Starving for Khadr's release: B.C. man talks about his hunger strike
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 | 10:22 AM ET
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
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Comments
Aaron Handford
I support you Christian!
Posted January 15, 2009 01:04 PM
Heather
Way to go Christian!
Posted January 15, 2009 01:21 PM
Haidar
Christian,
I salute you for your courage and determination.
Posted January 15, 2009 03:12 PM
David Miller
The cause is noble and all we ask is that you take care of yourself as well. keep up your spirits christian.
Posted January 15, 2009 08:58 PM
Danielle Daffe
Vas-y fort mon amie, nous sommes bien fière de toi!
Constantium,
Danielle, Mickey et Issac!
Posted January 15, 2009 10:03 PM
Rich
Atlanta
Well, I'll be having a nice roast chicken dinner in honor of those guarding the terrorist scum. Enjoy your hunger strike.....
Posted January 17, 2009 10:45 AM
Chris O'Malley
Congratulations, you have been selected "Dhimmi Usefull Idiot of the Week"! It looks like Omar Khader just put the finger on the other teary-eyed liberals cause-celebre, Maher Arar. Apparently Mr. Arar and baby Omar spend some time together at an Al Quaida training camp. Explain again to me how a combatant caught fighting in civilian clothes is eligble for protection under the Geneva Convention. (Hint: hiding among the civilian population is explicitly prohibited under the convention) Feeling peckish yet?
Posted January 19, 2009 08:29 PM
Andy
Has it occured to anyone whose heart is bleeding for little Omar, that he may in fact be GUILTY??
And has it also occured to the bleeding hearts that if he is guilty, as some very knowledgeable people seem to think he is,it might be a very bad idea to have him roaming the streets?
Send him to trial and THEN decide his fate,but try him first!
And by the way...a hunger strike can kill you and you may want to think about that.
Would it not be a bit ironic if this person starved to death and then we discovered that Khadr WAS in fact guilty?
Posted January 21, 2009 01:04 AM
william
Surrey
Don't give up! Continue your hunger strike until Khadr is free or you starve to death, whichever comes first.
Posted January 23, 2009 04:31 PM
Bruce
Nanaimo
It's time to extradite the entire Khadar family out of Canada. They're Canadians for convenience only, like when they set up dummy businesses to fund AlQaeda or when they need social and medical assistance. They have denounced Canada and its way of life. I would love to see you take in Mr. Khadar for ONE DAY. I have no doubt what he would do to an infidel like yourself.
Posted January 24, 2009 02:36 AM
Ana
I'm not sure going on a hunger strike is a good idea, but I'm glad you want Omar back in Canada. I do too.
Posted January 25, 2009 02:53 PM
oliver
canada
damm some people are dumb if the kid a terorist its a good idea of him to stay in gantanamo, and what would we do of him in canada? semd him to a high security 5 star hotel??
Posted April 23, 2009 09:13 PM
Lawrence Currie
London
In my opinion I believe the news agencies should stop showing his face as it was years ago, In fact show him as he appears now. after his years in this camp Guantanamo Bay.I feel that showing him as a youthful angel is a direct ploy to persude you into feeling guilty about this poor child but in fact he is no child. He is an accused murderer and terrorist.Im sure that we would not allow any immigrants whith ties to any terrorism into Canada.
Posted April 24, 2009 02:24 PM