Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah, Windsor

Lebanese Canadians Condemn Billboard Promoting Hezbollah, a Banned Terrorist Organization

By Elias Bejjani

Monday, August 13, 2007

The LCCC, (Lebanese Canadian Coordinating Council), strongly condemns the erection of a billboard in the city of Windsor, surreptitiously promoting the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which has been banned in Canada since 2002. While not identifying Hezbollah by name, the billboard depicts Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the controversial group. Printed in English are the words: "Lebanese and Arab communities in Windsor city congratulate the Lebanese people for their steadfastness and endeavor to establish peace in Windsor."

According to the Canadian anti-terrorist act, it is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison to knowingly provide financial support to a terrorist organization. Canadians who knowingly "facilitate" the activities of Hezbollah (or any other listed terrorist group) even if no tie between their actions and any terrorist or other illegal action can be demonstrated--are liable to be jailed for 14 years.

LCCC views publicly advocating or promoting Hezbollah's party leader as an abuse of freedom of expression; rather, it is a blatant assault directed towards all those Canadians who believe in human rights, peace, democracy and tolerance .

Therefore, we call on the Canadian judiciary, security authorities, and Parliament to look thoroughly into this unacceptable conduct and take immediate action to put an end to such an underhanded attempt, as simple as it might look, that might threaten Canada's stability and peace.

Allowing this terrorist group to challenge boldly the Canadian people and government, and test the country's democratic system is an act that should not let go without sending a very strong deterrent message to those Canadian Citizens or organizations who erected the billboard, and for Hezbollah party leadership in Lebanon, who most probably intended purposely to test the Canadian Governments' commitment to its Anti Terrorist Act.

Hezbollah is tirelessly endeavoring to bring back the Syrian occupation to Lebanon by intimidation and threats, and preventing its elected and legitimate government from executing its duties. Promoting these on-going attempts to cripple Lebanon's Parliament and erect in Lebanon a replica of the Iranian dictatorship. 

Spreading Hezbollah's propaganda in Canada needs to be stopped. If the current Canadian Anti- terrorism Act does not cover such dangerous infringements, it must be amended as soon as possible. There is no room for neutrality in facing terrorism and terrorist organizations, and Canada has already sided in the global war declared against terrorism. This Windsor billboard atrocity must, and should be seen as an act of terrorism against Canada, its democratic system and its peace-loving people.

"No" to Hezbollah, "No" to Terrorism and a big "Yes" for peace and tolerance.

Elias Bejjani, Chairman for the Canadian Lebanese Coordinating Council (LCCC). Human Rights activist, journalist & political commentator. Spokesman for the Canadian Lebanese Human Rights Federation (CLHRF), Elias can be reached at: phoenicia@hotmail.com