G20 activists accuse CSIS of intimidation
Last Updated: Thursday, June 10, 2010 | 10:38 PM ET
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Activists opposed to the upcoming G20 summit in Toronto say CSIS agents are working behind the scenes to intimidate them and their friends and relatives in hopes of dissuading them from protesting at the event.
The Aboriginal Television Network shot a video it says shows a Canadian Security Intelligence Service agent talking to aboriginal activist Harrison Friesen of Brantford Ont., about his plans to protest during the summit.
"I will tell you straight up … there's going to be people travelling there from all over the world, and different countries do not have the same perspective on activists as our country does," the female agent is heard saying. "There [are] other forces that are from other countries that will not put up with a blockade in front of their president."
CSIS would not comment on whether or not the meeting took place,
Friesen said it was definitely a CSIS agent doing the talking and that there was no doubt why she was there.
"That was not appropriate," Friesen said of the agent's comments. "That was a threat, a tactic of intimidation."
Another activist, Stefan Christoff of Montreal, said CSIS hasn't contacted him directly but has approached his family and friends.
"Agents coming to their homes, often in the early morning hours, showing up unannounced, knocking on people's doors and unraveling a series of questions, a lot of questions about me and my political views," Christoff said.
"I don't think it's correct or just that CSIS is surveying someone who is engaging in community organizing. It's unacceptable. Period."
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