Bail Restrictions on Attending Public Demonstrations are Unconstitutional,
Says PEN Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - PEN Canada has retained Clayton Ruby and the law firm of Ruby & Shiller to intervene in the legal proceedings of well known activist Jaggi Singh, and to argue that Mr. Singh's bail conditions, which prohibit him from attending public demonstrations, are an unconstitutional infringement of his free speech rights.

Mr. Singh, a veteran of numerous social justice campaigns in Canada and around the world, is co-accused of orchestrating the violence that occurred during the 2010 G20 summit protests in Toronto. He faces three charges of criminal conspiracy. None of the allegations against him has been proven.

Mr. Singh was released from jail on July 12, 2010 after posting bail of $85,000, but was forced to agree to strict bail conditions, including a prohibition on participating in or attending any public demonstrations.

PEN Canada will argue that the right to participate in peaceful, public demonstrations is a right protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Preventing someone from participating in a public demonstration does nothing to ensure the safety of a single Canadian. On the contrary, the practice of censorship harms the rights of all Canadians and is repugnant to any society that values its right to freedom of expression.

Argument on Mr. Singh's bail conditions is scheduled for November 17-19, 2010 at the Superior Court courthouse on 361 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.

For further information:

For more information on the legal challenge, please contact:
Gerald J. Chan ([email protected])
Nader R. Hasan ([email protected])
Ruby & Shiller Barristers
416 964 9664