All those involved in the making of
Bledi: This is Our Home are happy to report that the eleven protesters involved with the Action Committee of Non-Status Algerians (CASS) were acquitted of charges of mischief on February 24, 2006 in relation to the occupation of then Canadian Minister of Immigration Denis Coderre's offices in Ottawa on May 29, 2003 (as featured in the film).
More than 2 and-a-half years after the event, Judge Ann Adler blamed the unusual length of the process on the delays in disclosure by Crown Prosecutor David Elhadad. During the trial it became evident that those involved in the occupation did not commit "mischief" by any legal definition. Furthermore, evidence showed that senior level officials in the office of then Immigration Minister Denis Coderre were aware of the presence of protesters in the office, and were thereby complicit in the eventual police operation and brutality.
Though the decision is a victory of sorts for all those arrested, the trial did not resolve the issue of police brutality during the arrest (particularly the use of Tasers/ stun guns) nor did it address any of the demands of the protesters regarding Canadian citizenship. It is important to note that many of the non-status defendants are still fighting for status in Canada.
For more information regarding the decision please visit the Solidarity Across Borders website
solidarityacrossborders.org/en/node/119
