Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Free Speech Panel

Photos from Monday's panel on Canada's Human Rights Commissions that took place in London, Ontario. Panelists were Kathy Shaidle, Prof. Salim Mansur of Univ of Western Ontario and the venerable freedom fighter Ezra Levant. I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Mansur in person and it was a tremendous honor. He's truly a wise and intelligent person. The western civilization in general and Canada in particular should be grateful to have him on their side. Ezra Levant is the former publisher of Western Standard magazine (and my former boss at the Shotgun blog) who was dragged before the human rights commissions by bunch of radical Muslims in Canada (yes you heard it right by 'radical Muslims in Canada') for re-publishing the famous Muhammed cartoons.

Mr. Levant is now a best selling author of the book Shakedown which discusses the issue of free speech and the human rights courts in Canada. He's already taken the fight to the enemies of freedom of speech and I believe he has won it in the court of public opinion. The evidence of his victory is the fact that the hall was packed with more than 600 enthusiastic attendees who wanted to hear his story first hand and see for themselves how these Stalinist commissions waste their precious tax dollars prosecuting people for expressing their thoughts. Aside from these two was my friend Kathy who is a passionate speaker and a witty individual. I enjoyed her commentary on the matter as well.

The sad thing is that I only thought the ayatollahs took people to courts for expressing an opinion but apparently it is not limited to mullahs of Iran. Here in Canada, radical leftists who control these so-called commissions can also question any one for saying things and have the power to jail or punish them. It's stunning how a society is ready to screw its own decency, traditions and sanity to appease bunch of Islamist hooligans. It's disappointing! Hopefully this good fight against the gov't sanctioned tyranny will result in dismantling these bogus commissions.

Mark Steyn links to my entry

10 comments:

Azarmehr said...

Thanks for alerting us about this kind of thing. It seems the fight for freedom is a global fight and we shoudl take part in it wherever we are.

Azarmehr said...

Thanks for this. It seems the fight for freedom is a global struggle and we should all take part in it wherever we are.

yikes said...

Thanks for the report. Good panel. Looks like there was a good turnout.

Chester said...

I've been reading Salim Mansur's articles for yrs. Good man. He's been attacked for his anti-Islamist views and fight against Sharia law in Canada.

Good job.

Josephine said...

Great photos and report, Winston!

It was a pleasure to meet you!

RightGirl said...

Glad you managed to finally get there last night, Winston. I think you're my favorite Iranian. ;)

RG

Anonymous said...

anyone against Sharia law anywhere is someone who obviously isnt afraid to have the label of "racist" or "bigot" attached to them, so they deserve respect.

Wonder Woman said...

It was a pleasure meeting you Winston! I hope to see you again soon...perhaps at the party we'll throw when these commissions get the boot!

Rosemary said...

Winston, did you get to hear the inquisition of Ezra? When he was pulled up in front of these low lifes, he taped it! He shut them down with logic, mopped the floor with their lack of dignity, and he was so good. He made it appear easy. (He won)

Great report and pics. Thanks.

PS. I'm throwing a Tea Party today at noon until one pm at Bixby Park, Long Beach, California. :)

Winston said...

Thanks Wonder Woman! It was nice meeting you too.

@Rosemary, Yes I saw those clips when they came out. It was awesome!