[mobglob-discuss] [Fwd: [ocap] RALLY TODAY: Layton Calls on Immigration Minister to Intervene: Prevent Deportation of Community Activist arrested at IWD

[Graeme Bacque]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[ocap] RALLY TODAY: Layton Calls on Immigration Minister to 
Intervene: Prevent Deportation of Community Activist arrested at IWD
Date: 	Tue, 8 Mar 2005 09:27:19 -0500 (EST)
From: 	OCAP <ocap at tao.ca>
To: 	undisclosed-recipients: ;



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Layton Calls on Immigration Minister to Intervene:
Prevent Deportation of Community Activist arrested at International
Women's Day

COMMUNITY RALLY ON TUESDAY MARCH 8th in TORONTO
--------------------------------------------------------------------

In Ottawa on Monday afternoon, New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton
presented to Immigration Minister Joe Volpe his request to intervene in
the case of community activist Wendy Maxwell Edwards (see Mr. Layton's
letter attached).

Ms. Maxwell was arrested and detained by police on Saturday at the
International Women's Day Fair at Ryerson University in Toronto.  Fleeing
police violence and gender persecution in 1997, she now faces imminent
deportation to Costa Rica, where her life would be seriously in danger.
Addressing the Minister, Mr. Layton writes, "Wendy Maxwell has made
important contributions to the community during her many years in Canada. 
She is actively involved in AIDS prevention work, labour rights efforts
and other community initiatives.  She has made efforts to improve the
lives of others in Canada and merits, in my view, your very serious and
immediate attention and consideration."

Ms. Maxwell was arrested and transferred into Immigration custody on a day
specifically calling for an end to violence and discrimination against
women internationally.  Counsel for Ms. Maxwell will be appearing before a
judge at a detention review to take place tomorrow morning at the Vanier
Centre for Women.  Ms. Maxwell remains in jail until and if conditions for
release can be secured, and faces deportation imminently, despite a
pending Application for Landing on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
submitted more than a year ago.  Under IRPR Reg 233, the Immigration
Minister has the discretion to defer removal on Humanitarian and
Compassionate Grounds.

Women's rights and queer groups, community organizations, and labour
groups have rallied around Ms. Maxwell in significant numbers. "It is a
cruel irony that a woman so deeply committed to the struggle for human
rights was targeted by the Immigration Ministry for detention and
deportation to a country where she fears gender, racial, and
sexuality-based persecution," says Jean McDonald of No One Is Illegal. "We
denounce the collaboration of the Toronto Police with CIC to carry out
Immigration's work at an international event directly aimed at fighting
against oppression and violence against women."

International Women's Day Rally
and March to Toronto Police Services Board
12 noon
Rally at Jorgenson Hall, Ryerson University
Victoria and Gould, Toronto

Speakers include:
Avvy Go, Clinic Director, Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal
Clinic, and the STATUS Campaign
Dudley Laws, Black Action Defense Committee
Francisco Rico, Hamilton House
Magaly San Martin, Latin American Coalition Against Racism
Dbi Young, Artist and Friend of Wendy Maxwell
Representative of CUPE Toronto
Farrah Miranda, Don't Ask Don't Tell Campaign

Contact:Stefanie Gude, Wendy Maxwell Support Committee, (647) 891-7691
	Kristin Schwartz, News Director, CKLN Radio, (416) 595-5068

                                 - 30 -

Jack Layton, MP
Toronto-Danforth
Leader, New Democratic Party

Honorable Joe Volpe
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Room 658, Confederation Building
House of Commons

Dear Mr. Volpe

Ms. Wendy Maxwell Edwards filed a Humanitarian and Compassionate Leave
Application (H&C) in January of 2004, after she was ordered removed on
December 1st of 2003.  We now learn that she was detained over the weekend
and faces deportation.

Ms. Maxwell Edwards is currently in custody at the Vanier Centre for
Women.  We are informed that her removal plan is underway.

As her H&C application is still pending, we are requesting that you
intervene and either process the application immediately or issue a
temporary resident permit in order to prevent the deportation until the
humanitarian application is processed.

Wendy Maxwell has made important contributions to the community during her
many years in Canada.  She is actively involved in AIDS prevention work,
labour rights efforts and other community initiatives.  She has made
efforts to improve the lives of others in Canada and merits, in my view,
your very serious and immediate attention and consideration. On
compassionate grounds, I do hope that your can intervene in this file.

If you wish to discuss this case further, I would be please to elaborate. 
I can be reached at (416) 405 8914.

Thank you for your attention and I look forward to receiving a favourable
response.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Layton
MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, NDP of Canada












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