The following message is from the email listserve of the People’s Commission Network, to which you can subscribe by sending an email to PeoplesCommissionNews-Subscribe@lists.riseup.net.

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Sanctions-busting Telethon

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

From anywhere, between 7pm and 9pm EDT:
Call toll free 1 877 737 4070
Tune in to live-broadcast on Rabble TV

In Montreal:
Free dinner from 6pm; Telethon begins at 7pm
Georges Vanier Cultural Centre, 2450 Workman St. (metro Lionel Groulx)
Wheelchair accessible. Free childcare on site.
ALSO, tune in to Amandla on CKUT 90.3 FM for live reports.

Project Fly Home is organizing the first ever “Sanctions-busting Telethon” on April 28th to call people to donate to Abousfian Abdelrazik in open defiance of the United Nations 1267 regime, challenging the fear, racism and isolation it creates and feeds on. The evening will include a free spaghetti dinner and a host of poets, musicians, performers, and speakers.

Two years ago, on April 28th, 2008, Abousfian Abdelrazik went public with his story of detention, torture and exile and claimed refuge in the Canadian Embassy in Khartoum. He lived in the Embassy for fourteen months,
unable to leave the grounds, until the Canadian government was forced to bring him back to Montreal in June 2009. Now he is home, but still not free.

In 2006, without his knowledge, Abdelrazik’s name was placed on the United Nations “1267 list”. The 1267 regime imposes sanctions that prevent Abdelrazik from earning a salary, receiving any money, or maintaining a
bank account. This makes rebuilding his life impossible. It’s like “living in a prison without walls” – indefinitely, without charge or trial. There is little recourse. As the Federal Court of Canada wrote, “There is
nothing in the listing or de-listing procedure [of the 1267 regime] that recognizes the principles of natural justice or that provides for basic procedural fairness.” (Justice Russel Zinn, 4 June 2009).

Despite its official position that Mr. Abdelrazik should be removed from the 1267 list, the Canadian government has made no serious attempt to have him delisted. Nor has it made any move to lift sanctions from Mr. Abdelrazik in Canada, although it is within its power to do so immediately.

Under federal law, anyone who contributes money to Mr. Abdelrazik risks prosecution. Canadian regulations state that no Canadian shall “provide or collect by any means, directly or indirectly, funds with the intention
that the funds be used” by someone on the 1267 list.

We did it before! In early 2009, a group stretching from Vancouver to Halifax, including people from all walks of life, banded together to buy Abdelrazik a plane ticket home for April 3rd, despite federal government
insistence that financially supporting Mr. Abdelrazik could violate the law (see complete list). This powerful act of solidarity reflected a groundswell of support for Mr. Abdelrazik as well as growing outrage at the government’s abusive treatment of him.

We are calling on you to do it again! Restate your solidarity or join the long list of people who have defied the 1267 regime by contributing money to Mr. Abdelrazik as an act of solidarity.

On April 28th, between 7pm and 9pm, come out to the Telethon in Montreal or call 1 877 737 4070 to make a donation to Abousfian Abdelrazik. Tune in to watch the telethon live-broadcast on Rabble.ca or listen to Amandla on CKUT 90.3 FM for live reports.

Your donations will support Mr. Abdelrazik personally and help challenge the oppressive “national security” logic which endangers all of us.

If you are unable to call in or come out to the telethon, please consider making a donation to Mr. Abdelrazik any time in April.

Cheques or money orders can be made out to “Abousfian Abdelrazik” and mailed to:
CSCP Charlevoix
PO Box 65053
Montréal QC H3K 0K4

** If you donate in advance, please don’t forget to send the letter on our website which informs Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon, as well as Project Fly Home, that you have joined this act of solidarity in opposition to 1267. **

Build the pressure! Break the sanctions!

Sponsored by:
CKUT 90.3 FM
Rabble.ca

For more information see the Project Fly Home website or email projectflyhome@gmail.com.

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This telethon is part of a six-month campaign launched by Project Fly Home leading up to the first anniversary of Abdelrazik’s return to Canada. The six-month campaign demands that Canada: immediately free Abdelrazik from the 1267 sanctions; put pressure on members of the 1267 committee to delist Abdelrazik; and pull out of the 1267 regime. For more information, to download postcards and flyers, or to get involved visit our website.

To add your organization to the list of groups endorsing Project Fly Home’s
six demands, please read the sign-on statement and email your organization’s name in English and French to projectflyhome@gmail.com.