On Monday, November 12th, Lisa Fithian and I were traveling together to Ottawa when I was flagged by Immigration for a more extensive screening. We had both been invited by OPIRG to offer training on activism in preparation for up coming demonstrations against the G20, the IMF and the World Bank which are meeting in Ottawa November 16-19. Lisa has cleared Immigration at the Ottawa airport, but when I went to tell her I might be delayed, they tagged her too. We spent nearly five hours waiting, being questioned, photographed, finger printed, and searched. We were told that I was picked out because I had been arrested in Seattle at the WTO protests in November of '99, although I was never convicted of any crime there and my charges were, in fact, dropped. At one point, the Immigration Officer said he knew I had been in Seattle, and asked if I were "a member of the WTO." We were treated courteously by the officers and we remained calm and co-operative throughout. Eventually, I was admitted to Canada but my computer was held to be examined by Canadian Intelligence. Lisa was allowed to sleep overnight in Canada but my computer was held to be examined by Canadian Intelligence. Lisa was allowed to sleep overnight in Canada, but was required to return Tuesday, November 13 at 11:00 AM for a further interview to determine if she could remain. At that interview, she was told that she was ineligible to enter Canada. She was given the choice to leave voluntarily, or be arrested. Lisa refused to leave and was arrested. She is a courageous woman who made this choice for the following reasons: Only by being arrested could she be entitled to counsel or legal representation, or appeal. The closing of borders to activists is part of the attempt to stifle legitimate dissent against the institutions of global corporatization. In jail, Lisa joined hundreds who have been detained since attacks of September 11 because of the color of their skin or for some minor infringement of visa regulations. She is a fore runner of those who would be jailed for their beliefs and political principles if two Canadian 'antiterrorist' bills are passed (C6 & C35). Open borders are one of the things we are fighting for. Corporate globalization allows corporations to move freely across borders without ties or responsibilities to local communities, in search of the lowest wages and the most lax environmental and safety standards. But people are not allowed to cross borders in search of economic opportunities or better lives. All over the world, displaced people seek refuge at borders. The borders that guard the wealthy countries are increasingly closed to those who seek political asylum or economic relief. Hundreds of thousands mass on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, seeking to escape from the devastation of U.S. bombs. The possibility of starvation, rampant disease, and their ongoing suffering haunt us. The issue is much, much broader that what happens to any individual. The corporations have laid claim to the resources of the globe, and 'free trade' demands that any borders which interfere with their profits be dissolved. We lay claim a different freedom. We say that if capital has no borders, then people should not be constrained. The institutions of corporate globalization are international, overriding local and national laws, offering no legal ways in which citizens can hold them accountable. Because they are international, we must be too. The essence of democracy is the freedom to dissent. No walls should bind our freedom to make our voices heard. Lisa is being held at the Ottawa Carleton Regional Detention Center. One of her supporters was arrested at the airport, but has been released.

Call and demand her release!

Citizenship & Immigration: 1-888-242-2100 (then dial "0" to talk to a real person)

Contact Prime Minister Jean Chretien! Phone: 613-992-4211 Fax: 613-941-6900 Email: PM@P.M.gc.ca. Contact Elinor Caplan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration: E-mail: CaplaE@parl.gc.ca Phone: 613-954-1064 Fax:613-992-0887