Democratic Party activist Khizr Khan canceled a trip to Toronto, Canada this week, claiming his ‘travel privileges are being reviewed’, according to a statement issued Monday by the host of the event Khan was scheduled to speak at on Tuesday. There was no explanation as to whether it was Canada or the U.S. that was allegedly barring Khan’s travel. (UPDATE: Organizer claims “it was American.”)
Khan, a naturalized American citizen from Pakistan whose son U.S. Army Capt. Humayun S.M. Khan was was killed in action in Iraq in 2004, shot to liberal political hero status for his blistering prime time campaign speech at last year’s Democratic Party national convention given on behalf of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in which he waved a copy of the Constitution while attacking then Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Khizr Khan, with his wife, Ghazala, speaks at the Democratic Party national convention, July 28, 2016, screen image via Ramsay Talks.
Khan’s speech was announced a month ago on February 8 with a tweet reminding of his insults towards Trump, “#KhizrKhan told #DonaldTrump: “You have sacrificed nothing.” On March 7, he’ll say it again — in Toronto.” http://bit.ly/2lk87dM”.
#KhizrKhan told #DonaldTrump: "You have sacrificed nothing." On March 7, he'll say it again — in Toronto." https://t.co/n7PFcyFcR6
— Ramsay Inc. (@RamsayInc) February 8, 2017
Around midday Monday Khan’s cancellation was announced via Twitter, “Cancelled – Tuesday, March 7 Khizr Kahn talk. Tickets will be refunded.”
Cancelled – Tuesday, March 7 Khizr Kahn talk. Tickets will be refunded.
— Ramsay Inc. (@RamsayInc) March 6, 2017
A statement was also posted to Facebook with the claim Khan’s was barred from travel.
KHIZR KHAN EVENT CANCELLATION
Late Sunday evening Khizr Khan, an American citizen for over 30 years, was notified that his travel privileges are being reviewed. As a consequence, Mr. Khan will not be traveling to Toronto on March 7th to speak about tolerance, understanding, unity and the rule of law. Very regretfully, Ramsay Talks must cancel its luncheon with Mr. Khan. Guests will be given full refunds.
Mr. Khan offered his sincere apologies to all those who made plans to attend on March 7th. He said: “This turn of events is not just of deep concern to me but to all my fellow Americans who cherish our freedom to travel abroad. I have not been given any reason as to why. I am grateful for your support and look forward to visiting Toronto in the near future.”
https://www.facebook.com/RamsayTalks/posts/986004498167287
Khan refused to comment on his situation when contacted by Canada’s CTV News.
“Khan told CTV News Monday afternoon that he has “no comments at this time.”
Ramsay Talks are hosted by Bob Ramsay, whose Twitter bio reads, “Writer. Marketer. Communications strategist. Presentation trainer. Speaker series host. Arts addict. Ends-of-the-earth traveller”.
UPDATE: Reporters are reporting that Khizr Khan has refused comment to any media inquiries. At the behest of TGP Monday evening, the CBC inquired about whether the Canadian government was being the alleged travel review.
The CBC reported Monday night on new comments from Khan speech organizer Bob Ramsay:
“The circumstances of the reported travel review aren’t clear. Neither Khan nor Ramsay Inc. would provide specifics about what the review entailed or say more about the “turn of events.”
Asked who issued the notice of review to Khan, Bob Ramsay told CBC News, “I don’t know exactly who it was, but I do know for sure that it was American.”
In a statement to CBC News, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it does not contact travellers in advance of their travel out of the United States.
“With respect to Global Entry or trusted traveller membership, CBP’s engagement is about the status of membership in the program, not any particular travel itself,” the statement said, adding that any U.S. citizen with a passport can travel without trusted traveller status.
The agency would not comment on Khan’s claim, citing privacy considerations…”
