Our own Lucene Charles is the subject of media attention recently in her bid to persuade the Canadian government to allow her and her four children to remain together here in Hamilton. St. Paul’s has supported Lucene for several years in this goal. The need for support has increased recently with the government’s plan to deport Lucene and her youngest child who is five. There has been much support for Lucene and her children from people here in Hamilton and far beyond.
Following a judge’s decision to delay the February 20 deportation date of Lucene and her daughter, there is still the need to support Lucene as the legal discussions continue.
How you can help Lucene and her children:
You can sign a petition to the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism here: Stop the deportation of Lucene Charles and her daughter
Minister Kenney has the authority to stop a deportation order. You can get in touch with him at jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca or 613-992-2235 or on Twitter @kenneyjason
You can also show support at this Facebook page: DontDeportLuceneandAjohkeCharles and on this website: Canadians for Lucene Charles website.
If you would like to make a donation for Lucene’s legal costs, here’s how:
There will be a fundraiser Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday April 14 here at St. Paul’s. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
Donations by mail can be addressed to: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 1140 King St. W., Hamilton, L8S 1M1. Please note Charles Family Defense Fund on the memo line of your cheque or include it in a note. OR You can also make a donation through PayPal by sending your gift of support to: stpauls-westdale@cogeco.net
The following posts were made in the months leading up to the judge’s decision to delay the February 20 deportation date.
February 17th: Lucene has been given a six month delay on her deportation!!!
Congrats Team Lucene – See you at the rally in half an hour!!!
Here are two new stories from the Hamilton Spectator:
Lucene Charles deportation delayed six months
Lucene Charles granted stay so the Federal Court can review her case
For pictures of the rally, check our Past Events page.
February 16th: Lucene’s court hearing in Toronto has just finished at 2:30pm. The judge will provide his decision tomorrow. Many thanks to all the Lucene supporters!
We’ll see you at the Charles Family Rally on Friday February 17, 4pm to 5pm
at 55 Bay Street South, Hamilton (across from Copps)
February 16th: Late yesterday we learned that Immigration minister Jason Kenney has answered ‘no’ to Lucene’s request to intervene with border authorities and stop the deportation order. This afternoon in Toronto, Lucene’s case will be reviewed by a court judge. We are hoping for a ‘stay’ to be issued by the judge, resulting in more time and review about Lucene and her daughter remaining in Canada. If the judge does not decide in her favour, their departure date from Canada is February 20, Family Day.
February 14th: Watch CBC television news tonight to hear the story of the Charles family. It will be told on both the French and English CBC News programs
between 6:00-7:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
February 12th: A rally to support Lucene and her family is being held on
Friday, February 17 from 4 to 5:00pm
at the Federal Government building at 55 Bay Street South, Hamilton.
(across from Copps Coliseum)
Lucene & Ajohke have been told by border authorities to leave Canada on
Monday, February 20 – Family Day. Please come and show your support for keeping this family together in Canada.
February 10th: Lucene’s court date in Toronto has been postponed from Monday February 13 to later in the week. A press conference is still planned for Monday in Toronto at 180 Queen Street West with several speakers. Here is the press release for this event: Lucene Charles Press Release_Feb 10
February 10th: The support group, Canadians for Lucene Charles, has sent an open letter to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney appealing for a response to the many communications sent to him regarding Lucene’s case. “Lucene is a good person and exemplary taxpaying citizen. Lucene’s transparent decency is why her church, her co-workers, and her friends have been trying to get your attention. But you don’t respond. Where are you, Mr. Minister?” Read the entire letter here: Lucene Charles Needs Your Help NOW to Keep Her Family Together In Canada
February 8th: Lucene and her family will be attending court in Toronto on Monday February 13. Her lawyer will be asking for a stay of the deportation order pending further legal action. Please continue to keep Lucene and her family in your prayers as they go through this very difficult time in their lives.
February 3rd: Lucene Charles met with her officer at the Canadian Border Services Agency and was given a written refusal of her request to defer her deportation.
Lucene and her daughter have been ordered to leave Canada
by February 20th, Family Day.
Lucene and her supporters are very disappointed but are not giving up. Please see below for ways that you can help the Charles family. Lucene wishes to thank everyone for their continued support as we hope for the best.
Media Coverage:
March 8th: Lucene Charles: The Voice of One, The Voice of Many
February 17th: With plane tickets in hand, Lucene is still hoping to stay
February 16th: Lucene’s last hope
February 14th: From AM900CHML Charles faces deportation on Monday
February 14th: From the Hamilton Spectator: Supporters ramp up campaign to reverse deportation of Lucene Charles
February 14th: CBC’s website posted this story about Lucene: Woman facing deportation may have to leave children behind
February 13th: Lucene and her children were interviewed by CBC today following the press conference in Toronto. The interviews aired on CBC Metro Morning on February 14 at 6:30am, 7:30am and 8:30am at 99.1FM. Here are the recordings of each interview:
6:30am: http://f.cl.ly/items/1k0w011H1W3k0S1G0f0k/Lucene.mp3
7:30am: http://f.cl.ly/items/0B441c2H0f2P0E3H2D3y/Lucene2.mp3
8:30am: http://f.cl.ly/items/3m450R313J21293s1R3b/Lucene_3.mp3
February 7th: A blog post by AM900 CHML’s Shiona Thompson Lucene Charles should stay in Canada
February 3rd: Article from the Hamilton Spectator: Hamilton mother facing deportation loses reprieve
January 19th: Hamilton Spectator received confirmation of the deferral from border officials: CBSA confirms Hamilton mother’s deportation has been deferred
January 18th: Border officials are reviewing Lucene’s application and will provide an update in the near future. They have deferred the required departure date of February 2nd for an unknown time-frame. Here is a January 17th Press Release explaining that the ‘struggle is far from over and we continue to appeal to the public for support
in this difficult time for the Charles Family.’
January 17th: Hamilton Spectator article described the latest development based on a fax received from CBSA by one of Lucene’s supporters: Hamilton mother’s deportation deferred, supporters say
January 12th: Border officials gave Lucene a deadline of February 2nd to leave Canada with her daughter. This Spectator article from January 13th explains the details:
Hamilton mom loses appeal, ordered out of Canada Lucene’s supporters will continue their efforts to keep this family together in Canada.
January 12th: The Hamilton Spectator featured another story about Lucene’s meeting with border officials on January 12: ‘It was the wrong decision’
January 10th: Our Rector, Rick Jones, was interviewed by CFRU about St. Paul’s efforts to help Lucene. You can listen to the interview here: Hamilton church community fights deportation
January 7th: Lucene’s situation was explained in this article and video from the
Hamilton Spectator: Outrage Over Looming Deportation
January 6th: Hamilton’s Raise the Hammer website featured an article which includes explanations of the legal aspects and government regulations: Lucene Charles and Canadian Immigration Policy
Letters to the editor of the Hamilton Spectator supporting Lucene:
February 24th: Sweet, Kenney can act in boys’ interests
February 21st: Criminals yes; productive families no
February 17th: Lucene Charles: MP Sweet misled me
February 17th: What will happen to three Canadian boys?
February 13th: Charles family deserves compassion
February 13th: No common sense in deportation order
February 9th: Senseless, wrong to rip apart Charles family
February 8th: Deportation of Lucene Charles is unforgivable
February 8th: Harper should act on Celil and Charles
January 20th: Keep Lucene Charles and family in Canada
January 18th: No one benefits by deporting mother
