Update from The John Graham Defense Committee
John's extradition appeal hearing (preliminary?) was held on Monday, November 7, 2005 at the BC Supreme court in Vancouver Canada. There are currently 2 other extradition hearings in canada that have to be held before John's appeal process can begin. The date June 23, 2006 was set to check in about booking his extradition appeal process. If the 2 other extradition hearings are held fast enough, than it is possible that John's extradition appeal process begin before June 23.
Now is an important time for individuals, organizations and unions put pressure on the Canadian Justice minister Irwin Cotler to dismiss the US's request for John Graham's extradition. Letters to the Federal Justice Minister are important at this time requesting that he request full disclosure on several matters in the USA’s summary of evidence. At this time, only the Justice Minister has the ability to demand disclosure.
All Canadians should be concerned that the Extradition Act 1999 disregards and dismisses Canadian Sovereignty and our Canadian Constitutional rights and allows the United States to seek and be granted extradition on the basis of hearsay and other evidence that does not meet the legal standard to warrant a trial in Canadian Courts. Again, I thank you for your continued support with your letters to the Justice Minister and copies to the Prime Minister as well your local member of parliament.
Lastly, John Graham's current legal struggle reflects the political repression that natives in bc who wish to protect their lands from resource exploitation, have been experiencing. The criminalization of native people who defend their land, and who have been excersising their rights to live on their land has been on the rise since 1995. Most of BC has never been ceded to any colonial government, and the indigenous nations living in bc have full jurisdiction over the lands and resources. BC ranks the 8th in the world for mineral potential, and surprisingly enough, taking into consideration other regions in canada and the u.s, bc is very rich in natural resources. The province has plans to carve up the mountains with wall to wall ski resorts by 2010. Currently, there is much indigenous resistance to mining and resort development!
If the us can extradite a native person from the colonial borders of canada, than than the us will be able to extradite any native peron in the future. It will be a much easier process for canadians to be extradited also.
Please lend in your support, and increase pressure on Cotler to dissmiss John Graham's extradition, and for more background information on John's legal struggle, please go to Graham Defense Official Website
Billie Pierre
Native Youth Movement
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See Report 11 3 05
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Last updated on November 15, 2005