Canadian publisher Ezra Levant threatened with new lawsuit

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 25, 2008 12:35 AM

The Cartoon Jihad never ends. Canadian publisher Ezra Levant, who staved off an attempt by a Muslim critic to haul him up on “human rights” violations for printing the Mohammed Cartoons, faces another new lawsuit.

Levant writes:

In 2006, I was hit with two identical human rights complaints because I published the Danish cartoons of Mohammed in the Western Standard magazine. We were simply doing what news magazines do – publishing the news. But an anti-Semitic Calgary imam named Syed Soharwardy and the intolerant Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities complained to the Alberta Human Rights Commission that I “discriminated” against them, and demanded cash and an apology from me. Since then, their fatwa has been prosecuted by the Government of Alberta, using taxpayers’ dollars and government bureaucrats.

Instead of bowing my head in submission, I decided to fight back, publicizing the Alberta government’s January, 2008 interrogation of me in videos that have now been seen well over 500,000 times on YouTube.

Over the past month, the public’s reaction to seeing their government interrogate a journalist has snowballed into a national discussion about freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the separation of mosque and state. What started out as an issue reserved to the blogosphere and talk radio has jumped into the mainstream media, and even into Parliament. To my delight, the Canadian public – across the political spectrum – has been overwhelmingly supportive of free speech and critical of these Orwellian commissions, and groups like the Canadian Association of Journalists and PEN Canada have recently weighed in, too, and very vigorously.

We’re winning in the court of public opinion – and I say “we”, because it was the blogosphere that moved this story from the “undernews” to where it is today.

Well, now I’m being threatened with a lawsuit because of our campaign for freedom.

Just before the weekend, I received an e-mail from Richard Warman, the former investigator for the Canadian Human Rights Commission, who quit the commission in 2004 to become the commission’s biggest customer. Approximately half of all complaints filed under the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s section 13 “idea crimes” provision have been filed by Warman. The CHRC has a 100% conviction rate under that section, and besides ordering the poor shleps Warman complains about to pay fines to the government, they’re often ordered to pay thousands of dollars to Warman himself, too, for his “hurt feelings”. Unlike the paycheque he got when he used to work there, the cash he gets from commission fines is tax free.

Warman and his friends at the CHRC aren’t hitting me with a human rights complaint – not yet, anyways. But he is threatening me with the most bizarre defamation lawsuit I think I’ve ever encountered.

Levant vows to “fight like Hell” and he could use help. Donate here (scroll to the bottom for PayPal button or direct contribution info). His battle is our battle.

Hat tip – Stephen Taylor, who writes: “This is going to become an election issue in Canada and should rally everyone who believes in the inalienable right to freedom of expression.”

Posted in: Danish Cartoons, Sharia

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. Steynianism 63.0 « Free Mark Steyn!
  2. The Nose On Your Face » Blog Archive » Ezra Levant Is Not Out Of The Woods Yet: Support Ezra!
  3. Michelle Malkin » The Canadian conservative blogosphere is under attack

Trackback URL

Comments


  1. #253105
    On February 25th, 2008 at 1:36 am, Kini said:

    human rights complaints

    Rights indeed. And what of Ezra Levant’s rights. Canada does not need a Canadian Human Rights Commission, it needs a Common Sense Commission. It is our fight also.

  2. #253108
    On February 25th, 2008 at 1:39 am, PBoilermaker said:

    I thought we had it bad here in the US. When you are feeling like Sharia Creep is too strong in America, take a look at Canada and feel better for a minute.

  3. #253114
    On February 25th, 2008 at 1:53 am, Stewed Hamm said:

    This isn’t at all what “Freedom isn’t free” is supposed to mean.

  4. #253115
    On February 25th, 2008 at 1:58 am, WarTip said:

    It does not make me feel better for long. When even the Mexican cartels and Coyotes are scared of the people they bring across the border, it does not bode well for anyone. Even if this is a small contingency of all of the people illegally crossing our borders, it only takes one. Add to that the infestation of our “justice” system (Which seems to be long past worrying about justice and concerning itself more with interpreting “living and breathing” laws, and it just really does not look like a very bright future. Add to that the current A-List of presidential candidates? Throw in the Security and Prosperity Partnership for good measure and it thickens even more.

    It just does not bode well for the future in (An all-inclusive North)America.

  5. #253124
    On February 25th, 2008 at 2:22 am, rjjago said:

    I wish it would be an election issue – but which party would touch it? Who wants to be the party to fight the “human rights” commissions? Canadian politics are so bloody superficial, it’d be electoral suicide to even try.

    But this fight – this libel fight will be before a real court. And I’m certain Levant will win. And once he does, we’ll be free to reprint every single allegation in his persecutor’s libel suit: http://ezralevant.com/Letter%20-%20Levant%20-%2008.02.20.pdf

    and in the words of Levant ‘de-normalize’ these kangaroo courts.

  6. #253129
    On February 25th, 2008 at 2:59 am, graysonret said:

    I saw Sunday that Syed Soharwardy is withdrawing his complaint against Levant. He’s going to the court of “public opinion”. I don’t think he’ll win there.
    http://pcwatch.blogspot.com/

  7. #253152
    On February 25th, 2008 at 6:31 am, JoAnn in VA said:

    I have been following Mr Levant’s story ever since I first read it here, and have added his blog and a few others he links to my regular daily reading list. I consider this case to be the canary in the coal mine for the USA. If the likes of Sowardy in Canada are allowed to attack people without personal risk or expense, while the accused is punished beforehand through heavy legal fees then I am betting they will try the same nonsense down here as well.
    Good luck Mr Levant, I am rooting for you!
    PS A major thank you to Mark Jaquith for helping me get my password back so that I can get back on here to comment again after a month! I missed talking to you guys!

  8. #253158
    On February 25th, 2008 at 7:40 am, Uncle Ralph said:

    Thank goodness Freedom of Speech is “built in” to our fundamental system here in the U.S., and not an “add on” with only the weight of tradition behind it. The down-side is our complacency that America can never loose our freedom of speech. Oh yes we can.

  9. #253160
    On February 25th, 2008 at 7:43 am, DagneyT said:

    It’s good to see some real FIGHT in this battle against Sharia-creep!

  10. #253162
    On February 25th, 2008 at 7:54 am, CarpiJugulum said:

    Many of you do not like Micheal Savage, however you should tak,e a look at what he is doing. He has thrown a loop out for these sharia and false islam insulted pukes. Micheal has taken them to court for their lies and twisting of what he has said. You may say it is the shot across the bow for our side.

    even though Savage is a bit crass, blunt, and often rude to callers (many of which are rude and never think out the topic at hand). I think his shot across the bow may hit them on the fordeck.

    We already have these creeps and oppressors here in this country trying to stiffle any critisim of their fanatical views. Does anyone pay attention to Jihad Watch and what happens over there. The blogger from North Carolina that is threatened on his blog, having his home address released to islamic radicals. How the state of Michegan lets sharia law pass in many areas over the laws of this nation. A problem that is growing believe it or not.

    Where are the calls for seperation of church and state? This is a problem that will grow and grow like a cockroach colony. It will turn into another ILEGAL ALIEN situation where we the citizens are subject to them and not Our laws.

  11. #253170
    On February 25th, 2008 at 8:30 am, nyc123me said:

    This is the tip of the iceburg. We’re going to see more and more of this in liberal America too, and they are going to win these cases because of the near-fanatical political correctness driver rife in the American ‘justice’ system and in American politics. I don’t know what it will take for Americans to finally stand up for America – maybe 4 years of democrat rule will do it? Unfortunately by then it may be too late. Prepare for some hard decades to come complete with string social unrest, America will never be the same.

  12. #253173
    On February 25th, 2008 at 8:45 am, Barry F. said:

    On February 25th, 2008 at 1:53 am, Stewed Hamm said:

    This isn’t at all what “Freedom isn’t free” is supposed to mean.

    I suppose this is what it means in the war of ideas, SH. Levante is fighting a different kind of battle against extremists in this case. :-(

  13. #253178
    On February 25th, 2008 at 9:02 am, LarryD said:

    … Richard Warman, the former investigator for the Canadian Human Rights Commission, who quit the commission in 2004 to become the commission’s biggest customer. Approximately half of all complaints filed under the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s section 13 “idea crimes” provision have been filed by Warman. The CHRC has a 100% conviction rate under that section, and besides ordering the poor shleps Warman complains about to pay fines to the government, they’re often ordered to pay thousands of dollars to Warman himself, too, for his “hurt feelings”. Unlike the paycheque he got when he used to work there, the cash he gets from commission fines is tax free.

    A heck of a racket. And a racket is what it is.

  14. #253186
    On February 25th, 2008 at 9:17 am, Old Tanker said:

    Canadian Human Rights Commission

    I think this more like what our friends in the Great White North need.

    and before a troll gets cute Great White North is how we refer to Canada because of the snow

  15. #253263
    On February 25th, 2008 at 10:28 am, jukin said:

    A heck of a racket. And a racket is what it is.

    Same thing the ACLU does down here.

    Suppression of free thought is a universal socialistic concept. This is what the democrats want to bring to the USA. No free speech unless they agree with you and there is separation of church and state but not mosque and state.

  16. #253337
    On February 25th, 2008 at 11:12 am, walterc said:

    Uncle Ralph said:
    Thank goodness Freedom of Speech is “built in” to our fundamental system here in the U.S., and not an “add on” with only the weight of tradition behind it.

    This is what hate crimes law leads to. First it’s actions based on “hate” then it’s words based on “hate”. Burning an American Flag is free speech, but putting a koran in a toilet to protest islam, is hate speech.

    Slippery slope.

    And we are running towards it.

  17. #253493
    On February 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm, Tantor said:

    When a so-called “human rights” commission has been perverted into an ATM for a corrupt former member, that seems like a good thing to shine the spotlight of publicity upon so as to crush it with the weight of public opinion. Are the members of the “human rights” commission get kick backs from the fines they impose on every victim brought up before its inquisitiion? It also demonstrates that these grand politically correct programs ultimately serve the illicit needs of nefarious individuals at the expense of the public good. We should all look forward to this fight and to crushing the enemies of free speech behind it.

  18. #254839
    On February 27th, 2008 at 12:07 am, Straight_Talk_Luigi said:

    Muslims have enough special rights in docile Canada. Enough is enough!

  19. #270673
    On March 21st, 2008 at 5:08 pm, threeCents said:

    Can’t one countersue for infringing on the exercise of free-speech rights, however they may be stated in Canada?

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Saudi Wahabbis allergic to Valentine’s Day red roses

February 13, 2009 10:23 AM by Michelle Malkin

36 Comments | 1 Trackback

Mark Steyn acquitted in Canadian sharia case

October 10, 2008 03:24 PM by Michelle Malkin

76 Comments | 15 Trackbacks

“In the matter of the human rights code…”

Not without my daughters (and son)

July 26, 2008 08:21 AM by see-dubya

53 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

Deported “Al Qaeda first stringer” is holding his Ohio-born children in Yemen.

The Dallas honor killings revisited

June 20, 2008 11:39 AM by Michelle Malkin

61 Comments | 4 Trackbacks

“I don’t believe any of it,” Amina told Eddie, “because I see how their women are treated. They have to walk behind the men. They beat up their wives.”

Blackwater asks Federal court to judge them under Sharia law

June 19, 2008 05:42 PM by see-dubya

33 Comments | 3 Trackbacks

Sort of missing the point of the whole fight.

Remember that Saudi Academy in Fairfax, VA? Yeah, their 1999 valedictorian joined Al Qaeda.

June 13, 2008 01:11 PM by see-dubya

61 Comments | 14 Trackbacks

Plus accusations of covering up sexual abuse. What will Gerry Connolly say?


Categories: Danish Cartoons, Sharia




HotAir GreenRoom