Emily Spanton

Fuck Isreal

Free Palestine.

3 years ago today: I spent the morning at Belfast's Botanic Gardens before flying to Paris for the premiere of a documentary... about me.

TY to everyone who made that evening special - it was overwhelming, but the support did help ease the shock 🖤

Mayor Siscoe.

St Catharines is moving to criminalize encampments with a new bylaw on Tuesdays council agenda.

Apparently, we plan to fine people for being poor in public... Because people living in tents have secret money stashed away for fines?!

stcatharines.civicweb.net/filepro/docu...

Today, we say goodbye to Miss Molly as she makes her way over the rainbow bridge... Grateful for one last snuggle 🖤

People talk of things happening in another life yet can't point to a moment that caused the before and after; 11 yrs ago today, 22 April '14, my life ended.

8 yrs later, 22 April '22, the Kafkaesque purgatory also came to an end.

... But still we wait for the after @echr.coe.int

Once we are through the federal election, I'll be officially migrating from the other site to this bat channel... Stay tuned.

Happy Easter | Joyeuses Pâques 🐇

#TeamPenguin

5 years ago today...

North Americans complain about a loss of freedom during pandemic shutdowns but y'all have no idea what that actually means.

I’m concerned by all the posts I’m seeing that argue we need to choose between fighting for Canadian sovereignty and fighting for equity-deserving groups.

These are Canadian values — this is literally what we are defending.

It’s not one or the other. We need to do both.

#elbowsup
#canpoli

I havent processed anything yet but I love the contrast in this shot.

That's me!

I think it's better for Canada that Trump got fixated on the 51st state nonsense and came after us first on trade.

There's an alternate version of this where we're playing the grovelling vassal state, throwing Mexico and EU allies to the wolves in trying to preserve our trade access while Trump.

A final note: For those that don't know, I wasn't being questioned regarding something I did nor my status in France - I was the victim of a crime and the perpetrators were local police officers.

Example: Foreign Affairs sat outside the room I was being questioned in for 12 HOURS. She couldn't come in, she couldn't say anything, but she sat there so I knew I wasn't alone - thats all they can do.

But it's everything when you're alone & scared.

I still cry when I see 🇨🇦

I have nothing but positive things to say about my incredible team, the Ambassador, and every Canadian I've encountered via Foreign Affairs.

But you need to be aware they can't intervene in a sovereign nation's process.

If there is a safety concern, Foreign Affairs can assist in a limited capacity. Because I'm a public figure when in Paris, the press follow me, I am given an emergency number to call for extraction from public spaces to a safe space.

It was 5 yrs before I was offered that service.

Foreign Affairs can assist with translation services - again, they can't intervene or advise you (though they will advise you to do what local authorities say).

For language barriers or legal docs, they can only ensure you understand what is happening.

That's it.

Foreign Affairs can communicate with your family in Canada, and assist you doing so i.e. access to internet & toll-free calls to Canada.

But, you must surrender all devices (& your passport) to enter the consulate or embassy - write all contacts/relevant info on a piece of paper

Foreign Affairs can give you a list of local attorneys but you must retain one at your own expense.

The list is vetted but you must make that decision yourself, consular officials can't recommend anyone (this avoids kickbacks etc).

*Again, it's at your own expense*

As someone who has had an entire team at Foreign Affairs (Paris) for 11 years... The Canadian govt can NOT intervene.

Their role is to watch, ensure local laws/processes are followed, and ensure local govt is aware Canada is watching - that's it. 🧵

Canadian MP Charlie Angus: So, I think what American farmers are waking up to is the fact that Canadians are no longer buying their products. We’re just not going to participate in this abusive relationship. You threaten us, we don’t buy your products. How about that?

12 March 2020 | Sunrise over Reykjavik, Iceland.

• Icelandair has the nicest airport lounge (and I've done a lot of travelling) - showered before having a complimentary mimosa & full breakfast, in a bed, w a real fireplace, while watching the sunrise.

• Still zero info re COVID, restrictions.

Today, I cancelled my Capital One credit card and ordered one from my Canadian bank.

It's a small gesture, I don't like debt and only use it to keep a good credit score, but it felt good.

So transitioning is good when it's referring to the economy under Trump, just not when it's healthcare 🙃

#Niagara Health St Catharines has closed their ER in response to an overwhelming number of patients - there isn't a chair/hallway/closet left.

Please use a walk-in clinic or urgent care centre. If there's ANY chance of measles exposure, CALL AHEAD.

IF IT IS LIFE OR DEATH, CALL 911.

TBC: As much I hated arguing with a man with an assault rifle over whether or not tampons are essential, I understand why they instituted a total lockdown - and support that decision. They were converting commuter trains into hospitals: Lives were saved by the inconvenience.

I chose to shelter in place.

Over the next few weeks, I'll share what it was like under military lockdown in Paris - where we had to produce papers to leave the apartment to buy tampons.

North Americans complain about a loss of freedom... But have no idea what that actually is.

Foreign Affairs advised against repatriation until French courts officially closed, and postponed all cases. By the time that happened on the 16th, everyone was trying to repatriate and I had a choice: Head home on a packed flight, and probably get sick, or wait it out in Paris.