Let Alvaro Stay group marches on government office
TORONTO NEWS / Organizers promise, "We will escalate"
Katie Toth / National / Wednesday, May 25, 2011
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About 40 people gathered in Toronto on May 24 to call for the release of Toronto artist Alvaro Orozco, who has been held on a deportation order at the Immigration Holding Centre in Rexdale since he was arrested on May 13.
Members of the group Let Alvaro Stay, marched from Yonge-Dundas Square on May 24.
(Katie Toth)
 
The group marched from Yonge-Dundas Square to a federal government office at 83 Victoria St, flapping a blue banner. It was a tongue-in-cheek response to what Let Alvaro Stay organizer Craig Fortier describes as Immigration Canada's demand for a "wave of support" from Orozco's community in order to allow him to stay in Toronto.
 
The Department of Immigration says Orozco must demonstrate that he is established in the community, Fortier told the crowd.
 
"What better way to do that than bring the community to the establishment?" he asked.
 
Fortier said that the march is only one of many steps the community has taken, including poster campaigns, a press conference and art show, community meetings and another protest. He also says it won't be the last.
 
"If we do not hear from [Immigration Minister] Jason Kenney," he says, "we will escalate."
 
 



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Reader Comments


 
escalate?
Sounds like a threat? I still don't see how this is a gay issue, aside from the fact that this person is gay. Based on that logic, anytime someone gay has a problem with its roots in government, it should be on the pages of Xtra and everyone else should rally. This is getting ridiculous.
mike, toronto on
05/25/11 1:00 PM EST
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Escalate?
It's a gay issue because he was denied refugee status initially because via teleconference we was deemed not gay enough. . . Now that he's made headlines in nicaragua, and the entire country know's he's gay, he's in danger if he is returned there. A country that he has not lived in or called home for his entire adult life. The community is showing support, and showing that he has made a positive contribution to the community and has a place here in Canada. And through solidarity of the community we hope to secure his place here in Canada. If we as a community can not protect each other by means of banding together, that my friend, would be ridiculous and an injustice.
James_ian, Montreal Quebec
05/25/11 2:32 PM EST
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I disagree
Well, the simple fact of the matter is that Nicaragua is not a place where gay people are in grave danger. He is not being sent back to Iran or Nicaragua. The fact that someone is gay should not allow them to violate the law. Skipping out on a hearing, and ignoring a deportation order show a disrespect for our laws. The whole "gay enough" thing is quite ridiculous, I will grant you, but I don't think homosexuality should be cause for granting immigration status, unless the country to which the person in question would be deported outlaws homosexuality with the penalty of imprisonment or death. Nicaragua doesn't meet that standard. The fact that Alvaro has friends and likes penises does not mean he should be able to stay in Canada after coming here illegally and violating laws after that.
Mike, toronto on
05/25/11 2:42 PM EST
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correction
the second reference to Nicaragua above should be "Uganda"
mike, toronto on
05/25/11 2:45 PM EST
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Deport him!
James are you serious? This is a guy who for the record lived in the USA illegally, then came to Canada and lived here illegally. And has not paid taxes like ever other Canadian, and does not and has not contributed to society in any finical way. NOW because he has CHOSEN to not follow the law or be a tax payer, WE the tax payer have to spend money on some sort of defence? Are you serious? This is not a gay issue. We have rules in place for a reason. This is a disgusting case of lets not be a citizen, because he is not a Canadian, and he should be deported. What gives him any right to stay here? oh because he has contributed to this gay community? How about pay into the system, and pay your way and do it legally like the rest of us.- The last time I check on his age is he is an ADULT.
Matt, tToronto ont
05/25/11 2:45 PM EST
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A country without borders ceases to exist
People who enter Canada on false pretenses or over stay their visas are indeed criminals no matter how much the No One Is Illegal loonies protest otherwise.
ron, Vancouver Bc
05/25/11 5:47 PM EST
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Alvaro ruins it for real refugees
Alvaro is one of the people who will ruin the chances of people who are indeed fleeing from dangerous places. Let's not forget one very important thing: Alvaro did not flee here from Nicaragua. He came here from the United States. (Where he was residing illegally.) I hope he has a very safe trip home, and that he applies to come to Canada legally.
mike, toronto on
05/25/11 9:37 PM EST
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