Box 332,
Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 5L3
Ph: 416-428-5308
Website http://cafe.nfshost.com
Paul Fromm, B.Ed, M.A. Director
The Canadian Association for Free Expression Honours Dr. James Sears With the 2021 George Orwell Free Speech Award
REXDALE, Ontario. November 18, 2021. The Canadian Association for Free Expression proudly presented the 2021 George Orwell Free Speech Award to writer and editor Dr. James Sears in Toronto tonight. Dr. Sears, along with publisher Leroy St. Germaine, was convicted under Canada’s notorious “hate law” (Sec. 39 of the Criminal Code) for satire and criticizing Jews and radical feminists in the pages of the Toronto tabloid YOUR WARD NEWS.
The citation on the award, which carries a monetary prize, read: “For Outstanding Courage In Challenging Censorship and Defending Freedom In Pursuit of the Truth And for Outstanding Talent in Satire & Defending Freedom of the Press.”
‘We are honouring Dr. Sears as a political prisoner, as defined by Amnesty International, — one who is punished solely for the non-violent advocacy of his political, religious or social views,” said Paul Fromm Director of the Canadian Association for Free Expression. In 2019, he was sentenced on two counts to the maximum six months, to be served consecutively. That was unusual, as Dr. Sears is 58 years old and has no previous criminal record. He gained early parole, October 14, after serving four months.” CAFE held six protests outside the prison calling attention to the shame of jailing a writer and journalist for writing humour.
“A sign of the politicized nature of the Canadian justice system is the story of one of Dr. Sears’ cellmates. The man had stabbed a person, stolen a truck and been found in possession of fentanyl. For that, he received nine and a half weeks. No, that was not the steamy 1980s movie with Kim Basinger. Dr. Sears got the maximum — a year — for telling jokes,” Mr. Fromm noted. “It reminds us of the old Soviet Union where street criminals often received lenient treatment. Severe punishment was meted out to political prisoners and dissidents.”
‘We are honouring Dr. Sears’ wit and bravery,” Mr. Fromm added.
The George Orwell Free Speech Award was given annually by the Canadian Free Speech League and its leader and founder Victoria lawyer Douglas Hewson Christie, “the Battling Barrister’, the foremost free speech lawyer of his generation. The award was presented from1985 to 2013, when Doug Christie died. “We are reviving this tradition and award, with the help of a friendly donor,” said Mr. Fromm. Dr. Sears is the 29th recipient of this prestigious award. Among previous recipients were lawyer Barbara Kulazska, author Doug Collins and British aristocrat, Canadian-born, Lady Jane Birdwood.
Canadian Association for Free Expression
Box 332,
Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 5L3
Ph: 416-428-5308
Website http://cafe.nfshost.com
Paul Fromm, B.Ed, M.A. Director
The Canadian Association for Free Expression Honours Dr. James Sears With the 2021 George Orwell Free Speech Award
REXDALE, Ontario. November 18, 2021. The Canadian Association for Free Expression proudly presented the 2021 George Orwell Free Speech Award to writer and editor Dr. James Sears in Toronto tonight. Dr. Sears, along with publisher Leroy St. Germaine, was convicted under Canada’s notorious “hate law” (Sec. 39 of the Criminal Code) for satire and criticizing Jews and radical feminists in the pages of the Toronto tabloid YOUR WARD NEWS.
The citation on the award, which carries a monetary prize, read: “For Outstanding Courage In Challenging Censorship and Defending Freedom In Pursuit of the Truth And for Outstanding Talent in Satire & Defending Freedom of the Press.”
‘We are honouring Dr. Sears as a political prisoner, as defined by Amnesty International, — one who is punished solely for the non-violent advocacy of his political, religious or social views,” said Paul Fromm Director of the Canadian Association for Free Expression. In 2019, he was sentenced on two counts to the maximum six months, to be served consecutively. That was unusual, as Dr. Sears is 58 years old and has no previous criminal record. He gained early parole, October 14, after serving four months.” CAFE held six protests outside the prison calling attention to the shame of jailing a writer and journalist for writing humour.
“A sign of the politicized nature of the Canadian justice system is the story of one of Dr. Sears’ cellmates. The man had stabbed a person, stolen a truck and been found in possession of fentanyl. For that, he received nine and a half weeks. No, that was not the steamy 1980s movie with Kim Basinger. Dr. Sears got the maximum — a year — for telling jokes,” Mr. Fromm noted. “It reminds us of the old Soviet Union where street criminals often received lenient treatment. Severe punishment was meted out to political prisoners and dissidents.”
‘We are honouring Dr. Sears’ wit and bravery,” Mr. Fromm added.
The George Orwell Free Speech Award was given annually by the Canadian Free Speech League and its leader and founder Victoria lawyer Douglas Hewson Christie, “the Battling Barrister’, the foremost free speech lawyer of his generation. The award was presented from1985 to 2013, when Doug Christie died. “We are reviving this tradition and award, with the help of a friendly donor,” said Mr. Fromm. Dr. Sears is the 29th recipient of this prestigious award. Among previous recipients were lawyer Barbara Kulazska, author Doug Collins and British aristocrat, Canadian-born, Lady Jane Birdwood.
