10.07.2009

why activism matters

Documents released today show that the Conservative government has taken more of an interest in Omar Khadr than they publicly admit. This detail from the CBC story jumped out at me.
Nolke [a member of the Foreign Affairs department] also took special interest in a flurry of public correspondence in February 2008, asking a colleague: "Of the 262 letters on Omar Khadr, how many were pro (eg. 'child soldier,' 'bring him back') and how many were con ('keep the terrorist at GTMO')?"

This is proof of why we should speak out, especially if we believe our view is held by the majority. It may feel like we're hitting a brick wall, but our opinions are being noticed. Omar Khadr is not back in Canada yet, but without all the people speaking out on his behalf, he might never be.

This private recognition by the government is not the only reason to raise our voices in protest. I believe we should stand for justice no matter who is listening. As Gandhi said, "You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result." But those results may be - probably are - cumulative. And invisible for a long time.

Another detail from the CBC story:
The Canadian Press obtained hundreds of pages of heavily censored records about the Khadr case from the Foreign Affairs Department. It took a complaint to the federal information commissioner to dislodge the files, initially requested in early May 2008.

You may recall the War Resisters Support Campaign has had a similar experience.

Keep those cards and letters coming, folks. Speak loudly, speak often. Don't give up.

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