UPDATE at end of article I was working on a story yesterday that brought to mind the case of Arthur Topham of Quesnel, British Columbia. Arthur has an opinion of his own and he's never shy to share it and that landed him in some very hot water with Canada's Thought Police. Quesnel Crown Counsel Jennifer Caroline Johnston likened Topham to a child pornographer or a sexual … [Read more...]
Raif Badawi: Our Right to Free Speech must not be taken lightly
Here in North America we take our Right to Freedom of Speech for granted. We criticize our government with abandon and gusto, confident we are safe from retaliation; that there is no price to be paid for speaking our mind. We forget the rest of the world doesn’t take so kindly to criticism. In Saudi Arabia, for example, criticizing the government comes at a very high cost. … [Read more...]
Should Arthur Topham Have Sexually Assaulted 23 Women Instead?
That may seem a strange title for an article about our legal system, but after reading about Campbell Ernest Crichton, the former Duncan, BC, physiotherapist who faces charges he sexually assaulted at least 23 of his former patients, it seems to be the correct title. A February 21, 2014, article in The Province started thus: A hearing has been ordered in the case of a … [Read more...]
Arthur Topham’s Continuing Legal Battle for his Right to Freedom of Speech
As I’ve written many times before Quesnel, BC, resident Arthur Topham is embroiled in a battle for his Right to Freedom of Speech. Those who dislike what Arthur has to say used both Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act (now repealed) and the Criminal Code section against “hate crimes” to attack him and strip him of that precious right. While Section 13 of the Canadian … [Read more...]
Thought Police Compare Publisher with Child Pornographers and Sexual Predators
The Arthur Topham criminal “hate speech” case here in British Columbia continues to leave me scratching my head in amazement that we actually pay Crown Prosecutors good money to act like such idiots. I’m specifically talking about Quesnel Crown Counsel and (president of Quesnel Bar Association) Jennifer Caroline Johnston’s antics in court. Johnston, Arthur Topham relates in … [Read more...]
Arthur Topham’s Legal Woes Continue for Daring to use his Right to Freedom of Speech
From the beginning Arthur Topham’s case puzzled me. Charging Mr. Topham with “wilfully promoting hatred” under Section 319(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada seemed excessive given he already faces charges under Section 13(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act. What makes Arthur Topham so scary? In today’s world, where we value “hurt feelings” over our Charter Rights and … [Read more...]
Arthur Topham & RadicalPress.com Hate Crime Trial: Freedom of Speech Legal Case Update
[powerpress] On Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Arthur Topham was back in the Quesnel, BC, Court house for his latest attempt at a bail hearing. The regular Judge presiding over Arthur’s case was unable to attend so a female judge, M. Church, heard the application instead. Crown Council Jennifer Johnston opened by giving Judge Church a … [Read more...]
An Open Letter to the Free Speech Censors at Netfirms.com
Arthur Topham believes in his Right to Freedom of Speech. He’s a very vocal advocate for that right, and has been for many years. Arthur Topham is also the latest individual being harassed by RCMP for what they call “hate speech” on Arthur Topham’s website RadicalPress.com. Even though Mr. Topham has not been convicted of any crime, the RCMP Hate Crimes Unit has … [Read more...]