Further to this post,
The fatwa in Ottawa
let’s see if the Iranian embassy tries any more not so funny business this time. If they do someone should be thrown out of Canada by Foreign Affairs as persona non grata–PNGed as they say, see Article 9 here:
Iranium, the controversial film about the use of nuclear power in Iran, will be shown in Ottawa on Feb. 6.
The Free-Thinking Film Society said Friday the film will be shown at Library and Archives Canada, the same venue that cancelled a showing of the film earlier this week after complaints by the Iranian Embassy and an alleged security threat.
The society’s Fred Litwin said U.S. intelligence expert Clare Lopez will be on hand to discuss the film with the audience. Tickets are $15 ($8 for students and seniors), available in advance at Compact Music stores, Ottawa Folklore centre and the offices of Ottawa Festivals at 47 William St., as well as at the door.
Mr Litwin, in an e-mail, describes what happened the first try:

The Free Thinking Film Society provides an alternative to the ‘alternative’ – we espouse the values of limited, democratic government, free market economies, equality of opportunity, and the dignity of the individual.
…
On Monday, January 17th at 2 PM, I was informed by staff of the Library & Archives Canada (LAC) that they had received ‘complaints’ about Iranium and had decided to cancel the film. They offered to find an alternate venue.
I then phoned the office of the Minister of National Heritage (James Moore) to complain about the cancellation. I also sent an e-mail through the official website.
The LAC then offered to move the film to the Museum of Nature, but for a substantial fee. I really couldn’t understand why the film could be shown in one building, but not the other. I told the LAC that if it had to be moved, they would have to pick up the costs.
After conferring with our Board of Directors, we decided that it was way too late to move the film, and that we should hold our ground and insist that the film be shown at the LAC. At 6:30 PM on Monday night, I received a call informing me that the film was now back on at the LAC.
On Tuesday morning, January 18th, I was informed that the complaints had indeed come from the Iranian Embassy! At 4 PM, I received a call from a senior manager at the LAC that there were protestors inside and outside the building; that they had called the RCMP; who had then informed them that security could not be assured; and that they had no choice but to cancel the film.
I immediately got into my car and drove to the Archives, arriving about 4:50 PM. The building had been closed and employees were leaving the building. Few people knew what was happening – and I didn’t see any protesters anywhere. I was then informed that there were no protests – just the ‘threat of protests.’
The police then arrived and the fire department arrived. I conducted a few interviews and left with Clare Lopez for my home. After we left, the hazardous materials team arrived – apparently because of two envelopes left at the front desk – but that occurred after the building had been closed down.
So, there you have it. We still need some answers! What event on Iranian culture was cancelled by the Archives in December of 2010 and why? Why did the Archives cancel so fast on Monday? Why would anybody care if the Iranian Embassy was unhappy? Were there actually threats on Tuesday? From whom? Was there just the ‘threat of protest’? Why can’t people protest a film? And, why couldn’t the building be secured?
And, finally, why can the building now be secure on February 6th for the ‘new’ screening?
I applaud the Minister of National Heritage, James Moore, for his determination in standing up for freedom of speech – but it should never have had to go to his office…
I want to thank the hundreds of people who have called or e-mailed with their support for the Free Thinking Film Society and what we are doing. In particular, I have received many e-mails from Iranian-Canadians who thought they, and their families, had left the Khomeinist regime behind, and are outraged to see Khomeinist influence right here in the capital of Canada...
The e-mail address:
info@freethinkingfilms.com
Update: Ms Lopez will talk to Nick Vandergragt at 0900 Sunday ET on CFRA Ottawa’s “Sunny Side Nick“; you can listen live and the audio should be available later at the “Interviews” page of the website.