Submitted by Christian Tatonetti

Update from Christian on January 20: "I am ending my hunger strike today as I wish to give Obama the benefit of the doubt and I have some friends who have been too worried about my health. As we turn the page on eight years of the Bush dictatorship-like regime, I believe that Obama should and will do the right thing and Omar will be sent home in light of the false evidence that has been brought before the 'courts.'

I believe that Obama could not do more than that at this point as he can't just close everything down, but it marks the end of the Bush era. I am also betting that the Conservative Party will become the new opposition party and that Canadian politics is going to be extremely entertaining and interesting while Michael Ignatieff removes Stephen Harper from power and becomes the leader of the 'New Canadian Coalition.' I believe and hope that on the first day after becoming Prime Minister, our future Prime Minister Mr. Ignatieff will ask for Omar's repatriation, thus, doing what this country should have done many years ago."

Christian Tatonetti was on a hunger strike from January 3 to 21, 2009 to ask for Omar Khadr's release from Guantanamo Bay detention camp. This is his story.

About/background: I always have been fascinated by activism in general. When I lived on Salt Spring Island a big logging company had scooped up a bunch of land and were about to give the island a Gillette-style close shave. I wrote letters to the editor and I followed closely what was happening. The community managed to do the impossible and saved Salt Spring!

I don't live on Salt Spring anymore but I took with me ten years of community energy that has changed my life.

My take: I decided to protest against the unfair and illegal treatment and detention of Omar Khadr, who was a young soldier that, regardless of which 'side' he was involved with, should have been granted a minimum of protection from the Canadian authorities.

I am getting physically tired from the strike but I remain loyal to my initial intention, which is to help put pressure on our government to act now and hear loud and clear that many Canadians wanted Omar back to Canada a long time ago.

I would encourage people to seize this opportunity from the transition of power in the US to make it clear to Stephen Harper and Barack Obama that this is a number one priority and that we cannot ethically and morally allow another 7 years to slip by before the case is closed.

I really hope he survives this ordeal and returns to Canada as soon as possible. The support from the Facebook community has been really sweet and I hope more people will join but I am really thankful for all the good sentiments and various prayers that have been sent my way.

CBCNews.ca - See related links:
CBC News In depth: Omar Khadr
CBC News In depth: Guantanamo