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Canada Rebuffs Ex-Radical Ayers at Border

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 19, 2009 6:28 PM CST
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(Newser) – Former Weatherman Bill Ayers was denied entry yesterday into Canada, where he planned to speak at an education conference, the Globe and Mail reports. The controversial academic, who made headlines during the election for his link to Barack Obama, said he had visited Canada more than a dozen times. "It seems very arbitrary,” Ayers said of the refusal.

“The border agent said I had a conviction for a felony from 1969,” said Ayers. “I have several arrests for misdemeanors, but not for felonies.” Ayers said he had been denied entry into Canada only once and travels to other countries easily. A Canadian official refused to comment on the case. The professor who organized the conference said the border snub violated Ayers' academic freedom.

Bill Ayers, a former member of the Weather Underground, walks with wife, Bernardine Dohrn, and their son, Zayd Dohrn, 4, in 1982.
Bill Ayers, a former member of the Weather Underground, walks with wife, Bernardine Dohrn, and their son, Zayd Dohrn, 4, in 1982.   (AP Photo)
William Ayers signs copies of his book at the All Souls Church in Washington.
William Ayers signs copies of his book at the All Souls Church in Washington.   (AP Photo)
William Ayers.
William Ayers.   (AP Photo)
Alain Jolicoeur, president of the Canada Border Services Agency.
Alain Jolicoeur, president of the Canada Border Services Agency.   (AP Photo)
The Toronto airport.
The Toronto airport.   (AP Photo)
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There is no one who could have thought it possible there was any danger to Canadians to letting him in. - Jeffrey Kugler, executive director of the Centre for Urban Schooling

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Shannonals
Jan 20, 2009 10:02 PM CST
Okay, there is something strange going on. Sorry boys & girls, Corona_king is correct. The truth of the matter is there are certain points of entry into Canada that are very routine, and others that are high visibility. Odds are Ayers entered the later of the two. It happens, but it doesn't make it a plot.
PosterNutbag
Jan 20, 2009 6:36 AM CST
He did not make headlines during the election. He was quiet. McCain/Palin made the headlines about Ayers.
lindamae
Jan 20, 2009 2:36 AM CST
How wonderful for a country to see him as he is. He made poor choices in his past and deserves punishment for them.

Other former Weathermen move freely into Canada
Torontoist

"I couldn't possibly be a threat to Canada," Ayers says
Toronto Star (Canada)

After the election, Ayers spoke out
New York Times

 
Canada • border security • Toronto • US-Canadian border • Bill Ayers • University of Toronto • William Ayers • Weather Underground • academic freedom

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