The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is pleased at the news that journalists Amber Bracken and Michael Toledano have been released from custody in British Columbia. TWUC joins with other organizations in expressing grave concern over their initial arrests and the ongoing contempt charges filed against them. The two were arrested and removed while covering action by Wet’suwet’en Nation protestors concerning a proposed natural gas pipeline across unceded lands.
TWUC supports the call from the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) to the Honourable Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, for intervention into this incident and investigation of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) actions against journalists.
“Bearing witness, and telling public interest stories are not crimes,” said TWUC Chair Rhea Tregebov. “The chill that spreads from incidents of journalist arrest and detention is dangerous to the freedom of expression in Canada, and to the right of all Canadians to read and learn.”
TWUC’s Freedom and Rights Committee will continue to monitor and follow this situation closely. The Union is grateful to them, and to colleagues at The Narwhal, CAJ, and PEN Canada for their leadership.
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The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is the national organization of professionally published writers. TWUC was founded in 1973 to work with governments, publishers, booksellers, and readers to improve the conditions of Canadian writers. Now over 2,300 members strong, TWUC advocates on behalf of writers’ collective interests, and delivers value to members through advocacy, community, and information. TWUC believes in a thriving, diverse Canadian culture that values and supports writers.
For additional information:
John Degen, Executive Director
The Writers’ Union of Canada
jdegen@writersunion.ca
Date: November 25, 2021
