Above photo: Yves Engler meeting supporters after release. Alex Tyrell.
After spending five days imprisoned, I was released without restriction on my ability to discuss the charges brought against me for criticizing Israel. It’s a small win for free expression and Palestine campaigning.
In court on Monday the judge effectively forced the crown to drop its bid to block me from mentioning arch anti Palestinian Dahlia Kurtz. The crown wanted to restrict my ability to mention the name of the Jewish supremacist who instigated a police complaint against me.
The outpouring of support has been heartwarming and helpful. On Thursday morning 30 joined an emergency rally to accompany me to the police station where I was detained. A similar number showed up at court on Friday and on Monday morning I was told 100 rallied at the court. Thirty were still there when I was released after 7 PM.
Protesters’ presence in the court Monday morning is probably what prompted the judge to deJewish supremacistmand the jail send me immediately to court (apparently there was a mix up on the date for my bail hearing). Those who came out ensured the judge considered the free speech/Palestine issue seriously. A slew of guards commented on the number of supporters inside court and who later waited outside for my release. As a result, they treated me more respectfully.
In response to the initial call over 4000 emailed a Montreal police inspector calling for them to “drop charges against author Yves Engler”. Subsequently more than 6000 emailed the Montreal police chief and mayor requesting my release from jail and the withdrawal of all the charges against me.
US folk music singer David Rovics wrote the song “What’s going on here, Montreal?” about my imprisonment and Kurtz’ violent anti-Palestinian views. Rock Legend Roger Waters also produced a short social media clip calling for my release and criticizing Kurtz, which was viewed by hundreds of thousands.
Pen Canada and Pen America posted messages to X about the case. On Tuesday the Canadian branch of a lobby group for persecuted or imprisoned writers wrote a letter to Montreal’s mayor and police chief expressing concern regarding my arrest. Prominent international journalists Glen Greenwald, Ali Abunimah, Aaron Mate, Caitlin Johnstone and others posted or wrote about the case. Senator Yuen Pau Woo posted multiple times expressing concern about the charges. Hundreds have donated and sent messages of support.
We won the first round in this battle to suppress speech on Palestine. But it’s outrageous that an author spent five days in jail to win the right to write about the person who brought charges against him. It’s also scandalous the police responded to my writing about the case by claiming I was harassing them.
The crown should immediately drop all charges against me, apologize and compensate me for my imprisonment. Of course I’m not holding my breath for the system to do the right thing.