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Fire This Time is an independent newspaper reflecting the struggles of oppressed people for building a new world. The Fire This Time Newspaper is supported solely through the individual donations from readers and supporters.
Fire This Time prints 7,000 - 10,000 copies per issue 20% of this is distributed throughout Canada, US & Internationally via mail. As a result of expanding mail distribution, Fire This Time Newspaper can be found in progressive bookstores and shops in all major cities in Canada. In addition, the newspaper is available in more than 150 locations in the Lower Mainland!

For subscriptions, bulk orders and any other combination, contact Fire This Time distribution coordinator at:
604-780-7604 or distroftt@mail.com


                      







Antiwar Rally &
Petition Drive




Hands off North Korea!

End the Sanctions on North Korea!

Imperialists Hands Off Syria!

No Sanctions Against Iran!

Stop Israel's Ongoing
Assault on Palestinians!

Self-Determination for Indigenous
Nations & All Oppressed Nations!

U.S. / Canada/ NATO
Out of Afghanistan Now!

France, Canada & All Foreign
Troops Out of Mali!

No to War & Occupation!
Yes to Self-Determination!

Money for Health Care, Jobs,
& Education Not for War & Occupation!

Money for First Nations Not
for War & Occupations!

U.S. Out of Iraq Now!

Free Bradley Manning Now!

No to U.S. Drones!



Saturday June 22nd, 2013
2pm
Vancouver Art Gallery
Robson St & Howe St.
Downtown Vancouver, Canada


Organized by:
Mobilization Against War & Occupation
http://www.mawovancouver.org



Mouth vs. Mic
Episode 8




Admission by Donation

All Funds Donated to Mobilization
Against War & Occupation (MAWO)
www.mawovancouver.org


Tuesday June 25th, 2013
8:30pm
Calabash Bistro
428 Carrall Street
Downtown Vancouver, Canada


Organized by:
Mouth vs. Mic



Free Public Forum

Free Bradley Manning!

The Role of Whistle-Blowers in the
New Era of War & Occupation




Wednesday June 26th, 2013
7pm
Joe's Cafe
Large North Hall
1150 Commercial Drive
at William Street
Vancouver, Canada


Organized by:
Mobilization Against War & Occupation
http://www.mawovancouver.org



92 Monthly Picket Action
Free All The Cuban 5 Now!

Release Antonio, Fernando,
Ramón& Gerardo From
U.S. Prisons Now!

Grant Visa to Adriana Perez!




Friday July 5th, 2013
4-5pm
U.S. Consulate
1075 West Pender St.
Vancouver, Canada


Organized by:
Free the Cuban 5 Committee - Vancouver
http://freethe5vancouver.ca



Celebrate the
July 26th Movement

& the Gains of the
Cuban Revolution!




Film, Live Music and Speakers!

Friday July 26th, 2013
7pm
Joe's Cafe
in Large North Hall
1150 Commercial Dr.
at William St.
Vancouver, Canada


Organized by:
Vancouver Communities
in Solidarity with Cuba
http://www.vancubasolidarity.com




FIRE THIS TIME
REPORT BACKS


FREE PUBLIC FORUM

The Death of Comandante
Hugo Chávez &
Revolutionary Continuity
in Venezuela


March 29, 2013




Report Coming Soon!



FREE PUBLIC FORUM

Hands Off Fire This Time Newspaper!

Stand Against Police Brutality!
Stop Harassment of Political Activists!
Oppose Suppression of Freedom of Expression!


September 7, 2012




Click Here for Report!





Public Forum

Workers of the World Unite!
Against War and Occupation


May 1st, 2012



REPORT COMING SOON!
Vancouver Committee to
Defend Freedom of Expression

Newsletter#1 September 2012

Stand against police brutality!
Stop harassment and assault on civil liberties!
Oppose suppression of freedom of expression!
Hands Off Fire This Time newspaper activists!











Volume 8 Issue 1
of Fire This Time Newspaper


This issue includes the following:
  • Who's Meddling in Civil War in Syria?
  • Haiti 3 Years After the Earthquake: Nothing Has Been Accomplished!
  • Indigenous Awakening
  • Cuba's Free Universal Healthcare System: How do they do it?
  • How I Spent My Summer Vacation with the Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade to Cuba
  • Imperialists Hands off Mali - The New Era of War & Occupation Spreads to Africa
  • Free the Cuban 5 Now! Over 100 People Attend Montreal Cartoon Exhibit of Gerardo Hernandez
  • January 5th - Another Step Forward! Vancouver Participates in International Day of Action to Free the Cuban 5 Heroes
  • Huge March Defends Venezuela's Democracy & Revolution
  • Legal and Political Situation in Venezuela Today

  • ...and much more!

    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Special Double Issue
    Volume 7 Issue 9/10
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Bill C-45: An Attack on Native Rights in Canada!
  • Idle No More: Vancouver Rallies Against Bill C-45
  • Raul Castro Speaks
  • In Support & For the Speedy Recovery of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
  • Hugo Chavez is Admired & Respected Worldwide
  • Why You Should Join the Campaign for the Freedom of the Cuban 5
  • Giustino Di Celmo: The Greatest Pain for a Father
  • U.S Veterans For Peace: U.S. Hands Off Syria!
  • Afghanistan, a Catastrophe for Humankind
  • Support Workers in B.C. As They Demand Wage Increases & Benefits!
  • Ruling of the "Justice for the 5, People's Tribunal & Assembly" Toronto, Canada / September 2012
  • The Cuban Experience Could Help the United States

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 8
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Vancouver Supports Palestine: Actions in Defense of Gaza
  • World Against U.S. Blockade
  • The Case of the Cuban 5 Must be an Issue Everywhere!
  • Colloquium for the Cuban 5 in Holguín
  • Imperialists Hands Off the Middle East & North Africa!
  • Canada: Systematic & Institutionalized Racism Against Indigenous People
  • Canada's Prosperity in Debt
  • It is not a War It is a Murder
  • Venezuela's Chavez Condemns 'Savage' Assault on the Gaza Strip
  • Dialogue in Colombia Welcomed
  • Better Than Ever: Vancouver's 8th Annual International Hip Hop 4 Peace Festival!
  • In accordance with the Will of the Cuban Nation

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 7
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Qatari Regime: A Reactionary Force in the Middle East
  • Vancouver Joins International Week
    of Action with 2 Events to Free the Cuban 5 Heroes
  • Fire This Time Newspaper Wins Important Victory
    in Struggle for Freedom of Expression - Special Section
  • MAWO Forums and Rallies Encourage People to Join Antiwar Movement
  • Political Prisoner Leonard Peltier's Statement on his 68th Birthday
  • War Gives Way to Plunder
  • October 7, Presidential Elections in Venezuela

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 6
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Yemen: Yankee Go Home!
  • An Interview with Cecilia Point, Spokesperson from the Musqueam Band
  • Protest and March Marks 100 Days of Protest for Musqueam Nation
  • Che Guevara's Human Nature
  • Cuban 5 People's Tribunal in Toronto, Canada
  • We Need to Break the Wall of Media Silence To Free the Cuban 5!
  • Pipeline Dollars VS. Indigenous Rights
  • Syria: Is There a Revolution or Counter-Revolution?
  • 8th Annual Vancouver International Hip Hop 4 Peace Festival
  • Now is the Time to Organize Against War & Occupation!
  • UNAC Statement Against War on Iran & Syria
  • Veterans for Peace Statement on Syria & Iran
  • My Journey on the 20th Anniversary Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 5
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Saudi Arabia: A Long Awaited Struggle For Democracy & Independence
  • Lift the U.S. Blockade Against Cuba!
  • Four Years After Stephen Harper's Hollow Apology: Deception Then, Deception Now
  • Bahrain: The Struggle Continues
  • Reflections by Fidel Castro
  • Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba
  • Joint Statement and Report by Occupy Border Groups
  • Mariela Castro: "U.S. government is 'concerned' about LGBT movement in Cuba"
  • Che's Combat in Gaelic
  • While the Legal Battle Continues, Activists Campaign to Free Bradley Manning!
  • Educate! Organize! Mobilize! MAWO Activists Discuss & Organize Against Imperialist Intervention in the Middle East
  • 80th Monthly Picket Action to Free the Cuban 5 Heroes Held in Vancouver

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 4
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • US & Syria: Facts You Should Now!
  • Building the Antiwar Movement
  • US/CANADA/NATO War on Women in Afghanistan
  • Amnesty Shilling for U.S. Wars
  • Reflections by Fidel Castro
  • UNAC Statement on Women in Afghanistan
  • Look Who's Talking: Canadian Government Preaches Human Rights
  • Cuban Ex-Prisoners Denounce Repression and Police Brutality ...in Madrid
  • The Cuban 5: I Spoke with Gerardo & Rene
  • Five Decades of Inanity - and Still Going...
  • The Shame of the Yankee Military
  • MAWO Activities Set an Example for the Antiwar Movement

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 3
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Free Bradley Manning Now!
  • Students Strike in Québec: Challenges & Perspectives
  • Changes to Employment Insurance: A Clear Attack on Working People and Immigrants
  • Bahrain: Exposing U.S. Hypocrisy in the Middle East
  • Reflections by Fidel Castro
  • "I think they, will take notice now.." - An interview with Cecelia Point from the Musqueam Nation
  • Musqueam Nation Takes Action: Activities & Actions will Continue - An interview with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip
  • Bolivarian Revolution: Alive and Dynamic!
  • Free the Cuban 5!

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 2
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Free Bradley Manning: Soldier of Humanity
  • Québec students lead the struggle for humanity & dignity in Canada!
  • No To NATO! Abolish NATO!
  • Reflections by Fidel Castro
  • Who's Been Mean-Spirited? - Response to Jon Ferry's Article "Mean-Spirited BCTF Really Hurting Kids"
  • Musqueam Nation Stands Up for Ancient Nation
  • Drop All Charges Against Carlos Montes
  • Free the Cuban 5! Free the Cuban 5 Committee- Vancouver Strengthens Campaign for their Release
  • Free Cuba. Torch a Travel Agency
  • "Dealing with Iran"
  • Afghanistan: Permanent Occupation Planned

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here

    To view individual articles click here




    Volume 7 Issue 1
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Reflections of Fidel: Steven Harper's Illusions
  • Indian is Not a Four Letter Word
  • Free Bradley Manning Campaign Launched by Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) in Vancouver B.C., Canada
  • Illusions Sold as Forecasts (eng./esp.)
  • A Decade of War in Afghanistan
  • Get Serious About Syria
  • Teachers in British Columbia Fighting for Better Public Education
  • A Message from Rene Gonzalez to the People of Cuba (eng./esp/)
  • Cuba: Looking Back and Ahead
  • Reflections of Fidel: The Marvelous World of Capitalism (eng./esp.)
  • MAWO's Open Letter to Stopwar.ca and the Canadian Peace Alliance (CPA)
  • Why is the U.S. Preparing for War with Iran?

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here



    Volume 6 Issue 4
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • H1N1 and the Government of Canada's Inaction to Help Native People
  • War and Occupation in Afghanistan:
    Which Way Forward?
  • Minimum Wage: $10 Ridiculous, $15 Not Enough, $17 Acceptable... for now
  • People Organize Resistance and Fight Back
    at the G-20 Meeting in Pittsburgh, USA
  • My Flower to Bush, the Occupier
    - the Story of My Shoe (speech by Muntadhar al-Zaidi)
  • The Untold Story of the Cuban 5:
    Impossible Mission
  • Washington on Honduras:
    the Tightrope Walker - [part II]
  • Louis Riel: A Revolutionary Legacy
  • Reflections of Fidel:
    the Bells are Tolling for the Dollar
  • Hip Hop vs. War: Vancouver Hip Hop Festival Promotes Peace and Humanity
  • Vancouver, Canada: International Day of Action to Free the Cuban 5
  • World Food Day in Crisis

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here
    To view individual articles click here


    Volume 6 Issue 3
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Afghanistan Election Farce:
    No Democracy under Military Occupation!
  • What is all this healthcare debate in the US about?
  • Washington on Honduras: The Tight Rope Walker
  • Leonard Peltier Parole Statement
  • Indigenous in the Belly of the Beast
  • Would MLK Back Iran's Protester's?
  • Our People Are Capable of Triumph Over All Difficulties
  • Reflections of Fidel: The Yanki Bases and Latin American Sovereignty
  • "Smart Power" Against Latin America
  • Vancouver Successfully Launches 20th Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba
  • MAWO Activities in July Expose Imperialist War Drive
  • Protest the G-20 Meeting in Pittsburgh,USA!
    It's Time to Demand Jobs and an End to the War Against People at Home and Abroad!
  • Vancouver: Activists Form A Coalition To Oppose Right-Wing Coup in Honduras!

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here
    To view individual articles click here


    Volume 6 Issue 2
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • AFGHANISTAN:
    US, Canada and NATO Intensify the Killing of Innocent People
  • The Canadian Government on Honduras: Lessons for Today and Tomorrow
  • HONDURAS: US Counter Revolution Strikes Back in Latin America
  • Imperialist Campaign Continues Against Sudan
  • An Open Letter to the Anti-war Movement: How Should we React to the Events in Iran?
  • US Supreme Court Rejects Appeal for Review by the Cuban 5
  • Vancouver Joins International Days of Action to Free the 5 Cuban Heroes
  • The Indian Nation
  • MAWO Statement Against the Coup in Honduras
  • Where the Coup in Honduras Could Lead
  • Reflections of Fidel: A Nobel Prize for Mrs. Clinton
  • Cuban Five Visitation Rights for Adriana Pérez: Obama and Clinton Must Change Their Position

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here
    To view individual articles click here


    Volume 6 Issue 1
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • SOFA: A Bad Seat for Iraq
  • Seven Years of Resistance by Afghan People Shows Absurdity of Bloodshed and Occupation
  • Why are the UN/Imperialists Carving up Congo?
  • Cuba After the Hurricanes: How Socialist Cuba Confronts Hurricanes and Natural Disasters
  • BOLIVIA: Revolution and Counter Revolution
  • The United States, Cuba and the Economic Crisis
  • Cuba Hurricane Relief and Reconstruction Fundraising: A Huge Success from Coast to Coast!
  • UN General Assembly Condemns US Blockade on Cuba
  • "We Can Move Toward a Just City" - Interview with Dave Diewert, Vancouver Downtown Eastside Activist and a Founder of Streams of Justice
  • Canadian Democracy vs. Indigenous People
  • Louis Riel: A Revolutionary Legacy
  • Five Cuban Anti-Terrorist Heroes: A Symbol of Resistance Against Injustice
  • Vancouver: A City of Homelessness and Poverty Olympics
  • Reflections of Fidel: Total Transparency (English/Spanish)

  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here
    To view individual articles click here


    Volume 5 Issue 4
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • It's true, Believe it - Canada is an Imperialist country...
  • Canadian Democracy in Action: The Tale of Elizabeth May
  • Cuba Hurricane Relief & Re-Construction Campaign
  • Hip Hop Versus War
  • Interview with Pioneers of Palestinian Hip Hop Sabreena da Witch & Da Arabian MCs
  • Interview with Sam McKay - Council Member of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
  • Pride & Dignity Against Wind & Rain (English & Spanish)
  • Che Guevara, Thinker & Fighter! Are His Ideas Relevant for the 21st Century? Vancouver Conference
  • Reflection of Fidel Castro - "The Good-Guy Role, at Whose Expense?" (English & Spanish)
  • Carlos Lage Speech to Municipal People's Power Assembly Presidents
  • 15th Protecting Mother Earth Gathering
  • *5 Cuban Heroes Special Section*
  • Message from Rene Gonzalez, one of the 5 Cuban Heroes
  • International Campaign for Visitation Rights of Wives of the Cuban 5
  • 56 MPs Sign Letter of Support for Cuban 5
  • ...and much more!


    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here
    To view individual articles click here


    Volume 5 Issue 3
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • "Canada First Defence Strategy" and the Occupation of Afghanistan
  • Canada's Genocidal Residential Schools
  • Why Africa Roars (English & Spanish)
  • Bill C-50 Government of Canada New Anti-Immigrant Legislation
  • Justice for Frank Paul!
  • What's the Big Deal About Biofuels?
  • US government "Day of Solidarity" with the Cuban People
  • Interview with Clarence Thomas of ILWU on the May 1st, 2008 work stoppage against the US war and occupation in Iraq
  • Lifting the Prohibitions (English & Spanish)
  • The World of Work in a Changing Cuba
  • Reflection of Fidel Castro - "The Empire's Hypocritical Politics" (English & Spanish)
  • Free the 5 Cuban Heroes Political Prisoners Held in US Jails
  • Key Address by Jose Ramon Machado Ventura to the Conference on World Food Security (English & Spanish)
  • Global Economy: Recession or Realignment (English and Spanish)
  • ...and much more!


    To view individual articles click here
    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here




    Volume 5 Issue 2
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes the following:
  • Iraq: 5 Years of War, Occupation & Resistance
  • Poverty has a Woman's Face
  • Mining in Ontario, Colonial Conquest of Indigenous People
  • Fidel Won the Battle
  • Gaza: the Acid Test for Palestinian Liberation
  • Canada vs. Afghanistan
  • The Fight for a Living Wage
  • Interview with Kat Norris on Justice for Frank Paul (English & Spanish)
  • Speech by Raul Castro at the closing session of the National Assembly of People's Power (English & Spanish)
  • Free Mumia Abu Jamal!
  • Break the US Blockade: Interview with John Waller
  • Free the 5 Cuban Heroes Political Prisoners Held in US Jails
  • Visit Revolutionary Cuba
  • Defend Alison Bodine
  • The US Attack on Iran, a talk by Rostam Pourzal
  • Report back from the Conference for World Equilibrium in Cuba
  • International Women's Day 2008
  • ...and much more!


    To view individual articles click here
    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here



    Volume 5 Issue 1
    of Fire This Time Newspaper


    This issue includes articles on the US' escalating threats against Iran. Featured is a special piece on this war drive by Dr. Naser Zarafshan, in both English and Farsi. Included on the international front are articles on the current occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the build up of war against Sudan. On the home front, articles explore the issue of police brutality, both in the killings of Frank Paul and Robert Dziekanski. Also included is an article on the current attack on Muslim women through elections legislation in Canada. Additionally, two interviews are featured; one with Indigenous activist Ray Bobb on the question of treaties; and one with Rav Ghuman of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, on the Sears lockout imposed on his Union. Notably as well, this issue has a report back from the international conference for the Cuban 5, "Breaking the Silence", held in Toronto, Canada in Nov 2007. Related to Cuba, this issue also includes Fidel Castro's latest reflections and a speech by Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque on the UN vote against the blockade on Cuba. Look inside for much, much more!

    To view individual articles click here
    To view the newspaper in PDF Format, click here



    Distribute Revolutionary Change
    In Your Area!


    For Distribution of Fire This Time in your area; across BC, Canada and Internationally please contact:


    Nita Palmer
    Publicity and Distribution Coordinator
    Phone: 604-780-7604
    Email: distroftt@mail.com




    One year subscriptions to the Fire This Time newspaper are now available outside the Lower Mainland, make cheques payable to “Nita Palmer”
    (Canada $15, USA $20, International $30)
    PO Box 21607
    Vancouver BC
    V5L 5G3





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    FIRE THIS TIME
    UNDER ATTACK!

    STOP POLICE ASSAULT ON
    FIRE THIS TIME NEWSPAPER!
    For more info, visit
    http://www.stoppoliceassault.com/



    September 4, 2012

    FIRE THIS TIME ACTIVISTS BRUTALIZED AND ASSAULTED BY TRANSIT POLICE AND RCMP!

    STAND AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY!

    STOP HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT OF POLITICAL ACTIVISTS!

    OPPOSE SUPPRESSION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!


    Campaign updates and videos of the assault available here:

    www.youtube.com/firethistime
    www.stoppoliceassault.com/

    On August 31,2012, at Metrotown Skytrain Station near Vancouver, Canada, Transit police officers and the RCMP assaulted, handcuffed and removed three activists that were peacefully distributing the Fire This Time newspaper (FTT). Because FTT is a non-commercial, free social justice newspaper, the officers had no legal ground to stop the distribution. It is clear that the aim of the assault was to intimidate and harass social justice activists which is political targeting as FTT publishes many articles against war and in support of social justice struggles in Canada, from Indigenous rights to labour organizing. This was an attack on our fundamental civil and democratic rights which include freedom of expression and the right to organize and demonstrate without violence and intimidation. It is also a case of police brutality, which is a disturbing trend growing in Canada.

    AUGUST 31: Fire This Time Activists Brutalized and Assaulted by Transit Police and RCMP

    On the day of the assault, we were distributing the FTT newspaper without incident at the Metrotown Skytrain Station. After an hour, two transit police officers arrived and immediately began telling the four of us that we needed to leave the station and stop distributing. We showed the officers and read aloud the publicly posted Transit rules available on large boards in every skytrain station. These rules state that, “printed material for non-commercial purposes will be permitted on transit properties, other than transit vehicles or fare-paid zones,” provided distribution does not impede transit traffic or operations.

    The police insisted that it did not matter what the posted rules state and that there are other rules that are not posted. When we asked what those rules are or how they applied to this situation, they refused to answer. Instead, the police stated that because they were asking us to leave the station and wewere refusing, this was justification for our arrest. This sort of Catch-22 argument never answered the fundamental question as to why they demanded we leave in the first place!

    Drawing the attention of many passers-by, who took videos of the escalating police harassment, we continually asked the police, “Why are we being arrested?” “What have we done?” “What laws have we broken?” These questions were never answered. Soon, Shakeel had his arm wrenched behind his back by the officer putting him in handcuffs. During this assault, Mike, another FTT activist, began filming with his phone. Once the officer realized the assault was being filmed he responded by grabbing Mike’s arm and putting him in handcuffs as well. The officer attempted to take away Mike’s phone, but he was able to pass it another FTT activist who was consulting with a lawyer and documenting the assault.

    At the same time, another officer was harassing Thomas, the FTT activist who had been explaining the posted Transit rules. Holding tightly onto a stack of FTT newspapers, Thomas continued to ask the officer “Why are you doing this?” The officer ignored this question, threatening him with arrest and saying he would “hurt” him if he tried to move away. In response to Thomas’ peaceful questioning, the officer grabbed his neck, pushed pressure points on his head and slammed him into a corner.

    When back-up Transit and RCMP officers arrived, they made the total officer count more than ten, and took Mike and Shakeel out of the station in handcuffs. On the street outside of the station, both had their bags searched without consent and were put in the back of two RCMP patrol cars. Thomas was kept in the station and continued to ask the officer what laws he had broken and why he was being arrested until he was viciously rammed up against the stair railing by three officers, tackled to the ground, handcuffed, and taken out of the station. During this, Thomas was told he was being arrested for “creating a disturbance”. Thomas was put in the back of an unmarked SUV.

    After some time in the vehicles Thomas, Mike and Shakeel were each told separately that they would be released without any charges but banned from the Transit system for 24 hours. It was clear that the police officers had no reason for arrest, as Thomas, Shakeel and Mike had broken no Transit rules and had been targeted because of the political nature of the FTT newspaper.

    Thomas, Shakeel and Mike were separately driven to a Burnaby Community Police Station and released. All three of us had to visit the Emergency Room for medical treatment following the assault.

    Following the harassment and assault, we were never issued a ticket or any written documentation. We were never told on what basis we were asked to leave the Skytrain station in the first place. During this incident 150 of our newspapers were taken and we have video footage of a police officer holding some of them. Immediately upon his release from police custody, Shakeel checked his phone for the video footage he had taken during the assault and it was not there. This video had been erased during the time that an RCMP officer had his phone.

    This was not an isolated incident, but the culmination of four months of repeated harassment of FTT activists distributing the newspaper. However, in most cases Transit officials and police officers were forced to allow us to continue distribution after we pointed out the publicly posted Transit rules and defended our right to continue distribution. The August 31 assault was an escalation of this campaign of harassment and intimidation. We have video footage available for many of these incidents.

    Stand Up for Democratic Rights!

    Why is it that after over an hour of harassment and brutal assault we were released without charges and without being told that we were in violation of any Transit rules? Without a doubt if police had had any justification or valid legal reason they would of pursued further action or charges. This makes it clear that the police and transit authorities were politically targeting Fire This Time activists.

    This assault on our democratic rights is happening in the context of the new era of war and occupation. Since September 11, 2001 the U.S. and its imperialist allies including Canada have begun a new era of increasing war and occupation; from the continued occupation of Afghanistan to the bombing and war against Libya and now threats, sanctions and covert foreign intervention in Syria and Iran. Whenever imperialist governments like the U.S. and Canada wage brutal and devastating wars abroad it is always accompanied by a crack-down against those who defend social justice and protest war at home. As an independent social justice newspaper, Fire This Time spreads a message against this war on working and oppressed people at home and abroad. This assault and continued harassment is an attack on our democratic rights and freedom of speech and expression in order to silence independent voices for peace and social justice.

    Incidents like these remind us that if we do not defend our rights we lose them. We will vigorously defend not only the right of our organization to organize and publish its ideas, but the right of all poor and working people to do the same even if they contradict the current government’s policies and practices. We absolutely refuse to be intimidated by violence and harassment, and call on all peace and social justice loving people to join with us in defending our fundamental democratic rights. United we can defend and extend the rights past generations fought so hard to establish! United we can win!

    We must join together to demand:

    STAND AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY!
    STOP HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT OF POLITICAL ACTIVISTS!
    OPPOSE SUPPRESSION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!


    www.youtube.com/firethistime
    www.stoppoliceassault.com


    Please visit the Fire This Time
    Blog on Police Brutality,
    www.stoppoliceassault.com



    FIRE THIS TIME NEWSPAPER
    IMPORTANT CORRECTION!


    Dear Readers of Fire This Time
    newspaper,

    For technical reasons the email
    addresses in newspaper are not
    working properly.
    Please note that these are the new
    and correct Fire This Time email
    addresses. We apologize for any
    inconvenience it has caused you.
    Plese contact Fire This Time
    newspaper
    through these email addresses:

    editorftt@mail.com

    editoralboardftt@mail.com

    infoftt@mail.com
    (submissions, general inquiries)

    distroftt@mail.com
    (distribution, subscription)





    Long Live the Memory of
    Compañera Sara González




    Click Here to Read about
    the Life of Sara González








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    Che Guevara Volunteer Brigade



    Organized by:
    Canadian Network on Cuba
    Click Here for Information


    Contact by Phone:
    778-882-5223






    Mobilization Against War & Occupation

    Palestine Section










    Mobilization Against War & Occupation

    No War on Iran Section










    Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba




    Organized by:
    IFCO- Pastors for Peace
    Click Here for Information
    Contact by Email:
    cucaravan@igc.org
    Phone:
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