Toronto, ON - May 14, 2002 - Citizens for a Canadian Republic, a newly formed group advocating ending the monarchy in Canada and allowing Canadians to choose their own head of state is pleased to announce a series of events occurring during the week of Victoria Day.

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~ THURSDAY, MAY 23 - Toronto Forum for a Canadian Republic - "A Discussion on Replacing the Queen with a Canadian as Head of State". Former Toronto Star Religion Editor Michael McAteer will moderate the event. Speakers will be Tom Freda, co-founder of Citizens for a Canadian Republic, Political Science author Randall White, veteran Canadian actor Sean McCann, civil rights activist and founder of Alliance for a Canadian Republic Charles Roach, social justice activist Catherine Holliday and former Toronto Alderman and Metro Councillor Tony O'Donohue.

Tom Freda will discuss organizational aspects of the national republican movement in Canada, author Randall White will provide insight on the subject as it relates to his book 'Is Canada Trapped in a Time Warp?', Charles Roach and Catherine Holliday will provide their views on republicanism from a social justice standpoint and Canadian film and television actor Sean McCann will share anecdotes from his lifelong passion for republicanism. Finally, Tony O'Donohue will discuss his May 29 court action to fight the 1701 Act of Settlement which bars non-Protestants from the British throne. Since the act also prevents Roman Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Hindus from being Canadian head of state, his legal battle puts into question the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that prohibits religious or racial discrimination.

Comments from the speakers will be followed by a session of open questions from the audience.

The time will be 7 PM - 10 PM, Thursday, May 23 in Room 103 of University of Toronto's Fitzgerald Medical Arts Building, 150 College Street (north east corner of College Street and Taddle Creek Road, one block west of the Queen's Park Subway Station). Reservations for media attendance is recommended.

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~ MONDAY, MAY 20 - Victoria Day march to 1837 Rebellion public hanging site. Civil rights lawyer Charles Roach and film and television actor Sean McCann will be in attendance at a dramatic presentation and commemoration of the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion and the Canadian republican patriots who participated. The event will be held at 11 AM at Court Square, one block north of King Street, between Church and Toronto Streets. The location is where Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews, two members of the revolt, were publicly hanged in 1838 and just minutes away from Rebellion leader William Lyon MacKenzie's historic home.