U.S Reporters Abused Detained in Canada

This report, by DeBorah B. Pryor, found in Euro News last week, describes the situation unreported by American news media outlets of reporters Tonye Allen and Ann Brown.

"Harassed, choked and beaten severely, the journalists remain in Toronto, Canada involuntarily; and have been there, for well over a month, with no assistance from the U.S. political community. The reason why is still unclear."

Controversial community activist,Najee Ali, recognized for his vehement activism on behalf of oppressed people everywhere, has been enlisted to assist the two journalists.

Despite phone calls for assistance to the offices of black leaders across the country, Ali is the only one who has responded. Other leaders, such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have been busy helping actor, would-be stand-up comic Michael Richards work through his issues concerning racist outbursts, while the two journalists remain in a foreign country involuntarily.

Allen and Brown are known to many in the media via their bylines and contributions to publications including Essence magazine, Vibe magazine, Black Enterprise and in Mr. Allen’s case, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone and many hip hop publications, Mr. Ali will use his influence to connect with congressional representatives, the senate and the U. S. Embassy in Canada.

We wonder where the members of the mainstream media are when fellow journalists are in trouble. Why haven't the members of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) been heard from on this matter? More importantly we wonder what the heck is wrong with the Canadian police? We've heard the neighbors to the north copy everything the U.S. does. We've heard, too, that police brutality and unjust treatment is something all Canadians are at risk for. Blacks are just one targeted group among many.

However, it seems in this instance the arrogance of the police in Canada is being mirrored here in the U.S. The recent shootings in New York, in which a soon to be married 23 year old man was murdered by the (NYPD) police, is just one example of "cops gone wild"; police in New Orleans, Los Angeles, the Mid-west, incident after incident all across the country cases of abuse at the hands of the police. There hasn't been one statement from the U.S. Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, about investigating these matters. Will these incidents be addressed by the soon to be seated Democrats in the Senate and in the House? What's a law abiding citizen to do?

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