Galloway blocked from entering Canada?

[faceless]

Travel ban upheld for outspoken British MP Galloway
Ruling leaves open the possibility that there could be a full hearing on whether Mr. Galloway can enter Canada at a later date
Shannon Kari,
National Post
March 30, 2009

TORONTO -- George Galloway will not be entering Canada this week after a Federal Court judge ruled that the controversial British MP has not suffered "irreparable harm" as a result of a finding by immigration officials.

Justice Luc Martineau declined to issue an injunction that would have permitted Mr. Galloway to speak in person at a series of anti-war and pro-Palestinian rallies this week. "A proper factual record and the benefit of full legal argument are lacking at the present time," said the judge in his ruling. "I am not ready to exempt Mr. Galloway from the provisions in the (Immigration and Refugee Protection) Act and Regulations respecting entry and examination," he wrote. The judge issued his ruling Monday afternoon after a rare Federal Court hearing on the weekend.

Barbara Jackman, who represented Mr. Galloway and his supporters, said she was disappointed with the decision. "The court was asked to do something courageous, to defend free speech," said Ms. Jackman, who added that she is not aware of any other British MP ever being denied entry to Canada. She indicated there may be a full hearing at a later date to decide if Mr. Galloway can enter the country in the future.

Ms. Jackman smiled when asked if the decision to rule Mr. Galloway inadmissible has resulted in his receiving more publicity for his causes than if had he been admitted into the country. "It was Mr. Kenney who brought this up in the first place," she said in reference to federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

Judge Martineau noted that it was not for him to decide on the credibility of what he called "hearsay" evidence against Mr. Galloway. Instead, the judge explained he was ruling on whether there were grounds for an injunction. The judge said that there was no "irreparable harm" for Mr. Galloway because he could address the rallies without being in Canada.

As well, the judge observed that the government had not made a final decision on the admissibility of Mr. Galloway, it had only advised him that it was unlikely he would be allowed into the country. Mr. Galloway would have to try to enter the country and be detained, before the court could properly rule on whether immigration officials acted correctly, said Judge Martineau.

Meanwhile, the Canadian wing of the Jewish Defence League said Monday that Mr. Galloway's planned visit to Canada was not just a speaking junket, but a fundraising tour that would benefit Hamas, an outlawed terrorist group. The JDL cited a news release from Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights, one of Mr. Galloway's hosts, that said a Montreal event on Wednesday "will aim to raise additional funds for Galloway's Gaza aid caravan."

Laith Marouf, of Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights in Montreal, said that for the JDL to accuse others of supporting terrorism "is like the pot calling the kettle black." He referred to the FBI's description of JDL as "a violent extremist Jewish organization." Among other critics, the Southern Poverty Law Center calls it a "hate group," and denounces its "long history of bombing, assaulting and threatening its perceived enemies."

Mr. Marouf said Mr. Galloway's words will be heard in Montreal as scheduled Wednesday, at Concordia University via Internet video link, beginning at 7 p.m. A speech Mr. Galloway will deliver via video in Toronto Monday evening will be webcast to 10 locations across Canada, Mr. Marouf said.

[nekokate]

http://www.mogulus.com/rabbletv

Apologies if you read this later on, but as I speak, George Galloway is streaming LIVE on the above website, to Canada.

[luke]

nice one neko, good find

[nekokate]

Thank Paula Kirman - she messaged me about it. Are you watching Luke? I am - thankfully I don't have to get up early tomorrow!

[faceless]

nice one, just clicked on

I'm sure the full download will be available later

[luke]

yeah i'm listening , thanks paula

[faceless]

Here's the full video of GG at Columbia University last week (23rd of March)

[faceless]

A photo from the church (Metropolitan United Church, Toronto) in which last night's speech was broadcast. Church-going Christians always like to fund terrorists don't you know...

[luke]

you check the audio and video from last night here

[faceless]

Here's Galloway on CBC's 'On The Hour' last night

[faceless]

Press TV interview.


Interview at Penn State Uni.

[luke]

galloway on democracy now

[faceless]

I merged the thread you started into this one Kate, and grabbed that video from DN for youtube Luke, cheers.

[faceless]

http://www.adl.org/extremism/jdl_chron.asp

An interesting rundown of the behaviour of the JDL - attempting to hijack a plane should put them in the most extreme bracket.

[faceless]