FATCA Fact Sheet Anti-FATCA Slogans Protest Press Release
AtticusinCanada has received an official permit to protest on Parliament Hill Oct. 16, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.! We will meet at 9 a.m. in front of Parliament Hill and proceed to the Hill itself once we have a reasonably sized group. Families and even children are welcome if you feel they are old enough! We ask that everyone bring their own sign. A good idea would be to email AtticusinCanada with the slogans you would like to use, so we have as few duplicates as possible.
First posted on September 11, 2013
The mini-protest in Ottawa on Sept 9, 2013, garnered some well needed media attention. Just imagine how much we could achieve if more Brockers joined forces for a larger protest at parliament hill this fall!
Many of us believe that a formal announcement of an IGA for FATCA is just around the corner. It’s time to ramp up with the push back. The letter writing and emailing to our elected representatives has been great, and some illuminating articles have been written by Lynne and Victoria, but we need to do more.
Atticusincanada and I would like to be the drivers towards organizing a larger protest, but first we need to gather enough participants. For those Brockers who can commit to coming to Ottawa for a day, and would like to join us, please email Atticusincanada at atticusincanada@gmail.com.
Its nice to hear that a bakers dozen protested today. As noted it should swell to several hundred thousands once ordinary US persons abroad learns what the acronym FATCA means. I actually was in a protest outside the Parliament, with maybe 500 fellow scientists. I think it was this march but I cannot keep track of all the opposition Harper has against science. http://globalnews.ca/news/843344/scientists-across-canada-rally-to-protest-harper-government/
We just arrived home from the protest. Thank you to everyone who made it out today. It was wonderful to meet those of you I hadn’t had an opportunity to meet before as well as have some show up who were unexpected to drop by today. I especially want to thank those who came all the way from Toronto! Some stopped by who haven’t ever posted here and I was glad they could be there. Others have mentioned the NDP members who came by. I was able to speak with my MP and so was very happy to catch him there and to be able to show him our protest in action.
We had a rainy morning but, a warm place near the flame and a dry pleasant afternoon. Lots of other pictures were taken so I expect in the next few days they will be showing up here. All in all it was a great day and it was fantastic to see the NDP stepping up and telling us “You’re a small group but, you’ve been noticed.” Keep up the great work everyone. I think our efforts are indeed having an impact. It was a real pleasure to participate in this protest with all of you today!
It seems that a year ago everyone was searching everywhere to find an article here or there about FATCA and now it’s hard to keep up with all the articles coming out. This is great and it shows that even though we have a long way to go, progress is being made. Now we have had our first official (as in done with a permit) protest in Canada. Our talented writers have had articles published; our voices have been heard on the radio; our e-mails have reached politicians; and our comments have enlightened many readers on countless websites. We also have our over the border heroes helping, mostly behind the scenes. (I’m thinking of James Jatras and Shadow Raider.) We’ve brought politicians onto our side who may have held back if not for some people pushing them a bit. I guess I’m saying that I am just so proud of Brockers and Sandboxers. We’ve come a long way this year and it’s been an international effort. I’m remembering Victoria’s trip to the meeting in Belgium which was convened at Sophie In’t Veld’s insistence and I’m afraid I’m omitting too many of the wonderful contributions made to the anti-FATCA cause … but the list is very long. EVERY single effort is appreciated.
What do you all think?
http://we-are-not-a-myth.tumblr.com/
@Atticusincanada, nice, but where is my picture? Do you want a different picture of me where I am not shackled by US policy? 🙂
@ atticusincanada
What a day! Aren’t you tired? You’ve been tramping the cobblestones on Parliament Hill, talking to politicos, teaching passer-bys about FATCA, tweeting protest updates and now touching up the tumblr site. BTW — I like it! 🙂
Great use of the group picture, Atticus!! Take today’s protest into the future with this.
@Em
If you want to get a job done, ask a busy person!
@AtticusinCanada
Thank you for everything! You and everyone who’ve participated in both demonstrations have done so much for us by taking our struggle off the pages of Isaac Brock, and has given it a new dimension from which to grow. FATCA affects flesh and blood people, and your presence today is evidence of that once again.
@SwissPinoy, I really want your service picture. Pretty please?!
@Em, Yes, I’m pooped! I’m just winding down. LOL. I have to focus on something. I went to sleep at the hotel last night at 8 o’clock so had tons of sleep before the protest today.
I’ve tweeted pics to Murray Rankin who spoke with us today, Elizabeth May, other members of Brock, The White House, my MP, and others in the U.K. who have written me lately about FATCA. One couple in particular. The wife had to leave the U.S. in order to marry her partner because of DOMA and now they are being affected by FATCA which they called a “Personal violation” and a double “Kick in the Teeth”
I did over hear Rankin say today that Mulcair wanted to be sure someone from the NDP came out to speak with us and that “you are getting noticed” and “you are a small group but, you are making an impact” So to me that’s all I needed to hear that made today worth it. We need more of the same. RCMP officer called me over today too and asked me tons of questions about this issue and seemed utterly disgusted that the U.S. would even try to impose such a thing on Canada. One person at a time we’ll get Canadians easily all on our side and others around the world. We’re small but, as we were told today we are “making an impact”
Wow, you guys are dynamos! And the Tumblr site is wonderful. Glad to hear about the NDP stopping by to speak with you.
Thankful to all of you. The group photo makes me choke up. Thanks to Hazy I could watch the webcam over the course of the day – kept pressing the refresh button to see you there.
Hope that ShadowRaider checks in to see what is happening north of the border. He has been so faithful in his own efforts.
Wish all of you well after your long day.
Fantastic rally cry! It would be a great thing to copy elsewhere.
Went to (Canadian) dinner party this week and the subject of taxes came up.
Before I could speak my usual one fellow (just a Canadian person) who I had never met described what IRS is doing to US people in Canada who left US at a very early age.
This also happened to me the previous week on a trip to US when a US businessman mentioned to me the IRS problems US persons face overseas.
The likelihood still is that governments will never protect us from IRS harm, but the word is getting out– at least to some.
@IRSCompliant
Awareness is definitely increasing. During the summer I was at a dinner party in the U.S. Two of the guests were Americans Abroad from Israel. Apparently there is a lot of fear and confusion there. The Homelanders at the table were educated about this.
Citizenship-based taxation (or whatever it really is) is America’s dirty little secret and the word is getting out!
Congratulations to AtticusinCanda on organizing on the first public anti-FATCA demonstration in any government capital, anywhere in the world! The personal visits from NDP are encouraging; this has become a political issue. Thanks to all for sending a clear message to our government: shut FATCA down in Canada!
To All of Us Who are Concerned,
Just as more ‘US Persons Abroad’ show up to protest FATCA (and BTW, once again, we’re so proud of all of you taking part yesterday) makes our collective voice stronger, so will more pictures uploaded to Tumblr WE ARE NOT A MYTH or through atticusincanada@gmail.com.
The more pictures of persons and families affected by FATCA, the bigger the impact will be when we send it on to government representatives and the media — and other citizens of the countries we live in. Each picture added makes our voice stronger; such a big impact. People learn in many different ways; visual is an important way — either in person or at Tumblr.
Please seriously consider contributing yours.
@Calgary411,
OK. I am camera shy, more than I am nervous of showing my face publicly…ask Ruth she knows.
Anyway, I will see if I can get my family to pose together, and forward to Atticus ASAP. I hope my doing this inspires 100 others! The Tumblir ‘WE ARE NOT A MYTH’ is very important!!
Although yesterday was a positive event, I have to say I left there feeling angry and upset not because we did not accomplish anything, but because I was reminded even more just how very unjust and hurtful FATCA is in combination with CBT.
Someone joined as at the protest for a short while, not someone who posts on IBS. This person’s story was horrendous, and it was a very tear filled moment among the group just as many of us were getting ready to leave, and back to our normal busy lives. I wish we had had more time to spend with this individual. As well, just prior, we were harassed by one confused gentleman. I know we need to expect that, but it was not pleasant to hear; definitely a different effect than when reading something rude and ignorant commented on an internet article.
Anyway, we’ve accomplished great things that is for sure, but the battle is not over. I hope the ‘group’ continues to grow, and wish us all luck in eventually slaying the ‘FATCA’ beast, first in Canada, then as the rest of the world follows suit.
…oooops….meant to say:
” I have to say I left there feeling angry and upset not because we did not accomplish something…”
…or would that be ‘anything’…lol…whatever, you all get the point.
@Calgary411
I posted the Tumblr site on my Facebook page and others friends shared it on theirs. Putting a face on FATCA’s victims really helps. A few puppies and kittens would help too, but it would be hard to make the connection that they too are affected by FATCA :-), but the more from the “granny” demographic, the better! Everything we do helps moves us closer to the tipping point.
@WhiteKat, the lady who came is one who submitted her story to Ways and Means. If after reading that they did not change FATCA I don’t know what will ever change their minds. She’s one of the ones that Jacobson said would “get her money back” She has not got her money back and she has been treated horrendously. She has my phone number now and can contact me at any time. This issue has severely affected her health. I was so proud of her for coming. She doesn’t live that far from me and I hope she and I will be getting together from time to time.
Lastly, this was a group effort and I could not do anything without the assistance of White Kat. She is always so enthusiastic and really is the one who thought of the first protest to begin with!
Those two opposing forces that came to the protest are significant. The person who joined you, the one who does not post on IBS, was brave. I’m glad all of you were able to hear that story and I hope that person joins the discussion here at Isaac Brock. That powerful experience for all of you must have been the antidote to the poison of your other visitor who called you all tax evaders. It would have been jarring to me. WhiteKat, you may have left feeling justifiably angry and upset as a result of the contrast there right before your eyes and ears.
Do any of you think that not many realize the true meaning of US CITIZENSHIP-based taxation and that has to be realized for others to truly understand what this injustice is? http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2013/10/15/nestmann-why-have-so-many-americans-considered-expatriation/comment-page-1/#comment-584965
WhiteKat,
We’ve then evidenced great strides in your fears — showing your face publicly has been done, which may be the hardest part for any of us. Good work, brave woman!!
Atticus,
If the submission I think you’re referring to, I presented her case in my meeting with my MP, Michelle Rempel. I’m so glad you got to meet her and I’m so proud of her for showing up. Another reason I wish I had been able to be there! She is the real face of the horrendous effects of US Citizenship-Based Taxation and the hypocrisy of the words of US Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson, in my mind a mere clown with no clout, no communication with US Persons in Canada and who showed no morality in his false promises regarding US Persons in Canada. That Elizabeth May in her otherwise excellent and prompt reply to “northernstar” (http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2013/06/27/hr-2299-calls-for-withdrawal-of-fatca-iga-reciprocity-tool-datca-lite/comment-page-3/#comment-582881) talked about Mr. Jacobson’s promises rang disingenuous to me:
That is terrific use of the Tumblr site to get it to more, bubblebustin. You’re right, puppies and kittens (and perhaps a few vulnerable ‘mentally incapacitated’) may help the cause.
@Calgary411, I didn’t think of it that way before, but yes it was the contrast that was so upsetting – the tension of opposites.