For the second year in a row, it was a capacity crowd for Equitas’ Annual Cocktail on March 19. It was wonderful to see many loyal friends return and a large number of new faces who turned out to show their concern for human rights and support for Equitas. With over 200 guests attending, the 4th Annual Cocktail raised over $24,000 to support Equitas’ programming in Canada and around the world. 
The keynote speaker for the evening was Jameel Jaffer, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Security Project and an active member of the Equitas Board of Directors. Mr. Jaffer was introduced by Alexandre Trudeau. Having recently co-authored the widely acclaimed book Administration of Torture, Mr. Jaffer was ideally placed to explore the connection between security and the protection of human rights: “The democratic freedoms that we have been too ready to give up [in times of crisis and in the name of security] are freedoms that lead to more informed citizens and to more accountable leaders….These freedoms are what make democracies worth defending.” In their remarks, Mr. Jaffer and Mr. Trudeau underscored the critical role of human rights defenders – the people benefiting from Equitas’ programs – in speaking out and defending those whose freedoms are being threatened. Equitas would like to thank all the event sponsors and volunteers who made the event such a success. We recognize in particular our platinum sponsors: BCE Enterprises, Ernst & Young and Osler, Hoskin, Harcourt. Furthermore we are grateful to Claudia’s Catering for once again providing our guests with delicious food and for donating a significant portion of their services. We look forward to an even greater success next year! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Platinum: $3,000 
Silver: $700 – $1,500 
Bronze: $500 Bangkok Tours Inc., Hart Resource Development 
Supporters Aspler Goldberg Joseph Boucherie Westmount Charles Henri Graphic Design Dawn’s Desserts/Délices de Dawn Hôtel Best Western Le Groupe Répro Desmarais Les Serres Edgewood Greenhouses Molson MR Graphique Pâtisserie Pekarna Petrie Raymond Comptables Agrées Premier Canada Fruits Schwartz’s World Famous Smoked Meat