[bru-info] 10 Reasons to Participate in the November 14-18 Fare Strike

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

10 Reasons to Participate in the November 14-18 FARE STRIKE


  1.. Fight Privatization/ Defend Public Services: Through fare increases and mega projects like the RAV line TransLink is privatising our transit system and lining the pockets of the rich. Access to public services is a matter of survival for working class communities in our region; particularly for communities of colour, for Aboriginal communities and for women. We need to unite to defend and expand public services.
  b.. Build the collective power of bus riders: As individuals we often feel trapped and attacked by the racist, sexist and exploitative economic/ political system. But when oppressed people come together to take collective action we can make history. On November 14 - 18 let's make the bus a place of collective resistance and people power.
  c.. Fight Transit Racism: We need to take action to fight the intensified attacks on people of colour and Aboriginal people fuelled by the dominant "war on terror" ideas. Racial profiling and harassment by Skytrain police are both a continuation and intensification of a history of institutionalised racism in Canada. We also have to fight the systemic racism in our transit system as TransLink raises fares on a ridership which is disproportionately people of colour and Aboriginal people.
  d.. Put women at the centre: The unpaid and low-wage labour of women is the backbone of our economy and yet the wealth flows to the managers, CEOs and rich who are mostly men. Women are more likely to rely on public transit for a wider range of purposes. Put the needs of working class women, particularly women of colour and Aboriginal women, at the centre.
  e.. Ride for public health: The right to mobility is a fundamental precondition for healthy communities. When transit-dependent people have to struggle to access employment, health care, social networks, community centres, religious institutions, political events, and public services its no wonder we are so tired, stressed out and unhealthy. Stand up for public health!
  f.. For Environmental Justice: Whether we're talking air quality, cancer, asthma or hurricanes the environment is striking back and everywhere poor people of colour are on the front lines. We need a liveable and just city for all and that starts with an accessible, affordable and reliable clean-air transit system.
  g.. To crack the legitimacy of an unjust system: We only have to pay bus fare because we've been conned into thinking the rich have a right to the wealth they take out of our communities and have the right to make the rules. When we collectively refuse to pay our fares we are standing up for a world where the needs of people come first. It's possible and it's necessary.
  h.. To expose the lies of Larry Campbell and Raymond Louie. In the last municipal election they said they would make more buses and lower fares the top priority and then they turned around and voted for higher fares and for the privatized resource sucking RAV line. On the eve of the November 19 municipal election lets put their lies front and centre.
  i.. To support the Bus Riders Union. Support the grassroots organizing work of transit dependent people, mostly women, who have built a strong campaign for social justice in the transit system, which has reached tens of thousands of bus riders.
  j.. Because transit is an economic Human Right: Most transit-dependent people understand right away why transit is an economic human right, but when we say this to middle class people, politicians and bureaucrats they look at us like we're crazy. We need to push economic human rights - the right to jobs and income, health, education, housing and transit - to the forefront in this region and in the world. Poor and working class people may be politically marginalized but we are economically central and when we move, the whole world is gonna feel it.
For more information about the fare strike and how to get involved contact the BRU at 604-215-2775 or bru at resist.ca
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