Catapulters to Turn Themselves in to Authorities

For Immediate Release

Wednesday May 2nd

Catapulters to Turn Themselves in to Authorities
Police Holding Innocent Man, they claim

Edmonton - Today, activists in several cities across Canada will be turning themselves in for their role in launching teddy bears during the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City. The activists used an enormous wooden catapult to lob stuffed animals into the security perimeter.

In Edmonton, activists have signed a sworn confession, detailing their guilt, and will be delivering it, as well as a number of captured teddy bears, to Police Headquarters.

Those responsible for the teddy bear catapult have signed the confession, because police continue to hold Jaggi Singh, a well known writer and activist, for possession of a dangerous weapon (the teddy catapult). Singh is being held without bail until his trial, and will remain in jail for several months for a crime that the catapulters say he had nothing to do with.

"We are prepared to risk our own arrest to ensure that Singh is set free," said Angela Davis, a member of the catapult crew. "It is absolutely astounding that the police are keeping someone in jail, for a harmless teddy bear action that he had nothing to do with.

Singh was nabbed by undercover police during the Summit of the Americas on April 20th, and wisked away in an unmarked car. His arrest, on trumped up charges, was widely seen as an attempt to muzzle legitimate political dissent. His pre-trial hearing is set for tomorrow in Quebec City.

Activists are also urging members of the public to send in all dangerous teddy bears to Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Postage to the House of Commons is free. Support actions are being held across Canada, and as far away as New Zealand and Prague.

A fake web site has also been set up, purporting to be a Ministry of Justice page, urging people to exchange their dangerous teddy bears in the same way that authorities conduct gun exchange programs in the States. A group calling itself DIST is also demanding that all political prisoners be allowed conjugal visits.

ENDS

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