Arrested for Democratic Protest
POLITICAL ACTIVIST JACOB HUNTER ARRESTED AT JUSTICE MINISTER'S OFFICE
10 June 2010
For Immediate Release
Jacob Hunter, the Foundation's Policy Director, was arrested today at Justice Minister Rob Nicholson's constituency office in Niagara, ON. Mr. Hunter was there as part of a continuing series of protests being held at the offices of Conservative Members of Parliament by supporters of Marc Emery, a Canadian citizen a political activist recently extradited from Canada to the United States. Another individual was apparently also arrested at the scene. This is the first protest at which arrests have been made.
Reports from people at the location suggest that Mr. Hunter did not engage in any unlawful conduct. "The right to peacefully protest government action is basic and fundamental to our democracy," said Kirk Tousaw, the Foundation's Executive Director. "Mr. Hunter should not be subject to arrest and possible prosecution for engaging in political activity protected by the Charter and central to the workings of every democracy on Earth."
Jodie Emery, the wife of Mr. Emery and an outspoken critic of his extradition and cannabis prohibition, reported that the officer arrived, told protestors to stop filming and said that the video camera was "a weapon" and shortly thereafter grabbed, shoved and arrested Mr. Hunter when he tried to follow the officer into Mr. Nicholson's office. Apparently the entire incident was filmed despite the officer's attempt to prevent the events from being recorded.
The Foundation is calling upon the Justice Minster to intervene and ensure that no charges are brought against either of the men arrested. "Mr. Nicholson makes much of his government standing up for the rule of law," explained Tousaw, "The Charter is the supreme law of the land. Being arrested for peaceful protest strikes at the very core of our democracy and is an utter rejection of the rule of law. It is time for this government to make clear that the exercise of basic democratic rights will be protected, not prosecuted, in Canada."
Contacts
Kirk Tousaw
604.836.1420
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Comments
Wow
I watched the video, THANK YOU JACOB and all of you for keeping up the fight!
Marijuana protest arrest
To quote,"..that the video camera was "a weapon" and shortly thereafter grabbed, shoved and arrested Mr. Hunter when he tried to follow the officer into Mr. Nicholson's office."
It should be obvious that Mr. Hunter made a mistake in trying to enter the MP's office following the officer.
It is 40 years since I paid the price of my so-called pot crime by doing time, and I can't agree with all the methodology currently used by protesters.
But I recently had an e mail reply from the Hon. Rob Nicholson to my e mail to PM the Rt. Hon. Stephan Harper, regarding legalization of pot. His response contained the usual nonsense showing zero recognition of recent scientific studies regarding the non-effect of pot on schizophrenia sufferers. Few parliamentarians or citizens show any awareness of how pot law was passed in Canada without any scientific study. The word cannabis was never even mentioned in Hansard for the day it passed. Just, 'a new drug has been added to the list' - and all say "yea", and commit a crime of indifference to truth - April 23, 1923. The last member of the house on that day, alive when the LeDain commission investigated pot in the 70's, was interviewed and found to be unaware that he was one of those who said 'yea', to the law.
Such is how our lives are ruined by nonsense from the Ivory Towers.
Hugh Petrie
thecosmicvisitor@yahoo.com
reprehensible
This is a perfect example of our "justice minister"'s idea of justice. He is not worried about proper procecution of dangerous, violent criminals only those who are on the oposite side of his twisted view of the world and right/wrong.
I hope the footage shows up on youtube, cbc and every other news network. It just shows the misuse of government and I hope everybody is outraged by this serious infringement on fundamental rights we all should share and be lucky for
If it was filmed, let's watch
If it was filmed, let's watch the video. For some reason I suspect we're only getting one side of the story.
If it was filmed, let's watch the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOQjXC--Eew&feature=player_embedded
Oh, of course. Anonymous would think so.
Anonymous:
What a ridiculous allegation. It is well known that Mr. Hunter is a peaceful and politically engaged Canadian. Are you suggesting that he would initiate violence on anyone present at the constituency office?
What is more likely is that:
A) Harper is getting tired of looking like a fool, publicly, as news stations across Canada air footage of Jacob and other protesters essentially showing how ridiculous their "justice" policy is.
B) Make no mistake, it is no mere coincidence that this arrest took place at Mr. Nicholson's office. Nicholson is essentially the political figurehead of an increasingly authoritarian and arrogant political party that just happens to be "Canada's NEW Government". Along with Jolly Ol' Baird, Nicholson is likely the most dedicated neocon / patsy in office. Just my opinion, but a well founded one.
C) An overly aggressive cop succumbed to his inner bully, and decided to make a statement by assaulting a "hippie pothead protestor".
D) You are likely a paid shill, in the vein of the Harper Gov'ts recently exposed affiliation with Social Media Group - an organization that "corrects misinformation" (ie. spouts off talking points and Conservative Party of Canada propaganda) online. (http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/05/23/social-media-government-moni...)
Yea, sit this one out champ. You're through.
-Nick
video
lets see this video or whats the deal ?
"lets see this video or whats the deal ?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOQjXC--Eew&feature=player_embedded
Erm...
Well, we ARE only getting one side of the story. That's usually how this kind of situation starts because only one side often immediately comes out to speak before the other. In this case, it's difficult to believe that the protesters would be violent in any way and of course, there have been allegations that public servants have been insulating themselves to a certain degree from the public in an attempt to try and avoid being mixed up in these protests. These acts of cowardice have potentially contributed to a problem which has escalated to this most recent event in which peaceful people were likely arrested.
I'm looking forward to the video and I have my own bias. I'm not about ready to condemn anyone just yet though but I'll make my suspicions known.
Ethan