[1]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Anarchists call Police report comparing activism to hate crime "chilling"
May 24, 2009
HAMILTON- Local members of the provincial anarchist organization
Common Cause fear Hamilton police are seeking to criminalize local
organizers after a Hamilton police report identified the 2nd annual
Hamilton Anarchist Book Fair as a potential source of hate crime.
While presenting the Year-End Hate Crime report (available online)
to the Hamilton Police Board on May 19, acting sergeant Michael Goch
stated police would be “actively monitoring” the book fair scheduled to
take place on June 6.
Alex Diceanu, Ontario Treasurer of Common Cause responded, "As the
organizers of the annual book fair, and as local anarchists and
activists, Common Cause is deeply disturbed by these statements.
"This is a manipulation of hate crime laws to criminalize activism. At
this time of economic and environmental crisis, alongside increasing
political disengagement, activism and educational events such as the
book fair should be encouraged, not chilled with surveillance."
The report also identifies the 2010 G8 summit (Huntsville, ON), the
2010 Olympics, “local native land reclamation issues”, “the anarchist
movement” and “anti-government and anti-establishment reaction of
economic crisis and job losses” as trends and events that “may have
significant impacts and repercussions on the Hamilton community in
terms of hate/bias related incidents.”
For the first time the report also includes incidents of graffiti
aimed at police even though this contradicts the report's own
definition of a hate crime.
Diceanu commented, "We are concerned that public resources meant to
investigate hate crimes are being focused upon people trying to
improve this community."
The Hamilton Anarchist Book Fair is not a threat to the community.
It is open to the public and family-friendly, featuring free child care
and a kid's workshop.
Over 300 people attended last year's book fair. Activists will gather
again this year to exchange literature and other forms of information.
Workshops at the book fair attempt to address issues faced by marginalized groups named in hate
crimes legislation, including indigenous peoples, racialized groups,
people facing disability barriers and others. Other workshops address the
the economic crisis, environmental justice and workplace organizing.
"Common Cause's Basic Policy states clearly that, and I quote, 'we actively
oppose all manifestations of oppression such as racism, sexism, [religious]
sectarianism and homophobia and we struggle against them.'
Indeed, anarchists have always sought to understand and end all forms of
oppression in our struggle to create a world marked by true equality,
freedom, peace, and harmony with the natural environment" says Diceanu
The full police report is available here (look for the May 19 Hamilton Police Services Board Public Agenda package at the top of the page).
http://www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca/HPS/PoliceServicesBoard/ [2]
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