Reluctant Champion of Free Speech Ezra Levant

Reluctant Champion Ezra Levant
Nanaimo, BC
Friday May 22 2009
Laston Lastof

Ezra Levant recounted his wrenching tale of government-sponsored tyranny at the Coast Bastion while his audience of more than 100 guests, in sharp contrast, sipped coffee and let their excellent meal settle. For more than an hour, Ezra described how he was held ransom for his values--indeed Canadian values--while a person, hailing not only from another land but another brand of law, declared himself the victim of Western Standard Magazine, the re-publisher of editorial cartoons which had caused the Muslim world to erupt in a violent backlash.

After lunch, the talk and a book signing, Ezra headed for the airport where I caught up with him again and he graciously allowed a 10+ minute interview, while he waited for his plane to board.

A small aside to this story: After I had shot the footage and while I was on my way back to Nanaimo to pick up my wife, I got the idea that A Channel  might be interested in this interview. After all, they have a big ad campaign running saying they are the only ones capable of bringing Local News to us. I pulled up in front of their storefront location, went inside where I introduced myself and asked them what the policy was on captured footage. The fellow who was acting as station greeter did not rise from his chair but instead lazily said, "I can't speak for the whole station but typically it is no. We are not interested."

I told him it was a 10 minute interview with Ezra Levant.

"Who?" he said, surprised.

I repeated who the interview was with and then emphatically said, "You are sitting in front of the computer, Google him and see who he is. He just spoke for over an hour at the Coast Bastion which is right in your back yard."

He drew himself up in his chair a little. I said, "Look, it is no difference to me if you guys are not interested,  I will have no problem getting this piece to market."

He said, "OK then, Good-bye."

I left, struck by the incredulity of the incident I had just experienced. I packed my gear away, thinking as I started my Vanagon that someone would come running out and say, "Wait! Wait! Come Back!"

No one did.  The sign hanging over the door said Save Local Television.

Video of the entire talk delivered at the Coast Bastion will be available soon at revver.com >search > lastonlastof > Ceators