February 18, 2004. Saint-Pierre United Church, Quebec City (translated from the original French)

I, Mohamed Cherfi, have taken sanctuary in the Saint-Pierre United Church in Quebec City, rather than presenting myself for an appointment at the offices of Immigration Canada in Montreal last February 10. I risked being put into detention due to my refusal to collaborate with a deportation that would put my life in danger. It is not with a cheerful heart that I have come to take this step; it was the only option possible so that I could continue to try to convince the public and immigration authorities of the need for protection, while at the same time assuring my personal safety. The Canadian immigration authorities had a warrant for my deportation to the United States, the country from which I entered Canada. The American authorities would put me in detention until my deportation to Algeria.

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