Movement, the campaign against the Vietnam War, and later on behalf of immigrants and women. She helped establish the fundraising group "Friends of the Black Panthers". In 1969, she was arrested in Los Angeles for Conspiracy to Possess Unregistered Explosives. According to a sworn statement by FBI agents, she allegedly attempted to purchase hand grenades for the Black Panthers using a cheque from those FBI agents. As her defence, she claimed the FBI was framing her by creating a crime where none existed prior to their involvement. Subsequently, the FBI denied her a work permit based on this allegation. Douglas, by then divorced from Sutherland, left America in 1977. She and her three children moved to Toronto. The courts eventually dismissed the case and exonerated her. Douglas co-founded the first chapter in Canada of the Performing Artists for Nuclear Disarmament. As the daughter of Tommy Douglas, promoter of Medicare, she was one of Canada's activists in favour of tax-payer funded health-care instead of privatized care. In the 2006 Canadian federal election, Douglas campaigned on behalf of the federal New Democratic Party and in 2012 she supported Brian Topp for that party's leadership. Filmography Film Television Awards (2000) Gemini Award for her performance in the 1999 TV film Shadow Lake. (2001) Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) from Ryerson University. (2000) "Diamond Award" for her volunteerism, by the Variety Club an international charity for children in need (2002) Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2003) Officer of the Order of Canada (OC) - October 24, 2003. (2004) awarded a space on the Wall of Fame at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa (2004) received the "Distinguished Canadian Award" by the Seniors’ Education Centre at the University of Regina, an award first presented to her father almost 20 years before (2004) inducted with a star, on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto (2005) Honorary degree from Brandon University (2006) In November, Shirley gave an honorary lecture at Trent University (2009) Shirley Douglas was awarded the International Achievement Award at the 2009 Crystal Awards presented in Toronto by Women in Film & Television - Toronto, November 30, 2009 (2012) Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Toronto, February 28, 2012 References Citations Sources External links Order of Canada Citation Northern Stars The Commonwealth Journal 1934 births 2020 deaths Actresses from Saskatchewan Canadian activists Canadian film actresses Canadian people of Scottish descent Canadian stage