After 2 years in church refuge, he walks free

[struggle4progress]

Iranian refugee Amir Kazemian, his mother by his side, is told he can stay in Canada for good

Adrienne Tanner, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Minutes after he was freed from jail and told he could live in Canada, Iranian-born Amir Kazemian returned to the church that doubled as his refuge and prison for more than two years.

He was giddy after a weekend spent dreading deportation to Iran following his arrest by a Vancouver police officer who he said did not understand the tradition of church sanctuary.

On Monday morning, he learned the Canadian government had cancelled his deportation. He was free to stay.

He ran down the centre aisle of St. Michael's Anglican Church and clutched priest John Marsh ...

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=f9283eed-2d70-4e09-a1a7-b8fecf6bb1fe

[bananas]

1. No comments?

A serious post about religion and politics.
Why no replies?

[Evoman]

3. Perhaps you can engage in further discussion instead of berating others into doing so?

Although, really, there isn't much to be said here. Other than, "Good for him. I'm glad he wasn't deported"?

[redqueen]

2. He's very, very lucky.

It makes me think of all those who aren't so lucky...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Some of the churches in Minneapolis sheltered Salvadoran refugees

in the 1980s.

The Sanctuary Movement involved a lot of Catholic and liberal Protestant churches throughout the U.S.