Canadian native leader acquited of hate crime
Posted on 24. Feb, 2009 by Shera Crossan in Israel & Jewish Issues, Shera Crossan, Top Stories
OTTAWA (AFP) – A North American Indian leader was found not guilty on Monday of willfully promoting hate for his anti-Semitic remarks in an interview published in a local newspaper.
Saskatchewan Provincial Court judge Wilfred Tucker said in his decision David Ahenakew’s comments were “revolting, disgusting and untrue,” but appeared to be spontaneous and not an attempt to spread hatred of Jews.
Intent is necessary for a hate crime conviction in Canada.
This was the former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations’s second trial on the charge.
“Thank God it’s over,” Ahenakew told reporters as he left the courthouse. “It’s been awful.”
B’nai Brith meanwhile expressed disappointment over the acquittal.
“No one disputes that Ahenakew has repeatedly engaged in hate-filled, anti-Semitic messaging, including a statement on how ‘Hitler got it right’ when he planned to annihilate the Jewish people,” said the Jewish group’s vice-president Frank Dimant in a statement.
“That this case failed to meet the legal standard for a conviction throws into doubt the viability of Canada?s hate crimes legislation.”
Ahenakew, now 75, was convicted in 2005 of promoting hatred for endorsing Adolf Hitler and telling a reporter in December 2002 that Jews are a “disease” responsible for World War II.
But his conviction was overturned on appeal.
In his defense, Ahenakew said his comments were part of a “private conversation” and were not meant for publication.
As well, he claimed the reporter who printed the story had gotten him into an argumentative mood and he tried to walk away from the journalist. The judge found this to be inconsistent with someone seeking to spread hate.
FUCKING PARASITES ARE TRYING TO PASS THE SAME SHIT IN AMERICA .YOU MUST NOT CRITICIZE YOUR RULERS.IT IS VERBOTEN.