[van-announce] VIGIL FOR LAIBAR SINGH: Sunday January 27th

[Mike Krebs]

*Please Distribute Widely*
*Apologies for Cross-Postings*

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO SUPPORT LAIBAR SINGH.
- Demand that CBSA and Stockwell Day Respect Sanctuary!
- Support the South Asian community in its courageous mobilizing!
- Take an active stand against the racist backlash!
- Permanent residency status for Laibar Singh now!


FRIDAY JAN 25 - TUESDAY JAN 29

VANCOUVER/SURREY: EVENING VIGIL.
SUNDAY JANUARY 27TH AT 4 PM AT SURREY GURU NANAK GURUDWARA
(where Laibar is currently in Sanctuary)
Corner of 72nd and 120th Ave aka Scott Road.
Please stay tuned for coordinated travel from Vancouver.

For more info please email: supportlaibar at gmail.com or noii-van at resist.ca
Call: 778-552-2099 or 604-773-9057
http://supportlaibar.blogspot.com

<<Read below for events in other cities>>

Mr. Laibar Singh has become well known in Vancouver and across Canada as a
paralyzed refugee claimant who first took sanctuary in July 2007 in an
Abbotsford Gurudwara and is currently in sanctuary again in the Surrey
Guru Nanak Gurudwara.

The incredibly public and inspiring struggle of Laibar Singh and the
diverse community of supporters around him has led to Mr. Singh being
granted a 60-day stay in August 2007, another stay in October 2007, and
the physical prevention of his deportation from the Vancouver
International Airport on International Human Rights Day.

He is currently safe in sanctuary, although CBSA and Stockwell Day have
made the alarming and dangeous suggestion that they will remove him in a
glaring violation of the tradition of sanctuary because they are concerned
about looking 'too weak' in the face of the unprecedented organizing that
has taken place.

>From coast to coast, people have been moved by the courageous mobilizing
efforts in support of Mr. Singh, despite intense racist backlash to the
South Asian community. We join and stand with Laibar Singh and his
supporters in Vancouver and Surrey to demand that the government respect
sanctuary and to allow Mr. Singh to remain in Canada on humanitarian and
compassionate grounds immediately.

He, like anyone else, should be entitled to live a healthy and dignified
life. The struggle against deportation and to support Laibar is not for
him alone nor is it simply one case, rather it symbolizes the struggles
for all immigrant and refugees who daily struggle to live with dignity.


Other cross-Canada events:

- Fredericton: Rally for Laibar Singh and against Security Certificates.
Noon on Friday January 25th at MP Andy Scott's office, 412 Queen Street.
Organized by the Fredericton Peace Coalition.
- Toronto:  Rally and Demonstration at the Toronto Immigration Offices.
Saturday, Jan. 26th at 9:30 am. Meet at OISE - 252 Bloor St W - St. George
subway station) (Buses will take us to the offices) For more info: email:
nooneisillegal at riseup.net or sikhactivist at gmail.com
- Quebec City: January 29th Delegation to Immigration Canada to deliver a
letter of support. For information contact No One Is Illegal Quebec City:
lumiere at riseup.net
- Guelph: Information table on Laibar Singh on Tues January 29th from 9 am
to noon at St. George's Square.
- Halifax: Delegation to Citizenship and Immigration office on Tues Jan
29th 11 am to deliver a letter in support of Laibar Singh. Organized by
Halifax Coalition Against Poverty. Info: hcap at riseup.net or (902)
444-5060.
- Montreal: Solidarity Delegation on Tuesday January 29th at noon to
Citizenship and Immigration Canada offices (1010 St-Antoine West; métro
Bonaventure). Info: solidaritesansfrontieres at gmail.com or 514-848-7583
(English/French). 514-909-9991 (Punjabi)
- Ottawa:  Delegation to Citizenship and Immigration office on Tues Jan
29th 11 am to deliver a letter in support of Laibar Singh.For more info:
opirgadmin at gmail.com
- more to be confirmed (if you are able to organize something in your city
or town- even small- please email nooneisillegal at gmail.com and
noii-van at resist.ca)