'I'm not dead': Canadian state broadcaster erroneously pictures reporter alongside story of dead illegal migrant



A reporter was assumed dead by his family after Canada's state broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, pictured him alongside a headline about a man who died after crossing the U.S./Canada border.

CBC paired the photo with a story about a deceased illegal immigrant from Mexico. The attached image has since been changed to a photo of the border crossing location.

In addition, the Canadian press also falsely labeled the reporter, Abdusselam Bezirgan, as a man waiting for "transportation" at the border.

Recent reports state that migrants have been bused to the border to enter Canada from the United States, after which the illegal immigrants are typically transported to hotels or holding facilities by border authorities in Canada.

Perhaps ironically, Bezirgan was filming a documentary about illegal immigration at the U.S./Canada border at the time of the photo.

"CanadianPress you are fake news. I’m not waiting [sic] transportation. Just because I look a certain way doesn’t mean I’ve crossed the border illegally. I was there recording a documentary. I was not waiting for transportation. I am not an illegal migrant," said Bezirgan, who is both a Turkish and a Canadian citizen.

\u201c.@CanadianPress you are fake news. I\u2019m not waiting transportation. Just because I look a certain way doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019ve crossed the border illegally.\n\nI was there recording a documentary. I was not waiting for transportation. I am not an illegal migrant.\n\nAnd I\u2019m not dead.\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1677608463

"And I’m not dead," Bezirgan added regarding CBC's framing.

According to the Counter Signal, the CBC posted Bezirgan's image along with the title "Man dies after encountering patrol agents at Canada-U.S. border."

Image courtesy The Counter Signal

The reporter's parents told the outlet that they quickly began receiving calls from friends after the story was published:

“My friend called me asking if my son was okay, saying that he saw a news story about his death. Until the time I called my son my heart was racing to hear back from him,” said the reporter's father, Erol Bezirgan.

“They [CBC] need to be more careful with their reporting; his mother from Turkey also panicked when she heard the claims,” he added.

“Could they not find a different picture to report a death? What is this? Are they calling you an illegal?" the father asked.

Bezirgan's editor in chief, Keean Bexte, released the following statement: “I am happy to report that our cameraman, [Abdusselam Bezirgan], who was on the ground covering the story of record-high illegal border crossings at Roxham Road, has not been killed," Bexte announced.

According to government statistics, Canada saw 9,231 "irregular border crossings" in 2022, with more than 23,000 other cases pending.

Canada expects approximately 465,000 legal immigrants for 2023, with a planned increase to 500,000 by 2025.

'What's wrong with that?!' Protesters clash at drag show promoted as 'mature content' for 'all ages'



Protesters required police intervention outside a recent "drag queen brunch" in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, labeled as an "all ages event" with a "mature content warning."

Hundreds of “drag defenders” faced off with a few dozen demonstrators protesting against the all-ages drag queen show, which saw Calgary Police deploy significant resources including a police cameraman and a photographer, recording the entire event and license plates from cars of the protesters.

\u201cSome of the signs from the demonstration outside of an all ages drag Queen event in Calgary, AB.\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1673811297

Both groups of protesters were backed by familiar organizations that called for action outside the event. One of the groups present at the protest according to journalists was Action4Canada, an activist group that lists "Political LGBTQ" as one of its main causes of concern.

As well, a popular anti-lockdown group from Mission 7 Street Church organized rally-goers with the caption "it would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble."

The Canadian Anti-Hate Network, which describes itself as "exposing hate promoting movements," called for "drag defenders" to come out and protect the venue.

"According to the organizers itself the drag show is indeed 'mature content'," said Abdusselam Bezirgan, an independent journalist covering the event.

"The standoff ensued for at least three hours outside the parking lot of the event. At times there were physical altercations," he added.

Protesters carried signs against the event reading "protect childhood innocence" and "parents that bring kids to drag shows are pedophiles."

Counterprotesters carried signage reading "drag is for ages 1-100" and "we are your children."

In one of the more contentious debates of the day, a man with a bullhorn argued with a man holding a sign that said "if you're looking for a groomer look in the mirror."

"No one's having sex with children but you're representing it," the protester said, visibly shaken.

"It's a person in drag reading to children, what the f*** is wrong with that? Explain to me what's wrong with that," the man continued.

\u201cProtesters and counter-protesters face off at an all ages drag show in Calgary AB. According to the organizers of the show the show is \u201cmature content.\u201d\n\nSupport my work: https://t.co/MXrrYsasC8\n\nFor licensing inquiries: pr@mediabezirgan.com\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1673806835

Police broke up several confrontations between protesters and counterprotesters, but no arrests were made at the event.

\u201cScuffles erupted between \u201cdrag defenders\u201d and protesters at an all ages drag Queen show in Calgary, AB. \n\nThe standoff continues. \n\nTo support my work:\nhttps://t.co/MXrrYsasC8\nFor licensing inquiries: pr@mediabezirgan.com\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1673812448

The venue has seen previous altercations as it routinely puts on drag queen shows listed as "all ages" events, which protesters find inappropriate.

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\u201cTensions escalate outside of an all ages drag show in Calgary, AB which has attracted large numbers of protesters and counter-protesters. \n\nSupport my work:\nhttps://t.co/MXrrYsasC8\n\nFor licensing inquiries: pr@mediabezirgan.com\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1673809428


\u201cBREAKING: \u201cDrag defenders\u201d and protesters face off in Calgary, AB where an all ages drag show is taking place.\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1673804880

'Jesus was trans!' Protesters clash at 'all ages' drag show



Protesters demonstrated outside an "all ages drag brunch" in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, clashing with supporters who eventually accosted the protesters on the street, destroying their signs. The standoff ensued for more than two hours in freezing weather, according to independent reporter Abdusselam Bezirgan. No arrests were reported.

The drag show, titled "Waffle-y cute: an all ages drag brunch," took place at the Attic, a bar that has hosted drag shows previously, in the liberal district of Inglewood, Calgary. The venue posted about the event boasting its "fully plant based brunch menu," with protesters organizing on Facebook with a message of "protect the children." The protest event page has since been deleted.

\u201cTENSIONS RUN HIGH:\nAn all ages Drag Queen show hosted at The Attic Bar & Stage in Calgary, Alberta attracts protesters. \n\nA supporter of the event caught on camera stealing the signs of protesters.\n\nSupport my work https://t.co/urZ8MpB0R8\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1671390479

"Two women stole two protesters' signs and the altercation forced them into oncoming traffic," Bezirgan told Blaze Media.

"Police presence grew from two officers to 12 as tensions kept rising," he continued. "The LGBTQ side chanted 'Jesus was trans' and called the protesters 'Nazis'," the reporter concluded.

Protesters held signs reading such as "freedom for our children," while counterprotesters demonstrated with signs such as "we're here, we're queer, we will not live in fear."

\u201cHeavy police presence after physical altercations between protesters outside a bar hosting an all ages drag Queen show in Calgary, AB. \n\nDespite treacherous weather conditions (feels like -37C) the standoff ensued for hours. \n\nSupport my work https://t.co/urZ8MpB0R8\u201d
— Abdusselam Bezirgan (@Abdusselam Bezirgan) 1671397302

Multiple social media accounts caught wind of the protest and posted on Twitter calling for counterprotesters to attend the event.

"Today is a day of action for 'white lives matter' with events around the world being targeted by white supremacists," one Twitter post reads.

"Meet at Vegan Street below the Attic Bring friends, signs, FLAGS and noise to drown out the hate," another account says, using a siren emoji.

"Please come and join protectors to keep performers & patrons safe from anti-2SLGBTQ+ protestors at this all-ages drag brunch tomorrow," a user said while linking to a saved image referring to another child drag show as a "child grooming event," which links to a group called "Dragging Youth."

According to their events page, the group "Dragging Youth" facilitated at least eight drag queen shows for children in 2022, including one called "Anime Magic" and another titled "CAMP-ing out."


Photo via Facebook / Meta

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