Hear stories from migrants directly affected by the violence of CBSA and Canada’s immigration system. Check out the SSF Youtube page for video testimonies and stories #StopDeportations
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWbqJPBi_4oVwjKvXNRGNGA
12:28pm: Two violent arrests by the cops at the support rally at 1010 St. Antoine, outside of the occupation of the Montreal CBSA offices. #StopDeportations #ShutDownCBSA #NoJusticeNoPeace
12:24pm: Riot cops with shields and helmets have kettled about 20 Solidarity Across Borders organizers and allies in occupied #Montreal #CBSA office and are picking them out for arrest, but their spirits are high and defiant and they continue to stand in solidarity with non-status folks. #StopDeportations#ShutDownCBSA
Earlier the police kicked out the CUTV cameraperson, ending the lifestream inside the occupied CBSA offices. The livestream continued outside 1010 St. Antoine, where supporters are gathered and are chanting and giving speeches, but police pushed the CUTV cameraperson to the ground again, outside, cutting the livestream.
11:27am: Police have just read an eviction notice to SAB organizers and allies occupying CBSA offices in downtown Montreal. #StopDeportations #ShutDownCBSA
Follow the CBSA occupation live here:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cutvlive
TEACH-IN AT NOON!
(Breaking News / Please Share Widely)
STATUS NOW
ARRÊTONS LES VIOLENCES
#StopDeportations #ShutDownCBSA
Protesters demand “Status Now!” and denounce the violence of deportations, detentions and Canada’s immigration system
At least 25 protesters undertaking an unlimited occupation and ongoing disruption of CBSA activities
For updates, including photos and videos:
web: www.solidarityacrossborders.org
facebook: www.facebook.com/CiteSansFrontieres
twitter: @SolidariteMTL
youtube: www.youtube.com/user/SansFrontieresMTL
Social media tags for today’s action:
#StopDeportations #ShutDownCBSA
View the livestream from inside the occupation at: www.ustream.tv/channel/cutvlive
(An online teach-in by members of Solidarity Across Borders will be broadcast at 12pm)
How you can support:
1) If you’re in the Montreal-area, join the outside support demonstration that is taking place throughout the occupation. Gather at 1010 St-Antoine West (métro Bonaventure, between Peel and de la Cathéderale)
2) Spread the word about the occupation by sharing updates, photos and videos.
3) Send a statement of support on behalf of your organization to: solidaritesansfrontieres@gmail.com
MONTREAL, May 3, 2016, 9am – More than twenty-five Solidarity Across Borders members and allies are currently undertaking an unlimited occupation and disruption of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) offices in downtown Montreal at 1010 St-Antoine West, a site of daily anguish, fear and anxiety for hundreds of Montreal-area migrants.
Solidarity Across Borders members are demanding an immediate, inclusive and ongoing regularization of all undocumented persons living in Canada, as well as denouncing the daily violence of the CBSA. The protesters assert that the agents and employees of the CBSA are complicit in detentions, the separation of families, driving people underground, creating fear and anxiety, and in some cases, the death of migrants in custody.
More generally, the demonstrators reject the legitimacy of the CBSA and borders, and re-assert that all human beings have the “freedom to move, the freedom to stay and the freedom to return.”
There are tens of thousands of undocumented migrants in the Montreal-area, with at least 500,000 in all of Canada. The CBSA plays a direct role in keeping these individuals and families precarious and isolated. Thousands of migrants are deported yearly, while hundreds more are detained at prisons. Since 2000, at least 14 migrants have died in CBSA custody.
The slogans “Status Now” and “Arrêtons les violences” have been placed on the exterior windows of the building. Inside, protesters have redecorated the interior lobby with silhouettes representing individuals and families deported in the past 15 years due to the actions of officials at the CBSA in Montreal.
The protesters succeeded in occupying the offices, despite locked doors and security. Today’s occupation builds on ongoing organizing efforts against deportations and detentions in the past decade, including support work, protests, pickets, petitions and more.
For more detailed background to the reasons for today’s protest, consult the demands of Solidarity Across Borders: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/en/a-propos/revendications
Today’s occupation is supported by several local organizations and groups, including la Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ), POPIR Comité Logement, le Comité BAILS. Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Le Comité pour les droits humains en Amérique latine (CDHAL), Syndicat industriel des travailleuses et des travailleurs (IWW-Montreal), the South Asian Women’s Community Center (SAWCC), and more.
To add your organizational endorsement of today’s action, please e-mail solidaritesansfrontieres@gmail.com
Consult the Solidarity Across Borders website, facebook or twitter regularly for updates and for information material to share.