CDN Imm & refugee lawyer, law instructor, research archaeologist, Log Lady v2.0. She/her. Views expressed are my own. RTs ≠ endorsements. Posts ≠ legal advice
EMERGENCY ALERT, GTA RACIAL PROFILING CASE: Palestinian-Canadian racially profiled, arrested, unlawfully detained at CAMH under a mental health form, administered medications against their will. Their assigned doctor has expressed zionist views. I'm urgently looking for counsel
I am a white woman born in Canada. I have a lot of privilege. I am leveraging my reputation, platforms and future employability because the unfolding genocide in Palestine is intolerable. It should be for anyone. The silence of peers is heartbreaking. Speak up.
🚨NEW: Have you noticed a rise in anti-Indian r*cism in Canada lately?
The thing is, this rhetoric has been growing in far-right circles for months — but only really escalated in the “mainstream” more recently.
Let’s talk about how that happens:
I have been threatened with lawsuits and Law Society complaints b/c of my refusal to be silent on the unfolding genocide in Palestine. I have called out peers for their complicity, and I am unapologetic. I am not afraid. I am sick to death of men suppressing my speech.
I'm not a member of the Jewish community, but my partner is. We both relate to the shocking alienation from community this woman so authentically expresses. As months pass, and as international orgs weigh in, the silence of my legal community becomes increasingly intolerable.
Are you, like me, YET AGAIN horrified by the anti-Palestinian advocacy of B'nai Brith Canada? Here's a reminder of its key figures, SOME OF WHOM ARE PROMINENT CANADIAN IMMIGRATION / REFUGEE LAWYERS WITH A DIRECT LINE TO
@MarcMillerVM
'S OFFICE.
I was told recently that I was "disgracing myself" by expressing my horror at a person's tacit endorsement of bigotry. No, I am not a disgrace. I am strong and brave. I have a moral compass. I am shouting my objections to CDN complicity in genocide, at all levels.
To my fellow Canadians who are hand-wringing and waffling about the crisis in Palestine - maybe consider how grossly out-of-step Canada is with the international community. The domestic brainwashing, bullying and disinformation campaigns are real.
Days after demanding that Israeli settler extremists be held to account, the Trudeau govt yesterday voted at the UN against Palestinian sovereignty in Occupied Territories. 🇨🇦 voted with Israel, the US, and 3 US-affiliated microstates. All EU countries, UK, NZ voted against.
@Heidi__Matthews
Heidi - I am sorry for your family's current worry for your babe. I will pray for your family. And I am so appreciative of your continued advocacy. Thank you for being a beacon of moral courage and integrity.
So grateful to spend an evening with my mum and many other defenders of Palestinian human rights, including Dr. Naledi Pandor, former South African Minister of International Relations who led the South African legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice on the
Honouring CARL's past and current presidents, Lorne Waldman,
@MitchellJGoldbe
, Lobat Sadrehashemi, and
@MSilcoff
. All personal heroes: extraordinary advocates for refugee rights. Thank you for your amazing work.
Do you know who is proud of me? My chosen Mama, a Palestinian-Canadian who has loved me and supported me for 20 years. SHE is proud of me. And that is all I need to continue my good work.
@faisalkutty
Betsy Kane is the VP of Government Relations for the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA). Someone shared with me a screenshot of her on a Zoom call with Marc Miller. Just thought people should know...
The
@FacultyJewish
is making significant, urgently-needed strides in public education that combats anti-Palestinian propaganda and racism. Thank you, Dr. Paz. Anthropologists for the win today.
Another critical and essential presentation from our webinar, Dr. Alejandro Paz speaks to how the slogan "From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free" is a challenge to settler colonialism and a call to what is possible.
Despite condemnations of the chant as a call for
This is my call to senior practitioners in the CDN imm & refugee law bar - The majority of you are not doing enough. If you stand for the fair application of int'l human rights standards, you need to speak up. Stand in solidarity with your students, juniors, clients
@cafreeland
I am sure your "allyship" is noted. Imagine, though, how you, personally, may be affected in your own
future admissibility and international travels, because your Cabinet's complicity in genocide. Would you be viewed as complicit under a standard similar to Ezokola?
Congratulations, and so greatly deserved, TMU Law Prof of the Year
@JoshuaSealy
! Not only do you inspire your students - you inspire everyone who has an opportunity to hear your words. Thank you! You inspire me.
Honoured to win Prof of the Year
@LincAlexLawTMU
. As scholasticide continues in Gaza () it has been a privilege defending students speaking out against Israel’s atrocities. Students across the world free the university just as Palestine frees the world 🇵🇸✊🏽
Sending my love to the
@RefugeeCentre
family at this difficult time. Rico was very kind to me at a time when I experienced personal turmoil. I am one of many who have benefited from his compassion. He is a true inspiration for refugee advocates
Peers who have remained silent -- This is absolutely THE TIME to join the struggle against an ethnic-cleansing of Palestinians. If you don't, history will remember you as complacent during a Canada-supported genocide. What is more important than your integrity?
#FindYourSpine
My partner asked: "Why do you identify your practice as anti-racist? Isn't that obvious, given you are an immigration and refugee lawyer?" So I showed him some social media posts of certain fellow immigration lawyers. And he said, "yes, this statement is important."
Canada just joined with 8 other rogue states, including the U.S. and Israel, to oppose a UN resolution calling on Israel to return to its 1967 borders.
Genocide Justin claims to support the creation of a Palestinian state, yet his government does all it can to undermine it.
“There is a McCarthyite campaign to silence the Palestinian voice in all American universities, large and small, but there is broad determination and support for Gaza and Palestine in all universities, and it will be difficult to contain this youth tide.”
This woman represents, in my view, a humane, non-cynical approach to politics. If only all politics were done this way. I respect her bravery and accountability. She reminds us that we should not abandon our moral compasses when we pursue prof goals.
#TheFutureIsFemLeadership
The Palestinian right to statehood is nearly universally recognized. Nearly - Canada is yet to recognize Palestinian statehood. Today, I tabled a motion calling on Canada to recognize the State of Palestine.
Watch the press scrum on the motion.
@sabreenaGS
@anna_lippman
Class 👏Action👏 Lawsuit👏Let's go. I'm speaking to others (fellow targets) about forming a class for civil action. Feel free to reach out if interested.
Canadian Students: I am proud of you. I am here for you. I am so sorry you have been put in a position of having to teach upwards. Reach out if you're in crisis.
TL;DR In ordering Israel to immediately end all military activities in Rafah the ICJ has effectively held that the humanitarian disaster is such that it isn't possible to conduct an offensive in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law. 🧵
Hey, look who is standing up to the bullies, including my bullies. Thank you,
@AmiraElghawaby
, and I stand with you and fellow targeted human rights advocates in solidarity.
It has become abundantly clear that far too many Canadian Muslim, Arab and Palestinian post-secondary students, faculty, and staff have faced negative consequences for their advocacy on Palestinian human rights, along with allies.
Today, I sent a letter to University and College
An Israeli news outlets reports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a group of Israeli lawmakers on Monday, “Regarding voluntary immigration… This is the direction we are going in.” Palestinian leaders denounced Netanyahu for embracing what they describe as ethnic cleansing.
DAY 2 of my list of heroes. This woman is unapologetically speaking truth to power, and commanding forward progress. Kudos to the brave, non-cynical politicians such as
@HMcPhersonMP
As this horror continues in Gaza, Canada does nothing to stop it. Starving civilians are not a target! Suspend arms sales, call for a ceasefire, fund UNRWA now!
Looking forward to guest lecturing
@WesternU
. Will be spending time with my mentor, Randa Farah. We'll be discussing prospective impacts of the
#STCA
revision on refugee claimants in CDA.
@queensulaw
, to my grad students - lecture will be recorded and made available.
@AmiraElghawaby
I lived in London for 10 years before going to law school. This was 100% an act of terror, not only against Canada's Muslim community but also against so many of us who love the diversity of our CDN communities. Sending my love to those who are facing fear.
CDN Lawyers who keep posting as if it's business as usual, the willfully blind self-promoters: Your lack of sensitivity to our present global crises is profoundly disturbing to your peers who put ethics over careerism. Your apathy will not be forgotten.
.
@MelissaLantsman
: "Rewarding rapists is what they are doing."
That's right, folks: Lantsman has effectively conflated the Palestinian people, who have a fundamental right to self-determination via the recognition of a Palestinian state, with rapists.
Appalled by the bullying & disinformation campaigns of certain legal colleagues. Appalled by the silence of others. When did this become controversial: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" ?
@TheWillTruth
@uocommonlaw
@thechaiyun
@bondjk
And Peter Showler (before his retirement); Jackie Swaisland & Lorne Waldman (when they were adjuncts), and Nicole LaViolette (we all miss her), Angela Cameron, and, and, and... I went to uOttawa for its stellar faculty. THANK YOU for training up the new gen of SJ lawyers.
Shame on my CDN colleagues who are silent. Our profession as refugee lawyers is historically and existentially tied to this moment in history. Your silence is complicity.
In Gaza, more than 90% of the population has been displaced.
@UNHumanRights
chief
@volker_turk
urges ceasefire as the number of civilians corralled towards the border with Egypt increases amid escalation of hostilities.
In light of the assault at Al Shifa hospital in Gaza, we want to share a video from our webinar of Dr.
@Michaela416
presenting on Silencing Within the Healthcare Community. Since this presentation last month, the situation seems to have only worsened.
Despite the death of
If you doubt yourself, in this moment in history, turn to the human rights champions you respect most. Look to history; look to the grassroots; look to the academy; look to the advocates who champion human rights over self-interest. Make these heroes your beacons.
Hey Y'all - A reminder of why you might think twice about your affiliations. This is why I ended my CILA membership. I will remind everyone that I am queer, my partner is Jewish, and my chosen mother is Palestinian. Shameful, BK.
@acoyne
@acoyne
- You understand that this attack is funded and directed by pro-Israeli lobbyists. I do not underestimate you. YOU KNOW THIS. Please, spare use the obfuscation tactics.
If we claim to have learned from historic genocide, and if we claim that we now know better, then we MUST DO BETTER. OUR HEARTS and VOICES MUST CRY OUT IN AGONY, AND MUST ABSOLUTELY PROTEST this moment in history.
This presentation from our webinar features Dr.
@shiripasternak
speaking on, "Settler-colonialism & the Politics of Jewish Claims to Indigeneity."
It focuses on the way the language of Jewish "indigeneity" is being used to police pro-Palestinian resistance to occupation and
No more Mrs. Nice Lawyer. Come at me, CILA Exec and "Lawyers for Secure Immigration." I am calling you out publicly. You have made threats against me. Let's get this on the public record.
@dimitrilascaris
Wow, do I have the perfect class action for you! Victims of defamation / cyber-harassment /malicious litigation via B'nai Brith Canada / CIJA / Honestreporting are communicating and interested in possibly forming a class.
I am thrilled to embark on my latest journey as an instructor, joining the teaching team for
@queensulaw
Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law! I look forward to meeting my class on the Discussion Board, and during our Sunday tutorial!
Who else needs some "Clare Daly Catharsis" ? A parallel to my sentiments about the inaction / complicity of the majority of Canada's immigration and refugee law bars.
Over 200 days of complicity, the EU waved Israel's flag & increased weapons exports tenfold. So spare us crocodile tears now. It could not have happened without EU complicity. It is continuing now because of it. European values? Same as they always were: Murder & colonialism.
Why is Canary Mission, B'nai Brith CAD, CIJA, Honest Reporting,ca undertaking a mass defamatory attack against professionals, academics and other anti-zionists now? Because students r returning to campus and they want us all to be terrified into silence:
Well, the "cat is out of the bag," so to speak. This is
@CARLadvocates
replatforming Canadaland.
@AidanSimardone
, you had a good take on what is actually happening here. What was it again?
And are these former IDF soldiers Canadian? I would think that, if they are not, they would be inadmissible to Canada pursuant to s. 35 of the IRPA + Ezokola for complicity in war crimes. The standard of proof, I would think, is more than met by findings of the UN, ICC, ICJ...
Why is
@YorkUniversity
allowing
@HillelYork
to bring former IDF soldiers on campus to teach Israeli combat tactics to students? Does violence promote campus safety? This is horrendous
When a former client touches base to tell you about their own present journey to becoming a CDN refugee lawyer. Very exciting! Everyday, local and international news has felt like a gut-punch. The call from the former client is a reminder to keep moving forward.
@AidanSimardone
@NoLore
We have been screaming our heads off about this for 10 months, while facing major professional reprisals and threats to our livelihoods / safety. I'm so tired.
@AidanSimardone
I'm not just saying this. I can connect you to persons being driven out of our professional organizations because of their stance on Palestine. EDI policies offer some footholds for them to push back
It is very cathartic to embrace the reality that, as a Canadian refugee lawyer, 9/10 of my colleagues and mentors are, it turns out, to be racist idiots or calculated self-serving narcissists. No deference is owed to those who decline to resist CDN complicity in genocide.
@Heidi__Matthews
I completely broke down last night when I saw
@SMohyeddin
's published photo of the torture and rape of detainees. And then these new images today... It is brutal but important work to document and to use our platforms to educate the public about these horrors.
The IHRP Clinic is proud to be collaborating with valued partners
@CLAIHR
and
@alhaq_org
on this important project to uphold international human rights law, under the supervision of
@uoftlaw
alum Barbara Jackman C.M., ‘76, Hon. LL.D. ‘23 and IHRP Director
@realjamesyap
!
I wish I was in Chicago right now. Because the Revolution is happening there, in the streets (and in boats, I love your
@codepink
), and it's not being televised: