At a Women's Resistance Conference in Ottawa October 1, Thobani declared that the U.S. government is the most dangerous global force because it is "unleashing prolific levels of violence all over the world." She added, "From Chile to El Salvador, to Nicaragua to Iraq, the path of U.S. foreign policy is soaked in blood."

Government officials in Ottawa and the big-business press promptly condemned the speech. Prime Minister Jean Chretien called it "terrible." Wealthy benefactors who contribute funds to the university also expressed dismay.

For example, Charles Huntzinger, president and CEO of Imperial Parking, the biggest parking operator in Canada, told the Vancouver Sun that people like Thobani are "apologists for terrorist murderers." He added, "The idea that such a terrorist sympathizer is teaching your children is a scary picture. I urge Canadians to let the University of British Columbia know they will not receive grants or contributions while Ms. Thobani continues to be an employee of UBC."

A complaint has been filed against Thobani for violating a law in the Criminal Code of Canada that prohibits the encouragement of hatred. Those making this accusation claim that her speech was aimed at inciting hatred against Americans.

The charges, filed by an unnamed resident of British Columbia, were made public by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Hate Crime Unit. According to the Vancouver Sun, "the police don`t normally name the subjects of police investigations, until a person is formally charged with a crime."

The RCMP were forced to apologize to Dr. Thobani and no charges have been laid.

A campaign organized by working people and youth to defend Thobani has been at the center of the fight to defend the right to speak out against the war.

On October 21, at the Ironworkers Hall in Vancouver, Thobani was set to be the featured speaker on a panel. The hall, which seats approximately 200 people, was filled to capacity. After presenting their talks inside the meeting hall, speakers went across the street to address the crowd of up to 200 people who couldn't get inside.

On October 26, Thobani joined a panel at a meeting organized by the Alma Mater Society at UBC. Approximately 150 to 200 people attended the event. A number of letters defending Thobani's right to speak have appeared in Vancouver daily newspapers.

Gabriel Charbin is a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in Richmond, British Columbia.  
 
 
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