RELEASE DETAINED ASYLUM SEEKERS!
END RESTRICTIVE IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND FIRE JASON KENNEY! STATUS FOR ALL!

Friday October 23, 12-1 pm. Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 300 West Georgia (corner Hamiton

Join No One is Illegal-Vancouver in a National Day of Action to call for the immediate release of detained asylum seekers and an end to racist and restrictive immigration policies! Surviving a long and arduous journey, 76 Tamil Migrants are currently being detained and imprisoned after arriving on Vancouver shores in pursuit of a safer future. All remain in detention, with minimal access to community and legal support in contravention of their basic human rights, while Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney perpetuates false and dehumanizing stereotypes of asylum-seekers as ‘illegals’, ‘criminals’, and so-called queue jumpers.

During his time in office, Jason Kenney has escalated the targeting of immigrants and refugees through increased detentions and deportations, consistently inflammatory and racist remarks, cutting funding from immigrant service organizations, and overseeing the largest immigration raid in recent Canadian history. In the last six months alone Kenney has increased already-restrictive immigration regulations through the creation of new visa requirements, specifically targeting refugees from Mexico and the Czech Republic.

Now, Kenney is linking the recent arrival of 76 Tamil migrants on BC shores to broader anti-immigrant hysteria by criminalizing their actions and presenting all migrants as possible security threats. This public fear-mongering is just another tactic to disguise the racist policies that define the history and ongoing realities of Canada’s immigration system.

In face of Kenney’s repressive tactics, No One is Illegal-Vancouver asserts the basic human right to safety, mobility, and status for all! On Friday, Oct 23rd, raise your voices to demand the immediate release of the 76 detainees and their right to stay in Canada in peace and dignity. And join a National Day of Action as we demand: Release Detained Asylum-Seekers! End Restrictive Immigration Policies! Status for All!

>>CALL/EMAIL/FAX/WRITE CAMPAIGN!<<

Raise your voices to demand the immediate release of the 76 detainees and their right to stay in Canada in peace and dignity. Take a few minutes to make a phone call, write an email or letter or send a fax to Minister Kenney, your member of parliament and the media to let them know that we are not going to sit quietly and let the government detain, imprison and deport people.

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
P. 613-992-2235; F. 613-992-1920
P. 403-225-3480. F. 403-225-3504
E Minister at cic.gc.ca AND kennej at parl.gc.ca
325 East Block, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
1168 137 Ave SE. Calgary, AB T2J 6T6

Peter Van Loan, Minister
Constituency Office
T  1-877-738-3748; T: 613-996-7752
F  905-898-4600; F  613-992-8351
E  vanlop1@parl.gc.ca
45 Grist Mill Road, Unit 10, Holland Landing, ON L9N1M7
Room 209-S, Centre Block, Ottawa, ON K1A0A6

To find out who your MP is and where to write them go to:

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC

CONTACT THE MEDIA:
Many online stories have comments sections – if you read those comments, then write on of your own and make a difference in public discourse! All major news outlets are covering this situation so letters to the editor(keep them short – around 100 words – to ensure printing) are very helpful.

All letters must include the name, mailing address and daytime phone number of the writer; state “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line; and content should be in the body of the email and not as an attachment.

Globe and Mail: letters@globeandmail.com
Vancouver Sun: sunletters@png.canwest.com
Vancouver Province: provletters@png.canwest.com
24 Hours: news@sunmedia.ca
Metro News: http://www.metronews.ca/Vancouver/comment/lettereditor
National Post: letters@nationalpost.com
Georgia Straight: letters@straight.com
Toronto Star: lettertoed@thestar.ca

*** Learn more:

NOII-Van Press Release: Uphold the Rights of 76 Migrants Aboard Ocean Lady http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=1419

NOII-Van Campaign: Fire Jason Kenney!

http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=1027

http://noii-van.resist.ca/?cat=42

NOII-Toronto Event & Statement: What’s Wrong With the Immigration System? http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/338

HR Backgrounder on Persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/19/sri-lanka-government-breaks-promises-displaced-can-go-home

For more information email noii-van@resist.ca or call 778 885 0040
www.nooneisillegal.org