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Aug 10, 2003
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Audio and Video of Protest
VIDEO: Paul Fromm giving an interview to local Toronto
media. 4 min. 49 seconds [Watch
Now]
AUDIO: Paul Fromm addresses crowd - 8
minutes 6 seconds. [Listen
Now]
For above files - you need the real
player |
Forty-five free speech supporters from around Southern
Ontario protested the humiliating prison conditions faced by German-born
revisionist publisher Ernst Zundel in the Metro West Detention Centre in
Rexdale, Ontario.
Organized by the Canadian Association for Free Expression
(CAFE), today's protest drew activists from London, Oshawa, Collingwood and
Toronto. The rally was endorsed by the Northern
Alliance, the Canadian
Heritage Alliance and the Heritage
Front.
The protest also brought out a number of television, radio
and newspaper reporters.
Paul Fromm speaks to Toronto media
The hot grey late summer sky snapped with a sea of Red
Ensigns. "Why do you fly the old flag of Canada?" a French CBC
reporters asked protest organizer Paul Fromm.
"It represents the real Canada," Fromm said,
"the Canada founded by our European ancestors. It was one that
guaranteed due process and enshrined English Common Law that our ancestors
had fought to win for over 1,000 years." In a short speech to the
rally, Fromm, a former Toronto school trustee, denounced the secret hearings
that have occurred before each of Ernst Zundel's bail reviews and court
hearings.
"These secret hearings are outrageous," Fromm
said. "They deny Mr. Zundel his fundamental right to face his accusers,
to know the charges and accusations against him and to be able to offer a
full response and defence. How can he defend himself against accusations he
hasn't heard?" Fromm demanded.
Many protesters carried signs denouncing the inhumane prison
conditions which they believe are inflicted on Mr. Zundel to break his
spirit and get him to agree to return to Germany and a minimum 5 years in
prison. Mr. Zundel stands accused in Germany of violating a law that forbids
insulting the memory of the dead -- a totalitarian legal nicety which means
questioning the Hollywood version of World War II.
The protesters told reporters that Ernst Zundel is kept in
solitary confinement without a pillow, a chair, without pens, paperclips,
post-it notes or highlighters, all of which are needed to mark up and
organize the several feet thick mound of legal documents and transcripts Mr.
Zundel must handle for his half dozen or more legal cases.
Fromm referred to comments in Federal Court, July 30, by Mr.
Justice Pierre Blais when informed of the prison conditions: "Even in
medieval times, prisoners were allowed to use pen and paper. I also have
respect for Mr. Zundel. He is not a criminal. He is entitled to a little bit
of flexibility."
Two prison guards who'd come out to the parking lot to
monitor the protest, were furious when one of the demonstrators appeared to
snap their picture. "This is typical of a totalitarian state. It stomps
all over the rights of a man like Mr. Zundel, but its operatives certainly
don't like their identity known," Jack Castor, one of the protesters
said.
The rally ended with a rousing chant of "Free Ernst
Zundel!"
Paul Fromm speaks to OMNI Tv
Paul Fromm shows what Zundel is forced to write with in
prison
People passing by are very interested in our message
Paul Fromm speaks to City TV
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Write to Canada's Immigration Minister and complain
over the unfair treatment Ernst Zündel has received.
Immigration Minister Denis Coderre
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 995-6108
Fax: (613) 995-9755
Email: Coderre.D@parl.gc.ca |
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