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Sarah Jama
MPP
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Hamilton Centre
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 March 2023
Preceded byAndrea Horwath
Personal details
Born1994/1995 (age 29–30)[1]
Political partyIndependent (2023–present)
Other political
affiliations		New Democratic (2022–2023)
Residence(s)Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Alma materMcMaster University
Occupation
  • Politician
  • activist
Websitewww.sarahjama.ca

Sarah Jama MPP (born 1994 or 1995)[1] is a Canadian politician and disability justice activist who has served as the member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Hamilton Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since March 2023.

Jama became involved in accessibility advocacy and pro-Palestine advocacy as a student at McMaster University. She later co-founded the Disability Justice Network Ontario in 2018 and the Hamilton Encampment Support Network in 2021, focusing on affordable housing access.[1] In 2021, Jama was arrested by police in Beasley Park in central Hamilton at a protest against homeless encampment evictions in the city, but the charges against her were dropped.[2]

Jama was elected as the MPP for Hamilton Centre in March 2023 as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP).[3] She replaced Andrea Horwath, who stepped down as MPP to run for the mayor of Hamilton.[3]

On October 10, 2023, three days after the 2023 Israel-Hamas war began, Jama made a social media post criticising the conflict and calling for an end to the "occupation"; she did not directly mention the Hamas October 7 attack that killed over 1,000 Israeli civilians and saw approximately 150 people taken hostage.[4] She later apologised for any possible offense to Jewish or Israeli Canadian constituents, but did not retract the post.[4] On October 23, 2023, the NDP removed Jama from of its caucus, with party leader Marit Stiles stating that Jama had taken a "number of unilateral actions that have undermined our collective work and broken the trust of her colleagues."[5] Jama has since served as an independent MPP. In October 2023, the legislature voted to censure Jama in response to her comments.

Background

Jama, a Somali Canadian Muslim, was born with cerebral palsy and uses a walker or wheelchair for mobility.[6][7][8][9]

She attended McMaster University, where she obtained a social sciences degree.[10] At McMaster, she ran for student union presidency, and was disqualified for exceeding campaign spending limits and retweeting a "Bad Taste" article.[11] Her disqualification was lifted on appeal, and she came in second upon re-tabulation of the votes.[12]

Activism

In 2014 she wrote on disability justice issues for the magazine of the Young Communist League of Canada, Rebel Youth.[13] In 2016 she served as Ontario director for the National Educational Association of Disabled Students,[14] and was named one of Hamilton's "most interesting people" by the CBC for her work in organizing an "Anti-Racism Action Initiative" and her disability justice activism.[15] Jama was involved in accessibility advocacy and pro-Palestine advocacy at McMaster University.[16][17][18]

Jama co-founded the Disability Justice Network Ontario in September 2018 and co-founded the Hamilton Encampment Support Network in 2021, focusing on affordable housing access.[1] In February 2021, she appeared before the Senate of Canada's legal and constitutional affairs committee to argue against the proposed Bill C-7, which she said made euthanasia more accessible for people with mental health disabilities, rather than providing mental health support.[19]

In 2021, Jama was arrested by police in Beasley Park in central Hamilton at a protest against homeless encampment evictions in the city.[2] She was charged with obstructing police and assaulting a police officer.[20] Charges against her were later withdrawn after she entered into a peace bond.[21][22] The peace bond prohibited her from crossing police caution tape, interfering with police operations related to homeless people, and participating in illegal or violent demonstrations.[23]

Politics

2022

Jama sought the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) nomination for member of Provincial Parliament (MPP; a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Canadian province of Ontario) in the Hamilton Centre provincial by-election, after former MPP and NDP leader Andrea Horwath resigned to run for mayor.[24][25] Jama was named the NDP candidate in October 2022.[26][27]

2023

Jama's campaign drew controversy over a statement she made in 2021 that Israel is funding "the killing of people here locally and globally", for which she later apologized.[28]

On 16 March 2023, Jama was elected as the MPP for Hamilton Centre, garnering 9,477 votes, comprising 54% of the vote.[29][30]

Khader Adnan controversy

In May 2023, Jama retweeted a post about the death of Palestinian prisoner and hunger-striker Khader Adnan, a former spokesperson for of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is listed as a terrorist entity in Canada.[31] The post called him a "martyr for freedom".[32][31] Both B’nai Brith Canada and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs criticized Jama for sharing the post, B'nai Brith noting that he was a convicted terrorist.[31] Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East opined that Jama was being "unfairly attacked" for retweeting the statement and noted "It would be wrong for the ONDP [Ontario NDP] to punish their MPP for drawing attention to a powerful example of non-violent struggle against Israeli apartheid".[31]

Censure by the Legislature

On 10 October 2023, two days after the 2023 Israel–Hamas war began, Jama generated controversy by posting a statement under Ontario NDP letterhead referring to what she called "apartheid" and writing about what she described as "continued violation of human rights in Gaza" by Israel, without mentioning either Hamas or the killing three days earlier by Hamas of 1,000 Israeli civilians.[33][34][35][36] She also called for the "end [of] all occupation of Palestinian land" and offered her sympathies to people mourning on both sides.[37]

Her statement was criticized by Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles, and prompted Ontario Liberal leader John Fraser, Premier Doug Ford, and Jewish organizations such as Holocaust education group Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs to call for her resignation from caucus.[37] Ford also publicly stated that Jama had a "long and well-documented history of antisemitism" and "hateful views", and that she "publicly support[ed] the rape and murder of innocent Jewish people", and called for her to resign.[38][36][39] In response to Ford's statement, Jama served Ford's office a cease and desist letter and threatened to sue him for libel; she never did, however, and her timeframe to do so expired.[36][40] Although Jama released her statements under NDP letterhead, the party was not made aware of the pending statement, and had not endorsed Jama's positions.[41] Stiles privately met with Jama asking her to remove the statement and apologize; Jama subsequently apologized for her posts in a reply to them about 24 hours later on Twitter, but refused to remove the statements and instead pinned her statement to the top of her feed on X.[41][34][42]

On 23 October 2023, the legislature voted 63-23 to censure Jama in response to her comments. The NDP voted against the censure, with Stiles noting that it was an "extreme motion" and that "We do not believe the government should use its majority to strip a member of their right to speak and vote. This is an extreme step that will disenfranchise the voters of Hamilton Centre".[5] As a result, she is banned from speaking in the chamber until and unless she retracts and deletes her original statement and formally apologizes.[43][34]

On May 23, 2024, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, by way of a three-justice panel, dismissed her request for a judicial review of her censure.[44][45]

Removal from the NDP caucus

On the day of the censure vote, Jama was removed from the NDP caucus.[46] In an official party statement, Stiles noted that Jama had been uncooperative with NDP colleagues, making unilateral decisions without party endorsement and endangering the work environment of NDP staff, and had broken the terms of an agreement Stiles had made with Jama, which would have kept her affiliated with the party following Jama's statements on the Israel–Hamas war.[41][43] Officials said that staff had worked with Jama on a statement, but it differed from what she said instead publicly in the moments preceding her expulsion. She also had not informed the party about her intention to threaten the Premier with legal action.[47]

Letter denying rapes by Hamas

In November 2023, Jama signed an open letter denying that Israeli women were subjected to rape and sexual violence during 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[48][49][50][51] On November 21, her office stated that Jama had removed her name from the letter.[52]

2024

Keffiyeh controversy

In April 2024, House Speaker Ted Arnott introduced a keffiyeh ban in the Ontario legislature, saying it was being worn to make an overt political statement, which is against the rules of the legislature.[53] In the days following the ban, she refused to remove her keffiyeh, and Arnott ordered Jama to leave the chamber and she was subsequently banned from legislature for the rest of the day. This event repeated itself numerous times at Queen's Park, and two other members of the NDP followed in her footsteps.[45][54] On May 6, 2024, Ted Arnott loosened the rules surrounding the keffiyeh to allow it to be worn in the Queen's Park assembly building legislative precinct except inside the house legislative chamber and galleries.[55][56] As recently as May 6, 2024, Jama was ordered to leave the chambers. Jama said she had no intention of ending her stand of solidarity with the Palestinian people.[54]

Support for intifada

In May 2024, Jama speaking to a pro-Palestine protest encampment at McMaster University yelled: "Globalize the intifada."[57] This prompted concern from a number of quarters, including B’nai Brith and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.[57]

Electoral record

2023 Hamilton Centre provincial by-election

Ontario provincial by-election, Hamilton Centre
Resignation of Andrea Horwath
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Sarah Jama 9,477 54.28 -2.98
Liberal Deirdre Pike 3,542 20.07 +7.04
Progressive Conservative Pete Wiesner 2,690 15.52 -0.95
Green Lucia Iannantuono 1,206 6.93 -1.84
New Blue Lee Weiss Vassor 148 0.84 -0.82
Electoral Reform Peter House 121 0.69
Libertarian Mark Snow 109 0.60
Independent Matthew Lingard 98 0.58
Independent Nathalie Xian Yi Yan 51 0.29 -0.21
Independent John Turmel 38 0.21
Total valid votes 17,612 +
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots -
Turnout 21.97 -15.97
Eligible voters 80,172
New Democratic hold Swing -5.01
Source: Elections Ontario[58]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Nicoll, Doreen (13 May 2022). "Sarah Jama works for justice for everyone". Rabble.
  2. ^ a b "Hamilton police arrest 3 people in connection to events at J.C. Beemer park; Arrests come days after police and protesters clashed during encampment eviction," CBC, November 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Hristova, Bobby (16 March 2023). "NDP's Sarah Jama elected as next MPP for Hamilton Centre". CBC News. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b Beattie, Samantha (11 October 2023). "Hamilton NDP MPP apologizes after comments about Israel-Hamas conflict". CBC News.
  5. ^ a b Beattie, Samantha (23 October 2023). "Ontario NDP kicks Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama from caucus after controversial Gaza comments". CBC News. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Why including people with disabilities in design is a win for all," CBC Radio, January 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Pinkerton, Charlie (27 March 2023). "Hamilton's new NDP MPP Sarah Jama introduced in the legislature". Burlington Today. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  8. ^ ICI.Radio-Canada, Zone Politique (23 October 2023). "Ontario NDP kicks Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama from caucus after controversial Gaza comments". Radio-Canada.
  9. ^ Jones, Allison (16 March 2023). "NDP wins provincial by election in Hamilton". CTV News Toronto.
  10. ^ Lucchetta, Carla (28 August 2019). "Why this advocate fights for disability justice — not just accessibility". TVO. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  11. ^ Watkins, Amanda (1 February 2016). "Sarah Jama is appealing her presidential disqualification | The Silhouette". Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Following re-tabulation of votes, Justin Monaco-Barnes remains president-elect of the McMaster Students Union | MSU McMaster Students Union". store.msumcmaster.ca. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  13. ^ Sarah Jama (15 September 2014). "Ontario's Austerity Hurts Students With Disabilities". Rebel Youth. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  14. ^ Mattar, Pacinthe (21 October 2016). "Meet the next generation of disability activists 'calling for a revolution'". CBC. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  15. ^ "5 of Hamilton's most interesting people in 2016". CBC. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  16. ^ Shen, Anqi (1 January 1970). "Setting the agenda | The Silhouette". Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  17. ^ Opinion (22 October 2015). "People with disabilities are not lessons in compassion | The Silhouette". Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights - McMaster". facebook.com. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  19. ^ Alhmidi, Maan (8 February 2021). "New proposed assisted-dying law is 'racist,' says disability rights activist". CTVNews.
  20. ^ "WATCH: Another physical clash between Hamilton police and protestors leads to 3 more arrests over encampments | inTheHammer". insauga. 26 November 2021.
  21. ^ Saira Peesker (March 16, 2022). "Charges against 6 Hamilton encampment activists withdrawn, with all agreeing to peace-bond terms," CBC.
  22. ^ Clairmont, Susan (1 April 2022). "Hamilton activist Sarah Jama: 'I make people feel uncomfortable sometimes'". The Hamilton Spectator. ISSN 1189-9417. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Charges against 6 Hamilton encampment activists withdrawn, with all agreeing to peace-bond terms". Yahoo News. 16 March 2022.
  24. ^ Hristova, Bobby (26 July 2022). "Disability activist Sarah Jama to seek nomination as Ontario NDP candidate for Hamilton Centre". CBC News. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  25. ^ Lisa Polewski (27 July 2022). "Local activist Sarah Jama to seek nomination as NDP candidate in Hamilton Centre". Global News.
  26. ^ Bobby Hristova (October 16, 2022). "NDP candidate Jama acclaimed" CBC.
  27. ^ "Sarah Jama chosen to be the NDP candidate in Hamilton Centre". Ontario NDP.
  28. ^ Ferguson, Rob (16 March 2023). "NDP candidate Sarah Jama wins provincial Hamilton Centre byelection". Toronto Star. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  29. ^ Pope, Amanda (16 March 2023). "NDP candidate Sarah Jama elected as Hamilton Centre MPP". CHCH-DT.
  30. ^ Bobby, Hristova (16 March 2023). "NDP's Sarah Jama elected as next MPP for Hamilton Centre". CBC News.
  31. ^ a b c d Stone, Laura (3 May 2023). "Ontario NDP distances itself from newly elected MPP's Twitter repost about Palestinian hunger striker". The Globe and Mail.
  32. ^ Geenen, Kevin (9 May 2023). "Hamilton Centre NDP MPP Sarah Jama under fire for tweet calling convicted terrorist 'martyr of freedom'". The Hamilton Independent.
  33. ^ Casaletto, Lucas; Ranger, Michael. "Ontario NDP MPP Jama removed from caucus, province passes motion to silence Hamilton legislator". CityNews Toronto.
  34. ^ a b c DeClerq, Katherine (24 October 2023). "What to know about Sarah Jama's censure and ejection from NDP". CFTO-DT.
  35. ^ @SarahJama_ (10 October 2023). "I'm reflecting on my role as a politician who is participating in this settler colonial system, and I ask that all politicians do the same. #FreePalastine" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ^ a b c D'Mello, Colin; Callan, Isaac (20 October 2023). "MPP Sarah Jama threatens to sue Premier Doug Ford over Israel-Hamas comments". Global News. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  37. ^ a b Callan, Isaac (11 October 2023). "MPP involved in Hamas-Israel comments controversy to remain part of Ontario NDP". Global News. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  38. ^ Joshi, Joy (11 October 2023). "'It's not what she said, but what she did not say': Canadians weigh in on MPP Sarah Jama's stance on Israel, Palestine". Yahoo! News Canada.
  39. ^ @fordnation (11 October 2023). "As premier, I'm doing what @MaritStiles won't. I'm calling on Sarah Jama to resign immediately as a member of the Provincial Parliament" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "MPP Sarah Jama’s threat of defamation lawsuit against Doug Ford expires," The Toronto Star.
  41. ^ a b c Casaletto, Lucas; Ranger, Michael (23 October 2023). "Ontario NDP MPP Sarah Jama removed from caucus". CityNews Toronto. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  42. ^ Casey, Liam; Jones, Allison (23 October 2023). "Hamilton MPP kicked out of NDP caucus, censured by legislature; Sarah Jama was expelled from caucus and effectively silenced in the legislature for comments she made about the Israel-Hamas war". Toronto: TVO. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  43. ^ a b Beattie, Samantha; Hristova, Bobby (23 October 2023). "Ontario NDP kicks Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama from caucus after controversial Gaza comments; Party leader Marit Stiles says Jama's actions since her comments have 'broken the trust' of colleagues". CBC News. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Why MPP Sarah Jama's Challenge To Dismiss Censure Was Rejected By Ontario Court," Time Now News.
  45. ^ a b "Ontario court throws out request by Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama to overturn Ford government's censorship of her," CBC.
  46. ^ Jones, Allison; Casey, Liam (23 October 2023). "Ontario Premier Ford's government passes motion to silence Hamilton legislator". Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  47. ^ DeClerq, Katherine (24 October 2023). "What to know about Sarah Jama's censure and ejection from NDP". CFTO-DT.
  48. ^ "U of A Sexual Assault Centre signs Jama's letter denying Jewish rapes". Toronto Sun. 18 November 2023 [Originally published 17 November 2023]. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  49. ^ Bradley, Jonathan (15 November 2023). "WATCH: Sarah Jama denies Israeli women raped by Hamas". Western Standard.
  50. ^ Stevenson, Jane (15 November 2023). "Sarah Jama calls Hamas attack on Israeli women, babies misinformation". Toronto Sun.
  51. ^ Ivanov, Jennifer (18 November 2023). "U of A fires director of Sexual Assault Centre for signing letter questioning attacks on Israeli women". Global News.
  52. ^ Hristova, Bobby (21 November 2023). "Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama removes name from open letter questioning alleged Hamas sexual violence". CBC News.
  53. ^ Staff, National Post (19 April 2024). "What to know about the Ontario legislature's keffiyeh ban". National Post. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  54. ^ a b "Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban". CP24. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  55. ^ "Three Ontario lawmakers told to leave chamber for donning keffiyeh," Dawn.
  56. ^ "Ontario legislature keffiyeh ban loosened, but not overturned". QP Briefing. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  57. ^ a b "Ontario MPP Sarah Jama calls to “globalize the Intifada” at McMaster University," True North.
  58. ^ "Vote Totals Report From Official Tabulation - Hamilton Centre". Elections Ontario. 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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