Sarah Jama
MPP
Jama in 2018
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Hamilton Centre
Assumed office
16 March 2023
Preceded byAndrea Horwath
Personal details
Born1994/1995 (age 28–29)[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 activist who has served as the member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Hamilton Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since March 2023.

Sarah Jama was elected as the MPP for Hamilton Centre in March 2023 as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP).[2] She replaced Andrea Horwath, who stepped down as MPP to run for the mayor of Hamilton.[2]

On October 10, 2023, shortly after the 2023 Israel-Hamas war began, Jama made a social media post stating "the news coming out of Israel and Palestine is deeply concerning" and called for an immediate ceasefire, as well as an "end to all occupation of Palestinian land and end [of] apartheid"[3] After concerns were raised about the post, Jama apologized, noting "I heard many voices yesterday raising concern about my post. I hear them - and above all, I understand the pain that many Jewish and Israeli Canadians, including my own constituents, must be feeling. I apologize."[3]

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."[4] That same day, the Progressive Conservatives voted to censure Jama in the House, meaning she could not speak in the chamber until she retracted her initial statement and apologized.[4] 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."[4] Jama has since served as an independent MPP.

Background

Jama, a Somali Canadian Muslim. She was born with cerebral palsy and uses a walker or wheelchair for mobility.[5][6][7][8]

She attended McMaster University, where she obtained a social sciences degree.[9]

Activism

In 2014 she wrote on disability justice issues for the magazine of the Young Communist League of Canada, Rebel Youth.[10] In 2016 she served as Ontario director for the National Educational Association of Disabled Students,[11] 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.[12] Jama co-founded the Disability Justice Network Ontario in September 2018, and co-founded the Hamilton Encampment Support Network, focusing on affordable housing access, in 2021.[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 supports.[13]

In 2021, Jama was arrested by police in Beasley Park in central Hamilton at a protest against homeless encampment evictions in the city.[14] She was charged with obstructing police and assaulting a police officer.[15] Charges against her were later withdrawn after she entered into a peace bond.[16][17] 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.[18]

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.[19][20] Jama was named the NDP candidate in October 2022.[21][22]

2023

Jama's campaign drew controversy when a statement she made in 2021 that Israel is funding "the killing of people here locally and globally," for which she later apologized.[23]

On 16 March 2023, Jama was elected as the MPP for Hamilton Centre, garnering 9,477 votes, comprising 54% of the vote.[24][25]

Khader Adnan controversy

In May 2023, Jama retweeted a post about the death of Palestinian prisoner and hunger-striker Khader Adnan, who was at one time the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is listed as a terrorist entity in Canada.[26] The post called him a "martyr for freedom."[27][26] Both B’nai Brith Canada and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs criticized Jama for sharing the post, B'nai Brith saying he was a convicted terrorist.[26] Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East stated 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."[26]

Censure by the Legislature

On 10 October 2023, two days after the 2023 Israel-Hamas war began, Jama generated controversy for posting a statement under Ontario NDP letterhead referring to "apartheid" and describing "continued violation of human rights in Gaza" by Israel without mentioning either Hamas or the killing of Israeli civilians.[28][29][30][31] She also called for the "end [of] all occupation of Palestinian land and end [of] apartheid" and offered her sympathies to people mourning on both sides.[32]

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.[32] 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.[33][31][34] In response to Ford's statement, Jama served Ford's office a cease and desist letter and threatened to sue him for libel.[31] 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.[35] 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.[35][29][36]

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."[4] As a result, she is banned from speaking in the chamber until and unless she retracts and deletes her original statement and formally apologizes.[37][29]

Removal from the NDP caucus

On the day of the censure vote, Jama was removed from the NDP caucus.[38] 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.[35][39] 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.[40]

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.[41][42][43][44] On November 21, her office stated that Jama had removed her name from the letter.[45]

Electoral record

2023 Hamilton Centre provincial by-election

Ontario provincial by-election, Hamilton Centre
Resignation of Andrea Horwath
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticSarah Jama9,47754.28-2.98
LiberalDeirdre Pike3,54220.07+7.04
Progressive ConservativePete Wiesner2,69015.52-0.95
GreenLucia Iannantuono1,2066.93-1.84
New BlueLee Weiss Vassor1480.84-0.82
Electoral ReformPeter House1210.69
LibertarianMark Snow1090.60
IndependentMatthew Lingard980.58
IndependentNathalie Xian Yi Yan510.29-0.21
IndependentJohn Turmel380.21
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[46]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nicoll, Doreen (13 May 2022). "Sarah Jama works for justice for everyone". Rabble.
  2. 1 2 Hristova, Bobby (16 March 2023). "NDP's Sarah Jama elected as next MPP for Hamilton Centre". CBC News. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 Beattie, Samantha (11 October 2023). "Hamilton NDP MPP apologizes after comments about Israel-Hamas conflict". CBC News.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Beattie, Samantha (23 October 2023). "Ontario NDP kicks Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama from caucus after controversial Gaza comments". CBC News. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Why including people with disabilities in design is a win for all," CBC Radio, January 17, 2020.
  6. ↑ Pinkerton, Charlie (27 March 2023). "Hamilton's new NDP MPP Sarah Jama introduced in the legislature". Burlington Today. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  7. ↑ ICI.Radio-Canada, Zone Politique (23 October 2023). "Ontario NDP kicks Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama from caucus after controversial Gaza comments". Radio-Canada.
  8. ↑ Jones, Allison (16 March 2023). "NDP wins provincial by election in Hamilton". CTV News Toronto.
  9. ↑ Lucchetta, Carla (28 August 2019). "Why this advocate fights for disability justice — not just accessibility". TVO. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  10. ↑ Sarah Jama (15 September 2014). "Ontario's Austerity Hurts Students With Disabilities". Rebel Youth. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Mattar, Pacinthe (21 October 2016). "Meet the next generation of disability activists 'calling for a revolution'". CBC. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "5 of Hamilton's most interesting people in 2016". CBC. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Alhmidi, Maan (8 February 2021). "New proposed assisted-dying law is 'racist,' says disability rights activist". CTVNews.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "WATCH: Another physical clash between Hamilton police and protestors leads to 3 more arrests over encampments | inTheHammer". insauga. 26 November 2021.
  16. ↑ Saira Peesker (March 16, 2022). "Charges against 6 Hamilton encampment activists withdrawn, with all agreeing to peace-bond terms," CBC.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ "Charges against 6 Hamilton encampment activists withdrawn, with all agreeing to peace-bond terms". Yahoo News. 16 March 2022.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ Lisa Polewski (27 July 2022). "Local activist Sarah Jama to seek nomination as NDP candidate in Hamilton Centre". Global News.
  21. ↑ Bobby Hristova (October 16, 2022). "NDP candidate Jama acclaimed" CBC.
  22. ↑ "Sarah Jama chosen to be the NDP candidate in Hamilton Centre". Ontario NDP.
  23. ↑ Ferguson, Rob (16 March 2023). "NDP candidate Sarah Jama wins provincial Hamilton Centre byelection". Toronto Star. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  24. ↑ Amanda Pope (16 March 2023). "NDP candidate Sarah Jama elected as Hamilton Centre MPP". CHCH.
  25. ↑ Bobby, Hristova (16 March 2023). "NDP's Sarah Jama elected as next MPP for Hamilton Centre". CBC News.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Laura Stone (3 May 2023). "Ontario NDP distances itself from newly elected MPP's Twitter repost about Palestinian hunger striker". The Globe and Mail.
  27. ↑ Geenen, Kevin (9 May 2023). "Hamilton Centre NDP MPP Sarah Jama under fire for tweet calling convicted terrorist 'martyr of freedom'". The Hamilton Independent.
  28. ↑ Lucas Casaletto and Michael Ranger. "Ontario NDP MPP Jama removed from caucus, province passes motion to silence Hamilton legislator". Toronto CityNews.
  29. 1 2 3 Katherine DeClerq (24 October 2023). "What to know about Sarah Jama's censure and ejection from NDP". CTV News.
  30. ↑ Jama, Sarah (10 October 2023). "A Call For An Immediate Cease Fire". X/Twitter. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  31. 1 2 3 Colin D'Mello & Isaac Callan (20 October 2023). "MPP Sarah Jama threatens to sue Premier Doug Ford over Israel-Hamas comments". Global News. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  32. 1 2 Isaac Callan (11 October 2023). "MPP involved in Hamas-Israel comments controversy to remain part of Ontario NDP". Global News. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  33. ↑ "'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. 11 October 2023.
  34. ↑ Ford, Doug (11 October 2023). "Doug Ford on X". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  35. 1 2 3 Casaletto, Lucas; Ranger, Michael (23 October 2023). "Ontario NDP MPP Sarah Jama removed from caucus". CityNews. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  36. ↑ "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". TVO Today.
  37. ↑ "Ontario NDP kicks Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama from caucus after controversial Gaza comments"
  38. ↑ Allison Jones and Liam Casey (23 October 2023). "Ontario Premier Ford's government passes motion to silence Hamilton legislator". Toronto Star. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ DeClerq, Katherine (24 October 2023). "What to know about Sarah Jama's censure and ejection from NDP". CTV News Toronto.
  41. ↑ "U of A Sexual Assault Centre signs Jama's letter denying Jewish rapes". Toronto Sun. 17 November 2023.
  42. ↑ Bradley, Jonathan (15 November 2023). "WATCH: Sarah Jama denies Israeli women raped by Hamas". Western Standard.
  43. ↑ Jane Stevenson (15 November 2023). "Sarah Jama calls Hamas attack on Israeli women, babies misinformation". Toronto Sun.
  44. ↑ Jennifer Ivanov (18 November 2023). "U of A fires director of Sexual Assault Centre for signing letter questioning attacks on Israeli women". Global News.
  45. ↑ Hristova, Bobby (21 November 2023). "Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama removes name from open letter questioning alleged Hamas sexual violence". CBC News.
  46. ↑ "Vote Totals Report From Official Tabulation - Hamilton Centre". Elections Ontario. 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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