Free Speech Applies to Everyone

OTTAWA-- Free speech took a blow this week as the Harper government blocked George Galloway, a British Member of Parliament, from speaking in Toronto.  
 

"Some Canadians disagree with the viewpoints expressed by Mr. Galloway and some agree, but this difference of opinion should not restrict his freedom of speech in Canada as long as he does not cross the legal line of hate speech," said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. “It is absurd to call him a security risk just because you don’t agree with his views.”
 

Galloway, who sits as a left-wing Respect MP in the UK, is openly critical of Israel's aggression against the Palestinian people.  He has been a long-time vocal critic of US, Israeli, British, and Canadian foreign policy, which he sees as oppressive and unjust.
 

“Apparently if you are critical of the Harper government’s policies, you are no longer welcome in this country,” said Green Party Foreign Affairs Critic, Eric Walton.  “Gagging a critic on the grounds of National Security is a new low for the Harper government.”
 

The Green Party of Canada calls on Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration, to reverse the decision to keep Mr. Galloway out of Canada and prove that he understands the democracy he claims to defend.
 
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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca