Location
Shoe-Rally Free Muntazer Al-Zaidi,Shoe Bush out of Baghdad, Harper out of Kandahar
"This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed inIraq." Muntazer Al-Zaidi, while tossing shoe at Bush
In shoelidarity with Iraqi journalist Muntazer Al-Zaidi and in support of the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine, a rally will be held in downtown Toronto this weekend.
Torontojournalists, students, and anti-war activists call on fellow Canadians to hold up a shoe and raise their voice to protest the detention of Al-Zaidi and the continued killing of civilians and destruction of communities in Iraq,AfghanistanandPalestine. The rally will echo the demands of millions of people around the world calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq andAfghanistan, and a lift of the suffocating siege of 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza. Participants are encouraged to bring extra footwear and noisemakers, but additional shoes will be provided at rally. Similar actions to this one are planned inMontrealand San Francisco.
WHAT:Shoe-Rally to free journalist and end occupation
WHEN:3:00 p.m., Saturday December 20, 2008
WHERE: Across from U.S.Consulate, 360 University Avenue(Intersection: University andDundas)
Media Contact: Journalists of Conscience Initiative
Rep: Ahmed Habib,Tel: (647) 8926300,email:journaslistsofconscience@gmail.com
Background:Al-Zaidi, who is a reporter for the Cairo-based Al Baghdadi TV channel, is currently locked up and is facing possible imprisonment in Iraq for throwing a pair of shoes at George Bush during a press conference inBaghdadon December 14. Al-Zaidi was protesting the killing of over half a million Iraqis since the American invasion in 2003. His brother Dargham told theAssociated Press that a Judge went to see Muntazer in custody instead of Muntazer appearing in court this week because he must have been severely beaten by security forces. The detention of Al-Zaidi has triggered a series of demonstrations around the world demanding his immediate release.
