MAY 27: National Day of Action for Status for All! Fredericton event... : IMC Maritimes

STATUS FOR ALL! National Day of Action on May 27, 2006! (Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Fredericton…)

No One is Illegal!

In privileged countries around the world, migrants and refugees have been hitting the streets demanding dignity and resisting the imposition of laws that are making people illegal.

On May 27th across Canada, migrants, refugees and their allies will demonstrate against the deportation and detention of migrants and refugees, and for a full, inclusive, unconditional and ongoing regularization program, meaning STATUS FOR ALL! Details: http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org

FREDERICTON EVENT:
Saturday MAY 27th @ 1 PM in Queen’s Square Park
(the park just below the campus).

Festive and informative march downtown and across the river, followed by community potluck.

All are welcome to join us!

Join us in solidarity, celebration and in delivering the multi-lingual messages that NO ONE IS ILLEGAL and that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and enjoy the same rights. Look for the multi-lingual banners! And listen for the worldly music! Updates: http://sjs.revolt.org/.

People from various communities who are migrants, refugees, recent immigrants, people who have experienced immigration struggle in the past, international students, groups working in solidarity with such people, as well as all supporters are encouraged to bring banners and placards in whatever language is their language of choice, articulating their struggles and their hopes. As well, people are welcome to bring statements or to simply be ready to speak on the spot because there will be an OPEN MIKE during the march (or a megaphone), so that everyone present and people passing by will have the chance to hear the voices of those who are often waging—or who have waged—a silent struggle. Feel free also to bring copies of leaflets for the attendees and spectators. Other attendees are also free to speak, but priority will be given to the people who are the focus of the event. If you have friends who do not wish to join the march but would like a statement read on their behalf, please feel free to speak on their behalf.

PROPOSED ROUTE
(Can be modified on or before the day of the event based on feedback). We’ll be marching from the park at 1:30, traveling downtown on Church St., left on Queen St., dropping leaflets and individual messages off at the Legislature, then City Hall, then back to Queen’s Square Park.

COMMUNUTITY POTLUCK AFTER THE MARCH!
When we return from the march, there will be a worldly potluck at Queen’s square park, representative of the many diverse communities present.

WHAT TO BRING
As mentioned, please bring banners, placards and even leaflets if you wish. ALSO bring drums and other noisemakers. Be creative!

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fredericton contact:
Asaf Rashid: handsofnothing@yahoo.ca (Fredericton contact for Solidarity Across Borders)

Police Make Arrests
by Fredericton Solidarity Across Borders Saturday, May. 27, 2006 at 3:27 PM

At approximately 3:00pm on Saturday May 27th, three immigrants rights protesters and one independent journalist were arrested at a peaceful demonstration on Queen Street in Fredericton. Asaf Rashid, Chris Erb, Duane Rouselle, and Theresa Taylor were all arrested for “failure to disperse”. One independent media journalist was arrested with video and photos of the days events. There are reports of excessive force being used on the arrestees.

The detainees have just been released (3:40pm) with minor fines and with one person experiencing minor injuries. The camera was recovered. When asked to give a reason for the arrest, one officer responded “Do you think I need a reason?” Officers refused to give badge numbers or reveal their identities. None of the arrestees were read their rights. Rashid was struck in his ribs, thrown to the ground and hand cuffed and then “slapped on his ass”, recounts one witness. “Next time I ask you to leave you better fucking leave”, said one officer. After being thrown into the police van all arrestees were taken to the police station. Rashid was interrogated about the event and his nationality. Others were asked standard questions for the purpose of writing up the fine.

The rally began at 1:00pm at Queen’s Square Park where 30 plus protesters enjoyed free food, soccer, Frisbee and speeches from refugees, organizers and activists. Protesters marched from Queen’s Square park to City Hall whilst being harassed by police along the way. Once at City Hall protesters were harassed by one of the Commissionaires, ranting about tourists, who then contacted police. "I get paid to keep people like you away from city hall for the tourists." The unidentified Commissionaire was very persistent with convincing the police to break up the rally.

After much discussion with the commissionaire police approached the crowd and demanded they disperse. Protesters explained to police that they were preparing to disperse. Once questioned about the validity of the command to disperse by one independent media journalist protesters were unlawfully arrested without having their rights read to them.

Photos of the event will follow soon. For more information about the event or Solidarity Across Borders please contact http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org or handsofnothing@yahoo.ca

solidarityacrossborders.org

Well, the police department does not care about taking a complaint about what happened on Saturday.

The mayor is out of the country.

Alicia up at the mayor's office could care less about helping anyone make a complain and refuses to give out the deputy mayor's office number. I guess it is against the city of Fredericton to give out the work numbers of the people our taxes pay for. Call Alicia and enquire why? She seems to think that making a complaint is not necessary and does not like to be to helpful. Maybe if she has people calling her all day... she just might get motivated to actually connect someone to the deputy mayor's office. (506) 460-2020

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CALL AND VOICE THIER DISGUST ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED... THE QUICKER THEY WILL TAKE ACTION ON IT!

Our rights are being taken away and and if they see thay no one cares they will only continue to get worse!

Fredericton has made it perfectly clear that they do not want homeless, poor, or immigrants here!

The Fredericton Police Force is turning into the Gestapo!!!

Make sure to voice you concern with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission! (506) 453-2301

Afterall, we are the ones that can speak up for the people that can not!

I find it absolutely disgraceful that more Fredericton immigrants did not show support for the cause.

The Fredericton Mulitcultual Association's response as to why they showed no support, is that they only deal with immigrants that are already legal! It was stated that since it involved non status immigants, they were not interested in showing thier support!

I find that sickening, considering that many of the same immigrants they help, have family members and friends that are in the same situation as many others.

I guess they could have just released thier own statement stating "THE FREDERICTON MULICULTURAL ASSOCIATION ONLY SUPPORTS IMMIGRANTS THAT ARE LEGAL AND COULD CARE LESS ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS THAT DO NOT HAVE LEGAL STATUS!"

Well, I for one, and very very thankful that a few kind people stood up for other human being's rights... even if they ended up getting arrested over it.

These folks cared about making a stand, when the immigrants that are here, could have cared less!

WAY TO GO GUYS!!!