Pro-Palestinian protesters want charges dropped in alleged harassment of federal minister

The case of three pro-Palestinian activists was before a judge at the Montreal courthouse Tuesday.

The activists were arrested and charged with criminally harassing federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller in early September.

Samar Alkhdour Elkahlout, one of the activists facing charges, has been taking part in regular sit-ins outside Miller’s Montreal office in the Southwest borough. Her daughter Jana died in Gaza earlier this year and she wants the Canadian government to intervene in the war.

“That was like the fuel as I always mention, the death of my daughter, that she was killed in Gaza, fuelled this whole protest, actions, activism that I’m doing, I’ve been doing for months right now,” Alkhdour Elkahlout told CityNews. “So that explains the anger that I have not only towards Marc Miller as an MP, towards the whole Canadian government.”

BACKGROUND: 3 Montreal pro-Palestinian protesters charged with criminal harassment of federal immigration minister

The charges of harassment and mischief are based on a Sept. 5 interaction with Miller outside the Liberal campaign office in the Verdun byelection. It is alleged that Alkdhour Elkahlout expressed her views by yelling at Miller, at which point he drove off.

“I know that we have done nothing wrong and we were just exercising our right to protest and to hold Marc Miller accountable for his inaction towards the Palestinian cause in general, and being a minister of immigration who is doing nothing for the Palestinians to make it safely to Canada,” she said.

The lawyer for the three co-accused, Barbara Bedont, claims the charges are based on false accusations, and alleges they stifle free speech.

“They’re peaceful protesters, they didn’t do anything wrong,” Bedont said. “They were charged, they were thrown into jail overnight. And we gave the Crown proof that they didn’t do anything wrong. And that was two months ago. And so now I hope in the next two weeks they will finally decide to abandon these charges.”

The three protesters have been following conditions such as staying 50 metres away from Miller and his staff and refraining from speaking publicly about the case – whether in the media or on social media. On Tuesday, that last condition was dropped.

“He has refused to listen to me, to meet with me for months, and right now, they’re pushing me further,” Alkhdour Elkahlout said. “Physically, I can’t even approach him, which doesn’t make any sense. Even I couldn’t communicate with him under these conditions.”

Miller’s riding office in Montreal’s Southwest borough has been previously the target of vandalism, and remains closed to the public because of it.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Miller said they wouldn’t comment as the matter is before the courts.

In September, Miller said he didn’t personally file the complaint, adding people have the right to demonstrate peacefully, but specifying it must be done legally, and that his staff felt attacked by certain people.

He had said he would let the justice system do its job.

The case will be back in court Nov. 29.

“I have no doubt that the case is gonna be dismissed, and that justice will prevail,” Alkhdour Elkahlout said.

“We’re maintaining our calm, our peaceful protests regardless, and I would love for the government and MPs to learn their lesson.”