Update on the CCHR in Concordia

Anyone has any?

puck35 wrote:
I came across a gigantic anti-psychiatry display in the atrium of the Concordia library building. I asked one of the goons who they were, and he said "Citizens Commission on Human Rights". Only when I pressed him did he admit that they were Scientologists. We had it out for a minute before he turned away and started ignoring me. A fellow student and I went to the office of the Dean of Students, which sent us to the office of the Vice-President, Services (they are the ones who book events, it seems). We met with a woman there and expressed our concerns. She said there had already been a few complaints, that their office was unaware that this was a Scientology front group, and that they had convened an emergency meeting this afternoon to discuss the matter.

I also called the Mirror and Hour to let them know, since they seem to care about these sorts of things.

My general disdain for Scientology aside, my main issues are these: First, the name of the front group lends it an air of respectability, which makes people more susceptible to believing the lies contained in their display. Naïve students might buy into it and be swayed by recruiting materials on their way out. Second, a university is a place where science is conducted, and Scientology's bullshit goes against the spirit of legitimate academic inquiry.

The goon said that they had paid to rent the space, but I wonder if the university would rent space to, say, a Holocaust denial group presenting what they claim are "facts" that have been discredited far and wide. As far as I'm concerned, freedom of expression ends when lies, deception, and coersion begin.

I don't know what else to do, really, but I thought I should post something here to let you all know what's up at Concordia. They're supposed to be there for the rest of the week at least, unless they get kicked out.

Here's the video I took earlier.

NRR wrote:FLIERS: PRINT THEM, MAGGOTS!

http://api.ning.com/files/dmqqkR8LmNb*ur3DAvVDJvNIZ-1nRPtM4PUMrNA8eiXt1Gra1J8C3cawrCAjg0Vc5R64ZQKsbiOBnigMn2-50UyIFfLi5eYJ/cchrflyer1.jpg

megaupload.com X5QEGSMV

NRR wrote:Guises... This is a golden opportunity for a flash raid!

Who want to to raid Concordia this week?

PS: http://forums.whyweprotest.net/291-scientology-activism/cchr-concordia-university-montreal-43580/#post831089

puck35 wrote:They's only there until Sunday, I think... unless we can get them shut down. I have to follow up with the office of the Vice-President of Services about the meeting they held today.

Some contacts:

President's Office

• Dr. Judith Woodsworth
  President
  514-848-2424, ext 4849
  president@concordia.ca
  
• Jonathan Levinson
  Chief of Staff
  514-848-2424, ext 4841
  jonathan.levinson@concordia.ca
  
• Sandra-Lynn Spina
  Director, Office of the President
  514-848-2424, ext 4840
  sandra.spina@concordia.ca
  
• Jeanne Bisson
  Executive Assistant to the President
  514-848-2424, ext 4805
  jeanne.bisson@concordia.ca
  
• Louise Ryan
  Executive Assistant to the President
  514-848-2424, ext. 4189
  louise.ryan@concordia.ca
  
• Mireille Wahba
  Assistant
  514-848-2424, ext. 4868
  mireille.wahba@concordia.ca
  

Office of the Vice-President, Services

Michael Di Grappa, Vice-President, Services
Michael.DiGrappa@concordia.ca

Denise Karelis, Manager, Administrative Services
Denise.Karelis@concordia.ca

Georgia Adamopoulos, Executive Assistant to the Vice-President
G.Adamopoulos@concordia.ca

Dean of Students

dofs@alcor.concordia.ca

This is their press release, which includes their agenda.

PRESS RELEASE

Exhibit: "La psychiatrie: la vérité sur ses abus"

Psychotropic drugs that make you lose your mind
In a time where school shootings perpetrated by murderers under the
influence of antidepressants or other psychotropic drugs are more and
more common, it is time to raise a concern about the dangerous effects
of psychiatric drugs. In the past few years, the Food and Drug
Administration (USA) and Health Canada have published warnings on
antidepressants and stimulants frequently prescribed to kids and adults.

Stimulants to offset education problems
How did we get to a point where Ritalin prescriptions In Québec
increased 170% over other Canadian provinces? This was reported by a
Montreal newspaper back in January 2009.

Responding to this abnormal situation, Dr. Yves Lamontagne, president
of the “Collège des médecins du Québec”, says that the problem stems
from doctors being strongly urged to prescribe the drugs, admitting
that thousands of prescriptions were not based on medical diagnostics.

Michelle Courchesne, Quebec's Minister of Education, announced an
improvement of the situation by the implementation of a support program
for students in difficulty, clearly suggested that the solution should
come from our education system, not from the pharmacological industry.

Medical drugs causing the death of thousands of elders
A CBC News investigation from April 2005 based on the analysis of
documents from Health Canada obtained by virtue of the law on
information access, revealed that between the years 2000 and 2005,
approximately 16,500 elderly people have died from the side effects of
drugs, including antidepressants and tranquillizers. There is no reason
to believe that the last four years saw an improvement of the
situation. Ref. : Drugs killing thousands of seniors yearly

Visiting the exhibit: "La psychiatrie : la vérité sur ses abus"
The purpose of the exhibit is to inform the public on questions which
otherwise are left unanswered, to expose the abuses of one of the most
prolific industries in the world, pharmaco psychiatry and its
treatments. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) presents a
multimedia exhibit - ''La Psychiatrie: la vérité sur ses abus''.

This 3500 square foot exhibit presents 14 shocking video documentaries
where educators, health, law and human rights professionals express
their viewpoint.


Official opening: Thursday, April 9th 2009
Media presentation : 5 pm to 7 pm
Ribbon cutting: 7 pm
April 14, 15, 16 17 & 18 (visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
April 19th Brunch followed by a conference on mental health violations
Location: Concordia University Atrium
McConnell Library Building
1400 De Maisonneuve Ouest, corner Bishop
Montréal, (Québec) H3G 1M8

For more information contact : Richer Dumais
Phone. : (514) 473-8316
E-mail : richer@ccdhmtl.org
Website : CCDH - Organisme qui dénonce publiquement les abus psychiatriques dans le domaine de la santé mentale

The Mirror is doing a story.

puck35 wrote:The Mirror is doing a story.

Epic job. This is growing very quick

I sent an email to everyone on the above contact list. The best part, regarding the media coverage (which I hope is still going to happen), is this:

It would behoove the university administration to prepare a public defense for hosting this conference and accepting Scientology money, as well as to anticipate the negative publicity this will bring upon the university.

Not to spread news like wildfire, but Concordia and (really the CSU) hasn't always been so heavily pressed with dancing on the legal side of things. I won't name names but there's been heavy corruption for at least the past 10 years or so.

The CSU has had corruption issues for as long as I can remember. Still, I don't think the actual university administration relishes this sort of publicity.

No, definitely not.

But hopefully at the very least it'll teach them to look more carefully and who's handing them money for events like these.

I see a French press release has been issued:

http://anonymousmontreal.blogspot.com/2009/04/communique-de-presse-la-scientologie.html

Hopefully there will be an English one as well?

This is the reply I got from the Concordia administration. How does one respond to this?

Good afternoon,

I wish to thank you for your recent email and for sharing
with me your concerns about the current exhibit sponsored by the Citizens
Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), which is affiliated with the Church of
Scientology.

Although I am sympathetic to the issues you have raised
and do not personally agree with the positions taken by the leadership of the
Church of Scientology, I thought that it would be helpful to outline the key
factors which led us to allow the exhibit on campus.

Firstly, the space was booked by the organizers of the
event in accordance with our policies and procedures. Secondly, it is my
understanding that the Church of Scientology is a recognized religious and
charitable organization. Thirdly, and most importantly, we are motivated by our
commitment to ensuring the university is a place where individuals and groups
have the freedom to present their ideas and perspectives, whether we agree with
them or not, in a civil and respectful manner. Concordia University takes
no position with respect to the content of the exhibit or any of the positions
the CCHR espouses.

I am well aware that you may still disagree with our
decision. That being said, there is an expectation that the exhibit will
respect the spirit of our commitment to academic freedom. It is a
precondition of any event on our campus that the emphasis will be and at all
times will remain on the respectful discussion and debate of possibly opposing
positions in a secure, collegial environment.

Thank you once again for bringing your concerns to my
attention.

Michael Di Grappa
Vice-President, Services
Concordia University
1550 de Maisonneuve West
GM-804
Montreal, QC
H3G 1N2

PRESS RELEASE – The Church of Scientology present at Concordia University: UNACCEPTABLE!

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS NOTIFICATION

MEDIA CONTACT: xenumontreal [at] gmail [dot] com

MONTREAL, April 15, 2009 – Montreal Anonymous denounces the presence of the Citizens
Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) at Concordia University. The CCHR is a front
group for the Church of Scientology.

Undercover as an advocacy group against psychiatry, the CCHR’s mission is to abolish the
use of prescription drugs and other commonly used psychiatric devices and replace
them with dangerous techniques employed by Scientology. The CCHR also maintains
that the September 11, 2001 attack on New York City was the work of
psychiatrists.

“We are very concerned with the fact that Concordia University is allowing
their space to be used by a group who promotes pseudoscience” says Anonymous
member, Jean Grégoire. “The Church of Scientology
is classified as a dangerous organization in France and Germany, and is
undergoing inquiries in other countries, such as Belgium, due to medical
malpractice.”

Anonymous is also worried that an education institution is facilitating
recruiting for religious organizations. A parallel can be drawn between this
exhibit at Concordia University and the purchase of the “La Patrie” building
near UQAM; the church is looking to bring in students as a way to boost their
low numbers, a tactic being seen by their members around the world.

Anonymous feels that Concordia University should
immediately revoke CCHR’s rights to advertise and recruit within the confines
of the university’s property.

ON THE SUBJECT OF ANONYMOUS:

Anonymous is an internet-based collective of citizens
whose intent is to inform the public about the Church of Scientology’s harmful
policies and practices. Anonymous is an international group, active in over 30
countries and 100 cities worldwide.

Final(?) Version of the PR in french:
---------------
POUR PUBLICATION IMMÉDIATE

Courriel: xenumontreal [at] gmail [point] com

LA SCIENTOLOGIE À L'UNIVERSITÉ CONCORDIA: INACCEPTABLE!

Montréal, 15 avril 2009 — Anonymous Montréal dénonce la présence à l'Université Concordia de la Commission des Citoyens pour les Droits de l'homme (CCDH), un organisme de façade de l'Église de scientologie(1). L’Église de scientologie n'est pas reconnue comme organisme charitable au Canada.

À l'émission RDI Santé du 10 avril 2009, Diane Lamarre, pharmacienne et professeure à la faculté de pharmacie de l'Université de Montréal, mets en garde les auditeurs contre la Commission des Citoyens pour les Droits de l'Homme:

«la Commission des Citoyens pour les Droits de l'Homme c'est une commission fondée par l'Église de Scientologie, il faut être conscient d'où vient l'information.»

En effet, sous le couvert d'un groupe qui vise à dénoncer les abus de la psychiatrie, la CCDH est un organisme dont le but est d'abolir la psychiatrie et de la remplacer par les techniques dangereuses de la scientologie. De plus, la CCDH soutient, le plus sérieusement du monde, que les attentats du 11 septembre 2001 et l'Holocauste ont été causés par les psychiatres. (2)

«Nous sommes préoccupés par le fait que l'Université Concordia accorde de l'espace à une organisation dont l'un des buts est de faire la promotion d'une pseudoscience, souligne un activiste anonyme. L'université est un établissement d'enseignement supérieur dont l'objectif est la production du savoir, et non de la propagande sectaire.

L'Église de scientologie est considéré comme une organisation dangereuse en Allemagne(3) et comme secte en France, alors qu'elle est poursuivie dans plusieurs pays, dont la Belgique, pour pratique illégale de la médecine et escroquerie en bande organisée.»

Anonymous est également inquiet de voir que des institutions d'enseignements facilite le recrutement des sectes. «Il est permis de faire des liens entre cette exposition à l'Université Concordia et l'achat de l'édifice La Patrie, près de l'UQAM: la secte cherche à recruter des étudiants de manière active afin de pallier à une baisse marquée de son membership à travers le monde.»



À PROPOS Du projet Chanology:

Le projet Chanology est un collectif anonyme de citoyens mondial qui dénonce les abus financiers et psychologiques de la secte de la scientologie. Anonymous est actif dans une trentaine de pays et dans une centaine de villes à travers le monde.



1 Reportage de Radio-Canada Québec à propos des actions du CCDH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnWH4yeIcCo

2 http://vimeo.com/3142402

3 http://www.verfassungsschutz.de/en/en_fields_of_work/scientology/

Vidéo du stand du CCDH à l'Université Concordia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK1pPjvBxo8

Entrevue révélatrice d'Anderson Cooper avec un porte-parole du CCDH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9IKWuaFjus

###
---

Will be sent to the big list tonight hopefully.

I also have a list of english media contacts, maybe 200 emails, do you guys want me to send it to this one as well?

I think getting this out, professionally and quickly to whatever media contacts we have (english and french) is key to any sort of media coverage we might have.

The Church of Scientology is stepping up its game. We have to respond in kind.

Concordia is washing their hands of this! (See the reply from Concordia above.) Since when does the promotion of fabricated evidence fall under the umbrella of academic freedom? THEY DON'T GET IT!

puck35 wrote:Concordia is washing their hands of this! (See the reply from Concordia above.) Since when does the promotion of fabricated evidence fall under the umbrella of academic freedom? THEY DON'T GET IT!

I've worked with the Dawson Student Union, the Concordia Student Union, CFSQ, FEUQ, ASSE and other groups for a good while. Concordia (like I said before) really only cares about profit. But think about this. If they're that actively ignoring complaints from students/passerby, etc, one of two things is possible:

a) Scientology has paid someone a lot of money to be there.
b) Certain people of persuasion within the institution may have invested interest in Scientology.

Stay alert. Universities have their own rules about things that happen on their property. IMO, this isn't a lulzy raid at all. If the Church is present, there's enough people who want them to be there.

A sign that says "Citation needed" would be wonderful.

I am enraged. Would they rent space to a white supremacist group?

If they paid them enough money, probably.

Keep in mind, insomuch as the general public, The Church of Scientology is not recruiting. This is the Citizens Commission for Human Rights, a group with a name eerily similar to the Canadian Charter of Human Rights. With a name like that, people are going to trust them, at least openly.

Secondly, people love a scandal. With kids left right and centre getting prescribed Ritalin (this is not a practice I agree with, mind you) alot of parents, concerned citizens, etc, are looking for a place to point the finger at. Concordia University is a majorly liberal, left-wing place, with students leaning towards holistic beliefs (keep in mind, this is just the general perception, regardless of what any population of students inside the walls of the school believe).

Scientology has stolen most of its tenants from other religions and philosophies, most notably Stoicism. These principles ring true and sound right to your average passerby, why? Because most of them are general knowledge. (I'm not talking about the OTIII/Xenu stuff) The idea of a thetan comes from the the Greek letter theta (θ). There are parts of Scientology that sound like Hinduism, such as the continual synchronicity between one's present and previous lives. The cross' points represent Affinity, Reality, Communication, Knowledge, Responsibility and Control. The symbol of the cross and familiar and accepted by the average person as being something representative of worship.

If a white power started a group that could be spun into something that empathic, resounding and intelligent (Kaucasian Kulture Klub, anyone?) they would probably have the same ability to advertise at Concordia University. (And if they couldn't, would that be bigotry?)

That being said, I call into question a university who will let just anyone advertise, regardless of issues surrounding the group. In an effort to keep the lines of communication open, I feel that it would be relevant to Concordia to have a pro-psychiatry group (Ordre des Psychologues et Psychiatres de Quebec) present with their own exhibit, to give people more than just a one sided view of such a hotly debated issue.

wrong thread edit.

This is my latest letter to Scientology apologist Michael di Grappa:

Mr. di Grappa,

Based on the form letter you have been sending out, you seem
unable to recognize that the notion of the Scientology exhibit falling under
the umbrella of academic freedom is ridiculous, for Scientology does not
conduct legitimate or honest academic inquiry. In fact, presenting untruths as
fact—fabricating supporting evidence—is contrary to the spirit of academic
integrity. If I simply made up facts for an essay, or used widely discredited
source material, and passed this off as truth, I would be failed. Moreover, if
I falsified evidence for a research project, I could be charged with academic
dishonesty.

Furthermore, the Concordia letter states that "[i]t is a precondition of
any event on our campus that the emphasis will be and at all times will remain
on the respectful discussion and debate of possibly opposing positions in a
secure, collegial environment." Scientology is not interested in
participating in any sort of respectful discussion and/or debate. Rather, they
silence and harass their critics, often using criminal tactics. You wrote to a
student that "any Google search of CCHR will also reveal this affiliation
[to Scientology]." Have you yourself done a Google search on Scientology's
long history of harassment of its critics, as well as its documented criminal
acts and convictions?

You also maintain that you "are motivated by [your] commitment to ensuring
the university is a place where individuals and groups have the freedom to
present their ideas and perspectives, whether we agree with them or not, in a
civil and respectful manner." White supremacists have their own ideas and
perspectives as well. Would you allow them to present these on campus even if
you disagreed with them?

Finally, Scientology is known to have claimed that psychiatry was in part
responsible for the Holocaust. This is Holocaust revisionism—in other words,
Holocaust denial, which is illegal in Canada .
Local Jewish community leaders have been informed of the ongoing situation. You
should govern yourselves accordingly.

puck35 wrote:This is my latest letter to Scientology apologist Michael di Grappa:

Mr. di Grappa,

(...)

Local Jewish community leaders have been informed of the ongoing situation. You
should govern yourselves accordingly.

I LOL'D