Demonstrations across Canada to halt the deportation of Abdoul Abdi

TORONTO, March 6, 2018 /CNW/ - Coordinated demonstrations are being held today at Province House in Halifax, the Office of the Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale in Ottawa, the Toronto constituency office for Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Ahmed Hussen, and the Regina constituency office for Minister Goodale to protest the looming possibility of deportation for 24-year-old former refugee claimant Abdoul Abdi. The actions occur one day prior to the Wednesday, March 7 hearing to decide whether or not Abdi will be permitted to remain living in the only country he knows. Members of Black Lives Matter, the Black community and supporters are also demanding the government take action to ensure that other young refugee claimants do not suffer the same consequences that Abdi has under Canadian child welfare systems.

Abdi has lived in Canada since he was six and was a ward of the state for much of his childhood and youth. Canadian officials neglected to apply for citizenship status for Abdi, leaving him in threat of deportation to a country he does not know, "Abdoul has a home and a family here," said Syrus Marcus Ware of Black Lives Matter - Toronto. "He should not be separated from his daughter, mother and sister as a result of an oversight due to the negligent care Black people experience as wards of the state."

A coalition of grassroots activists have brought national attention to this issue and engaged in social media campaigns demanding that the government provide safe and secure refuge for Abdi. The group is taking action to prevent former child refugees from experiencing similar threats of deportation.

"Abdoul Abdi deserves to be safe from future deportation, as do all children who have been under the care of the state," said freelance journalist and activist Desmond Cole. "Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister Ahmed Hussen and Minister Goodale have all claimed that Canada is a welcoming place for those seeking asylum, and it's time for them to prove it."

#FreeAbdoulAbdi

SOURCE Black Lives Matter Canada

Halifax: El Jones 902-402-1000; Ottawa: Bilan Arte 613-882-7654; Toronto: Ravyn Wngz 647-710-3669; Regina: David Gray-Donald 514-246-3415