Listen to the forum promo.

Whose Security? Our Security! Forum:

Time to counter the national security agenda!

Photo essay of the forum Whose Security? Our Security!

The People's Commission Network forum, Whose Security? Our Security, took place February 4th to 6th, 2011 at Concordia University, Montreal. The event was the culmination of a year of mobilization and popular education about the different aspects of the national security agenda in Canada.

Several hundred people participated in the five panels and workshops touching on the main themes of the forum. The many excellent presentations and speakers brought together analysis, research and experience, and notably included researcher and educator Mona Oikawa, activist and educator Gary Kinsman, lawyer Yavar Hameed, Kanehsatake activist Clifton Nicholas, a multi-media presentation on Montreal's military-security industrial complex (including UAV technology), former security certificate detainee Hassan Almrei, human rights activist Sophie Harkat, former PFLP member Issam Alyamani, UN-blacklisted Abousfian Abdelrazik, as well as others who have been targetted by the national security agenda for their leadership in Tamil, Kurdish, Sikh and other communities.

The weekend concluded with a community dinner in support of Mohamed Harkat, who has been fighting deportation to torture for more than eight years under a security certificate. Unfortunately, those present were not able to share the evening with the Ottawa resident because the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) refused his request to participate. Updates on Mohammad Mahjoub and Mahmoud Jaballah were also provided.

The forum was preceded by a guided tour on the history of mass political arrests, which took place in downtown Montreal on January 16th, with several dozen participants. The People's Commission also organized a hip hop show at Il Motore with around one hundred people attending.

And now?

Since the forum, the Military-Security Industrial Complex and Blacklisting working groups have continued to work together, complementing existing People's Commission committees which have been organizing in solidarity with those fighting against the national security agenda for some time: CSIS Watch, Project Fly Home and the Popular Education committee.

The People's Commission relies on the work of a few activists and the support of diverse individuals and organizations. If you would like to join one of our working groups or campaigns, please get in touch at commissionpopulaire@gmail.com.