South African activist detained by U.S. immigration agents at Toronto’s Pearson Airport

A prominent South African activist who was in Canada to receive an award for his advocacy on health care equality was detained for several hours by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at Toronto’s Pearson Airport as he prepared to board a flight home.

Zackie Achmat was awarded the inaugural Paul Farmer Lectureship and Award for Global Health Equity in September of last year. He arrived last week to accept the award at McGill University in Montreal and then travelled to Toronto for three days.