| Blackmore applies to intervene in polygamy case Polygamist leader Winston Blackmore among 14 who applied by deadline to intervene in constitutional reference to the B.C. Supreme Court | |
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Globe staff The Globe and Mail - Toronto, Ontario | |
Polygamist leader Winston Blackmore says he would like to introduce extensive evidence of persecution and discrimination against Mormons when the B.C. Supreme Court considers the constitutional reference on polygamy. In an application to intervene on a case that has attracted international attention, Mr. Blackmore says he would also want "full right" to challenge evidence and cross-examine witnesses that portray him and his congregation in a negative light. His participation would be conditional on finding the money to pay for his legal fees, he says, adding that he intends to ask the court to order the B.C. government to pay his legal bills. Mr. Blackmore is among 14 who applied by Thursday’s deadline to intervene in the constitutional reference to the B.C. Supreme Court. A hearing to schedule a date to review the applications is expected to be held in mid-February. The list of those who hope to intervene includes well-known advocates for the right of woman and children, anti-polygamists and activists who have been outspoken in defence of freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Mr. Blackmore and James Oler, leaders of a religious polygamist group in southeastern B.C., also applied to intervene. Paul Fromm, who lost his job as a teacher in Ontario after associating with neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, submitted an application on behalf of the Canadian Association for Free Expression. He says the anti-polygamy law conflicts with the expression of freedom of religious rights by denying the right of a person to participate in "what is essentially either a contractual or religious obligation of mutual aid and support in a conjugal relationship." Plural marriage is in no way inconsistent with a free and democratic society, provided it is voluntarily and consensually formed, Mr. Fromm says in a submission to the court. The Ontario-based Christian Legal Fellowship, which includes 500 members from 40 Christian denominations, proposes that the court consider evidence they will bring of the experience of Mary Louise Mackert. Ms. Mackert was 33 years old when she left the polygamous community in which she was born. Ms. Mackert would explain many of the physical and emotions strains that polygamy may inflict on individuals, families and communities, says Ruth Ross, the fellowship’s executive director. Others on the list of interveners include James Oler, Catholic Organization for Life and Family, the Knights of Columbus, B.C. and Yukon chapter, The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of the Children, REAL Women of Canada, West Coast LEAF, B.C. Teachers’ Federation, B.C. Civil Liberties Association, Beyond Borders, Nancy Mereska’s Stop Polygamy in Canada and a group called the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association. The provincial government sought a ruling on the constitutionality of the law after charges of polygamy were quashed on procedural grounds against Mr. Blackmore and Mr. Oler. The two men were members of a polygamist colony of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The B.C. government asked the court to consider two questions:
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TheGlobeandMail.com Originally published Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 | |
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