“Dion, say no!”

Bill C-3 was introduced by the Conservative government in October, as a response to the Supreme Court Charkaoui decision, which struck down the former security certificate regime as a violation of the right to life, liberty and security of the person.

The colourful march, complete with marching band and bright silk banners, wound through the largely immigrant, Muslim and Arab métro Côte-Vertu neighbourhood, chanting, “Dion, dis Non!”.

“It was very festive and the atmosphere was very bright, said event organizer Mary Foster. The crowd was also very diverse with many people from different ages and backgrounds.”

As a local rap artist wove in new lyrics rejecting the “special advocate” model proposed by the government, passers-by were handed information sheets and offered the opportunity to sign a petition detailing the alleged injustices of the proposed new law.

Members of diverse organizations such as Québec Solidaire, the NDP, the Immigrant Workers Centre, No One is Illegal, the Canadian Muslim Forum, CAIRCAN, Muslim Council of Montreal, the Ligue des droits et libertés and the Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee, as well as Mr. Charkaoui himself, successively took the microphone to add their voices to the opposition to Bill C-3.

Arriving at Mr. Dion's riding office, a delegation of community leaders presented an open letter to a representative of Mr. Dion's. The open letter made a case against the proposed bill and was endorsed by forty-five organizations, including national unions, community associations, development NGO’s, human rights groups, and student organizations, which represent many people in Mr. Dion's own riding. “After he was handed the letter, the spokesperson promised to arrange a meeting soon with Mr. Dion,” explained Mrs Foster.

The march concluded with a resolve to continue the public campaign until the five detainees are freed or provided with a fair trial, and until non-citizens are guaranteed their fundamental rights to a full and fair trial and to protection from indefinite detention and deportation to torture.

(Photo: Maya d’Alarie photo)