Would you have the courage to speak Truth to people who have the power to ruin your life? Ezra Levant did...
From "Kangaroo Court" by Ezra Levant, posted 1/11/08 at ezralevant.com
This is a remarkable and powerful speech delivered by the editor of a Canadian magazine who has been hauled before the disastrous Alberta "Human Rights" Commission as it attempts once again to circumscribe fundamental liberties in such a way as to advance its own socio-political vision.
In case you're blissfully ignorant of this commission, search the LifeSite News website for Alberta Human Rights Commission to learn more about its cultural mischief-making:
ALBERTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION INTERROGATION
Opening remarks by Ezra Levant, January 11, 2008 – Calgary
My name is Ezra Levant. Before this government interrogation begins, I will make a statement.
When the Western Standard magazine printed the Danish cartoons of Mohamed two years ago, I was the publisher. It was the proudest moment of my public life. I would do it again today. In fact, I did do it again today. Though the Western Standard, sadly, no longer publishes a print edition, I posted the cartoons this morning on my website, ezralevant.com.
I am here at this government interrogation under protest. It is my position that the government has no legal or moral authority to interrogate me or anyone else for publishing these words and pictures. That is a violation of my ancient and inalienable freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and in this case, religious freedom and the separation of mosque and state. It is especially perverted that a bureaucracy calling itself the Alberta human rights commission would be the government agency violating my human rights. So I will now call those bureaucrats “the commission” or “the hrc”, since to call the commission a “human rights commission” is to destroy the meaning of those words.
I believe that this commission has no proper authority over me. The commission was meant as a low-level, quasi-judicial body to arbitrate squabbles about housing, employment and other matters, where a complainant felt that their race or sex was the reason they were discriminated against. The commission was meant to deal with deeds, not words or ideas. Now the commission, which is funded by a secular government, from the pockets of taxpayers of all backgrounds, is taking it upon itself to be an enforcer of the views of radical Islam. So much for the separation of mosque and state.
I have read the past few years’ worth of decisions from this commission, and it is clear that it has become a dump for the junk that gets rejected from the real legal system. I read one case where a male hair salon student complained that he was called a “loser” by the girls in the class. The commission actually had a hearing about this. Another case was a kitchen manager with Hepatitis-C, who complained that it was against her rights to be fired. The commission actually agreed with her, and forced the restaurant to pay her $4,900. In other words, the commission is a joke – it’s the Alberta equivalent of a U.S. television pseudo-court like Judge Judy – except that Judge Judy actually was a judge, whereas none of the commission’s panellists are judges, and some aren’t even lawyers. And, unlike the commission, Judge Judy believes in freedom of speech.
Read the rest of this amazing address.
Friends, pay attention to “ENDA” (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) and “Hate Crimes” legislation here in the US Congress. As “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are codifed as protected classes, faithful pastors/elders, preachers, teachers, Christian business owners, and pro-family activists — and maybe even YOU — will be sued (ie, financially ruined), as is already happening in UK and Canada, and in fact, already happening here in the US.
Related Coverage:
Alberta Christian Pastor Hauled Before Human Rights Tribunal For Letter to Editor on Homosexuality
Christian Political Party Before Human Rights Commission for Speaking Against Homosexuality
Human Rights Complaint Filed Against Catholic Bishop for Defence of Traditional Marriage
Homosexuals Seek to Shut Down Canadian Pro-Family Websites
Etc., Etc.
