[van-announce] Rally for Tunisia Saturday 1pm at VPL

[Derrick O'Keefe]

*Please forward widely* 
 Rally for democracy in Tunisia this Saturday in Vancouver Members of the local Tunisian community will be joined by allies and supporters of democracy in Tunisia at a rally this Saturday, January 22, 1pm outside the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library (Robson Street at Homer).  “We
 will be joining members of the Tunisian Diaspora and other supporters 
in rallying to support the movement for democracy in Tunisia which has 
inspired the whole world,” said Dr. Younes Alila, a UBC Professor.  The
 dictator Ben Ali fled Tunisia last week after sustained mass protests 
against his decades-long rule. Ben Ali’s family has Canadian connections
 and investments. In Montreal, rallies have been held outside his 
son-in-law’s mansion.  “We
 demand that the Canadian government support democracy in Tunisia, and 
we are very disappointed that the Canadian government has remained 
silent throughout weeks of protest, in which nearly 100 innocent people 
were killed by the dictatorship’s forces of repression,” said Dr. Younes
 Alila. “If members of Ben Ali’s regime and family seek refuge in 
Canada, they must be brought to justice for their crimes against the 
people of Tunisia,” added Alila.   “We
 must be vigilant to ensure that the interim government meets its 
promises to implement political democracy and to allow elementary human 
rights like freedom of expression and assembly,” said Dr. Alila.  Local peace and human rights organizations will participate in Saturday's rally with the Tunisian community. 
 Background Reading: 

-Tonight we are all Tunisians: 
http://www.thecanadiancharger.com/page.php?id=5&a=745

-Statement of solidarity from Quebec organizations:


http://www.rabble.ca/news/2011/01/we-support-tunisian-struggle