Montreal, September 13, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is demanding that Immigration Minister Marc Miller call for the dropping of criminal charges against three protestors who were arrested last week in front of a Liberal campaign office in Montreal. For months, the three protestors had been protesting to express their anger and heartbreak at the failure of Miller’s Gaza Visa program and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The three pro-Palestinian activists face charges of criminal harassment for approaching Miller’s car and criticizing his failure to get their family members out of Gaza. CJPME condemns their arrest as an attack on legitimate free expression, and calls on Miller to publicly oppose the arrest.
“Minister Miller’s disastrous visa program has utterly failed Palestinian Canadians seeking to reunite with their loved ones caged in Gaza,” said Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. “Now, with Miller’s consent, their very right to protest is being criminalized.” Woodley added, “Instead of helping rescue their family members from Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Miller is content to see his detractors thrown in jail. We demand that Miller immediately call for the dropping of these outrageous charges.”
CJPME notes that one of the charged protestors is Samar Alkhdour, a constituent in Miller’s riding who has been hosting sit-ins in front of Miller’s office for most of the year. For years, Alkhdour had been attempting to reunite with her 13-year-old daughter Jana from Gaza, who died only weeks before getting approved by the Canadian government in January. Jana had cerebral palsy and couldn’t access the special diet she required as a result of being stranded in a church during Israel’s genocidal war, and tragically died of malnutrition. Alkhdour has since been trying to bring her other family members, including her sister, out of Gaza by means of Canada’s failed temporary resident visa program.
Alkhdour and two other protestors were unfairly charged with criminal harassment and mischief following a peaceful protest on September 5 outside of a Liberal campaign office. According to their lawyer, Alkadour approached Miller’s vehicle from a distance of a metre and shouted “shame on you” and “you’re a child killer,” and the entire interaction lasted about 5 seconds. When asked by journalists, Miller said that he did not personally file the complaint but that he will let the justice system do their job – thereby allowing the case to proceed. CJPME argues that Miller has a moral responsibility to end this outrageous infringement on their fundamental freedoms under the Charter.
“Miller is clearly happy to see the silencing of his critics, who rightfully criticize his colossal failure to reunite families escaping genocide. He is trying to hide the reality of Immigration Canada’s institutionalized racism against Palestinians. The Minister bent to racist pressure to deny entry to Palestinians by redesigning the Gaza TRV to fail Gazan families. Instead of facing the shame of his decision, Miller is content to have the police callously sweep away his victims’ distraught loved ones so he can dodge accountability,” added Woodley.
About CJPME – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is a non-profit and secular organization bringing together men and women of all backgrounds who labour to see justice and peace take root again in the Middle East. Its mission is to empower decision-makers to view all sides with fairness and to promote the equitable and sustainable development of the region.
For more information, please contact Michael Bueckert, VP CJPME, 613-315-7947
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East www.cjpme.org
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