Action Alert: Demand Justice for Assaulted Protestor Hayfa Abdelkhaleq!

In May, an anti-genocide demonstration in Ottawa turned violent when a protestor, Hayfa Abdelkhaleq, had her hijab forcibly pulled down by another woman in an unprovoked act of aggression. Ms. Abdelkhaleq was peacefully chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” when the assault took place. However, this past week, the Crown prosecutor unexpectedly decided to drop all charges against the attacker, citing that Ms. Abdelkhaleq’s chant could be “reasonably inferred” as a call for genocide against Jewish people.

This decision sends a dangerous signal, condoning violence against individuals for their peaceful expressions if those words are deemed “controversial.” The slogan in question has long been associated with Palestinian self-determination, not violence. Allowing this attack to go unpunished undermines the rights of Canadians to protest peacefully and, by extension, erodes protections for marginalized communities.

Add your voice today. Demand that the Crown’s decision be reconsidered, and affirm that all Canadians have the right to peaceful protest without fear of violence. Email the Attorney General of Canada, and the Assistant Deputy Attorney General, to Demand Justice for Assaulted Protestor Hayfa Abdelkhaleq!

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Dear [recipient name will go here],

I am writing as a concerned citizen to express my profound disappointment with the Crown’s recent decision to drop charges against Lorna Bernbaum, the woman who forcibly pulled down Hayfa Abdelkhaleq’s hijab during a peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstration in Ottawa. This decision undermines both the principles of justice and the right of Canadians to protest peacefully without fear of violence or retaliation.

Ms. Abdelkhaleq was attending a demonstration outside Ottawa City Hall, where she was chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” In response to this peaceful chant, Ms. Bernbaum approached her, pulled down her hijab, and left the scene. The Crown cited Ms. Abdelkhaleq’s use of this slogan as a potential justification, stating it could be “reasonably inferred” as a call for genocide of the Jewish people. This interpretation not only mischaracterizes the intent behind the slogan but also excuses violent behaviour based on subjective feelings of offence.

The decision sets a dangerous precedent by suggesting that someone’s peaceful expression can make them a target for assault if others find their words controversial or discomforting. Many legal experts and scholars, including UCLA’s Dov Waxman, have clarified that the slogan chanted by Ms. Abdelkhaleq is a call for Palestinian self-determination and is not inherently threatening. By dismissing charges based on perceived offense, the Crown risks criminalizing a form of protest used by marginalized communities to express their aspirations for freedom and justice.

Furthermore, Ms. Abdelkhaleq expressed that she felt pressured into accepting the Crown’s decision to withdraw charges, fearing that if she resisted, she might face personal consequences. This adds to the concern that victims of violence may feel coerced into silence in politically charged cases, leaving them without recourse for justice and safety.

I urge you to reconsider this decision, not only for Ms. Abdelkhaleq’s case, but for the broader implications it holds. Allowing violence to go unpunished in response to political protest endangers the rights of all Canadians to speak freely and safely. The justice system should protect, not silence, those who exercise their rights to peaceful protest.

Thank you for considering these concerns. I hope your office will take appropriate steps to address the impact of this decision on our democratic values and public safety.

Sincerely,

[your name will go here], a concerned Canadian citizen

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