Seriously Free Speech Committee Supports Pride Toronto Parade Committee
by SFSC
 As many of you know, various Zionist organizations including B'nai Brith have tried to force the Toronto Pride Committee to ban the Queers Against Israeli Apartheid contingent from this year's parade. The Seriously Free Speech Committee sent the following letter of support:
To members of the Pride Toronto Parade Committee
I am writing on behalf of the Seriously Free Speech Committee (SFSC) to congratulate you on your steadfast response to attacks from a range of media and pro-Zionist organizations. Attempts to ban the Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) contingent from this year's parade and singling out for attack as a gay Muslim the democratically elected Parade Grand Marshal, El-Farouk Khaki, for speaking at a recent public event organized by Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, were appropriately rejected.
Your statement that Pride Toronto “has no intention of banning any participants from the Dyke March and the Parade because of their political agenda” is a courageous response to B'nai Brith and other organizations that seek to silence criticism of Israel for its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The attack against Pride Toronto follows attempts to censor readings of Seven Jewish Children, the art of Queer Jewish artist Reena Katz and attempts by several universities to shut down Israeli Apartheid Week. Each time these attempts at censorship are beaten-back, Israeli and Zionist propaganda suffers a setback, making it more difficult for Zionist organizations to claim that criticizing Israel is anti-semitic.
The Seriously Free Speech Committee is committed to supporting those who are attacked for opposing the continuing illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and demanding a full and truthful debate on Israeli's colonial, apartheid State. SFSC began as a defense committee for three individuals who were being sued by Canwest for producing a parody of the Vancouver Sun, satirizing the pro-Israeli position of this newspaper and all Canwest newspapers. It has now been two years since the parody was published and the case is still before the Courts.
You can find find details of the court case and campaign at: http://www.seriouslyfreespeech.ca. SFSC extended its mandate to
defending those who are attacked in Canada and internationally for their support for Palestinian self-determination. Defending those who speak-out is an integral part of defending Palestinians.
The Seriously Free Speech Committee stands in solidarity with your refusal to exclude Queers Against Israeli Apartheid from the Pride Toronto Parade.
Sincerely,
Brian Campbell and Anne Roberts Co-Chairs
Seriously Free Speech Committee
www.seriouslyfreespeech.ca
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