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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2001
Letter of Confession sent to Crown Counsel and Minister of Justice
by Members of the Medieval Bloc
To Whom It May Concern:
We have been shocked and dismayed at the treatment of activist and writer
Jaggi Singh since his arrest on April 20th, 2001 in Quebec City. It is
obvious that the treatment he has received since his arrest is politically
motivated and is another attempt at discouraging legitimate political
protest in this country.
We are especially concerned by the fact that Mr. Singh has been charged in
relation to the catapult which was used in the march and protest on April
20th, 2001. Any charges which link Mr. Singh to the catapult are completely
without foundation and can only be viewed as a fabrication intentionally
intended to keep Mr. Singh in jail for his political activities.
As the individuals responsible for the catapult being brought, used, and
supported in Quebec City on April 20th, 2001, we feel that we have an
obligation to unequivocally clarify that Jaggi Singh had no involvement with
the catapult. We take full responsibility for the catapult, including any
legal ramifications stemming from the lobbing of stuffed animals across the
perimeter.
The undersigned therefore state:
- We were responsible for the idea, planning, implementation, and support
of the catapult action.
- Jaggi Singh was in no way involved with any aspect of the planning or
deployment of the catapult and was never in possession of the "dangerous
weapon."
- The catapult was a prop which was used in an absolutely non-violent
manner to mock the absurdity of holding the secretive and undemocratic
Summit within a walled fortress.
- The catapult was specifically designed as a harmless prop to ensure that
it could not be used as a weapon, and was built in such a way that it could
not exceed human force.
- Any testimony that the catapult was intended to throw rocks and/or
Molotov cocktails is utterly false.
- Any testimony that Jaggi Singh directed the movements of the catapult is
utterly false.
- Any actions in which the catapult was used on April 20th were decided on
by us as a group and were in no way directed by anyone, including Jaggi
Singh. We are a cluster of autonomous affinity groups who do not receive
direction from any outside person or group.
The fraudulent nature of this charge against him calls into serious doubt
the validity of the other charges, most significantly the insinuation that
he ordered individuals to tear down the fence. It is a complete absurdity
to believe that Jaggi Singh was controlling the crowd and ordering them to
advance on the fence. As police have done extensive surveillance of the
preparations for the protests, they are undoubtedly aware that affinity
groups and individuals act upon their own volition and do not accept orders
from any other group or individual. Numerous witnesses have also come
forward to attest to the fact that Jaggi Singh was nowhere near the
perimeter fence when it came down, and was in fact at the time imploring
people to move to the non-confrontational "green zone."
For these reasons, we demand the immediate return of the catapult and the
immediate release of Jaggi Singh.
Genevieve Burdett
Scott Harris
Aaron Hoffer
Emilia Kennedy
Trevor King
Cherie Klassen
Mike Koulbars
Bequie Lake
Zane Lewis
Nicki Lipton
Leslie Mackey
Ryan Meili
Tracey Mitchell
Michelle Mungall
Jonathan Oppenheim
Judy Rebick
Paul Reikie
Marika Schwandt
Paul Smith
Anna Steinberg
Jill Sturdy
Leslie Weigl
Wrench
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