“One of most disliked men in Canada” to receive Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Caledonia leadership…congrats to Gary McHale!

Gary McHale speaks at first Israel Truth Week Conference, London ON, March 21/12 after being introduced as “one of the most disliked men in Canada…” CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO

UPDATE, Feb 05/13: Gary McHale was awarded his Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal at a ceremony in Toronto on Feb 01/13 by Federal/Ontario Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Afterwards he recorded an interview with Michael Coren which aired that night.

130201 Gary McHale is presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by Gregory Thomas, Federal/Ontario Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation. CLICK TO ENLARGE. Photo by David Strutt.

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After nearly seven years of fighting against incredible odds to confront the Ontario government’s illegal ‘peacekeeping‘ mission in Caledonia alongside Gary McHale, I am so very pleased that the Canadian Taxpayers Federation will award Gary the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in honour of his dedication to that struggle:

• CANACE News Release, Jan 26/13: Taxpayers Federation Honours Gary McHale with Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal [PDF]
• Simcoe Reformer, Jan 28/13: McHale to receive Jubilee medal
• CD98.9 FM, Jan 28/13: Leader of CANACE is getting the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
• BlogWrath.com, Feb 02/13: Gary McHale, Her Majesty’s Jubilee Medal, And The Raging Lefties (more great photos + detailed account of how anti-equality activists tried to stop the awarding of the medal and ended up with egg on their faces by a blogger who has come to Caledonia numerous times to witness the injustices with his own eyes.)
• Hamilton Spectator, Feb 02/13: McHale letter — We work to ensure all have the same rights
• Hamilton Spectator, Feb 02/13: Magnificent McHale endures insults
• BlogWrath.com, Feb 03/13: Gary McHale writes to the Governor General

Said Troy Lanigan, President of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation about honouring McHale with the medal:

“The more we thought about it, the more we saw that people who should be recognized wouldn’t be recognized,” he said. “These are the kind of people we wanted to recognize. They’ve challenged the status quo. Gary McHale fits the bill. He has fought, in our view, for the equal application of the law and the execution of court orders. He’s taken some risks and some beatings over this, both literally and figuratively.”

• Simcoe Reformer, Jan 28/13: McHale to receive Jubilee medal

McHale to speak at 2013 Israel Truth Week Conference, Hamilton

I am also pleased to announce that Gary will be speaking at the upcoming Israel Truth Week Conference at Victory International Church in Hamilton, March 5-6. You can watch his mesmerizing speech from last year’s conference here after he is introduced by emcee Stuart Laughton as ‘one of the most disliked men in Canada’:

‘Dr. King’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’: A Blueprint for Victory Over Anti-Israelism and Anti-Semitism’  [VIDEO, 39.42; NOTES, 15p] 

My 6+ years with Gary McHale…

THE END OF THE BEGINNING! After 4 arrests & a 31 month campaign Canadians force OPP to respect their right to raise a Canadian flag in Caledonia.

In early 2007 after we were arrested together on Dec 16/06 while trying to raise a Canadian flag opposite the occupation site; during a time when former OPP Commissioner and the OPPA and the media were printing the most vile accusations against him and his followers; and knowing that York Regional Police had been in his home to respond to threats against Gary and his wife Christine from occupation militants; and knowing just how politically-incorrect our mission to end race-based policing was, I said to Gary:

“If, when this struggle is over,  we’re still alive and not in jail, everything else will be a bonus, but no one is going to be pinning any medals on us.”

I’m so glad I was wrong — about the medal. Six Nations militants did try to kill Gary on Dec 02/07 when occupation ringleader Clyde Powless jumped on his back and other cowards joined in, kicking him and screaming obscenitie while he lay on the ground. Fortunately, a quick thinking Doug Fleming tackled Powless and some badly outnumbered OPP officers hustled Gary out of the area. Despite being viciously assaulted Gary never once raised an angry voice or fist in retaliation.

For more six years I have had the honour (and, yes, the frustration sometimes), of working beside a stubborn, determined man who refused – and refuses – to give up until this province and its police force end racial policing and, once again, respect the rule of law.

Merlyn Kinrade passes — Caledonia, Six Nations, Canada & Israel lose a patriot and friend

UPDATES

• Mark Vandermaas eulogy for Merlyn Kinrade, Oct 11/12: [PDF, 6p]
• Gary McHale eulogy for Merlyn Kinrade, Oct 11/12: [PDF, 3p]
• Jeff Parkinson, Oct 22/12: Remembering Merlyn Kinrade

UPDATED Oct 26/12 — A great Canadian patriot, naval veteran, peacekeeper, father, husband, friend of Israel and a tireless force for justice in Caledonia has been called home.

I am saddened to report that Merlyn Kinrade, Caledonia resident and co-founder of CANACE (Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality), died after a long battle with cancer at 2pm yesterday – Saturday, October 06, 2012. He was born March 16, 1935, and passed in his 77th year.

Funeral details: 

LOCATION:

Bay Gardens Funeral Home
947 Rymal Road East, Hamilton  L8W 3M2   (just east of Upper Gage Ave.)
905.574.0509

Map: http://mapq.st/QJIydH

VISITATION:

• Wednesday 2-4 pm, 7-9 pm
• Thursday 10-11 am

SERVICE – CELEBRATION OF MERLYN’S LIFE:

• Thursday 11 am followed by cremation

ONLINE BOOK OF CONDOLENCES:

 http://www.baygardens.ca/tributes/kinrade-merlyn-1935-2012

ANNOUNCEMENT (appeared Oct 09/12):
Hamilton Spectator
http://www.lifenews.ca/thespec/profile/300082–kinrade-merlyn

DONATIONS IN LIEU OF FLOWERS:

The Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice Foundation

277 Stone Church Road East, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B1  905.387.2448

Website: kemphospice.org

Online Donations: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s45932

.

About Merlyn Kinrade

Merlyn Kinrade lived more than 60 years of his life in Caledonia. He is a former member of the Royal Canadian Navy who served on one of the most famous ships in Canadian naval history, HMCS Haida. His service included a tour of duty in Port Said, Egypt on a United Nations peacekeeping mission during the 1956 Suez crisis.

Israel loses a daughter and defender – Rose Lax of Hamilton’s Never Again Group

I am very sad to to report that Rose Lax, a passionate advocate for Israel who was the driving force behind Hamilton’s Never Again Group, passed away on the weekend. She will be interned in Jerusalem on May 01/12 at 1:30pm at Bait Hesped, Har HaMenuchot Cemetary. A Shloshim Memorial service will take place at the Adas Israel Congregation in Hamilton on Wednesday, May 30/12 at 7:30pm.

The announcement from Adas Israel describes Rose as…

“Beloved mother of Daisy, mother-in-law of Kent, grandmother of Olivia, Asher & Ben. Passionate defender of the Jewish People & Israel.”

Freedom Party of Ontario bestows ‘Free Speech Award’ on Mary Lou Ambrogio; praises Caledonia activists

The week beginning Saturday, April 21, 2012 was surely one of curious contrasts for Caledonia rule-of-law activists…

During the day I was one of two non-native activists arrested for ‘breaching the peace’ as I was being assaulted by one of the occupiers on the Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia.

• VoiceofCanada, April 27/12: Vandermaas email to OPP officer re April 21 DCE rally before two ‘breach of peace’ arrests

120421 Freedom Party of Ontario ‘Red Alert’ dinner meeting. L-R: Robert Vaughan, Leader Paul McKeever, Mary Lou Ambrogio, Mark Vandermaas, Gary McHale, Eva Ryten, Al Gretzky, Bob Metz, Bjorn Larsen.

In the evening, I was honoured to be a guest speaker and presenter at the post-election dinner meeting for the Freedom Party of Ontario where executive members Bob Metz, Robert Vaughan, and leader Paul McKeever explained why the NDP, Liberals and Hudak PCs are all nearly-identical ‘red’ parties more interested in promoting ‘wealth distribution’ than in promoting wealth creation and protecting liberty. 

• Freedom Party of Ontario updates, April 22/12: Ontario sees Red as budget vote approaches (speeches will be uploaded to YouTube when available, so check this page)
• Freedom Party of Ontario website: FreedomParty.on.ca
• Just Right Media, April 05/12: RED Alert! So Where’s the Right? Guest: Paul McKeever, Leader, Freedom Party [Just Right-244 AUDIO]

On the way home my very apolitical wife said, ‘The penny dropped after listening to the speeches. Now I understand the difference between the parties.’

Freedom Party of Ontario – honouring a great friend of Caledonia, Canada, liberty and democracy

Following Paul McKeever’s very thought-provoking speech about the red parties vs. liberty I gave a short talk to help honour an amazing activist named Mary Lou Ambrogio, VP of the Canadian chapter of the International Free Press Society (seen above as evening emcee for my inaugural 2012 Israel Truth Week Conference), and presented her, on behalf of the Freedom Party of Ontario, the party’s ‘Free Speech Award’ in recognition of her tireless work in giving a voice to artists, authors, politicians and advocates who have been faced persecution by those who fear the light shone on their lies and/or crimes. 

The Tiresome Mr. McHale – by ‘PUBLIUS’

RE: VoiceofCanada, Feb 28/12: Dear Ontario PC Party: blood from future victims on YOUR hands, not ours

‘The Tiresome Mr. McHale

by ‘Publius (photos added by VoC)

[…] “More of Gary’s same ol’ s— — at least it keeps him busy!!” Willett’s e-mail says. McHale said he believes the e-mail was in reply to the invitation he had extended to PC Leader Tim Hudak to join him in Caledonia.

[…] The Hudak Tories have been as silent as the tomb on Caledonia. John Tory, whilst party leader, at least attempted to show concern. Being a very cautious and unimaginative pol, Tim Hudak has stayed away from the issue. In fairness to Toby Barrett, he’s stuck his neck out a bit over Caledonia. That’s one of the tragedies of Caledonia. Simple decency is now a brave thing.

Why Caledonia still matters, even six years after the Douglas Creek Estates were occupied, is not what happened that day or in the months that followed. It’s more than the beating of Sam Gualtieri, or the destruction of a hydro transformer. No it’s the response of the authorities, or more correctly the lack thereof. Crime happens, that’s an unavoidable part of life. That’s why we have a justice system. When basic laws are not enforced there is a crime greater than the mere offence in question.

SUN TV re tomorrow’s Caledonia rally: ‘Courageous Caledonia 8’

UPDATED Feb 22/12:

• VoiceofCanada, Feb 22/12: David Strutt photos capture ‘Caledonia 8 history on Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia
• VoiceofCanada, Feb 19/12: McHale arrested in Caledonia because Native man assaults 77 yr old former Navy vet/UN peacekeeper & OPP officers
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First, let me invite readers to our rally tomorrow which begins 2pm at the Lions Hall in Caledonia. We will then travel to the McGuinty/OPP racially-segregated Douglas Creek Estates and attempt — again — to walk down the county road upon which the Caledonia 8 were arrested on Dec 03/11 (charges were later dropped). 
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‘Courageous Caledonia 8’?

It isn’t what we’d say about ourselves, but after five plus years of full-time volunteer work fighting to preserve the rule of law and equality before it in Caledonia I have to admit that the SUN TV’s title for today’s interview with Gary McHale  did send a little chill down my spine:

• SUN News, Ezra Levant show, w/Jerry Agar, Feb 17/12: Courageous Caledonia 8

Sure, seeing Jerry Agar interview Gary McHale (seen right on April 21/10 w/wife Christine on the steps of the Hamilton courthouse after a charge of Counselling Mischief Not Committed was withdrawn by the Crown) under the title ‘Courageous Caledonia 8’ was a form of vindication after such a long struggle, but the title means much more than feeding one’s vanity; it represents a milestone in that a major news service has given credibility to the story of Caledonia, and those of us who are the experts in understanding it.

SUN News has clearly decided that this story will be doggedly pursued with a gutsy determination to dig deep into the cesspool of lies and myths that keep us from resolving this without appeasing the lawless thugs who terrorized an entire county. And, there are so many of them…but first…

Those with real courage — and it’s not us…

We’ve never been comfortable when people refer to us as heroes or such. The real heroes are buried in graves all over the world, some of whom have never come home. These patriots, who dared leap off the the back of landing craft in Normandy knowing a bullet was likely to be their reward; or braved the Serbian guns in the Medak Pocket under the UN flag; or pulled their comrades out of harms way in Afghanistan under fire at great risk to their own lives…surely they must be rolling in their graves in wonderment that we have had to fight so hard and so long just to convince a corrupt police force, an even more corrupt government, and a lazy media that all people should be treated equally before the law, and that violence can never be rewarded.

Mary Lou Ambrogio, International Free Press Society ‘connects the dots’ w/speech at Queen’s Park Caledonia Act news conference

Mary Lou Ambrogio, VP of the International Free Press Society, was the first NGO leader to recognize the links between their experience in having police refuse to protect their right to free speech from leftist extremists at the University of Ottawa, and the willingness of police in Caledonia to appease violent native extremists at the expense of the law-abiding victims. 

On Feb 10/12, at the CANACE/Caledonia Victims Project ‘Ending Race-Based Policing: The Caledonia Act’ news conference in the Queen’s Park Media Studio she gave what she calls her ‘Connecting The Dots’ speech…

QUEEN’S PARK NEWS CONFERENCE:
‘Ending Race-Based Policing: The Caledonia Act’
Queen’s Park Media Studio, Feb 10/12

Mary Lou Ambrogio, Vice President
International Free Press Society (www.IFPSCanada.com)
[PDF] [VIDEO – to come]

 Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Mary Lou Ambrogio and I am VP of the Canadian chapter of the International Free Press Society, a group dedicated to preserving Free speech. Our parent organization, the Danish Free Press Society, was born out of the Danish Cartoon controversy of 2005. Rioting and deadly violence erupted when a Danish newspaper published cartoons of Mohammed in an effort to test Denmark’s tolerance for free speech. Denmark experienced a major fail but don’t believe that something is only rotten in the state of Denmark. We now have several Free Press chapters around the world and Canada does not provide an exception to the need.

In March 2010, IFPS brought Ann Coulter to Canada. The cancelled Ottawa event made international headlines when bullies chose to silence an opinion they disagreed with. They formed violent mobs to shut down Coulter’s appearance. But where were the security forces to protect her right to speak, our right to have her speak and the rights of those who wanted to hear her speak? They were observing neutrality between the lawless and the lawful, as George Jonas said at the time.

This experience found us taking a closer look at Caledonia. We realized that what happened to us was borne out of the same thinking being applied by authorities in Caledonia, where if one group wants to inhibit the rights of others, the authorities will appease the potentially violent group and simply ignore the rights of the law abiding.

Stuart Laughton, Never Again Group speech at Caledonia Act news conference: Individuals are the ultimate minorities

“Stuart Laughton’s short speech is one of the best analyses of legal and social consequences of Ontario government’s policies in Caledonia.”
— Email to VoC by Miroslav Marinov, BlogWrath.com 

The feedback for the speech given by Stuart Laughton of the Hamilton-based Never Again Group at the CANACE/Caledonia Victims Project Feb 10/12 Queen’s Park news conference — ‘Ending Race-Based Policing: The Caledonia Act’ — was so positive that VoiceofCanada has decided to print Stuart’s entire speech… 

QUEEN’S PARK NEWS CONFERENCE:
‘Ending Race-Based Policing: The Caledonia Act’
Queen’s Park Media Studio, Feb 10/12

Stuart Laughton, Never Again Group  
[PDF] [AUDIO] [VIDEO – to come] 

Hello,

My name is Stuart Laughton and I am here on behalf of the Never Again Group, an organization that supports Gary McHale in his group’s fight against racially biased policing in Caledonia, just as he has supported us elsewhere.

The Never Again Group is based in Hamilton—which is very close to Caledonia—and our membership is about 1/2 Jewish. We defend the state of Israel from baseless accusations and we fight anti-Semitism in its various guises. The Never Again Group does not believe that the Ontario government’s directives to police in Caledonia began with ill intentions—and we don’t know anyone who believes that Premier McGuinty is specifically targeting Jews there—but these directives were nevertheless profoundly wrong and dangerous in ways Canadians are only now beginning to appreciate. I want to stress that my group has made no opposition to Natives who make land claims: we only protest the violent manner in which the claims to the Caledonia property are made and the racially skewed responses of the Ontario government.

Gary McHale on SUN TV’s Michael Coren show tonight

UPDATED: Gary McHale will be talking with Michael Coren tonight on SUN TV’s ‘The Arena’ about his multiple arrests at the hands of the OPP during the past five years of fighting against race-based policing in Caledonia. 

The Arena airs from 7-8 pm EST. Other show timings can be found here:

• UPDATE — SUN News, Feb 05/12: ‘Outrageous Arrest – Gary McHale w/Michael Coren [VIDEO]
• UPDATE — SUN News, Feb 05/12: ‘Caledonia Confusion – Brian Lilley & Christina Blizzard
• SUN News show info: The Arena, w/Michael Coren

Christie Blatchford profiles Caledonia hero Merlyn Kinrade

 “Caledonia, Ont. — The fight for justice in Caledonia has cost him at least $40,000 and an incalculable toll on his health but even now, at 76 and with the cancer in his bones, Merlyn Kinrade is unrepentant and without regret.”

• National Post, Christie Blatchford, Jan 04/12: No regrets in the battle for justice in Caledonia

Christie Blatchford, author of Helpless: Caledonia’s Nightmare of Fear And Anarchy, And How The Law Failed All of Us, has published an inspiring profile CANACE co-founder Merlyn Kinrade, a staunch ally in the struggle for justice since Jan 20/07 when he — as described in Helpless — first clambered up the side of a hill near Canadian Tire when I asked for a volunteer to hold my Canadian flag (photo, L) while I gave my ‘Blue Beret’ speech.

Through Blatchford, Merlyn reveals publicly what we have known privately for some time: he is battling cancer that is spreading through his body, and that he has no regrets whatsoever about taking time away from his wife and daughter to fight for justice in his community and country.  

• National Post, Christie Blatchford, Jan 04/11: No regrets in the battle for justice in Caledonia
• also: VoiceofCanada, Dec 07/11: VIDEO: The Caledonia Eight Arrested

Blatchford’s article references a day when he blocked traffic for 40 minutes (after the road was first blocked by native protesters) even though he was sick with hives. This was Dec 01/07, the day we were attacked by Six Nations smokeshack supporters at a protest against one of the illegal ventures…when Gary McHale and Jeff Parkinson were sent to hospital, and I was also assaulted (but uninjured). The picture below is of Merlyn holding a sign that day (which  I made) that says, ‘TWO TIER JUSTICE VICTIMIZES NATIVE PEOPLE TOO!’ I use this image as part of my header at the Caledonia Victims Project site where you can read more about it.

Photo credits

Blatchford’s National Post article includes two photos of Merlyn being arrested as one of the Caledonia Eight on Dec 03/11. They are credited to Never Again Group member Steve Scheffer who has come to Caledonia on several occasions to support our protests. 

Israel-based media watchdog recognizes member of Canada’s Never Again Group

The Israel-based world media watchdog, Honest Reporting, which claims  over 140,000 subscribers, has honoured one of Canada’s Never Again Group members with its ‘Letter of the Month’ award for November 2011.

Day 11 of 'Blue Beret' vigil outside London (Ontario, Canada) Muslim Mosque. In foreground, Pesach Ovadyah (Chair, Jewish Defence League - London), former peacekeeper Mark Vandermaas (organizer), Steve Scheffer (Never Again Group, Hamilton), July 03/11. PHOTO: Christine McHale, Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality.

 In actuality, Steve Scheffer (wearing Israeli flag in photo above on Day 11 of my Blue Beret vigil) is being recognized for having two letters published in the Hamilton Spectator in defence of truth in the Middle East, letters in which he condemns Islamist hate for Jews and points out that it is this hatred that is the obstacle to peace, not Israeli intransigence.

• Honest Reporting, Dec 14/11: Letter of the Month – November 2011

David Strutt election cartoon: Lest we forget CALEDONIA

Many thanks to artist David Strutt  – who also happens to be the Freedom Party candidate for Durham – for remembering what the other candidates for the major parties have completely ignored during this election: the billions of dollars lost and the thousands of people traumatized due to Liberal refusal to uphold the rule of law in Caledonia.

United Nations rules Israel blockade of Hamas weapons is lawful

On this, the 16th day of my Blue Beret vigil outside the London (Ontario) Muslim Mosque, which I began on June 23/11 in order to draw attention to its support (fundraising + a ‘delegate’) for the Canadian Boat to Gaza’s attempt to break Israel’s blockade of weapons to the Hamas terrorist organization, I am pleased to report that the United Nations has ruled that the blockade is lawful.

Michael Ross, a veteran of the Israel Secret Intelligence Service, is reporting the details as follows, in part:

More bad news for the dwindling number of flotilla activists hanging around the ports of Greece. The now completed UN Inquiry on last year’s Gaza flotilla incident aboard the Mavi Marmara found that Israel’s blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza is legal and the Israeli government owes no apology or reparation to Turkey.

Jacob Peretz to London Free Press: Coverage of Gaza boat story shameful as voyage itself

Letter to London Free Press submitted by resident, Jacob Peretz, who was the first member of the London Jewish community to show support for the Blue Beret vigil outside the London (Muslim) Mosque, on Day 3 – June 25/11 (I have made some minor typographical corrections).

Jacob sent a copy to me after it appeared in the LFP.

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Middle East

Gaza

I would like to submit a letter Letter to the editor July 5, 2011. The London Free Press (LFP), daily coverage of the “Canadian boat to Gaza” is shameful as is the voyage itself.

Billed as a humanitarian voyage to aid the people of Gaza against “Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza”, this trip is nothing but a provocation against the legitimacy of the state of Israel. The people of Gaza are proud to say that they democratically elected this Hamas government and the world has to accept their votes. These people then have to live with the consequences of a government bent on the destruction of Israel and the elimination of the Jewish people all over the world.

‘Violence Against Aboriginal Women’ author agrees w/Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller re futility of blaming colonization & residential schools

Since initially publishing Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller: ‘Stop blaming colonization & residential schools‘ VoiceofCanada has been made aware of an excellent article about violence against native women by a woman – whom I have met personally – with a 30-year connection to aboriginal communities and, as she says, “great respect for the indigenous way of life.”

She wrote to tell me  how pleased she was to have read Helen Miller’s observations about the futility of constantly blaming colonization and residential schools since she had written nearly identical words in her own article – before having read Miller’s letter.

Violence Against Aboriginal Women

CounterPoise.ca, May 27, 2011

On March 25, 2011, the Canadian House of Commons all-party Standing Committee on the Status of Women tabled Interim Report: Call Into the Night: An Overview of Violence Against Aboriginal Women (the final report should be ready by the fall of 2011).  Hedy Fry (Liberal, B.C.) is the chair of this committee, and Irene Mathyssen (NDP, Ontario) and Tilly O’Neill-Gordon (Conservative, New Brunswick) are the vice-chairs.  The committee traversed the country between April 2010 and February 2011, meeting with reserve, rural and urban stakeholders.  More than 150 witnesses provided testimony.  In her press release regarding the interim report, Fry said the problem was getting worse.