Don't Criticize CAS Thief!

July 9, 2006 permalink

A man peaceably handing out flyers drawing attention to the case of the Easter grinch, Donna Lennon, was arrested Friday outside the York Region courthouse. Here is the report from Canada Court Watch, edited down to just the factual statements.

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Senior citizen arrested and his rights to free speech violated for peacefully distributing flyers outside of the Newmarket, Ontario courthouse

(July 7, 2006) A Court Watch supporter was arrested by Police outside of the York Region Courthouse for distributing free flyers about the court system and about former York Region CAS worker, Donna Lennon, who was appearing in court that day on charges of theft from a child in care of the York Region CAS. Police said that they had complaints from inside the court building about the flyers and the man who was attempting to inform the pubic of the problems with CAS agencies. Witnesses outside the court at the time said the man was acting peacefully and exercising his democratic right of free speech to inform the public. The man was outside of the court near the entrance to the court. Some persons even contacted Court Watch and offered to provide witness to what they believed were unwarranted and unlawful police actions. Witnesses say that police officers threatened and degraded the elderly citizen and were just mean-spirited during the handling of the entire incident.

One lawyer who witnessed the unlawful arrest offered his business card to the man in front of the police officers and told the man that if he was charged that he would offer his legal services on a pro-bono basis to defend the man. The lawyer said that he thought it was disgusting to see police treating citizens in this manner and that Canada was supposed to be a country where the citizens had the right to free speech and peaceful protest.

It is unlikely that police officers from York Region acted without instruction from someone inside of the court building with authority.

Court Watch has received calls asking to help the next time flyers are distributed at the York Region Courthouse. It seems that many other Canadians are getting fed up with the court system and the police response as well. Any readers wishing to help distribute flyers in their own community should contact Court Watch at info@canadacourtwatch.com

Source: Canada Court Watch

Addendum: A CAS ward responded to the report above.

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Teen in care of York Region CAS calls court watch to complain about abuse and violation of rights by the agency

(July 9, 2006) It seems like complaints about the York Region CAS keep pouring in. Today (Sunday) Court Watch received a call from a foster child who is in the care of the York Region CAS. This child heard about the flyer incident at the Newmarket Courthouse through friends in the community. This child wanted to complain about the York Region CAS as well. According to this child, he has been denied access to the internet to prevent viewing of information about Court Watch. The child is also being told not to speak to his parents in case they educate the child about the rights of children in care. Every phone call is listened to by foster parents who act like puppets to do the dirty work of the CAS to violate the rights of children. The child was told that his parents will be arrested and jailed if attempts are made to see them. The boy also reported that York Region CAS workers have lied many times to him and to other kids in care. The boy has been told that he cannot even call the Child Advocate's office for help which is a violation of the law.

Source: Canada Court Watch