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Montreal, Aug 22, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the persistent and public anti-Palestinian actions of MP Wayne Long in Saint John, N.B. Over the past several months, MP Long has engaged in a deliberate campaign to discredit and intimidate local Palestine solidarity activists. His tactics include spreading misinformation and unfounded allegations against activists to distract from his government’s role in supporting the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine and Israel’s human rights violations in Gaza. 

The ARPCF believes that these actions by MP Long are completely inappropriate and is calling for accountability.

The ARPCF is shocked by MP Long's abuse of his position of power, which involved disparaging and publicizing the personal details of a Gaza-born Canadian who lost 123 family members in the genocide. For example, Long explicitly identified the individual's place of employment in his social media posts. “By doxing an activist, Long not only jeopardized their job to punish them for their political advocacy, but is also escalating fear among those who continue to speak out against the ongoing violence in Gaza,” said Jamila Ewais, Lead Researcher at the ARPCF. Long’s acts of doxing and smearing pro-Palestinians as haters of Canada serve as a stark instance of anti-Palestinian racism, precisely the type condemned in the 2022 report by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA). The report highlights how such tactics aim to silence and penalize those advocating for Palestinian rights.  

In December 2023, an incident involving MP Long and his administrative assistant further exemplified this troubling pattern. The two were documented intimidating and publicly shaming pro-Palestine protesters, accusing them of terrorism, and making xenophobic remarks. For example, they called for the expulsion of protestors from Canada if they opposed the official government stance on the situation in Gaza. The ARPCF believes that such actions not only stoke the flames of division but also starkly contrast with Canada’s professed commitment to human rights and international law.

The ARPCF calls for immediate measures of accountability and a cessation of these harmful actions by MP Wayne Long. It is imperative that Canadian political leaders uphold the principles of fairness and justice without resorting to tactics that threaten the safety and dignity of their constituents. We urge all involved parties and institutions to recognize and rectify this pattern of discrimination and foster a more inclusive and understanding community that respects diverse voices and perspectives, particularly those advocating for the rights and recognition of Palestinian people.