Ottawa Witness Group: Protect the Right to Protest
Box 722, 410 Bank St., Ottawa, K1Y 1Y8
Email: witnessgroup@rogers.com
Website: http://members.rogers.com/witnessgroup

Press Release                      Version francaise

Ottawa Witness Group releases Open Letter concerning the end of Councillor Jacques Legendre's service on the Ottawa Police Services Board

Ottawa, December 23, 2003 - The Ottawa Witness Group (OWG) released an Open Letter to municipal Councillor Jacques Legendre today in Ottawa.

The letter conveyed OWG's appreciation to Legendre as former Vice-Chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board for his commitment to an accountable, transparent and independent Board. The letter also expressed concern regarding the nominations process for the OPSB that resulted in the end of Legendre's service on the Board.

The OWG is a local volunteer organization concerned with defending public space in order to protect the right to protest. OWG members attend demonstrations as observers to monitor the adherence of police to human rights. They have engaged in many activities, including the release of two major reports on the policing of major events in Ottawa (July 2002 and November 2003).

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A copy of the letter is attached.

For further information, contact: Paul Durber, telephone: (613) 237-5337; pdurber@rogers.com