HELP KEEP TERRY & PIXIE IN CAPE BREON !
Target:
To keep T&P from being shipped to the US.
Sponsored by:
Just read this Chronicle Herald article, and you'll understand why I, as well as many local CB residents think it is a very important and upsetting subject:
Immigration officials order U.S. busker out of Canada
Popular musician thinks complaint made after he was featured in paper.
SYDNEY — The familiar twang of the Charlotte Street banjo has gone silent today.
Immigration officials have asked American busker Terry Lavelle to leave the country. Mr. Lavelle started playing his music here about three years ago, accompanied by his best friend Pixie. The tiny chihuahua and her owner have been embraced by this community since he moved here from California.
"What’s happening (to me) has made me love this place even more," he said in an interview outside the Tim Hortons where he plays each day. "It’s amazing to me — all the people here have been so concerned, and it really makes me want to stay here. I just appreciate things even more."
Since he was questioned by immigration officials, the community has rallied around him. His friend Glenn MacDonald has set up a petition asking that Mr. Lavelle be allowed to stay. So far he’s collected more than 50 signatures.
The Chronicle Herald published a profile about Mr. Lavelle last month. At the time, the busker said he was living here legally. Mr. Lavelle believes that someone who read the article may have complained to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Two police officers picked up Mr. Lavelle for questioning on Tuesday. He was put in the back of a cruiser and taken to police lockup for several hours. Once there, someone from Citizenship and Immigration questioned him over the phone.
Mr. Lavelle says he’s made at least five or six bus trips back to California. He believes the last time he went home was in May, but no one at the border gave him any documentation to prove that.
Each time he returned, he believed he could visit for six months.
"I just wanted to get out of police custody so I just said, ‘If you let me go, no matter what the date (I entered) was, I’ll leave on my own’," he told The Chronicle Herald. "I don’t think I was breaking any law, but I was really worried about Pixie, so I just wanted to be released from police custody."
Mr. Lavelle is a peaceful, spiritual man. He’s an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. Some days, he sings gospel tunes to pass on some love to those who walk by him or drop coins in his case.
He makes his living through his music, saving up the money to pay for the $45 hotel room he rents every night. He had finally found a new apartment, a pet-friendly, one-bedroom that would cost $350 each month. He knows that sort of thing does not come up too often. He’s been looking for a place for more than six months.
So he’s been praying for a sign from God since being arrested.
Nine people called or stopped to talk with Mr. Lavelle during his hour-long interview with the Chronicle Herald on Thursday.
One of those people was Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking.
Mr. Lavelle’s eyes lit up when he got the call from the Liberal MP.
"Thank you, thanks very much," he said, after Mr. Eyking told he would try to help. "Oh my God, I was praying for a miracle."
Those who know him have been doing the same thing.
Clare Matheson first met Mr. Lavelle a few years ago. She buys food for him and Pixie and always stops to talk to him at the farmer’s market where he plays each Saturday.
"I’m just worried about the expense (of crossing the border)," she said. "I mean he lives day-to-day. It’s a hardship."
Forcing him to leave is outrageous, she said, because this is a man who brings nothing but beauty to Cape Breton. She said she’s hoping Mr. Eyking can intervene.
"He’s just a simple fellow who gives pleasure to the community through his music," she said. "I felt sick when I heard he would have to leave. Absolutely sick.
"If I win the lottery, we’ll set him up."
Mr. MacDonald hopes that his petition will work in his friend’s favour. He plans to post copies on bulletin boards around Charlotte Street this week.
"He isn’t doing anything wrong," Mr. MacDonald said. "I just want him to be able to stay here and keep doing what he loves to do."
Mr. Lavelle is hoping to hear from Lee Cohen, a Halifax-based immigration lawyer. Until then, he’s going to fully co-operate with Citizenship and Immigration, he said. He promised to leave today and that’s what he plans to do.
His biggest concern is that he’ll have trouble when he tries to come back.
"If I have to leave here, I’ll just feel like somebody lost in the world," he said. "I’d just be out there, wandering around the planet . . . waiting to come back."
Immigration officials order U.S. busker out of Canada
Popular musician thinks complaint made after he was featured in paper.
SYDNEY — The familiar twang of the Charlotte Street banjo has gone silent today.
Immigration officials have asked American busker Terry Lavelle to leave the country. Mr. Lavelle started playing his music here about three years ago, accompanied by his best friend Pixie. The tiny chihuahua and her owner have been embraced by this community since he moved here from California.
"What’s happening (to me) has made me love this place even more," he said in an interview outside the Tim Hortons where he plays each day. "It’s amazing to me — all the people here have been so concerned, and it really makes me want to stay here. I just appreciate things even more."
Since he was questioned by immigration officials, the community has rallied around him. His friend Glenn MacDonald has set up a petition asking that Mr. Lavelle be allowed to stay. So far he’s collected more than 50 signatures.
The Chronicle Herald published a profile about Mr. Lavelle last month. At the time, the busker said he was living here legally. Mr. Lavelle believes that someone who read the article may have complained to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Two police officers picked up Mr. Lavelle for questioning on Tuesday. He was put in the back of a cruiser and taken to police lockup for several hours. Once there, someone from Citizenship and Immigration questioned him over the phone.
Mr. Lavelle says he’s made at least five or six bus trips back to California. He believes the last time he went home was in May, but no one at the border gave him any documentation to prove that.
Each time he returned, he believed he could visit for six months.
"I just wanted to get out of police custody so I just said, ‘If you let me go, no matter what the date (I entered) was, I’ll leave on my own’," he told The Chronicle Herald. "I don’t think I was breaking any law, but I was really worried about Pixie, so I just wanted to be released from police custody."
Mr. Lavelle is a peaceful, spiritual man. He’s an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. Some days, he sings gospel tunes to pass on some love to those who walk by him or drop coins in his case.
He makes his living through his music, saving up the money to pay for the $45 hotel room he rents every night. He had finally found a new apartment, a pet-friendly, one-bedroom that would cost $350 each month. He knows that sort of thing does not come up too often. He’s been looking for a place for more than six months.
So he’s been praying for a sign from God since being arrested.
Nine people called or stopped to talk with Mr. Lavelle during his hour-long interview with the Chronicle Herald on Thursday.
One of those people was Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking.
Mr. Lavelle’s eyes lit up when he got the call from the Liberal MP.
"Thank you, thanks very much," he said, after Mr. Eyking told he would try to help. "Oh my God, I was praying for a miracle."
Those who know him have been doing the same thing.
Clare Matheson first met Mr. Lavelle a few years ago. She buys food for him and Pixie and always stops to talk to him at the farmer’s market where he plays each Saturday.
"I’m just worried about the expense (of crossing the border)," she said. "I mean he lives day-to-day. It’s a hardship."
Forcing him to leave is outrageous, she said, because this is a man who brings nothing but beauty to Cape Breton. She said she’s hoping Mr. Eyking can intervene.
"He’s just a simple fellow who gives pleasure to the community through his music," she said. "I felt sick when I heard he would have to leave. Absolutely sick.
"If I win the lottery, we’ll set him up."
Mr. MacDonald hopes that his petition will work in his friend’s favour. He plans to post copies on bulletin boards around Charlotte Street this week.
"He isn’t doing anything wrong," Mr. MacDonald said. "I just want him to be able to stay here and keep doing what he loves to do."
Mr. Lavelle is hoping to hear from Lee Cohen, a Halifax-based immigration lawyer. Until then, he’s going to fully co-operate with Citizenship and Immigration, he said. He promised to leave today and that’s what he plans to do.
His biggest concern is that he’ll have trouble when he tries to come back.
"If I have to leave here, I’ll just feel like somebody lost in the world," he said. "I’d just be out there, wandering around the planet . . . waiting to come back."
Just read this Chronicle Herald article, and you'll understand why I, as well as many local CB residents think it is a very important and upsetting subject:
Immigration officials order U.S. busker out of Canada
Popular musician thinks complaint made after he was featured in paper.
SYDNEY — The familiar twang of the Charlotte Street banjo has gone silent today.
Immigration officials have asked American busker Terry Lavelle to leave the country. Mr. Lavelle started playing his music here about three years ago, accompanied by his best friend Pixie. The tiny chihuahua and her owner have been embraced by this community since he moved here from California.
"What’s happening (to me) has made me love this place even more," he said in an interview outside the Tim Hortons where he plays each day. "It’s amazing to me — all the people here have been so concerned, and it really makes me want to stay here. I just appreciate things even more."
Since he was questioned by immigration officials, the community has rallied around him. His friend Glenn MacDonald has set up a petition asking that Mr. Lavelle be allowed to stay. So far he’s collected more than 50 signatures.
The Chronicle Herald published a profile about Mr. Lavelle last month. At the time, the busker said he was living here legally. Mr. Lavelle believes that someone who read the article may have complained to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Two police officers picked up Mr. Lavelle for questioning on Tuesday. He was put in the back of a cruiser and taken to police lockup for several hours. Once there, someone from Citizenship and Immigration questioned him over the phone.
Mr. Lavelle says he’s made at least five or six bus trips back to California. He believes the last time he went home was in May, but no one at the border gave him any documentation to prove that.
Each time he returned, he believed he could visit for six months.
"I just wanted to get out of police custody so I just said, ‘If you let me go, no matter what the date (I entered) was, I’ll leave on my own’," he told The Chronicle Herald. "I don’t think I was breaking any law, but I was really worried about Pixie, so I just wanted to be released from police custody."
Mr. Lavelle is a peaceful, spiritual man. He’s an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. Some days, he sings gospel tunes to pass on some love to those who walk by him or drop coins in his case.
He makes his living through his music, saving up the money to pay for the $45 hotel room he rents every night. He had finally found a new apartment, a pet-friendly, one-bedroom that would cost $350 each month. He knows that sort of thing does not come up too often. He’s been looking for a place for more than six months.
So he’s been praying for a sign from God since being arrested.
Nine people called or stopped to talk with Mr. Lavelle during his hour-long interview with the Chronicle Herald on Thursday.
One of those people was Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking.
Mr. Lavelle’s eyes lit up when he got the call from the Liberal MP.
"Thank you, thanks very much," he said, after Mr. Eyking told he would try to help. "Oh my God, I was praying for a miracle."
Those who know him have been doing the same thing.
Clare Matheson first met Mr. Lavelle a few years ago. She buys food for him and Pixie and always stops to talk to him at the farmer’s market where he plays each Saturday.
"I’m just worried about the expense (of crossing the border)," she said. "I mean he lives day-to-day. It’s a hardship."
Forcing him to leave is outrageous, she said, because this is a man who brings nothing but beauty to Cape Breton. She said she’s hoping Mr. Eyking can intervene.
"He’s just a simple fellow who gives pleasure to the community through his music," she said. "I felt sick when I heard he would have to leave. Absolutely sick.
"If I win the lottery, we’ll set him up."
Mr. MacDonald hopes that his petition will work in his friend’s favour. He plans to post copies on bulletin boards around Charlotte Street this week.
"He isn’t doing anything wrong," Mr. MacDonald said. "I just want him to be able to stay here and keep doing what he loves to do."
Mr. Lavelle is hoping to hear from Lee Cohen, a Halifax-based immigration lawyer. Until then, he’s going to fully co-operate with Citizenship and Immigration, he said. He promised to leave today and that’s what he plans to do.
His biggest concern is that he’ll have trouble when he tries to come back.
"If I have to leave here, I’ll just feel like somebody lost in the world," he said. "I’d just be out there, wandering around the planet . . . waiting to come back."
Immigration officials order U.S. busker out of Canada
Popular musician thinks complaint made after he was featured in paper.
SYDNEY — The familiar twang of the Charlotte Street banjo has gone silent today.
Immigration officials have asked American busker Terry Lavelle to leave the country. Mr. Lavelle started playing his music here about three years ago, accompanied by his best friend Pixie. The tiny chihuahua and her owner have been embraced by this community since he moved here from California.
"What’s happening (to me) has made me love this place even more," he said in an interview outside the Tim Hortons where he plays each day. "It’s amazing to me — all the people here have been so concerned, and it really makes me want to stay here. I just appreciate things even more."
Since he was questioned by immigration officials, the community has rallied around him. His friend Glenn MacDonald has set up a petition asking that Mr. Lavelle be allowed to stay. So far he’s collected more than 50 signatures.
The Chronicle Herald published a profile about Mr. Lavelle last month. At the time, the busker said he was living here legally. Mr. Lavelle believes that someone who read the article may have complained to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Two police officers picked up Mr. Lavelle for questioning on Tuesday. He was put in the back of a cruiser and taken to police lockup for several hours. Once there, someone from Citizenship and Immigration questioned him over the phone.
Mr. Lavelle says he’s made at least five or six bus trips back to California. He believes the last time he went home was in May, but no one at the border gave him any documentation to prove that.
Each time he returned, he believed he could visit for six months.
"I just wanted to get out of police custody so I just said, ‘If you let me go, no matter what the date (I entered) was, I’ll leave on my own’," he told The Chronicle Herald. "I don’t think I was breaking any law, but I was really worried about Pixie, so I just wanted to be released from police custody."
Mr. Lavelle is a peaceful, spiritual man. He’s an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. Some days, he sings gospel tunes to pass on some love to those who walk by him or drop coins in his case.
He makes his living through his music, saving up the money to pay for the $45 hotel room he rents every night. He had finally found a new apartment, a pet-friendly, one-bedroom that would cost $350 each month. He knows that sort of thing does not come up too often. He’s been looking for a place for more than six months.
So he’s been praying for a sign from God since being arrested.
Nine people called or stopped to talk with Mr. Lavelle during his hour-long interview with the Chronicle Herald on Thursday.
One of those people was Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking.
Mr. Lavelle’s eyes lit up when he got the call from the Liberal MP.
"Thank you, thanks very much," he said, after Mr. Eyking told he would try to help. "Oh my God, I was praying for a miracle."
Those who know him have been doing the same thing.
Clare Matheson first met Mr. Lavelle a few years ago. She buys food for him and Pixie and always stops to talk to him at the farmer’s market where he plays each Saturday.
"I’m just worried about the expense (of crossing the border)," she said. "I mean he lives day-to-day. It’s a hardship."
Forcing him to leave is outrageous, she said, because this is a man who brings nothing but beauty to Cape Breton. She said she’s hoping Mr. Eyking can intervene.
"He’s just a simple fellow who gives pleasure to the community through his music," she said. "I felt sick when I heard he would have to leave. Absolutely sick.
"If I win the lottery, we’ll set him up."
Mr. MacDonald hopes that his petition will work in his friend’s favour. He plans to post copies on bulletin boards around Charlotte Street this week.
"He isn’t doing anything wrong," Mr. MacDonald said. "I just want him to be able to stay here and keep doing what he loves to do."
Mr. Lavelle is hoping to hear from Lee Cohen, a Halifax-based immigration lawyer. Until then, he’s going to fully co-operate with Citizenship and Immigration, he said. He promised to leave today and that’s what he plans to do.
His biggest concern is that he’ll have trouble when he tries to come back.
"If I have to leave here, I’ll just feel like somebody lost in the world," he said. "I’d just be out there, wandering around the planet . . . waiting to come back."
We signed the "HELP KEEP TERRY & PIXIE IN CAPE BREON !" petition!
# 342:
11:35 am PST, Dec 26,
Christina Borland, South Carolina
# 341:
8:24 pm PST, Nov 13,
Sarah Hall, Canada
we all love terry and pixie and i hope he can stay
we all love terry and pixie and i hope he can stay
# 340:
2:55 pm PST, Nov 6,
Jenn MacNeil, Canada
i think this is awful and against everything the culture of cape breton stands for
i think this is awful and against everything the culture of cape breton stands for
# 339:
7:00 am PST, Nov 5,
Caleb Doncaster, Canada
I often walk in down town and if i passed by tims and Terry And Pixie were there id drop a dollar or two in and say hi he didnt harm anyone he just loved music and Cape Breton. He does not need to be thrown out just let him stay
I often walk in down town and if i passed by tims and Terry And Pixie were there id drop a dollar or two in and say hi he didnt harm anyone he just loved music and Cape Breton. He does not need to be thrown out just let him stay
# 338:
11:07 am PDT, Oct 3,
Shannon Perry, Canada
People are so caught up in law and order that they don't remember what those laws are for anymore...definatly not for keeping Terry and Pixie out of Cape Breton I should hope.
People are so caught up in law and order that they don't remember what those laws are for anymore...definatly not for keeping Terry and Pixie out of Cape Breton I should hope.
# 337:
12:44 pm PDT, Sep 25,
Simos Tarabatzis, Greece
# 336:
4:41 am PDT, Sep 18,
Rose Burchell, Canada
Does the government have nothing better to do???? Terry and Pixie are an asset to our community...in body and in spirit!!!!!!
Does the government have nothing better to do???? Terry and Pixie are an asset to our community...in body and in spirit!!!!!!
# 335:
7:23 pm PDT, Sep 15,
Alvina Walker, Canada
i see these two almost every day. i work at the casino so i would pass them all the time. everyone loves his music and loves the little dog. please do not send them back. let them stay .. this is their home now. show some cape breton kindness.
i see these two almost every day. i work at the casino so i would pass them all the time. everyone loves his music and loves the little dog. please do not send them back. let them stay .. this is their home now. show some cape breton kindness.
# 334:
4:30 pm PDT, Sep 11,
Leah MacDonald, Canada
I support Terry and Pixie! They deserve to stay in Cape Breton more than any of us do
I support Terry and Pixie! They deserve to stay in Cape Breton more than any of us do
# 333:
5:48 pm PDT, Sep 9,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 332:
2:53 pm PDT, Sep 9,
Jennifer Anderson, Canada
I've known Terry and Pixie since they first came to Cape Breton and Terry was always such a pleasure to sit and chat with. I've never met someone with such an amazing and happy outlook on life. We should all take a leaf out of this kind gentleman's book. I really hope Terry can gain citizenship and have all this drama put to rest. I'll be sad if he is deported back to the US.
I've known Terry and Pixie since they first came to Cape Breton and Terry was always such a pleasure to sit and chat with. I've never met someone with such an amazing and happy outlook on life. We should all take a leaf out of this kind gentleman's book. I really hope Terry can gain citizenship and have all this drama put to rest. I'll be sad if he is deported back to the US.
# 331:
2:49 pm PDT, Sep 9,
Sandy Mackinnon, Canada
# 330:
10:07 am PDT, Sep 8,
Kayla Ferguson, Canada
Terry has never brought any harm to anyone, he is truely one of the most optimistic people I have ever met. Everyone in Sydney knows him & we all will miss seeing him & Pixie & listening to his music! He should be allowed to stay here, this is where he calls home.
Terry has never brought any harm to anyone, he is truely one of the most optimistic people I have ever met. Everyone in Sydney knows him & we all will miss seeing him & Pixie & listening to his music! He should be allowed to stay here, this is where he calls home.
# 329:
6:38 pm PDT, Sep 7,
David piercy Bernadette piercy, Canada
# 328:
7:58 am PDT, Sep 7,
Karen Buckingham, Canada
# 327:
8:05 pm PDT, Sep 6,
Name not displayed, Canada
I met this man earlier this week. I was so blown away by his attitude towards life and kindness. He deserves to stay in Canada.
I met this man earlier this week. I was so blown away by his attitude towards life and kindness. He deserves to stay in Canada.
# 326:
7:42 pm PDT, Sep 6,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 325:
7:37 pm PDT, Sep 4,
Annette Nicholson, Canada
# 324:
11:21 am PDT, Sep 4,
BiLL Fowlie, Maine
# 323:
10:14 am PDT, Sep 3,
Chuck Wrathall, Canada
# 322:
5:58 am PDT, Sep 3,
Roxie Schliesman, Wisconsin
# 321:
12:22 am PDT, Sep 3,
Jessica Straub, Canada
# 320:
10:24 am PDT, Sep 2,
Name not displayed, Canada
I See Terry and Pixie almost every Saturday, outside the farmers market. Terry is a very nice man who deserves to live on Cape Breton Island.
I See Terry and Pixie almost every Saturday, outside the farmers market. Terry is a very nice man who deserves to live on Cape Breton Island.
# 319:
4:39 am PDT, Sep 2,
Rhonda Appleton, Canada
This man brightens the days of many people who work and live on Charlotte Street. He is so friendly and everyone loves little Pixie. Maybe he didn't follow proper procedure but we have I'm sure made exceptions in the past. This one should be an exception. I miss them already.
This man brightens the days of many people who work and live on Charlotte Street. He is so friendly and everyone loves little Pixie. Maybe he didn't follow proper procedure but we have I'm sure made exceptions in the past. This one should be an exception. I miss them already.
# 318:
4:26 am PDT, Sep 2,
Holly Whiteside, Canada
# 317:
1:51 pm PDT, Sep 1,
W MacRae, Canada
# 316:
12:14 pm PDT, Sep 1,
Eleanor Anderson, Canada
# 315:
9:52 am PDT, Sep 1,
Brad Jessome, Canada
# 314:
7:29 pm PDT, Aug 31,
Dan Butler, Canada
dont be dicks......let the man stay.....he offers more positives to the region then most citizens
dont be dicks......let the man stay.....he offers more positives to the region then most citizens
# 313:
2:17 pm PDT, Aug 31,
Scott Macdonald, Canada
# 312:
10:01 am PDT, Aug 31,
Erica Jacquard, Canada
This is ridiculous. Terry is one of the nicest guys around and he spreads happiness to everyone around him with his little dog and his banjo. Think about it seriously, does getting rid of good hearted people really make our place better?
This is ridiculous. Terry is one of the nicest guys around and he spreads happiness to everyone around him with his little dog and his banjo. Think about it seriously, does getting rid of good hearted people really make our place better?
# 311:
10:09 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Michele Bray, Canada
i am wishing terry and pixie the best of luck durring this difficult time
i am wishing terry and pixie the best of luck durring this difficult time
# 310:
9:54 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Jolene Mackinnon, Canada
This is just not right. We need to show our true Cape Bretom roots here and let Terry stay!!!
This is just not right. We need to show our true Cape Bretom roots here and let Terry stay!!!
# 309:
7:52 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Tammy DeLazzer, Canada
I never had the pleasure of meeting Terry, however he and Pixie always brought a smile to my face when I saw then together which was often. I will miss that.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Terry, however he and Pixie always brought a smile to my face when I saw then together which was often. I will miss that.
# 308:
5:38 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Susan MacPhee, Canada
Terry and Pixie could always be found entertaining with music at the Farmer's Market every Saturday. It was a delight to share in their presence. May the Divine Powers that be guide them back to Cape Breton where their hearts have found a home. We pray for their journey.
Terry and Pixie could always be found entertaining with music at the Farmer's Market every Saturday. It was a delight to share in their presence. May the Divine Powers that be guide them back to Cape Breton where their hearts have found a home. We pray for their journey.
# 307:
5:35 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Andrew Ford, Canada
Terry 4 Prez
Terry 4 Prez
# 306:
3:48 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Carol anne Lamond, Canada
please let them stay!!This gentle soul always has a smile and a kind word without any judgements,He can bring a smile to your face with his upbeat music and wonderful energy even on a down day!!I think we need him far more than he needs us and most people dont even realize this!!
please let them stay!!This gentle soul always has a smile and a kind word without any judgements,He can bring a smile to your face with his upbeat music and wonderful energy even on a down day!!I think we need him far more than he needs us and most people dont even realize this!!
# 305:
11:15 am PDT, Aug 30,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 304:
8:30 am PDT, Aug 30,
Steven Ross, Canada
# 303:
8:27 pm PDT, Aug 29,
Kathryn Smith, Canada
# 302:
8:24 pm PDT, Aug 29,
Aaron Fry, Canada
# 301:
8:18 pm PDT, Aug 29,
Name not displayed, Canada
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