J18 Update: Roger Clement Sentenced to 3 Years, 6 Months, 15 Days in Prison

BY OTTAWA MOVEMENT DEFENSE

Ottawa Movement Defense is outraged and saddened by the 3 year and 6 month sentence handed down to Roger Clement on December 7. Roger had previously pleaded guilty to arson in the May 18 firebombing attack on a local Royal Bank of Canada branch, as well as smashing windows and ATMs at a different branch in February.

We are dismayed that this property-related offense was judged so harshly by the court, given that both the defense and Crown attorneys acknowledged Roger took great care to eliminate any possible injury to innocent people. We are left wondering when RBC executives will be made to face equivalent jail time for their own crimes against indigenous communities and the environment.

But we are also inspired by Roger’s strength of character during a grueling court process. Even when offered the chance to apologize for his role in the firebombing, Roger refused to do so, even though his liberty was on the line. In typical Roger fashion, he chose to simply apologize for the inconvenience he had caused his friends and family, and for the fact that the money spent on incarcerating him wasn’t being spent on more useful projects.

Roger is a good friend to many of us in Ottawa and will be dearly missed while he is behind bars. We know Roger as a trusted friend and community organizer, dedicated to social justice and committed to affecting positive change around him. Over the years, he has been involved with many local groups fighting the good fight against war, poverty and injustice around the world.

Though the court part of this ordeal is over, the work is nowhere near done. It is crucial now to make sure that Roger knows we on the outside still care about him. Please continue writing and visiting him during his time in prison.

Donate to the legal defense fund

Cheques can be made out to ‘Ottawa Movement Defense’ and mailed to the mailing address below.

Ottawa Movement Defense is a legal and political support committee for the June 18th Defendants. We take direction from the June 18th defendants. Our support activities include coordinating visits, fundraising towards legal and support costs, informing friends and supporters of the court proceedings, etc. We do not provide legal advice to the defendants. Currently, we are not making any statements to the media.

Email: ottawamovementdefense@gmail.com

Ottawa Movement Defense
207 Bank Street
Suite 453
Ottawa, ON
K2P 2N2 Canada