Fund a “terrorist” this week!
Under federal law, anyone who contributes money to Abousfian Abdelrazik risks prosecution. Canadian regulations state that no Canadian shall “provide or collect by any means, directly or indirectly, funds with the intention that the funds be used” by someone on the 1267 list.
EXILE Infoshop proudly endorses the
Sanctions-busting Telethon
in solidarity with Abousfian Abdelrazik and against oppressive
“national security” logic.
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
From anywhere, between 7pm and 9pm EDT:
Call toll free 1 877 737 4070
Tune in to live-broadcast on Rabble TV,
In Montreal:
Free dinner from 6pm; Telethon begins at 7pm
Georges Vanier Cultural Centre, 2450 Workman St. (metro Lionel Groulx)
Wheelchair accessible. Free childcare on site.
ALSO, tune in to Amandla on CKUT 90.3 FM for live reports.
Project Fly Home is organizing the first ever “Sanctions-busting
Telethon” on April 28th to call people to donate to Abousfian Abdelrazik
in open defiance of the United Nations 1267 regime, challenging the
fear, racism and isolation it creates and feeds on. The evening will
include a free spaghetti dinner and a host of poets, musicians,
performers, and speakers, including Hasan Abdulhai, Kader B, Al and Jess
Blair, Ehab Lotayef, Norman Nawrocki and Jou Jou Turenne !
Two years ago, on April 28th, 2008, Abousfian Abdelrazik went public
with his story of detention, torture and exile and claimed refuge in the
Canadian Embassy in Khartoum. He lived in the Embassy for fourteen
months, unable to leave the grounds, until the Canadian government was
forced to bring him back to Montreal in June 2009. Now he is home, but
still not free. Background on Abelrazik’s story.
In 2006, without his knowledge, Abdelrazik’s name was placed on the
United Nations “1267 list”. The 1267 regime imposes financial sanctions
that prevent Abdelrazik from earning a salary, receiving any money, or
maintaining a bank account. This makes rebuilding his life impossible.
It’s like “living in a prison without walls” – indefinitely, without
charge or trial. There is little recourse. As the Federal Court of
Canada wrote, “There is nothing in the listing or de-listing procedure
[of the 1267 regime] that recognizes the principles of natural justice
or that provides for basic procedural fairness.” (Justice Russel Zinn, 4
June 2009). Background on the 1267 regime.
Despite its official position that Mr. Abdelrazik should be removed from
the 1267 list, the Canadian government has made no serious attempt to
have him delisted. Nor has it made any move to lift sanctions from Mr.
Abdelrazik in Canada, although it is within its power to do so immediately.
Under federal law, anyone who contributes money to Mr. Abdelrazik risks
prosecution. Canadian regulations state that no Canadian shall “provide
or collect by any means, directly or indirectly, funds with the
intention that the funds be used” by someone on the 1267 list.
We did it before! In early 2009, a group stretching from Vancouver to
Halifax, including people from all walks of life, banded together to buy
Abdelrazik a plane ticket home for April 3rd, despite federal government
insistence that financially supporting Mr. Abdelrazik could violate the
law (see complete list). This powerful act of solidarity reflected a
groundswell of support for Mr. Abdelrazik as well as growing outrage at
the government’s abusive treatment of him.
We are calling on you to do it again! Restate your solidarity or join
the long list of people who have defied the 1267 regime by contributing
money to Mr. Abdelrazik as an act of solidarity.
On April 28th, between 7pm and 9pm, come out to the Telethon in Montreal
or call 1 877 737 4070 to make a donation to Abousfian Abdelrazik. Tune
in to watch the telethon live-broadcast on www.rabble.ca or listen to
Amandla on CKUT 90.3 FM for live reports.
Your donations will help challenge the oppressive “national security”
logic which endangers all of us.
Build the pressure! Break the sanctions!
Sponsored by:
CKUT 90.3 FM
Rabble.ca
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Project Fly Home
projectflyhome(at)gmail.com
www.peoplescommission.org/en/abdelrazik
—————–
This telethon is part of a six-month campaign launched by Project Fly
Home leading up to the first anniversary of Abdelrazik’s return to
Canada. The six-month campaign demands that Canada: immediately free
Abdelrazik from the 1267 sanctions; put pressure on members of the 1267
committee to delist Abdelrazik; and pull out of the 1267 regime. For
more information, to download postcards and flyers, or to get involved:
www.peoplescommission.org/en/abdelrazik.
Project Fly Home - People’s Commission Network
projectflyhome@gmail.com
To add your organization to the list of groups endorsing Project Fly Home’s
six demands, please read the sign-on statement
and email your organization’s name in English and French to
projectflyhome(at)gmail.com