Bill Ayers Refused Entry To Canada

An American education professor, one of the founders of a radical 1960s group known as the Weather Underground, which was responsible for a number of bombings in the United States in the early 1970s, was turned back at the Canadian border last night.

Dr. William Ayers, a professor of education at the University of Illinois-Chicago and a leader in educational reform, was scheduled to speak at the Centre for Urban Schooling at University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. But that appearance has now been temporarily cancelled.

"I don't know why I was turned back," Ayers said in an interview this morning from Chicago.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[scooperss]

Where's Denny Crane when you need him?

[lochnessmonster]

You are on "The List" my friend...

[hudsuckerproxy]

I had planned to attend the Ayers talk. This sucks.

I suspect interference on the part of Harper and his cabal of neo-cons.

[alsm9]

^ Yep.

[moAb]

Can't wait for the South Park episode!

[Snuffleupagus]

Canada. It sure ain't what it used to be. Fascism is on the march.

[coldcanuckinwhite]

ouch!

[Skepticat]

The article doesn't say if he was let into Canada before. If not he might have been on some old watch list from the 1970's weathermen era. If that's the case this should be changed. If on the other hand this is something new - I'd like to find out what's happening.

[mjb5406]

I understand that Sarah Palin called the Prime Minister of Canada, saying "I can see your country from my front porch" and asked him to bar Mr. Ayers from entry.

[TallyLass]

What the eff does Canada or so called homeland security have to do with this mess. That was years ago and although I did not, and do not condone bombing, those were the times when people were truly involved in their government and made the government work for them. I didn't bomb anything, but I marched my a$$ off. I'm very proud of that.

By the didn't Chertoff -homeland security chief have undocumented maid in his house?

[viewfromuphere]

oh for pity sakes....how stupid....

appeal it Mr. Ayres....I'm sure it will turn out to be nothing at all

[bygollymissmolly]

I hope that Obama can fairly quickly get rid of the ridiculous Homeland Security "lists" that the Bush Crime Family has made up. I'm sure that's why Ayres was refused entry into Canada.

I heard today that Thom Hartman, probably the best talk show host in the country, is being denied the ability to go to the inaugural ball. The Secret Service won't give him clearance. This is certainly not something that Obama has done.

[Newsmonger]

I am sure this is not the first time, he have travelled north of the border since the 60s.

If he had visited and had been admitted into Canada in the past, what changed in recently?

This does not pass the smell test.

[lochnessmonster]

Remember wiretapping...Cheney...illegal...

[DontJustFollow]

pretty obvious, they see how well he has done with the public schools in Chicago and they were afraid he would do the same north of the border - - -

either that or they were afraid he might make a side trip to one of their high profile buildings and leave a little "present" . . .

[bygollymissmolly]

Were you born stupid or did your mother drop you on your head as a infant?

[obamagal]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[karela]

After reading the article, I'd say that this doesn't sound like a safety concern. It sounds like somebody doing one last political favor for somebody on this side. Obama doesn't play these kind of games, but we know someone who does. We've had a constant diet of this stuff for eight years. Who in the Bush administration has an axe to grind and one last day to use for grinding it?

[tbone99]

Canada - like the U.S but five years behind.

They are still in the throes of Bush.

[holyhandgrenaid]

Up north its actually the throws of Harper- all the nastiness, pettiness, and politicization of Bush, but more moderate (although still obscenely conservative by Canadian standards

[gmacq]

"Canada- like the US but five years behind?" Seriously? Honey- Canada has it's share of problems, but five years the US it is not. Typical naive, egocentric American! Get to know the world around you including your neighbors. Indeed we are still in the throes of the Queen- but she has strengthened us, not weakened us like BUSH has- he has weakened and demoralized more than just Canada thanks to his arrogance...he has created one hell of a mess!

As for Bill Ayers- who knows why he was refused entry! Officials were probably bullied by the Bush Admin. to refuse his admittance, they caved in under pressure. The old boys club in this country will fight tooth and nail to maintain their power and influence.

As a Canadian living in the US- I am disappointed that Ayers was not allowed into Canada for what I see as political reasons. Maybe if he was flying in tomorrow, we would have had a better outcome...

"Fired up and ready to go!" as they say in the land of Lincoln and Obama.

[Natal]

Fortunately there is an appeal process.