Toronto: Supporting Non-Status Women Fleeing from Violence September 18, 2008

I will be going to this, so I thought I’d pass it along:

**Please distribute widely**

FORUM: Supporting Non-Status Women Fleeing Violence

Thursday October 2, 2008
9:30am Registration
10:00am Forum

Location: Ryerson University
Student Centre
55 Gould St
Rm SCC115

** March and Rally to follow at 12:00pm **

* Learn about how recent changes to immigration law impact diverse women, including women without status

* Hear about attacks on safe spaces and community responses to support non-status women fleeing violence

* Q&A with immigration lawyer, front line workers and service providers

To register please contact Sonia at sonia@workersactioncentre.org or (416) 531-0778, ext. 221 by September 25, 2008

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MARCH and RALLY at the Immigration Refugee Board

Thursday October 2, 2008
Meet 12:00pm at the corner of Yonge St. and Gould St.

Let Them Stay!

* Support domestic violence survivor Isabel Garcia and her children to stay in Canada

* Call for protection of women fleeing violence through the refugee determination process

Isabel Garcia, single mother and survivor of domestic violence, and her children are just one of many families whose lives have been put at risk as a result of negative decisions at the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Isabel came to Canada with her children 3 years ago seeking protection from her violent ex-husband in Mexico. Ignoring overwhelming evidence pointing to a lack of state protection for women surviving domestic violence in Mexico, the Immigration and Refugee Board heartlessly denied Isabel’s claim for asylum.

By issuing an abrupt and last minute deportation notice, Immigration Enforcement ensured that Isabel and her lawyer did not have time for a fair review at the Federal Court for a stay on her removal. Isabel made the difficult decision to go into hiding rather than face further violence in Mexico.

Canada’s failing Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is allowing huge numbers of women fleeing violence to fall through the cracks. The Federal Court of Canada has begun to question decisions of the Refugee Board and has recently overturned several decisions where women faced gender violence.

These women have been unable to access shelters, crisis centers, professional support, guidance or counseling because of Immigration Enforcement’s targeting of these spaces.

Stand up against immigration decisions and policies that put women and children, like Isabel and her family, at risk of violence. Join us as we call on the government to:

* Let Them Stay! – Allow this family to stay in Canada while their Humanitarian Application is considered, and to grant their Humanitarian Application

* Ensure protection for women fleeing violence through the refugee determination process

For more information, visit http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/24

***ENDORSED BY***
Carranza Barristers and Solicitors
Centre for Feminist Research
Community Development Council Durham
Community Social Planning Council
Interim Place
Mennonite New Life Centre
METRAC
MUJER
Nellie’s
No One Is Illegal – Toronto
North York Women’s Shelter
Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses
OPSEU
Parkdale Community Legal Services
Ryerson Students Union
Ryerson Women’s Centre
Ryerson Working Students Centre
Sistering
Step It Up Campaign
the Stop Community Food Centre
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
Toronto Women’s Bookstore
Workers Action Centre

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