Arrested for Democratic Protest

Submitted by Kirk Tousaw on Thu, 06/10/2010 - 12:40pm
in
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