On this day, as one Canadian to another, I want to express my profound shame, regret, sorrow and horror for the crimes our govt committed and are complicit in against Omar Khadr.

A Canadian child was snatched, and made a child soldier, and tortured, with our consent/complicity.

And brought up on false, illegal,absurd charges in an unlawful court that was no different and no more legal and righteous than Nazi and Soviet show trials.

Our consent and participation is one of the Canadian government's worst ever crimes. It's way up there at least.

We all know that if Omar was a white child who played hockey, or we imagined playing hockey, we would have considered him a kidnap victim requiring rescue, and a big parade celebrating his return.

Canada sent him to die in the worst way possible bc his skin was brown.

As if that wasn't horrendous enough, Omar has been relentlessly targeted by hateful racist Canadians, including Rebel Media and the Conservative Party and its senior leadership.

Including and especially Erin O'Toole. From the day he was granted release and travel home.

Omar's soul must be strong. He is alive. Dedicating his life to healing and saving lives as a nurse.

Suspect that is very revealing about who he is after so much suffering, betrayal and near death.

A great Canadian who I hope one day, will live in a Canada that's safer for him.

Safer for him to talk to us. To remind us, memorialize the heinous violence and exploitation he suffered bc our govt defied the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Crimes like this meant long term destruction far surpassing the horrors a terrorist group committed today.

As a Canadian today, I will remember and honour Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders.

And my Canadian brother, your Canadian brother, Omar Khadr, who I hope is safe, and one day finally experiences the freedom I've always known, life in safety without threat and worry.

Freedom.

May we never forget what we did to Omar. So we never repeat it. #NeverAgain.

And may we embrace and love him.
(FIN)
#September11 https://open.spotify.com/track/1SKApv6ZfJ9bkUxeRObJEF?si=OuIE2KkqS7W9LpXZpG2NhQ

Notes/references:
Omar is slowly engaging in public to advocate for human rights, despite the ongoing threats to his safety bc of far right media/the Conservative Party's criminal abuse. That continues to this day, jeopardizing his life for a few votes.
https://www.dal.ca/news/2020/02/12/humanity-in-conflict--omar-khadr---ishmael-beah-share-the-stage-.html

Last January was his first public event speaking on a panel!

For vital reading. And an acknowledgement: @Garossino 's breathtaking reporting and analysis helped me so much to finally grasp this case, see thru the smoke to see the truth. It hits you hard https://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/07/07/opinion/what-if-omar-khadr-isnt-guilty

And see: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/07/11/opinion/how-media-failed-its-coverage-omar-khadr

@Garossino 's reporting was the only analysis that I understood and really took to heart. It wasn't confusing the way she lays it out. I got it.

Biggest pt tho for me was.. wait a minute..this is a child..he is not capable of guilt at that age in those circumstances IM*strong*O!

And guilt for what? It was a war zone. A battlefield. A child.

The whole premise the media and govt took - drilled into us for YEARS!! - was despicable when you think about it hard.

Morally bankrupt beyond hope. A lot of ppl disagree with me on that pt even some pro-Khadr.

But I say he's 1)innocent bc didnt do it...

And 2) innocent by definition. So for me anyway, even if they got 100% proof he released a weapon hurting anyone, it's irrelevant and makes no difference. In my head that is.

Thank you for engaging in this thread. I've wanted to express my feelings for Omar (I get very raw and emotional thinking about him and his suffering) in greater length for a long time.

And felt today is an ideal day.

(Final Fin)