freeman drum

:: Drumbeat

November 16 - Ontario Court of Appeal Delivers Decision

The Ontairo Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of committal for extradition and the application for judicial review of the order for surrender.

See the full text of the decision. [pdf]

..........

October 8 - Letter of Support from South African Parliamentarian

Yousuf Gabru, Deputy Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament in South Africa and member of the African National Congress, writes to the Canadian Minister of Justice in support of Gary Freeman: "...I implore you to carefully consider Mr. Freeman's case, it definitely requires further investigation, and it is imperative that Mr. Freeman receives a fair hearing before the Canadian State decides to proceed with this matter."

See the full text of the letter. [pdf]

..........

September 21 - Hearing of Appeal and Review

In the appeal of the order of committal issued by Justice Watt (November 25, 2005) lawyer John Norris presented a panel of three Judges with a cogent argument that a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling (United States v. Ferras) should be seen to have a significant impact on this case. The ruling states that "The judge must act as a judge, not a rubber stamp."

Also, "…the person sought for extradition may challenge the sufficiency of the case. An extradition judge must look at the whole of the evidence and, if it fails to disclose a case on which a jury could convict or it is so defective that it would be dangerous or unsafe to convict, the test for committal is not met."

And, "Section 29(1) requires the extradition judge to assess whether the admissible evidence shows the justice or rightness of committing a person to extradition. The evidence must be demonstrably able to be used by a reasonable, properly instructed jury to reach a verdict of guilty such that a case could go to trial in Canada."

Norris argued that the extradition hearings of 2005 did not meet the standard set by the ruling in Ferras. Gary Freeman had not been allowed to properly "challenge the sufficiency of the case." The evidence presented was inadequate, contradictory and, in part, actually no longer available to be examined. The hearings had not determined that there was full disclosure and due diligence in the certification of the evidence.

In the judicial review of the former Minister of Justice's order of surrender for extradition (November 3, 2006), Norris argued that the former Minister had too readily dismissed consideration of the continuing history of racial prejudice in the judicial system in the United States, as well as the unjust and oppressive treatment at the hands of authorities that African-Americans still face while detained. As an example, Norris pointed to the false claim that Gary Freeman had been a member of the Black Panther Party as an attempt to prejudice in the courtroom and the media any proceedings that might take place.

The panel of Judges for the Court of Appeal for Ontario - Marc Rosenberg, Jean MacFarland and Eileen Gillese - reserved judgment. There's no way to predict when the decision will be released. Generally, the Court tries to get decisions out quickly but how soon our decision comes out will depend on several factors, including 1) whether the Court writes a full judgment or simply a brief endorsement, and 2) whether all the judges agree with the result or not.

..........

September 7 - New Date for Appeal and Review

The Appeal and Judicial Review, previously set for September 13, have had to be pushed forward to Friday, September 21, 9:30am, in Osgoode Hall (130 Queen Street West, between Bay Street and University Avenue).

..........

September 6 - Freedom for Gary Freeman Vigil

Charles Roach, noted civil rights lawyer and activist, speaks at the Freedom for Gary Freeman Vigil.

[photos by Graeme Bacque]

Also attending were Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale, Phil Taylor, host of CIUT-FM's "The Taylor Report", and Norman Otis Richmond, journalist, radio producer and host of CKLN-FM's "From a Different Perspective" and "Saturday Morning Live".

More on the vigil from Toronto Social Justice Magazine [thanks to John Bonnar].

..........

September 3 - Freedom for Gary Freeman Vigil

Join Family & Friends of Gary Freeman and No One Is Illegal in a Freedom for Gary Freeman Vigil on Thursday, September 6, 5:30 - 7pm.

Gary Freeman has lived the past 30+ years in Canada. Married to a Canadian, together they have raised a son and three daughters to be respected young adults. A mentor and friend to the young and old, Gary has always promoted social justice and viewed every human being as worthy of respect.

It concerns us that after 35 years, Gary, an African-American man who escaped the U.S. after facing racial persecution, should face return to Chicago at the hands of a police department recently implicated in torture by the infamous Burge report. The report by special Chicago prosecutors belatedly appointed to investigate charges of police torture in the Chicago South Side district confirmed Chicago police tortured and brutalized African-American men for more than 20 years.

Yet, despite the confirmation by internal investigations of horrific atrocities committed against African-American men, none of the police responsible for hundreds of acts of torture will face prosecution for using illegal techniques like electrical shocks to the genitals, Russian roulette, suffocation and mock executions (among others). Prosecutors claim these crimes against humanity cannot be prosecuted because the cases are too old and the statue of limitations has expired. Some of the police officers involved have been promoted and are still with the same Chicago police department.

Yet, Chicago seeks the extradition of Gary Freeman who is a victim of racial and political persecution for an incident which took place in this same South Side district of Chicago in 1969. He has always maintained his innocence, and there is a litany of missing and mishandled evidence. He was a victim of police brutality and he came to Canada because he didn't want to die - he came to Canada to survive. Gary too was a victim of Chicago police brutality and racism in 1969 on the streets of Chicago.

We demand freedom for Gary Freeman!

Freedom for Gary Freeman Vigil flyer

..........

July 30 - Gary Freeman and Natercia Coelho celebrate 25th Anniversary

Gary Freeman and Natercia Coelho celebrated their 25 years of marriage on Monday, July 30, 2007. This anniversary is an abiding sign of their intense dedication to each other, to their four children, and to the idea of a good family as a foundation for the development of strong character.

Gary and Natercia received a certificate from Omar Alghabra, their local Member of Parliament (Mississauga-Erindale), congratulating them on this special occasion.

25th Anniversary Certificate

They also received a letter from The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, noting the anniversary: "This is a very special milestone in your lifetime commitment to each other, and I am honoured to join with your family and friends in recognizing this happy occasion."

25th Anniversary Letter

..........

June 25 - New date set for Appeal and Judicial Review

The Appeal and Judicial Review, originally set for July 6, have had to be delayed. The new date set is September 13, 2007.

..........

March 25 - Date set for Appeal and Judicial Review

July 6, 2007, at 10:30am, is the date set for the appeal of the Judge's order of committal and the judicial review of the former Minister of Justice's decision to sign the order of surrender for extraditon.

..........

March 21 - Some Thoughts on Sharpeville

March 21, 2007 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It was established by the UN in 1966 to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre that occurred in South Africa in 1960.

The South African police opened fire on a non-violent anti-apartheid demonstration killing scores of black people including women and children. This shocked the conscience of the world prompting the international community to finally recognize apartheid - known in the US as segregation and Jim Crow - as an evil that had to be eliminated.

On November 20, 1963, UN General Assembly Resolution 1904 gave the world the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. It "solemnly [affirmed] the necessity of speedily eliminating racial discrimination throughout the world in all of its forms and manifestations and of securing understanding of and respect for the dignity of the human person."

To achieve the principles and ideals expressed in this declaration the General Assembly enacted an international treaty called the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination which entered into force on January 4, 1969.

Thirty eight years ago the General Assembly said that it was "[a]larmed by manifestations of racial discrimination… and by governmental policies… such as apartheid, segregation or separation." And that "there is no justification for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere." " All human beings are equal before the law", the Convention says, "and are entitled to equal protection of the law against any discrimination and against any incitement to discrimination."

Thirty eight years later we are not supposed to be seeing any Confederate flags. There isn't supposed to be any racial profiling. There isn't supposed to be any racial inequities in opportunity for employment, housing and education; or in the way the police and courts operate.

Yet, we know the realities of our existence prove that countries, including Canada and the US, who are signatories to this anti-racism convention have not shown the will to live up to their international obligations. In fact, it was here in North America that the notion of "reverse discrimination" arose as the rallying cry of all those protectors of privilege who would prefer there be no racial equality and harmony. The US Supreme Court has even sanctioned "reverse discrimination".

In their great wisdom the General Assembly of the UN said "[s]pecial measures taken for the sole purpose of securing adequate advancement of certain racial or ethnic groups or individuals requiring such protection as may be necessary in order to ensure such groups or individuals equal enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms shall not be deemed racial discrimination…" Therefore affirmative action policy and programs are not reverse discrimination and this is recognized in international law.

The Sharpeville massacre opened the eyes of the world to the crisis of racism as it affected Africa and hurt Diaspora. The UN called upon the nations of the world to take responsibility by initiating corrective policy and programs to immediately end institutionalized and systematic racism; and to empower the victims of racism.

What must be done this March 21st is to take stock of the crisis of racism in our midst and take immediate action to deal with it. There have been enough studies done, statistics compiled and reports written. We know there is a crisis in the African Canadian and African American communities. Action is required not rhetoric.

Governments that have not already done so must make a complete about-face in their attitudes towards communities of colour. They cannot pretend that whatever happened during slavery and its aftermath happened so long ago as to absolve them of responsibility to act. If government does nothing to rectify racism and the pathologies of racism, government becomes an accessory to crimes against humanity.

Governments must institute Restorative Justice programs and Affirmative Action initiatives in the areas of housing, educational, employment and financial opportunities. These initiatives must have measurable targets and be conceived and implemented via consultation and participation of the affected community. Affirmative Action programs that have been dismantled or nullified because of court challenges must be reinstated. Canada and the United States have moral and legal responsibilities to both peoples of colour and the international community.

In both Canada and the US governments must recognize the crisis in their black communities and take responsibility for the part slavery and the still churning aftermath of slavery has played in creating that crisis. Slavery and anti-black racism have been uniquely suffered by only one group of people. Solutions to the crisis must in turn be uniquely dedicated to that people.

In Ontario, one idea is to create an African-Ontarian Court modeled upon the Native Court system. It must be noted that the province of Nova Scotia actually has an Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs. What a magnificent precedent.

However, no matter what opportunities are extended, if there is not a strong commitment to achievement, nothing will be achieved. Which brings us to a topic of great concern: what are black people prepared to do for themselves?

Not meaning to offend, and recognizing how painful it may be to ponder the question, but after observing how blacks are perceived around the world based both upon the roles they have been coerced into, and roles they have chosen to assume, one wonders if blacks have become the court jesters of the universe. Let's face it; no people have a higher amusement/entertainment value than black people.

There needs to be a Black Renaissance. And there may be no finer instruction model than the Harlem Renaissance. Blacks are capable of achieving and excelling in every single sphere of life. That would be a most fitting way to honour those who perished at Sharpeville.

..........

February 20 - The N-word is Negative

Let's not allow the N-word issue to be over-intellectualized into a debate that focuses on the style of language. The focus must be on the style of racist subjugation and hatred; including the pathologies of black inferiority and self-hatred.

We need to go back to the relevant beginning regarding the N-word and that is the international slave trade. Slavery begot the N-word. There were no "niggers" before slavery.

Slavery created the ugly, sordid hierarchy of skin which encompassed not just the hue of flesh but also facial and body features. Let's be absolutely clear about what we are dealing with - an insanity: the lighter or "fairer" the skin, the better; the straighter the hair, the better; the thinner the lips, the better; the pointier the nose, the better.

Speaking of noses, did you grow up having yours pinched?

The working knowledge that guided my father's path through life was an incredible and incredulous amalgam of street lore and old "nigger" tales. An example is this neatly articulated little ditty guys of my generation thought it cool to recite in the pre-Martin Luther King Jr. assassination era: "the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice; but if the berry's too black, it ain't no use". So, it seemed quite incredible that my father married my dark-skinned mother until it is remembered that his working knowledge was an encyclopedia of black male survival instruction full of conflicts and contradictions. Obviously, he knew true beauty when he saw it. Yet, he could not free himself from the intrinsically evil racist hierarchies of skin hue and body type to overcome his fear that as his sons grew up their noses would widen and flatten out. So, he habitually pinched our little noses so that we wouldn't have "nigger" noses.

Not that the N-word was one that I ever heard at home; it wasn't. In my family and in my neighbourhood, saying the N-word was considered sacrilegious. It was almost as bad as denying the existence of Jesus. And that was worse than cussing.

The word Colored wasn't much liked either. That was an ugly word often seen on signs such as No Colored Allowed or Colored Washroom or Colored Entrance. Colored was a truly amorphous designation that relegated black people to a kind of un-existence resulting in what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described in his Letter from Birmingham Jail as a "degenerating sense of 'nobodiness'". At one end of this spectrum of racist and dehumanizing invisibility existed the insanity of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. At the other end were black men who worked as railroad sleeping-car porters and were all called George.

Negro was the preferred term, at least, until the mid-60s. It was a very proper noun. Considered sophisticated and politically correct, the name Negro was nevertheless a designation imposed upon black people.

Which brings us to the word black.

During my childhood, to call a black person black was considered an insult. To be black was to be an undignified, uncouth and ugly being of African descent. When there were arguments, as there were in my house between my paternal grandmother and my mother, I frequently heard phrases cast as stones such as "your just a black" so-and-so. Of course, these stones were being hurled at my mother. My practically white-looking grandmother on more than one occasion strongly suggested that my father had made a big mistake marrying a girl as dark as my mother. These arguments would occur within earshot of my brother and I. What were we suppose to think? Well, that being black was nothing to be proud of.

Still, nothing was worse than the N-word. There was hell to pay - guaranteed - if you called somebody a "nigger". It was an ultimate insult; equivalent to saying to someone that they should be dead.

Within the context of race relations between the African Diaspora and European settler-states, the N-word had been used as a weapon to exact psychological and emotional damage meant to deal a death blow to the self-respect, dignity and humanity of Africa and her Diaspora. That blacks used and continue to use the N-word as self-descriptive and cruel epithets only verifies the past and continuing success of the slave-making process. A people who defile their own humanity cannot expect that others will not do the same. A people with no self-respect and dignity cannot raise themselves out of bondage. What is at stake here is nothing less than the restoration of Africa and her Diaspora to full membership in the human family.

Let's cut straight to the nitty-gritty of the issue regarding the style of language versus the use of language as a tool of redemption and liberation. I'll pose a simple question: why are the lyrics of James Brown's famous anthem not "say it loud, I'm a 'nigger' and I'm proud"?

During the Civil Rights and Black Power eras it was a given that success could not be achieved unless blacks were able to "say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud". It was necessary to transform blackness into a source of pride and strength in order to strive for truth, justice and peace. This required the nullification and condemnation of the N-word.

This was taken up by the Brothers-off-the-block - known variously as Block Boys, the underclass, lumpens or gang-bangers - who, at the height of sixties era Civil Rights and Black Power activism largely forbade the use of the N-word with their milieu.

These days we lament the recurrence of N-word usage among those who style themselves as part of hip-hop culture. The commercial-music genre known as Rap is derived from African oral/rhythmic performance traditions in style though not necessarily in substance. The substance of that tradition is one of passing on inspiration and knowledge for surviving, thriving and driving freedom foreword. It is necessary for them to get off the road leading to shiny metals and treasury notes in order that they may become acquainted with how truly powerful black art can be. Of particular relevance is the art of the god-fathers of rap: The Last Poets and Gil Scott Heron. I have spoken with kids who have never heard of the Last Poets or Gil Scott Heron.

That said, I haven't met a single black man during my 2 ½ year incarceration who has not sworn off using the N-word after I have had the opportunity to sit down and speak with him about it. They really don't want to self-destruct.

Need more be said?

..........

February 5 - Notes on Black History Month

In 1884 a momentous event in the development of the international market economy occurred. It was the Berlin African Conference. Sponsored by the King of Belgium, it was attended by Austria-Hungry, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden-Norway, Turkey and the United States of America.

The purpose of the conference was to promote and facilitate the carving up of Africa into spheres of economic and political influence between the attendees. In other words, colonialism in Africa was consolidated.

The current plight of Africa - famine, pandemics, poverty, catastrophic political upheavals, etc - can be traced directly back to the Berlin African Conference. Union Minière, for example, the mining company of the Belgian Congo was linked to US President Roosevelt's Operation Torch of World War II which sought uranium in order to build its weapons of mass destruction. Around that time, Katanga Province in the Belgian Congo was a known source for uranium 235 and remained so during the turbulent Cold War years of the fifties and sixties.

When a democratically elected Prime Minister arose in the Congo in 1960 with the avowed purpose of securing African resources for Africans, he, of course, presented a huge problem for the Americans who wanted to maintain their exclusive access to this precious resource via the Belgians and Union Minière. The American CIA orchestrated the overthrow of the democratically elected government of the Congo and the assassination of its Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba. In honour of the man, my son's first name is Patrice.

Not only did Patrice Lumumba want the resources of Africa to be owned and controlled by Africans, he wanted the Congolese people to be Congolese, not Belgian Congolese.

The most crucial aspect of freedom is to be able to define yourself and to determine the course of your destiny. Lumumba wanted this for his people. We recognize this as being a fundamental human right.

It is the desire of exploiters and oppressors to keep Africa and her Diaspora from self-recognition, self-definition and self-actuation. This is true particularly for the descendents of slavery whose very humanity was stolen from them via the slave-making process which crushed then criminalized self-recognition, self-definition and self-actuation. Black History is an antidote to this poison.

For those who would question the need for Black History Month, I would pose a few simple questions. What is your last name and what is it derived from? On which side of the divide were your ancestors at the Berlin African Conference? Were you raised to feel that the colour of your skin was a blight? If freedom is the power to define oneself and determine one's destiny - and it is - how can a bridge to self-recognition, self-definition and self-actuation, which is what Black History is for black people, be criticized or denied? After all, black people just want to belong to the human family.

Colonial America denied the humanity of Africans living among them. This is a disease that permeates the American collective subconscious to this very day; though the denial of this can reach levels of vehemence that is frighteningly shameful. Is it too much to ask America for truth and reconciliation in race relations?

Consider that ten U.S. Presidents owned slaves at one time or another, though not necessarily while in office. I shall list them chronologically with the number in front of their name indicating which President they were:

1st - George Washington, 1789-1797
3rd - Thomas Jefferson, 1801-1809
4th - James Madison, 1809-1817
5th - James Monroe, 1817-1825
7th - Andrew Jackson 1829-1837
10th - John Tyler, 1841-1845
11th - James K Polk, 1845-1849
12th - Zackery Taylor, 1849-1850
17th - Andrew Johnson, 1865-1869
18th - Ulysses S Grant, 1869-1877

To say, therefore, that anti-black racism is programmed into the very DNA of America would be an understatement. America has always questioned whether or not blacks and whites should live together. Many believed that the only real alternative to slavery was to send Africans back to Africa.

A proponent of this notion, U.S. President James Monroe, was also the president of something else, the American Colonization Society. This organization existed to ship black people back to Africa. In fact, the African nation of Liberia was created in 1822 during the Presidency (American) of James Monroe facilitated via his presidency of the American Colonization Society.

Another noted proponent of this notion was Abraham Lincoln. Though he never owned slaves, he was nonetheless adamant that blacks and whites could not live together in America.

This is a strange and delusional notion because from the very beginning of the Thirteen Colonies white indentured servants and black slaves had no trouble at all living together. In fact, they managed to mingle, marry and runaway from their respective forms of bondage at such an alarming rate that the first anti-miscegenation laws in the colonies were enacted not because the power elite was afraid of inter-racial love; they were losing their labour power.

In other words people, like children, if left to their own devices will get along just because they're, well, PEOPLE.

When a nation such as America has used lies - many of which have been costumed as science - to defile a people it is incumbent upon that nation to use truth to help restore their dignity. America has never done this. America is still in denial. A denial that is manifested in a gamut of shameful atrocities from blaming the victim (which is most often manifest in anti-Affirmative Action activity), to brutality, torture and murder, much of it state-sanctioned.

The modern legal and institutional wellspring of African Diaspora Holocaust Denial can be found in a most intriguing place: the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Yes - that is the amendment history tells us freed the slaves. But here is what it says: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction".

Except?! Except?! EXCEPT?!

The control of the African American was merely transferred from private hands and placed in the hands of the state; from the plantation to the penitentiary.

It is not coincidental that 1865 is the year in which both the Thirteenth Amendment was enacted and the Ku Klux Klan emerged. The terror, in one form or the other, was calculated to prevent African-Americans from realizing self-recognition, self-definition and self-actuation.

So, here we are in the 21st century and there is nothing futuristic about it. When it comes to relations between people, between citizens and the police, between the dominance of privilege over rights, we are knuckle-dragging barbarians.

There are those who question why we need Black History Month instead of working to eradicate the need for it. And yes, it is needed. Just look at my soul. It has been carved up just like Africa was in 1884.

..........

January 15 -

Martin Luther King Day
Book Launch

"Blue Cage at Midnight"

A book of poetry by Gary Freeman

[25 year library worker presently fighting extradition to the U.S.A.
over an incident during the Civil Rights Era]

Foreword by: Governor General Awardee, George Elliott Clarke
“Mr Freeman’s poetry is spiky, tough, explosive...
he is a master of the parable and the aphorism”

Cover Art by: Governor General Awardee, Paul Morin

Published by: LyricalMyrical Press

Monday
January 15, 2007
7pm

Victory Café
581 Markham Street, Toronto
(near intersection of Bloor Street West and Bathurst)

Co-Sponsors: CIUT "The Taylor Report" with host Phil Taylor
CKLN "Saturday Morning Live" with host Norman ‘Otis’ Richmond

Proceeds of book sales will be donated
to the "Gary Freeman Defence Fund"

RSVP: info@adifferentbooklist.com

416-538-0889

A Different Booklist

..........

December 21 -

A Vigil for Families Whose Loved Ones are Detained
during this Holiday Season

Solstice Candlelight Vigil
Don Jail (550 Gerrard St East)
Thursday, December 21, 2006, from 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

Although this is organized by the Family and Friends of Gary Freeman, we recognize that the pain of separation from loved ones we experience is multiplied by the thousands every year in this country, where far too many people are unjustly incarcerated because although there is law, there is no justice.

The Messianic Hope is the dream that resides within each of us that we may see in our lifetimes a world dominated by truth, justice and peace.

In the Middle East, a mere two millennium ago, it is believed this hope took human form in the birth of a child; and that this child grew up to embody truth, to proselytize for justice and ultimately to give his life that there may be peace on earth.

Whether he was allegorical or historical is not as important as whether or not we are able to be stirred to love as he was. This is true if we are religious, atheist or agnostic. We can all strive to embody truth and to proselytize for justice because we must stop the carnage of humans destroying humans and humans destroying the earth.

What a fantastic time of the year the holiday season has always been for the Coelho-Freeman family. Yet, what a painful time of the year it has been since 2004 when their father and husband was unjustly snatched from them and incarcerated on an extradition warrant from the United States of America.

The Family and Friends of Gary Freeman will mark the third holiday season that the family has been shattered. Please join them and Toronto Action for Social Change (TASC) in a procession of hope that Gary Freeman and others unjustly incarcerated will be released and that truth, justice and peace as embodied in the Messianic Hope will guide us through this holiday season.

..........

December 10 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman celebrated the United Nations' International Human Rights Day by participating in an event organized by Youth for Human Rights Canada at Metro Hall in Toronto. The event was sponsored by the City of Toronto, Charles Roach and YHRI-Canada. VIP Appearances included former Toronto Argonaut Orlando Bowen, Toronto City Councillor Joe Mihevc, Ontario Human Rights Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall and Charles Roach.

Family & Friends of Gary Freeman focused on Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 14

1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

In 1853, a Missouri slave by the name of John Anderson escaped to Canada seeking asylum. In his flight from the persecution of slavery, a white man tried to seize him. Desperate for freedom and in reaction to the immediate threat of white violence, Anderson defended himself and the white man died of his wounds.

No one bothered John Anderson in Canada until 1860 when a Detroit man had a warrant sworn out against Anderson which brought Anderson to court in Toronto.

Anderson's arrest caused quite a commotion and the outrage of Canadians was expressed in public meetings held from Montreal to Toronto - John Anderson should not be sent back to the United States to meet a hideous fate!

The collective morality of Canada was firmly opposed to American slavery which propagated that John Anderson and his people possessed no inherent dignity, no inalienable rights and were not equal to everyone else in the human family.

Canadians believed the opposite: that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Canada had become a safe haven for thousands of American slaves seeking asylum. It, therefore, was incomprehensible to Canadians that judges in a Toronto courthouse would declare that Anderson should be returned to bondage and death in the United States.

The public outcry accelerated and became spearheaded by the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society who compelled another Canadian judge to issue a writ of habeas corpus which brought Anderson before another Canadian court where the judges freed him on a technicality.

However, the core human rights issue of the inherent injustice of extradition remained and remains to this day: the subordination of the rights of the individual to the privileges of the treaty partner. This effectively negates the right that everyone has to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

One hundred and twenty-one years after the arrival of John Anderson, another African-American arrived in Canada seeking asylum from American racial and political persecution. America had successfully maintained the segregation of African-Americans while propagating the illusion that such was not the case.

In place of chattel slavery, a shrewd and immensely effective system of de facto apartheid was instituted. Slave era paddy-rollers evolved into modern police forces. The criminal "justice" system, true to the real purpose of the 13th Amendment (Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction) facilitated the disenfranchisement and continuing oppression of African-Americans. Historical and empirical data on poverty, health care, education, voting effectiveness and incarceration provide proof.

The City of Chicago has epitomised the American persecution of African-Americans. Eminent scholar Pierre de Vise called Chicago "the most segregated city in North America". Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said Chicago was the most hate filled place he had ever encountered.

Indeed, the mayor of Chicago called for police to carry out summary executions of African-Americans suspected of arson during the rebellion that occurred in the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Shoot-to-Kill " said Mayor Richard J. Daley in the spring of 1968.

With this police state and racist mentality firmly imbedded within the culture of the Chicago police department there were eleven deaths officially recorded in 1969 where African-Americans lost their lives at the hands of the Chicago police department. Douglas Gary Freeman was supposed to have been number twelve, but miraculously he survived his brush with death.

There wasn't then nor is there now the prospect that an African-American man could get a fair trial under such circumstances.

There were threats made against his life. There have also been threats made to his life now.

This is expressly the purpose of Article 14 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. It ensures that we are all aware that every human being has the right to seek asylum in another country when it is dangerous to remain in his own country.

Let us celebrate the right to asylum by recognizing that Douglas Gary Freeman continues to fight his extradition to the United States because extradition is a privilege and a privilege must never trump a human right.

..........

November 3 - Minister of Justice Vic Toews signs the order of surrender for extradition to the United States.

Lawyer John Norris says Gary Freeman cannot be surrendered by Canadian authorities within the 45 days provided by the Extradition Act while his appeals in the case are outstanding. One appeal involves a judge's decision that there was enough evidence for the case to be referred to the Minister of Justice for consideration.

Lawyer Julian Falconer argues that the Canadian federal government has demonstrated its inexperience on racial issues, with Justice Minister Vic Toews making a decision that ignores the realities of racism and wholesale denial of civil rights in the United States in the 1960s.

Application for a judicial review of the Minister's order will be made (Extradition Act, Section 57).

:: A Heartfelt Thank You

Dear family, friends, and supporters,

By now you have been informed of a decision by Minister Vic Toews to order my extradition surrender to the United States of America. While I had thought there existed the possibility that Minister Toews would simply rubber-stamp his portion of the extradition process, I was not prepared for and remain shocked by his wholesale rejection of your pleas for him to show humanitarian compassion and refuse to extradite.

So, I am very sad to think that you all may consider your righteous efforts on my behalf to have been in vain. This could lead to thoughts that any individual acts of kindness, compassion and humanitarian conviction will lead to naught. Nothing is further from the truth.

Your letters, your signatures on our petition, your participating in events on my behalf have demonstrated the beauty that is humanity. Nothing can ever destroy that.

We are now embarking upon a new phase in this good fight. Please do not lose faith in the power of right to prevail over might. Because of you, I am able to carry on. Because of you, I know I must.

~ Gary

..........

September 20 - Olivia Chow, New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina (Ontario), writes to Minister of Justice Vic Toews about Gary Freeman, stating that Natercia Coelho, his spouse, "...has informed me that the victim impact statement, which was used as the basis for arresting Mr. Freeman, was withdrawn and replaced with a very different statement at the hearing committee and that all the alleged evidence has since been lost or destroyed." She also writes: "I urge you to give Mr. Freeman every consideration and allow him to continue his honest life in Canada with his family." See the full text [Acrobat pdf].

..........

September 8 - Download and listen to an interview with Stan Willis, Chicago civil rights attorney & activist, from Norman Otis Richmond's "From a Different Perspective" radio show (Sundays, 6 - 6:30pm, on CKLN 88.1 FM in Toronto).

Stan Willis was interviewed prior to his appearance at the "Support Gary Freeman - Stop the Extradition!" event held in Toronto on July 24th. He speaks to Norman Otis Richmond and his listeners about the torture of African-Americans by some elements of the Chicago Police Department in the 1970s and 80s, how African peoples have always reached out to build international support for their struggles, the current anti-war sentiment in the USA, the main issues (prison conditions, criminalization of youth, police brutality, quality education) that concern activists in Chicago in 2006, and unity among people of colour. He concludes the interview with a summary of the situation and climate of repression that existed in Chicago and the US in general in the late 1960s and early '70s.

[Approximately 24 minutes long, 22MB file size, 1 - 2 minutes to download on high-speed DSL or Cable connection, no "streaming" available.]

..........

August 17 - Colleen Beaumier, Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Brampton West (Ontario), writes to Minister of Justice Vic Toews about Gary Freeman, stating "I am very concerned that the Government of Canada is making a serious error in this extradiiton process. The claims by the U.S. Government are not fully supported by the evidence provided." and "I support Mr. Pannell in his efforts to fight extradition to the United States." See the full text [Acrobat pdf].

..........

August 14 - Alan Tonks, Liberal Party Member of Parliament for York South - Weston (Ontario), writes to Minister of Justice Vic Toews about Gary Freeman, stating "...it is quite evident that aspects of this case deserve further review." and "It is imperative that before the extradition moves forward, Mr. Freeman receives a fair and equitable hearing." See the full text [Acrobat pdf].

..........

July 24 -

Support Gary Freeman – Stop the Extradition!

Join Us (Free Admittance)
Monday, July 24, 2006, 7pm
Bloor Street United Church
300 Bloor Street West
(intersection with Huron Street, near Spadina subway station)

Chair: Charles Roach (Toronto Attorney)
Speakers: Stan Willis (Chicago Civil Rights Attorney/Activist)
and Natercia Coelho (Gary’s wife)
Performance by: Gayap Rhythm drummers

Come learn about Gary Freeman's case and how you can help him and his family.

Advocates for human rights and against racism would be well aware of the racial tensions surrounding Chicago in 1969 and the volatile nature of a 21-year-old white police officer aggressively questioning a 19-year-old black man without justifiable cause.

Stan Willis, noted civil rights attorney and anti-police brutality activist, will speak about the many well-established incidents of police misconduct in the African-American community of Chicago at that time and since, including harassment, intimidation, physical abuse, arbitrary arrests and unjustified shootings.

Mr. Willis is chairman of the Chicago chapter of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, and has been involved in exposing the systemic torture practiced against African-Americans in Chicago police custody.

Serious questions have also been raised about the fundamental justice of the new Extradition Act (1999) in relation to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and international human rights.

We must demand that the continued persecution of Gary Freeman ends NOW! It would be Canada's national shame to allow him to be extradited to the U.S.A. Gary Freeman has suffered too much already, yet continues to be victimized.

We do not believe the best interests of justice would be served by uprooting Gary from his family and returning him to an uncertain fate in the United States.

Sponsored by: Social Justice Committee of Bloor Street United Church

Organized by: Family and Friends of Gary Freeman - www.freemandrum.org

..........

June 16 - A letter from Gary Freeman for Father's Day.

:: My Father's Day Prayer

I was born into a system of apartheid. My birth certificate is a testament to that. It lists the race of my parents as C, for COLORED. The child inherited the race of the parents; not unlike the system of slavery that preceded and engendered the system of apartheid. If the parents were slaves, the child was also a slave. Thus, I was a C. I was a Colored baby born to Colored parents in a country where subjugation was hereditary.

The simplest definition of apartheid is a system of segregation that imposes white rule over black people. Such rule or domination of white over black cannot be achieved without violence and terror. So, a more complete definition of apartheid is a system of segregation facilitated by violence and sustained by terror that imposes white rule over black people.

Violence is the tool apartheid initially uses to subjugate black people; the threat of violence must ever be present to sustain apartheid. Because apartheid is a natural consequence of the slave era, it would be easy to forget that apartheid is a product of the post-Enlightenment/post-Feudal epoch. The Age of Reason combined with emerging entrepreneurship isn't supposed to add up to slavery or apartheid. But, the grand ideas of democracy and Natural Rights were compelled to co-exist with an economic system whose raison d'être is the profit-making motive and whose natural trajectory must lead to the commoditization of everything in society, including-especially-people.

The post-Enlightenment portion of the equation produced constitutional democracies. The post-Feudal portion of the equation produced white plutocracies. Thus, a working definition of apartheid is a system of racial segregation facilitated by white violence and sustained by a system of terrorism within a constitutional democracy that uses the rule of law to rule over black people by law.

I do not intend to blur the invaluable distinction between the concepts of the Rule of Law versus Rule by Law. That blurring, or rather smearing, has already been done. Our quest must be to clearly delineate that distinction once again. But I am jumping ahead of myself.

What I really do not want blurred is the distinction between a healthy democracy and a sick one. A sick democracy threatens the health of my children's future. Their future should be just as wondrous and full of potential as they are. They are so beautiful. Just look at their faces.

I don't remember the first time I saw my birth certificate. I just remember how it felt to be colored. It was nothingness. But it was the heaviest nothingness imaginable. It was something I loathed when I looked in the mirror. It was something I dragged around every minute of every day as if it were a ball-and-chain around my ankle. It was something that I was warned could get me hurt or killed. It was my skin.

I wasn't always aware of my skin; though, I cannot remember a time when I wasn't aware of my face. My face blended in with all the other faces I saw around me. Until one day when I was perhaps five years old and my father, my grandmother, my little brother and I were boarding a streetcar. My grandmother, who looked practically white, got into an argument with the streetcar operator. I don't remember the words. I just remember the effect. My father led my brother and I to the back of the streetcar. My grandmother refused to get on the streetcar. As the streetcar pulled away, I looked out the window to see my grand-mother walking. She was angry. I knew it was all about my skin; my skin had made me faceless.

We were faceless to the framers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. How else could they have crafted such a beautiful document that articulated human rights while participating in a slave system that achieved the negation of human rights?

How else could the Founding Fathers engage in constitutional conventions at which the people would be afforded the opportunity to give their consent to be governed by the new government while never affording that opportunity to the slaves or their descendants? All it would have taken was a simple constitutional amendment.

See if you can spot the faceless in Article 1, Section 2, paragraph 3 of the U.S. Constitution: "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free persons, including those bound to service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons…"

When I encountered the infamous Three Fifths Compromise in high school I was confused. When I realized that the framers of the U.S. Constitution had designated that each slave was worth no more than three fifths of a human being I became outraged. When the realization later sunk in about what this really indicated about the state of humanity, I became sad. It's sad to be faceless. It's even sadder to think one group of human beings would make another group faceless. It's easier to abuse the faceless; easier to oppress them; easier to exterminate them. That's why the words of the song are: "Black bodies hanging from Poplar trees", not black faces hanging. I shall be sad forever. The country I was born in cared not for my humanity.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech-his last-the day before he was assassinated. It is known as the "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech.

He began his speech by pretending to be a time traveler traversing the eons in search of just the right moment in history; a moment pregnant with the greatest societal achievement; what he called "the human rights revolution".

He decided he was in that moment. It was 1968.

Dr. King said that he would request of his God permission to land "in the second half of the twentieth century" because that would have made Dr. King happy. Then he mused, "Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around."

"Men", he continued, "have been talking about war and peace. But no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and non-violence in this world, its non-violence or non-existence." And, "if something isn't done, and in a hurry, to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverty, their long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed." The Prince of Peace was also a prophet.

Nearly forty years have passed since he delivered that great speech. The "human rights revolution" he envisioned still has not taken place. Powerful forces of might have succeeded in stamping out the aspirations of right. In some quarters of our society the quest for human rights is chastised and even eluded to as if it were a scourge that breeds domestic terrorists. This is an unfortunate, unwise and spiritually destructive characterization of this greatest of all human achievements.

Dr. King, ever one to inspire and give hope, consoles us: "…only when it is dark enough can you see the stars." Well, it is certainly dark enough. And we seem to bump into each other in this darkness heeding the calls of those who peddle fear instead of hope; those who mock desires of peace as unpatriotic cowardice; and those who downplay hate as if it were merely intolerance.

Irene Khan of Amnesty International said upon the recent release of Amnesty International's 2006 The State of the World's Human Rights that "over the past year, some of the world's most powerful governments have received an uncomfortable wake-up call about the dangers of undervaluing the human rights dimension of their actions at home and abroad." She credits Courts and public institutions for this.

There ARE twinklings stirring within the darkness.

Nearly forty years after Dr. King called for a "human rights revolution", Canada Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin stood up in Wellington, New Zealand to proclaim that once again there is a "rights revolution" afoot. I hope she's right. After all, I've wagered the lives of my children and my progeny on this place called Canada.

And so, this Father's Day, I am praying that a new "rights revolution" is about to take hold. Without it, I fear the erosion of individual rights that has already occurred in Canada will further digress to the point where one day my children will awaken, look in the mirror and not see their faces - they will see their skin.

I wish this for my children as my Father's Day prayer because Father's Day for me has always been a celebration of my children.

In my known universe, there is no wonder like the birth of a child; no marvel to behold like watching them grow up; no lessons as valuable as those gleaned from parenthood; no definition of myself that is not based upon their existence.

So I thank you Jon-Maceo, Leila, Tempie and Patia, for giving me joy, for making my life so full of meaning, and for giving me my face back.

I love you.

..........

May 24 - Bail is denied...despite the offer of increased sureties, electronically monitored house arrest, increased supervision, and an affidavit from Gary Freeman, along with the fact that bail was being requested only for a period of about 12 weeks (Gary would return to detention before the Minister of Justice made public his decision).

See Justice Rouleau's ruling here. [Acrobat pdf]

Family & Friends of Gary Freeman believes that Justice Rouleau's ruling is another example of a growing hole in the Canadian soul.

:: The Hole in the Soul

Next to the environment, human rights protection is the most important achievement Canada must strive for.

Most of us had been taking the environment for granted until we learned about the hole in the ozone. Perhaps it is time to wake up and pay attention to the hole in our democracy.

According to Amnesty International's 2006 Human Rights Report, Canada violates human rights in the area of the Security Certificate detainees and is therefore not fulfilling its international obligation to human rights.

While 5 or 6 men out of a nation of more than 32 million may seem insignificant, it's ironic that the first public mention of the hole in the ozone was also dismissed as just a little hole in a big, big sky.

Amnesty International declared that Canada has failed in its democratic responsibilities towards the Security Detainees because they are being detained for an indeterminate amount of time, have access to only summaries of evidence and have no opportunities to challenge key witnesses. The situation is the same for extradition cases.

Manitoba Queen's Bench Justice Steel said the following in a 1999 extradition case: "… evidence at an extradition hearing should be accepted even if the judge feels it is manifestly unreliable, incomplete, false, misleading, contradictory of other evidence or the judge feels the witness may have perjured themselves". Such a flagrant and outrageous violation of the fundamental principles of justice is expected in a totalitarian country, but not in a country that professes to be a democracy like Canada. Yet, this is precisely what the Canadian extradition act allows.

The hole gets bigger still.

On Wednesday, May 24, 2006, Justice Rouleau of the Ontario Court of Appeals rejected Gary Freeman's request for bail on spurious grounds.

In the ruling the facts of the case were not accurately presented. Words were put in a witness' mouth. Gary Freeman's wife's sworn testimony was misquoted. The value of parenting was trivialized and the inter-relation within Gary Freeman's family was vulgarized. Conclusions were drawn about the probable outcome of a potential trial in Chicago that cannot be supported by the information contained in the records of the case. The ruling was not fair, impartial or independent. In fact, much was made of fulfilling Canada's international obligation to the United States as an extradition treaty partner. That, plus the extremely low evidentiary standards of Canada's Extradition Act creates the fact of a rubber stamp for a form of rendition, hidden behind the façade of court-room procedure.

Ominously, Justice Rouleau's ruling ignored that Gary Freeman has any Charter rights at all.

The extradition act was amended in 1999 to facilitate this procedurally formalized rendition. So, are the 5 or 6 men detained via security certificates just the tip of the iceberg, the small hole in Canadian democracy? We are also talking about hundreds of human being transported out of Canada and to the United States as part of a nefarious extradition regime.

When there is any Canadian court-room where the rights of the individual are "legally" violated and crimes - such as giving false, contradictory or perjured evidence - can be committed against an individual, democracy is in grave peril…because the litmus test for democracy in a society is what happens in its court-rooms. Canadians expect their court-rooms to be gleaming bastions of truth and justice, not a hole in the soul of their democracy.

..........

May 5 - The Bail Review hearing was not completed on this day. Justice Paul Rouleau heard from Julian Falconer, lawyer for Gary Freeman, late in the afternoon. Still to be heard are John Norris, also on behalf of Gary Freeman, and the Prosecutor. The hearing is scheduled to continue on Thursday, May 11, 10:30am, in Courtroom 7 of the Ontario Court of Appeal.

See the Toronto Star article here.

Earlier in the day, Family & Friends of Gary Freeman gathered in the park adjacent to Osgoode Hall to celebrate Gary's birthday with performing artist Tiki Mercury-Clarke and a double-chocolate cake iced with these words: "Truth, justice and freedom on your birthday".

May 2 - A Bail Review hearing is scheduled for Friday, May 5, 10am. The location is Courtroom 7 of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Osgoode Hall at 130 Queen Street West (north side, near the intersection with University Avenue). Note that this is not the same location as for most previous court appearances.

If you can, please attend to show your support for Gary Freeman's fight against his unnecessary detention and for his release on bail.

See the press release "Freedom is the Best Birthday Gift!" from Family & Friends of Gary Freeman.

May 1 - Celebrate May 1st with a review of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a reading of "A New May Day".

March 30 - Omar Alghabra, Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale (Ontario), writes to Minister of Justice Vic Toews about Gary Freeman, stating "It appears that there is compelling evidence that would justify reviewing his case and denying his extradition to the United States. There are many legitimate questions regarding the availability of credible evidence and witnesses to pursue a fair trial 36 years later." See the full text [Acrobat pdf].

March 20 - Bill Siksay, New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Burnaby-Douglas (British Columbia), writes to Minister of Justice Vic Toews about Gary Freeman, stating "Given the situation in Chicago in 1969, and the lack of evidence and witnesses available for a fair trial 35 years after the fact, I believe every consideration should be given to Mr. Freeman in the hope that he might remain in Canada." See the full text [Acrobat pdf].

March 11 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman participates in the International Women's Day March in Toronto (John Bonnar's photos) and the Women's Day Fair at Ryerson University.

March 9 - Natercia Coelho speaks about the campaign to stop the extradition of Gary Freeman at the University of Ottawa, Tabaret Hall, Room 317, at 5:30pm. (see flyer)

February 23-26 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman endorses and participates in the "Prisoner's Justice Film Festival 2006" organized by Toronto's Prisoner's Justice Action Committee.

January 17 - A rally in support of Gary Freeman is held in Montreal from 4 - 6pm at Justice Minister Irwin Cotler's riding office.

Kalmunity Vibe Collective performs live organic improv at 8:30pm at Sablo kafe, 50 St. Zotique E, corner St. Dominique (metro Beaubien). Natercia Coelho also speaks at this event.

January 16 - In Montreal, a panel discussion is held at 7 p.m. at Concordia University's School of Community and Public Affairs (SCPA) featuring Gary's wife Natercia Coelho, and Kaie Kellough of Kalmunity Vibe Collective (speaking and performing poetry written by Gary Freeman).

January 2, 2006 - Natercia Coelho discusses the petition with Phil Taylor of "The Taylor Report" on CIUT-FM (University of Toronto Community Radio). Listen to the audio archive here (scroll down to January 2nd, 2006).

December 31 - Morgan Campbell discusses the petition against the extradition of Gary Freeman with Norman Otis Richmond on CKLN-FM's "Saturday Morning Live".

December 26 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman launches a petition to collect the signatures of all Canadians, Americans and others who oppose the extradition of Gary Freeman. According to Section 40 of the Extradition Act, the Minister of Justice may "personally order that the person be surrendered to the extradition partner." Along with the legal submissions from Gary Freeman's lawyers, the Minister must be made aware of the many caring & compassionate individuals who are concerned about the injustice that would result from this extradition.

December 24 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman joins in "Set the Captives Free Vigil & Walk of Hope", organized by TASC (Toronto Action for Social Change), outside the offices of CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service), the US Consulate and the Peace Garden at Toronto City Hall.

December 15 - Natercia Coelho is interviewed by Helen Hudson of "Off the Hour" on CKUT-FM (McGill University Community Radio) in Montreal.

November 25 - An "order of committal to await surrender" is issued by Justice Watt. The Judge ruled that the summary of evidence offered by the State of Illinois meets the standard required by Canada's Extradition Act (1999), despite the contradictions, omissions and inconsistencies pointed out by Gary Freeman's lawyers. According to the Act, a notice of appeal may be made within 30 days of the order of committal.

Thanks again to the many supporters who crowded the courtroom and who joined in a vigil afterward outside the US Consulate.

October 6 - Lawyers John Norris and Julian Falconer presented submissions to Justice Watt challenging the sufficiency of the evidence offered in the application for extradition by the United States. Contradictions and omissions in the evidence were highlighted, as well as possible inadequacies in witness statements. Court adjourned at about 3:15pm, to reconvene on November 25 at 9:30am (the earliest possible date all are available) when Justice Watt will render his decisions regarding the various submissions presented today.

Thanks to the many supporters who crowded the courtroom.

October 2 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman produces a Question & Answer information pamphlet.

September 27 - Photos of today's vigil in support of Gary Freeman.

September 24 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman joins in the Troops Out of Iraq Rally & March.

September 23 - The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) issues a letter to Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, stating: "We believe that Mr. Freeman has earned the right to remain in Canada rather than return to Chicago to stand trial for an incident that occurred during a very volatile and ugly period of racial violence in that city."
[ Full text ]

September 21 - The Toronto Civic Employees' Union, CUPE Local 416, issues a letter to Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, stating: "We believe that there are compelling humanitarian and social justice grounds for you to deny this request for extradition of Mr. Freeman to the United States."
[ Full text ]

September 5 - Help us raise public and media awareness leading up to the extradition hearings on October 6 & 7. Join Family & Friends of Gary Freeman for walking vigils in support of Gary Freeman on September 20, 27, & October 4 (Tuesdays) from 5pm to 6:15pm, starting outside the Courthouse at 361 University Avenue (north of Queen Street West).

Extradition hearings set for October 6 & 7 at 9:30am!

August 10 - Lawyer John Norris reports to Justice Watt that Gary Freeman's hearing aids have been working well. A final check by the audiologist will be made in the next few weeks. Dates for extradition hearings were set for October 6 and 7 (Thursday and Friday) at 9:30am.

Family & Friends of Gary Freeman joins in a rally and candlelight vigil at the Toronto (Don) Jail for Prisoners' Justice Day 2005.

August 3 - The Toronto Star publishes an article by reporters Harold Levy and Peter Edwards titled "Canada urged not to send suspect to U.S." Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark is quoted: "In the interest of peace and justice, Canada should deny this request for extradition and look to the future to pursue truth and justice." He also believes that it is extremely important to think of the ugly state of race relations in Chicago in the late 1960s when considering this case.

July 18 - Lawyer John Norris reports to Justice Watt that an assessment of Gary Freeman's hearing did reveal a "moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears". Hearing aids were prescribed and an initial fitting by an audiologist was made. A three week period of adjustment will be needed before the final fitting can be done. Court is to reconvene on August 10 at 9:30am for another progress report and to set dates for the start of the extradition hearings.

May 27 - Extradition hearings postponed!

After assessment by a doctor at the Toronto Jail, it was determined that Gary Freeman should be further examined by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat physician) sometime during the next four weeks. Services of an audiologist might then be required if a hearing aid is prescribed. Court is to reconvene on July 18 at 9:30am for a progress report.

May 25 - Gary Freeman's extradition hearings have been postponed pending assessment of his current ability to properly hear the proceedings in the courtroom.

In 2002, Gary was diagnosed as having "moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears". This may have been aggravated over the past nine months by noisy conditions in the correctional facilities and by the general stress of being in detention. Lawyer Julian Falconer attempted to have a medical assessment made at the Toronto Jail last week so that, if necessary, Gary could be fitted with a hearing aid to ensure his right to fully participate in the proceedings. However, as of Wednesday, May 25, this had not yet been accomplished. Justice David Watt ordered that such an assessment be arranged immediately and that a report be made before him in court on Friday, May 27, at 9:30am.The extradition hearings have been postponed pending the result of this assessment and Justice Watt's decision regarding the best method to ensure Gary Freeman's ability to hear the proceedings.

May 24 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman holds the last walking vigil for the month of May.

May 19 - Toronto's weekly NOW magazine publishes an excellent article by Sigcino Moyo titled "Fishing for an Extradition" on the upcoming extradition hearings.

May 17 - More supporters joined Family & Friends of Gary Freeman for another successful walking vigil at the Courthouse. See John Bonnar's gallery of photos here.

May 10 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman hold another successful walking vigil at the Courthouse, University Avenue, Queen Street West, Nathan Philips Square (City Hall), and the US Consulate.

May 5 - From 8:30 to 9:30pm, Family & Friends of Gary Freeman held a peaceful, joyful candlelight vigil at the Toronto (Don) Jail to celebrate Gary Freeman's birthday and support the fight against his extradition. Performing artist Tiki Mercury-Clarke sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "Strange Fruit", then led the thirty participants in singing "Happy Birthday" and "We Shall Overcome".

May 3 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman held their first walking vigil at the Courthouse and across the avenue at the US Consulate. See John Bonnar's gallery of photos of the event here.

May 2 - Read the news release issued by Family & Friends of Gary Freeman advising news editors of the beginning of a series of walking vigils in support of Gary Freeman.

Gary Freeman makes a brief court appearance to formally move the date of the extradition hearings from May 2 to May 25/26. Another brief appearance for administrative purposes is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 10am.

April 28 - Gary Freeman is moved from the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene to the Toronto (Don) Jail.

April 22 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman supports Stopping Secret Trials and Ending Deportation to Torture: An Evening With Monia Mazigh (who led the campaign to free her husband Maher Arar from torture in Syria), Mona Elfouli (fighting to free her husband, secret trial detainee, Mohammad Mahjoub, held almost 5 years in Canada without charge or bail) and Ahmad Jaballah (whose father is held almost 5 years in Toronto without charge or bail) at Bloor Street United Church.

April 21 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman attends "Let Them Stay: The Case for US Asylum Seekers", a public meeting in support of US war resisters seeking asylum in Canada.

April 2 - FFGF is very well received while distributing leaflets before "David Suzuki on Climate Change: Sustainability Within a Generation", presented by Jack Layton and the NDP at the University of Toronto's Convocation Hall.

March 14 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman distributes leaflets before "Spike Lee Speaks Out" at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto for International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21).

March 5 - Family & Friends of Gary Freeman shares a display table with Toronto Action for Social Change at the International Women's Day fair at Ryerson University.

FFGF leaflets at "An Evening with Death Row Survivor Juan Roberto Melendez" (who spent almost 18 years on Florida's death row until his exoneration in 2002), presented by the Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the Association in Defense of the Wrongly Convicted at Metro Hall in Toronto.

March 4 - Participants in the Fourth Annual SPINLAW Conference "Bridges and Barricades: The Roadmap to Canadian Human Rights" express great interest in the leaflet handed out by FFGF at the opening lecture "Defending Civil Liberties during the War on Terror" at Bloor Street United Church.

February 26 - Supporters hand out a leaflet after Cinematheque Ontario's screening of the 1972 documentary "Malcolm X a.k.a. His Own Story As It Really Happened" at the Art Gallery of Ontario Jackman Hall theatre.

February 18 - Reporter Morgan Campbell and lawyer Julian Falconer are interviewed on the Jim Richards show on CFRB 1010 AM radio in Toronto.

February 15 - Supporters meet to form the "Family and Friends of Gary Freeman" (FFGF) - a group dedicated to bringing Gary Freeman's situation to the attention of the Canadian/American public and working to prevent his extradition. Family and Friends of Gary Freeman supports only peaceful, non-violent action.

February 6 - The Toronto Star Sunday edition features "You see a fugitive, I see a friend", a personal appreciation of Gary Freeman by reporter Morgan Campbell.

February 5 - In its Saturday edition, the Toronto Star publishes a lengthy (~ 1 1/2 pages) article titled "Cold Case Fuelled by Race and Politics".

January 12 - Gary Freeman / Joseph Pannell is moved from the Toronto Jail to the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene, 160 kilometres north of his family's home in Mississauga, Ontario.

January 11 - Date set for the beginning of extraditon hearings on May 2, 2005.

January 6, 2005 - Appeal of denial of bail is dismissed.

December 23 - An appeal of the denial of bail is presented by lawyer Julian Falconer.

November 8 - Despite showing a willingness to submit to strict conditions, including house arrest, electronic monitoring and recognizance with substantial sureties, pending the extradition hearing, a review of the bail decision is dismissed.

August 25 - Request for bail is denied.

July 28 - Gary Freeman / Joseph Pannell is detained for possible extradition at the request of the United States, citing allegations related to a 1969 incident in Chicago.

July 27, 2004 - Provisional arrest of Gary Freeman as he leaves his workplace at the Toronto Reference Library.

© 2010    Family and Friends of Gary Freeman    all rights reserved