Please read the following press release about my friend’s G20 case. Below is a press release I received on the issue.
Friday June 22, 2012
3:00 pm
Toronto, Ontario
For immediate release:
Wrongfully charged for organizing G20 violence, Community Activist Julian Ichim is bringing a 4 million dollar lawsuit against the Toronto Police Services Board, The Provincial Crown and Constable Bindo Showan for false imprisonment, assault and battery, misuse of public office, and breaches of section 2, 7, 8, 9, 10(b) and 12 of the Charter.
On Monday June 25th 2012 at 11:30 am 40 Collage St. Toronto, Toronto Police Services, Julian Ichim will be serving the Toronto Police with his lawsuit.
During the G20 Ichim was arrested, beaten, and denied many basic rights as a result of his political views. Julian Ichim, a lifelong community activist, was part of a year and a half long investigation before the G20 which included infiltration of community based organizations by undercover RCMP and OPP agents.
He was arrested at the G20 for conspiracy and later charged with counseling to commit indictable offenses. Charges against Ichim have since been withdrawn.
While on bail for these charges, Ichim was forced to live under bail conditions aimed to stop him from participating in political activities and since his charges have been dropped people many community activists were given non association with Ichim, despite the fact that he was facing no charges.
When trying to tell his side of the story on his blog he was charged with three counts of disobey court order and is currently looking at jail time for this as the crown has chosen to proceed with these charges as indictable offences, another attempt to intimidate activists from speaking out or organizing. His preliminary hearing is Sept. 18th.
Ichim feels that the criminalization of community organizing through the practice of targeting outspoken individuals by police has a negative impact on the community as a whole and works to undermine the political process in our society.
Ichim feels that if police continue this practice, there will be a chilling effect on those who have dissenting views as they will be afraid to express their opinions thereby undermining watchdog groups and others that play the role of keeping government accountable.
Ichim states “This lawsuit is not about me or the money, it’s about the fact that people in this country are criminalized and brutalized simply for their political beliefs. If they can do this to me today, they can target anyone tomorrow.”
Ichim states that if he wins, the majority of this money will go to finance and support community projects that empower residents and to help others who are facing similar G20 related charges.
For more info please call Gloria Ichim Student at Law with Denis Grigoras Law 519-988-5544
Please see Julian Ichim’s blog for updates: http://julianichim.wordpress.com/ Support rabble today!
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