About Magaly San Martin . . .

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Press Release by: Latin American Coalition Against Racism

 On June 15, 2000 an anti-poverty demonstration took place at Queen's Park.  At least 45 people were arrested that day and in the  following weeks in connection to the demonstration.  The judicial trials of  the accused started in January 2002 and will continue until April 2002.  All  arrested people need the support of the community to ensure fair trials.

 One of the people arrested was Magaly San Martín. She is an active member of  the Latin American Coalition Against Racism (LACAR).  She is one of the  Coalition’s most visible spokespersons on issues of police racism and  accountability.  In a blatant move by police to target activists, Magaly was  arrested on June 15, 2000 after participating peacefully at the demonstration. Magaly was charged with Assaulting a Peace Officer and Participating in a Riot.  During the arrest, Magaly was verbally assaulted and handled in a violent manner, resulting in injuries to her arms.

 In addition to the police violence, she was subsequently denied bail at her release hearing the following day after racist Justice of the Peace Robert Lewin ruled that her Chilean background contributed to the unsubstantiated charges against her and made her too dangerous to release. He stated that “maybe rioting in Chile is the way to express oneself  but it’s not the way to express oneself in this country”. As a result of a swiftly organized appeal of this decision and with widespread community support, Magaly was released on bail the following Monday, after being held over the weekend. She has been free on bail since that date but her trial is now coming up. Magaly needs your support and your presence to ensure that she receives a fair trial.

Let's stand strong and united as a community  in the face of police violence and racism!

DATE: Tuesday, May 14, 2002
TIME: 10:00 AM
PLACE: Old City Hall, [Queen Street West and Bay Street] Room 121 (Toronto)

Email your letters of support to: lacar@tao.ca

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