Censorship NewsDecember 15, 2003 Letter to Booksellers Doug Minett, owner of The Bookshelf in Guelph, Ontario, wrote the following letter to enlist the support of booksellers in defending the right of writers and journalists to do their job. Dear fellow bookseller, I am writing you on behalf of all of us who want to see that the rights of the press and investigative journalists are protected from abuses of state power. As you probably know, author Stephen Williams is faced with multiple criminal charges and a civil action. The criminal case — an astounding 97 counts — pertains to alleged failures to obey court orders. The civil case pertains to the right of the public to have access to crown disclosure — the background material to any criminal investigation. My concern is with the civil case. Stephen Williams is not everyone's cup of tea. Many people are offended by his work — whether they have read it or not. Many others are offended by his professional and/or personal style. I ask you to set aside what you may find irritating about the man or his work to look at issues which affect us all. While Williams is the apparent target, it is journalistic freedom which is actually at risk here. Stephen Williams is not equipped financially to battle this full frontal assault by the State. Indeed, who among us would have the resources to stand up against the limitless resources of the government? Both the civil action and the criminal action have also been leveled at the company owned by Williams' partner, Leacock-Award winning author Marsha Boulton. The State is seeking, among other things, in its lawsuit against Williams and the company, exemplary and punitive damages. By enjoining the company, Boulton — who has not published anything to do with this matter — also stands to lose everything including the farm home she has owned in Southwestern Ontario for over two decades and which was re-mortgaged to finance a previous legal battle which resulted in Williams acquittal on similar charges on November 30, 2000. Prominent criminal defense lawyer Edward Greenspan, himself an author, from the beginning, has rallied to Marsha and Stephen's defense. Mr. Greenspan represented Stephen on similar charges related to Invisible Darkness laid in 1998, and told the court when Stephen was acquitted that, "writing a book can never be a crime in a free and democratic society. That is something one sees in Iraq, Iran or China. It is not something we should ever tolerate in a free and democratic society." Not only does the civil litigation impugn Mr. Greenspan's ability to make full answer and defence, it has wide ranging ramifications with respect to the right of journalists and authors to monitor, investigate, and write about the possible inadequacy and ineptitude of powerful state institutions such as the police or the office of the attorney general. Thanks to a recent donation from the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) Lorne Honickman and Goodman Carr have just recently been retained. A strong and proper defense for Williams and Boulton and their company on both the civil and criminal fronts is beginning to take shape. Leaving anything unchallenged, or any stone unturned, will set new and dangerous precedents. What writer and what publisher will be willing to dig into damning stories, blow the whistle and call authorities to task, when they risk themselves becoming "enemies of the state" and assailed as Williams and Boulton are being assailed? No one, I would imagine. I am writing to enlist your support in defending the right of writers and journalists to do their job. A significant war chest must be raised — and quickly. Myself and two other local booksellers have agreed to put up $2,500 for the defense fund, and I urge you to contribute as you are able. In order to ensure that the money raised is only disbursed for the purpose which I have outlined, I have volunteered to act as the administrator of the Defence Fund. I encourage you to consider what you would be willing to commit to this cause and forward that sum to the "Williams Boulton Defence Fund", c/o The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec Street, Guelph, ON, N1H 2T1. Thank you. Regards, Doug Minett The Bookshelf Cafe & Cinema Related Documents Freedom to Read
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