Report-back: “Refugees Welcome / Open The Borders” Protest (photos, articles, posters)

On Saturday, September 5, 2015, more than 700 people responded to a call by Solidarity Across Borders for a protest to denounce the Canadian government and their complicit role in the deaths of refugees and migrants, in the context of the recent deaths of Alan Kurdi, 3, his brother Ghalib, 5, and mother Rehanna. The Montreal protest was part of cross-Canada mobilizations in more than 20 towns and cities, as well as mobilizations worldwide in support of refugees and migrants.

This brief report-back includes information about: i) Upcoming Protest; ii) Demo Flyer; iii) Posters; iv) Photos; v) Speakers; vi) Media Articles; vii) Defying P-6 By-law. Please share widely.

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i) UPCOMING PROTEST: OCTOBER 10, 2015

Four Montreal-area groups — the Non-Status Action Committee , le Comité d’actions contre la décision 168-13 de la République dominicaine, Unissons-nous – Let’s unite, and Solidarity Across Borders — are calling for a Refugees Welcome / Unity March Against Deportations on October 10 in Montreal.

For more details:
– fb: www.facebook.com/events/505377332951171/
– web: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/october-10-unity-march-against-deportationsThere might be more “Refugees Welcome” actions prior to October 10 in Montreal. Contact solidaritesansfrontieres@gmail.com to join our announcements list for details, or “like” our facebook page: www.facebook.com/CiteSansFrontieres

The following demonstration flyer – titled “Refugees Welcome, Open the Borders” was passed out to passers-by during the demonstration on September 5:
– English: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/wp-content/uploads/FLYER-EN.pdf
– French: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/wp-content/uploads/FLYER-FR.pdfiii) POSTERSSeveral tabloid-size posters were used for the demonstration, held up by hundreds of protesters.You can view, download, and print the posters at the following link:
www.solidarityacrossborders.org/posters-for-distribution-in-montrealiv) PHOTOSA compilation of photos from the demonstration have been uploaded to flickr and facebook:- www.flickr.com/photos/lecollectifnoborders/albums/72157658293462825
– www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.893091877412140.1073741837.388641067857226

If you have more photos (or video), please share at solidaritesansfrontieres@gmail.com

v) SPEAKERS AT THE DEMONSTRATION

The following people spoke at the beginning of the “Refugees Welcome / Open the Borders” demonstration in Montreal:

– Huseyin Akyol, a member of the Kurdish community in Montreal, from a family of Kurdish refugees in Turkey

– Melis Cagan, a Montreal student originally from Turkey
Read Melis’ speech here: www.facebook.com/events/765456080244145/permalink/766800573443029/

– Serge Bouchereau, of the Non-Status Action committee, organizing against the deportation of Haitians and Zimbabweans from Canada
For more info about the Non-Status Action Committee: www.facebook.com/pages/Comit%C3%A9-daction-des-personnes-sans-statut/631945366949579

– Maria, 16, a high-school student in Montreal, who spoke to denounce the recent arrest and deportation of Daniel from a Montreal-area school
For info about the Bring Daniel Home campaign, visit: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/category/bringdanielhome

– Viviana Carol, member of the Bring Daniel Home campaign and organizer with the Immigrant Workers Center, speaking about undocumented residents of Montreal

– Shahrzad Arshadi, a Montreal artist originally from Iran, who has visited Kurdish pershmerga areas

– Cathia Cariotte, member of the Haitian community and organizer with Unissons-nous – Let’s unite
For more information about Let’s Unite: www.facebook.com/pages/Unissons-nous-Let-s-unite/460116220823550

– Frantz André, member of the Haitian community and member of the Comité d’actions contre la déclaration 168-13 de la République dominicaine
For more information about the Comité d’actions: www.facebook.com/contredecisionRepubliquedominicaine

– Avi Grenadier, member of the Jewish community in Montreal, making links between current refugee policies and Canada’s “None is too many’ policy against Jewish refugees
Read Avi’s speech here: www.facebook.com/events/765456080244145/permalink/766501046806315/

– Sheila Sedinger, migrant from Mexico and member of Solidarity Across Borders, who successfully resisted a deportation order
For more information: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/support-sheila-sedinger

– (Toronto Star) Hundreds at Montreal march urge government to accept more refugees (with video)
www.thestar.com/news/2015/09/05/hundreds-at-montreal-march-urge-government-to-accept-more-refugees.html

– (The Link): Montreal Marches to Welcome Refugees (with video)
http://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/montreal-marches-to-welcome-refugees

– (CJAD) Montrealers demand Canada open doors to more Syrians fleeing civil war
www.cjad.com/cjad-news/2015/09/05/montrealers-demand-canada-open-doors-to-more-syrians-fleeing-civil-war– (The Concordian) Rallying for refugees
http://theconcordian.com/2015/09/rallying-for-refugees/