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Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

edge.app

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Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#71
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am not upset about the arrest of any protester if their protest escalates into significant economic damage or other types of harm. That's when it graduates from protest to terrorism. But they should be swiftly tried with a specific crime in a court of law. That's due process and liberal democracy working as it should. Freezing assets without due process is a new thing which should be resisted as it's tyrannical and…

> if their protest escalates into significant economic damage or other types of harm. That's when it graduates from protest to terrorism. First of all, look up the definition of terrorism. It’s not “thing you think is bad”. Pretty integral to terrorism is violence. No violence or threat of violence, no terrorism. Second, all protest causes economic harm - successful protest causes significant economic harm. Your line…

When I said "other types of harm" I basically meant violence which is why I said that that constitutes terrorism.

Regarding economic harm, I agree that this isn't terrorism. But there is clearly a limit beyond which the protestors need to be arrested. They cannot be allowed to block trade between two countries, for example.

We should make a distinction. Is the point to cause economic harm (e.g blocking a trade route)? Or is the point to get exposure (e.g protesting in the middle of the city) which has a side effect of some economic harm?

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You would rather store your money with an institution that would freely comply with a request to have your assets frozen without due process? To each their own, I guess.

I would prefer to store my money with an institution that follows the laws of my country. That seems pretty sensible.

What would you want your institution to do when the government decides that your money is no longer yours because you supported somebody they don't like?

That is what is happening here. A government attempt to silence dissidents.

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#73

Kudos to Edge. This is a ridiculous request.

If it’s the law it’s not a request is it? More of a command or face the consequences.

Edge is not a Canadian corporation. They are not Canadian citizens. If Canada wants them to do something, they should get a US Court order.

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#74

Not sure what Edge is but clearly it’s a deeply unserious organization that uses memes to respond to serious (and absolutely worthy of debate) requests.

So they want to get good press, good luck to them, I now know who they are.

Right. I'd also never heard of them before. Now I have.

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#75
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not a good look for the Canadian government.

Asset seizure is a big step, I agree. They should just cut off their mobile data. Going without Joe Rogan podcasts and Jordan Peterson tweets will eventually hit hard.

> They should just cut off their mobile data.

I understand that one of them has a Starlink dish set up on his truck.

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So they want to get good press, good luck to them, I now know who they are.

Right. I'd also never heard of them before. Now I have.

Actually a little funny.

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#78

I’m very very anti “freedom convoy” but even I thinks seizing assets and freezing accounts is a bridge too far

What is the given rationale behind it? I didn't really follow the news on this very closely as it's very far removed from my part of the world, but can't they just walk up to the protestors and say "knock it off mate, or we'll arrest ya"?

They are able to freeze assets suspected of being used to fund criminal activity. This only applies to the corporate accounts of the owners of the trucks and the millions of dollars raised by mostly US-based anti-vaxxers. If Antifa activists were to recieve 6 figures from mostly Chinese communists with the express intent to use those funds to cause economic damage, some of the commentators here might react differently.

Of course there have been ample warnings, including the handing out of leaflets detailing the unlawful offenses. Many people were ticketed and arrested at border crossing protests, including 11 members of a splinter group, in posession of 13 long guns, ammunition, body armor and hand guns.

The Ambassodor Bridge, accounting for ~30% of the cross-border land trade has since been cleared. The damage is estimated at above $500M. Damages at border crossings in Alberta and Manitoba have been estimated at 48 and $73M respectively.

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it’s the law it’s not a request is it? More of a command or face the consequences.

Are there not situations in which we're obligated not to follow the law? Every tyranny in history has been legal.

Slavery was legal at some point.

Re: Official Response: Request to Freeze Canadian Edge Users’ Accounts

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it’s the law it’s not a request is it? More of a command or face the consequences.

Edge is not a Canadian corporation. They are not Canadian citizens. If Canada wants them to do something, they should get a US Court order.

For a counter example: the US imposition of its FATCA law on every financial institution on the plant regardless of domicile, without compensation for the costs of enforcement.
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