NOT FREE TO HOLD A SIGN

James R. Demers

Nelson, British Columbia, March 24, 2004—Nearly six months after the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear his appeal in the case of Regina v. Demers, Nelson resident James R. Demers has filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

The record of trial shows that on three days in December, 1996, Mr. Demers stood without speaking, on a public sidewalk outside Everywoman’s Health Centre in Vancouver, holding a sign stating: "Every human being has the inherent right to life. United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." On a fourth day he held a sign stating: "Every person has the right to have his life respected. This right shall be protected by law, in general, from the moment of conception. Art. 4-1 American Convention on Human Rights." He was arrested without incident, confined to jail for seven weeks awaiting trial, and convicted of "protest" and "sidewalk interference" under British Columbia’s Access to Abortion Services Act. Under the Act, "protest" includes any act of disapproval of abortion, including informing a person about abortion-related issues, no matter how peaceful.