Vancouver press conference to protest Bush visit

Just got back from attending a small but enthusiastic gathering of people to hear Gail Davidson from Lawyers Against the War (L.A.W.) speak about Bush's visit. Gail has been in the media lately, including Keith Olbermann's Countdown show. Photos to follow.

The statement from the group:

'Disappointed' law group calls for international effort to bring torture charges against George W. Bush

Vancouver, BC, Canada - The law group that unsuccessfully asked the Canadian government to stop former U.S. President George W. Bush from entering Canada says it is disappointed but undeterred in its belief that Canadian law will eventually force the Canadian government to either bar Bush or charge him with war crimes upon entry in this country.

Lawyers Against the War (L.A.W.) say they will not rest until the Canadian government declares Bush to be inadmissible for this involvement in torture and other violations of the Geneva Convention and that they may force the issue with a federal court case in the future.

Spokesperson Gail Davidson said L.A.W. is also calling for a concerted Canada-wide and international effort by peace and justice advocates to pursue charges against Bush in different venues and "restore the rule of law to its proper place right around the world."

She said that process has already begun, including a major complaint alleging war crimes against Bush which will soon be filled by a group of highly respected legal experts in the United States  - likely next month. Davidson said the action is being led by Professor Lawrence Velvel, Dean of the Massachusetts School of Law and that is has been in the planning stages for some time

She faulted the Canadian government for failing to abide by its own laws in allowing Bush to enter Canada for a speaking engagement Tuesday March 17 in Calgary.

"Mr. Harper and his ministers have demonstrated a lack of respect fro Canadian law and Canada's international law responsibilities to prevent and punish torture and other war crimes wherever they occur and whatever the nationality of the office of the alleged perpetrators," Davidson said.

She said Harper and other officials "did not even bother to respond" to a formal request by L.A.W more than a month ago to investigate the "very substantial public allegations of torture and other violations of international human rights law against Mr. Bush."

Davidson made her statements at a press conference at 12:30 on the steps leading to the BC Supreme Court in Vancouver Tuesday to coincide with demonstrations in Calgary against the Bush visit. Copies of the Washington Post article titled "Red Cross Described 'Torture at CIA Jails' were passed out to supporters at the press conference.