Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2000 13:00:39 -0400
Subject: [en] David Solnit being held in Canada


Violation of Charter Rights?
Immigration Act used against American Protesters

Two American protesters in Windsor for the demonstrations against the
Organization of the American States continue to be detained and face
possible deportation, despite the fact that neither actually had a
chance to
participate in the protests.

David Solnit, a puppeteer from California whose skills helped to create
the
colourful visuals at the protests in Seattle and DC was taken into
custody
at 1 am on Sunday, under a section of the immigration act allowing the
detention of individuals charged with offenses in other countries. The
warrant was based on an incident which occurred 15 years ago, involving
a
conviction for using washable paint as part of a public demonstration in
the
US.

In picking out well-known activists before they have demonstrated, the
detention appears to be a direct violation of the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms. Two days later the authorities are continuing to hold Solnit
in
custody. There will be a detention review with the Immigration Review
Board
Adjudication Division on Tuesday morning at 10 am, at 130 Ouellette
Place in
Winsdor.

The other American, who has no criminal record, was also taken into
custody
on Sunday morning. The incident occurred on the basis that the Ministry
of
Citizenship and Immigration had “reasonable grounds to believe” that he
would commit an indictable offence in Canada. This hearing will be held
on
Wednesday morning at 10 am.

Under the Immigration Act, both activists can be held indefinitely. Both
are
threatened with deportation, with a possibility of being banned from
future
travel to Canada. The latter is particularly disturbing to David Solnit,
who
has family in Canada.

“These arrests are clearly an abuse of process and an arbitrary attack
of a
political nature in a city which has become a police state,” argues Mac
Scott, a member of the Black Star Legal Coalition.

While delivering charges during the bail hearing of another protester,
the
Crown specifically described the accused as an anarchist. Such targeting
of
activists for their political beliefs goes against basic Charter Rights
to
which all Canadians and visitors are entitled.

To arrange interviews with the defendants or for more information, call
the
Black Star Legal Coalition at (519) 564 – 4554.