by Obert Madondo, @Obiemad | The Canadian Progressive, March 28, 2012:

I delivered the letter yesterday afternoon. They wouldn’t let me hand in the letter in person. Said to sent it by mail. My MP, Paul Dewar (NDP, Ottawa Centre), saved the day. He delivered the letter on my behalf.

The letter conveys my five demands. It’s addressed to: Prime Minister Stephan Harper, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada; Thomas Mulcair, Leader of the Official Opposition New Democratic Party; Bob Rae, Leader of Liberal Party of Canada; Louis Plamondon Leader of the bloc Québécois; Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party; all members of the House of Commons; and all members of the Senate of Canada.

In the next few days, I’ll sent the letter to all the MPs and Senators.

Special thanks to all the friends and supporters who accompanied me on the visit, particularly: Taylor, James, MaMyriah, John, Alisha, Kurtis, Miranda, and Amin

Now we wait for the response!

Obert Madondos Bill C-10 Hunger Strike – Open Letter to Members of the Parliament of Canada

This journal entry covers days 10 and 11 (March 23 and 24) my indefinite hunger strike against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives’ draconian Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10). I think I’m approaching a crucial turning point since I started the peaceful protest at 12:01am on Wednesday, March 14. Health-wise.

On Friday evening, I started feeling weak. Late on Saturday, I started experiencing mild chest pains. However, my spirits are high.

This journal entry covers days 8 and 9 (March 21 and 22) my indefinite hunger strike against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives’ draconian Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10). I started the peaceful protest at 12:01am on Wednesday, March 14. My key demand is the repeal of the Act in its entirety.

Health-wise, I suffered the second headache since the protest begun. (I’ve been experiencing excruciating headaches since the incident with the Ottawa Police on Confederation Park on November 23, 2011.) My back, injured during the same incident, hurts really bad. Other than that, I’m holding up. My spirits are high.

Key developments:

• Revamped personal blog: created section for hunger strike updates
• Received responses to my email to Canadian MPs from the offices of the following MPs: Bob Rae (Liberal), Paul Dewar (NDP), Nycole Turmel (NDP interim leader).
• Discussed plans for voluntary support teams for the following five key functions: Media and PR; Health & Safety; Actions; Outreach and Video Production and Livestreaming

In the works:

• Definitive YouTube Video
• Livestreaming
• Handover of key functions to team of supporters

This journal entry covers days 6 and 7 (March 19 & 20) of my indefinite hunger strike against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives’ draconian Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10). I started the peaceful protest at 12:01am on Wednesday, March 14. My key demand is the repeal of the Act in its entirety.

My injured back hurts. But my spirits are high.

Key developments:

• With assistance from two future media reps, created 2^nd press release
• Issued 2^nd press release
• Formulated initial plans for 1^st march to Parliament Hill, scheduled for Tuesday, March 27
• Hammered out plans for first 12-hour solidarity hunger strike in Ottawa, tentatively scheduled for Friday, March 30
• Emailed Canadian MPs: On Day Six of Indefinite Bill C-10 Hunger Strike, Obert Madondo Addresses Canadian MPs
• Held interviews with two local journalists
• Held initial discussions with three candidates for voluntary media and PR support team

  In the works:

• Interviews with a local journalists
• First march to Parliament Hill
• First 12-hour solidarity hunger strike in Ottawa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

Ottawa, March 19, 2012 – At 12:01am on Wednesday, March 14, Ottawa-based activist and progressive blogger, Obert Madondo, started an indefinite hunger strike whose key demand is that the Parliament of Canada should immediately repeal the new Safe Streets and Communities Act (formerly omnibus crime Bill C-10). Earlier, Madondo had appealed to the Governor General of Canada to use the Crown’s reserve powers to either withhold or reserve Royal Assent to Bill C-10.

In a letter sent to Canadian MPs this afternoon, Madondo said that the Act is the epitome of state abuse of power, the law and resources. He argued that the making of the Act was a tyrannical abuse of Canadian democratic institutions and parliamentary process.

By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Mar. 19, 2012:

Honorable MP, what is happening to Canada?

At 12:01 am on Wednesday, March 14, I embarked on an indefinite hunger strike whose demand is: the Parliament of Canada immediately repeal the new Safe Streets and Communities Act (omnibus crime Bill C-10). Earlier, I had appealed to the Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable David Johnston, to use the Crown’s reserve powers to either withhold or reserve Royal Assent to Bill C-10. But Prime Minister Stephen Harper‘s tyrannical will prevailed, just as it did when the Conservative majorities in the House of Commons and Senate brushed aside the diverse input of the opposition, experts and victims and passed crime Bill C-10. The bill reportedly received royal assent Tuesday afternoon. I will now continue the hunger strike until the Act is repealed in its entirety.

This journal entry covers days 3, 4 and 5 (March 16, 17 & 18) of my indefinite hunger strike against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives’ draconian Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10). I started the peaceful protest at 12:01am on Wednesday, March 14. My key demand is the repeal of the Act in its entirety.

My spirits are high. But my injured back hurts really bad.

Key developments:

• Days 3: Mostly rested and reflected. I needed this, after working non-stop during the lead up to the hunger strike, and during the first 2 days into the action.
• Day 4: started re-vamping personal blog to create section for hunger strike updates
• Day 5: Had a terrific time with the safety gang from Occupy Ottawa and other friends. Felt rejuvenated. It’s as if I was walking this almost-lonesome road and suddenly this bunch of merry travelers appeared from i-dont-know-where & joined me.

In the works:

• Email to Canadian MPs
• 2^nd press release
• Media and PR team

At 12:01am on Wednesday, March 14, I started an indefinite hunger strike against the Conservative Government’s new Safe Streets and Communities Act (crime Bill C-10). My five demands include the immediate repeal of the Act and resignation of Senator Vernon White.

Important links:

• Letter to Parliament of Canada
• Letter to the Governor General of Canada
• Letter to Canadian MPs
• Demands

• Releases: 
  • Release 1
  • Release 2

• Media Coverage:

• Activist protests omnibus crime bill with hunger strike, Rabble.ca
• Hunger strike activist spurned at doors of Canada’s Parliament: “Go put it in the mail”, AllVoices
• Ottawa man to go on hunger strike to protest Bill C-10, Metro News
• Man begins hunger strike to protest omnibus crime bill, Centretown News
• Taking a stand against ‘draconian’ crime bill, EMC Ottawa South
• Occupier begins hunger strike to protest crime bill, Charlatan

• Selected Journal Entries: 

• Day 2 Update
• Day 5 Update
• Day 7 Update
• Day 9 Update
• Day 11 Update

• Upcoming Public Actions:

• 24-hour Solidarity Hunger Strike (details coming soon)

• Completed Public Actions:

• 12-hour Solidarity Hunger Strike at the Canadian Human Rights Monument (Ottawa)
• Ottawa Bill C-10 Hunger Striker’s March to Parliament Hill

It’s Day 2 of my indefinite hunger strike to demand the repeal of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives’ draconian Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10). I started the peaceful protest at 12:01am on Wednesday, March 14.

I’m doing great. My spirits are high. I’m getting the maximum support I expected from most of my close friends.

Today’s developments

• Received positive coverage from Metro Ottawa
•  Had three interviews with the local media
• Held conversation with colleagues and friends who are hammering out plans for support including: regular visits, medical attention, etc.
• Attended and spoke at the Ottawa International Day Against Police Violence Vigil
• Met with a colleague from the Occupy Ottawa media team
• Read a chapter 9 of the Lord of the Ring: The Return of the King
• New friendships made
• Music, music, music!

By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Mar. 14, 2012:

Starting at 12:01am today, I embarked on an indefinite hunger strike to demand that Canada’s new Safe Streets and Communities Act (omnibus crime Bill C-10) be immediately repealed. Earlier, I appealed to the Governor General of Canada, David Johnson, to use the Crown’s reserve powers to either withhold or reserve Royal Assent to Bill C-10. But Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s tyrannical will prevailed, just as it did when the House of Commons and Senate shamefully passed Bill C-10. The bill reportedly received royal assent Tuesday afternoon.

As a result I will now continue the hunger strike until the Act is repealed in its entirety. I’ll carry out the action in my apartment here in Ottawa.