[Marxism] Toronto Rally in Solidarity with Algerian man deported to the U.S.

["David Quarter" <davidquarter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From:                   Brian Burch <burch@xxxxxx>


MOHAMMED CHERIFI:  VICTIM OF SANCTUARY VIOLATION

by Brian Burch
(if picked up for publication, please send copy to
Resources for Radicals
20 Spruce St.
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 2H7     CANADA
if added to web site, please provide the web site info)



Close to 100 faith, anti-poverty and immigrant rights activists came
together in downtown Toronto late Friday afternoon to call for the safe
return to Canada of Mohamed Cherfi.  Eight months ago Algerian refugee
claimant Mohamed Cherfi was torn out of the sanctuary of a Quebec City
church and deported to the U.S.   There was a sense of urgency to the
gathering as the United States has turned down his refugee claim and he is
in danger of deportation to Algerian where he faces torture and fears that
he will be killed as a result of his political activities in the nation of
his birth.

As well, there was an undercurrent that perhaps something is about to break on
the national level as Citizenship and Immigration Minister Judy Sgro has been
negotiating with church leaders.  Minister Sgro has offered the churches
the right
to fast track a limited number of refugee claimant appears in return for giving
up the right of sanctuary.  While there is no indication that the churches
are going to
give up their historic rights, the fact that the offer has been made
indicates that
she is facing tremendous pressure as a result of ongoing resistance by churches
that insist on the right to care for those in need of refuge.

Those present lined the west side of Victoria for half a block, standing
behind banners
and listening to a number of speakers expressing solidarity and concern.

Well known writer and film maker Naomi Klein stated that Cherfi was
targeted for his activism.  He sought sanctuary after having been arrested
at a demonstration in support of the rights of Algerian refugees in Canada.
The invasion of the church was a violation of hundreds of years of
tradition and resulted in the silencing of an effective advocate for
refugee and immigrant rights.  Klein indicated her support for a group in
Quebec City that have offered to act as sponsors of Cherfi if he was
permitted to return to Canada.

Cynthia Wright, from the Status Coalition, drew attention to the attack on
rights
that have come about after the events of September 11th.  She indicated
that Canada
has an opportunity to separate itself from the domination of U.S. interests
and
provide sanctuary to all those who face oppression in other lands---including
those who activism challenged U.S. and corporate interests.

Postcards, addressed to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Judy Sgro,
were circulated for signing.
Signed and immediately posted, it was an effective way of adding to the
voices that
Minister Sgro has to respond to.

        The hour long protest was low key---more of a vigil than a rally.
In a world
still pondering the reality of the U.S. election, the protest was a
statement of hope
that justice is possible.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For more information on the campaign to bring Mohamed Cherfi back to Canada:

http://www.ocap.ca/immigration/bringback.html



++++++++++++++++++++

NOTES FOR MY SPEECH AT THE MOHAMED CHERFI RALLY
(Rev. Brian Burch, President, St. Clare's Multifaith Housing Society)

When the police raided the Quebec church where Mohamed Cherifi had
soughtsanctuary all of us  were endangered.  If someone can be removed from
sanctuary in a church because he had been arrested for engaged in a legal
act---attending a rally---and be expelled from Canada the fabric of rights
for everyone has been torn.  Acting in solidarity with Mohamed Cherfi is
not an unselfish act--- if he can not come to Canada and be considered as a
refugee who among us can honestly feel
safe?  If he is returned, then there is hope that the fear and paranoiathat
has lead to a major
increase in state power is dissipating, that the state will not the excuse
of the events of
September 11th to continue to crack down on those who are marginalised.

The treatment of Cherfi has parallels in other struggles.  Those who work
and advocate for housing for the homeless run into NIMBYism---desires to
keep out or under control those who are economically marginalised.   People
will try and discredit organisations and individuals that speak out and act
to ensure that housing is a right.  Criminal courts are used to silence
those that are most effectively vocal in regards to challenging poverty and
homelessness.  Bureaucratic processes and civil courts are used to
challenge those that provide affordable housing.  What happened to Cherfi
is NIMBYism writ large?he is not wanted in some peoples? back yard.
Instead of finding a home in Canada or even a haven in a church, he is
imprisoned in the U.S. and in fear of being sent back to Algeria.

As a person of a faith, the attack on Cherfi is a challenge to me on two
fronts.  From the provision of sanctuary cities in Israel to the tradition
of church sanctuary in more recent times, the ideal that the provision of
sanctuary for those in distress is a duty of the church is one that can not
be put aside due to political expediency.  And the ongoing duty to care for
the sojourner, the homeless wander, is also not an aspect of faith subject
to the whims to political fashion.  These are at the core of a faith that
is alive and nurturing and expressing an acceptance of the call for peace,
justice and the integrity of creation.  To be true to the calling of
Christianity is not to vote for hatred in a referendum but to act with love
and hope to share what we have with those in need.  This radical view of
faith is not without risk, but it is certainly far less risky for us than
what is risked for those needing a refuge if we do not act.

Canada has a chance to do something that was done by the Islamic Ottoman
empire in 1492 when it opened its boarders to the Jews expelled from Spain.
We can be the light of hope and justice in a time of darkness.  Mohammed
Cherfi is our neighbour and we should welcome here for ourselves and for
his sake.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IT'S NOT OVER. MOHAMED'S LIFE IS AT STAKE!
------------------------------------------

For more details on what you can do, please read on:

1. Call Minister of Immigration Judy Sgro. The message is simple: Time's
running out! The Canadian government must fast-track the processing of
Mohamed's file. We know they have the power.

Judy Sgro
Fax: (613) 957-2688
Tel.: (613) 992-7774
E-mail: minister@xxxxxxxxx et Sgro.J@xxxxxxxxxx

2. Call your federal M.P. and tell him/her you are concerned about the
Cherfi case. Ask your M.P. to contact Judy Sgro to inform her that his/her
voters: -have reacted strongly to the United States's refusal to accept
Mohamed Cherfi as a refugee; and that they -demand that Mohamed's file be
handled without delay.

3. Send a new postcard to the Canadian Immigration Minister to show her you
support Mohamed Cherfi.s application. You.ll find it at the following
address: http://mohamedcherfi.org/IMG/pdf/Deuxieme_carte_-_anglo.pdf Over
250 organizations and public figures, as well as thousands of other people,
have already shown their support in one way or another.

4. The refusal of American Immigration authorities to accord Mohamed his
rightful protection obliges him to appeal the judge's decision, in order to
avoid being deported to Algeria where his life is in danger. Along with
prolonging his already intolerable time in prison, it adds to the legal
costs associated at Mohamed's case. These costs can only be covered by
appeals for solidarity. We are therefore putting out another call for funds
- we need to find $6000 to prepare his legal defence. No donation is too
small.

Please mail your cheques to: Mohamed Cherfi Fund, c/o Maison Ludger
Duvernay, 82 Sherbrooke Street west, Montréal Québec H2X 1X3.

Thanks for your support!

For more information, contact:
The Mohamed Cherfi Solidarity Committee
(418) 262-0144
email: solimo2004@xxxxxxxx
http://www.mohamedcherfi.org


Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court?
(James 2:6b, RSV)



_______________________________________________
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism