The Arrest Bush Protest in Surrey, British Columbia

Bush Back in Canada

by Joshua Blakeney

George W. Bush returned to Canada this week to attend an economic summit in Surrey, British Columbia.

Under Canadian law Bush ought to have been refused entry into Canada and once in Canada ought to have been apprehended under the laws contained in Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (2000). Bush, who is accused of war crimes by an increasing number of respected Human Rights organizations, was allowed entry into Canada, contravening not only our laws but the system of values the average Canadian identifies with.

Amnesty International upped the ante when they released a memorandum on October 12th entitled “Canada Urged to Arrest and Prosecute George W. Bush.” Yet, alas, Bush was afforded impunity once again. It seems Canada is becoming a safe haven for self-confessed torturers such as Bush.

Hundreds of protesters assembled outside the Sheraton Hotel in Surrey, B.C. to attempt to educate the police officers present on their obligation to arrest the former US Commander in Chief.

I, Joshua Blakeney, a graduate student at the University of Lethbridge, provided the media with an analysis of the impunity afforded to Bush and its implications for Canada.

Joshua Blakeney Speaks With the Media At the Arrest Bush Protest in Surrey, British Columbia

Many protesters traveled from Vancouver to Surrey to protest the impunity afforded to Bush. Some of these activists have been participating in the Occupy Vancouver movement. I was one of those who helped to initiate the Occupy Vancouver movement which was inaugurated last Saturday in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

In my speech last Saturday I nominated the arrest of credibly accused war criminals in Canada as one issue that the Occupy Vancouver movement should promote.

Joshua Blakeney Speaks at Occupy Vancouver

Also in attendance at the Arrest Bush protest was activist Brigette DePappe, the young lady who while working in the Canadian Senate held up a “STOP HARPER” sign during a throne speech, making her extremely popular with the 75% of Canadians who didn’t vote for the Prime Minister of Canada. Brigette’s contributions at the Arrest Bush protest can be viewed in this video:

 Hundreds Protest Bush in Surrey, British Columbia