The Canadian Association for Free Expression Announces Dr. James Sears to Receive 2021 George Orwell Free Speech Award

(006516.73:E-002257.55:N-WOM:R-UR:C-30:V)   

Canadian Association for Free Expression
Box 332,
Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 5L3
Ph: 416-428-5308
Website http://cafe.nfshost.com
Paul Fromm, B.Ed, M.A. Director

The Canadian Association for Free Expression Announces Dr. James Sears to Receive 2021 George Orwell Free Speech Award

REXDALE, Ontario. November 17, 2021. The Canadian Association for Free Expression is proud to announce the presentation tomorrow of the 2021 George Orwell Free Speech Award to writer and editor Dr. James Sears. Dr. Sears, along with publisher Leroy St. Germaine, was convicted

under Canada’s notorious "hate law" (Sec. 39 of the Criminal Code) for satire and criticizing Jews and radical feminists in the pages of the Toronto tabloid YOUR WARD NEWS.

The citation on the award, which carries a monetary prize, reads: "For Outstanding Courage In Challenging Censorship and Defending Freedom In Pursuit of the Truth And for Outstanding Talent in Satire & Defending Freedom of the Press."

‘We are honouring Dr. Sears as a political prisoner, as defined by Amnesty International, — one who is punished solely for the non-violent advocacy of his political, religious or social views," says Paul Fromm Director of the Canadian Association for Free Expression." In 2019, he was sentenced on two counts to the maximum six months, to be served consecutively. That is unusual, as Dr. Sears is 58 years old and has no previous criminal record. He gained early parole, October 14, after serving four months." CAFE held six protests outside the prison calling attention to the shame of jailing a writer and journalist for writing humour.

"A sign of the politicized nature of the Canadian justice system is the story of one of Dr. Sears cellmates. The man had stabbed a person, stolen a truck and be found in possession of fentanyl. For that, he received none and a half weeks. Dr. Sears go the maximum — a year — for telling jokes," Mr. Fromm notes. "It reminds us of the old Soviet Union where street criminals often received lenient treatment. Severe punishment was meted out to political prisoners and dissidents."

‘We are honouring Dr. Sears wit and bravery," Mr. Fromm added.

The George Orwell Free Speech Award was given annually by the Canadian Free Speech League and its leader and founder Victoria lawyer Douglas Hewson Christie, "the Battling Barrister’, the foremost free speech lawyer of his generation. The award was presented from1985 to 2013, when Doug Christie died. "We are reviving this tradition and award, with the help of a friendly donor," said Mr. Fromm.