demand that all charges against Alison Bodine be dropped immediately. Alison herself was present at the rally and spoke about the status of her case and the uncertain limbo in which she now stands. Being without status in Canada she can still be arrested at any time, she still does not know the charges against her nor when, or if, CBSA will re-schedule the Admissibility hearing. Many media outlets were present to cover the rally including the Metro Vancouver Newspaper, 24hrs Newspaper, CBC Television, CBC Radio, The Peak SFU Student Newspaper and BCIT Student Radio in addition to the article published in the major Vancouver newspaper, The Province just this morning.
 
As part of the conditions of her release, Alison must present herself at the Canada Border Services Agency offices downtown at 10am Tuesday September 18th. The Committee to Free Alison Bodine is calling for supporters to rally again at the 300 W Georgia St offices at 9:30am as Alison presents herself to the CBSA and to continue the call that all charges against Alison must be dropped immediately. 
 
The CBSA cancellation of Alison's hearing is a manoeuvre to delay because they knew they won't be able to prove the charges they have made up so far. It also shows they have decided to escalate this case to a more political level by finding some different charges to bring because they know right now their case cannot win in a hearing. All progressive, humanity loving people must understand that this is not just an attack on Alison, this is an attack on all of us. This is an attack on the democratic rights of all progressive people, social justice activists, immigrants, refugees, all non-status people and non-residents in Canada. The unjust arrest and detention of Alison Bodine means the Government of Canada and its agencies would like to continue and escalate the silencing of free speech, freedom of political expression and terrorizing people who oppose their policies at home and abroad and the new era of war and occupation.
 
All of us in the progressive community need to realise that the ruling class, in attacking Alison, a US citizen, is testing our ability to defend our rights, our capacity to defend ourselves and if we can organize and mobilize a legitimate and effective opposition. As the US and Canada occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan sink deeper and deeper into crisis, opposition at home is rising. The ruling classes of the US and Canada are testing ways that they can silence this and get on with their dirty work of war and occupation, plunder and exploitation. We cannot allow this to continue! The successful defence of Alison Bodine will be a precedent-setting case for all antiwar organizers and social justice activists in Canada. We must unite in action for the best defence for Alison, for the best defence for all of us!
 
The CBSA might think that by cancelling or delaying the Admissibility hearing this campaign will lose steam and the pressure against them will lessen. On the contrary, this campaign is only just beginning. People all across Canada and the world know about this case of political harassment and this will only gain momentum from here.  This is a political case; Alison has done nothing wrong or illegal. Alison, along with supporters in Vancouver and across the country will keep up the demand that the CBSA must drop all charges against Alison and restore her full rights to travel between the US and Canada.
 
 
**** WE APPEAL TO ALL PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO ENDORSE THIS IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN AND SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO free_alison_bodine at yahoo.ca! ****
 
Our Fight is not over! Canadian Border Agency, drop all charges against Alison Bodine NOW!
WE WILL WIN!
 
To send support letters and for more information please contact: free_alison_bodine at yahoo.ca(Sample Support Letter is attached below)
 
CONTACT:Andrew Barry 604-780-4029Shannon Bundock 778-891-1470Tamara Hansen 778-882-5223Aaron Mercredi 604-339-7103
 
-----------------------------------------------------
 
(Sample Support Letter)COMMITTEE TO FREE ALISON BODINE free_alison_bodine at yahoo.ca 
 
Sample Support Letter:
__(Date)__
Canada Border Services Agency, 
 
I am writing to express my outrage at the unjust arrest and detention of Alison Bodine. Alison has done nothing wrong, and is clearly being framed up and targeted. Alison is known throughout Vancouver BC and Canada for her antiwar organizing and social justice activities. Prior to the search of Alison's vehicle, which contained many political leaflets, posters, newspaper and pamphlets, Alison had never been denied entry into Canada. 
 
I am calling on Canada Border Services Agency to DROP ANY AND ALL CHARGES AGAINST ALISON, and to restore her full rights to travel between the US and Canada. We will not accept this harassment of activists. We demand our full, democratic rights to be respected. 
 
Sincerely, 
___(Your or Your Organization's Name)______(contact information)________________ 
 
_________________________________________________________________
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