[Indigsol] QUEERS AGAINST APARTHEID FROM CANADA TO ISRAEL: march in this year's Capital Pride Parade!

[Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement -Ottawa]

<<<<<<<<<<<<<< forward widely! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


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QUEERS AGAINST APARTHEID FROM CANADA TO ISRAEL
march in this year's Capital Pride Parade!

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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Meet at 12:30 pm (look for the "Agitate!" spot)
Spark St. & Wellington
Ottawa, ON

http://www.capitalpride.ca/2009/join/#route

Bring noisemakers, banners, flags!

OCCUPATION IS A COCK BLOCK!
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Queers who are taking a stand against apartheid are inviting all queer
people and allies to join in the struggles for the rights and dignity of
queer people of territories occupied by Canada and Israel.

We reject the corporatization and depoliticization of queer identity that is
being “celebrated” today. Instead, we celebrate the long history of queers
being at the forefront of social justice movements (from the Civil Rights
movement in the U.S. to the Anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa).

This year, we continue this legacy of Queer resistance. As we march against
different manifestations of homophobia both at home and across the world, we
also march in solidarity with all people struggling for social justice and
self determination everywhere.

Like many queers throughout North America and beyond, we are fed up with
Israel's attempts to falsely brand itself as a safe haven for queers in
order to divert the world's attention from its racist policies towards
Palestinian people. We believe all forms of oppression are related. We do
not support the fight against homophobia if it is perpetuating racism.

We are also standing in solidarity with indigenous people in ''Canada'' who
are confronting colonization and imperialism. We recognize that the Canadian
state, from its very beginning, has disrupted and destroyed many first
nations communities through sexual violence, repression, assimilation and
occupation. Queer rights are moot if they mean legitimization of occupation.
There can be no pride in our communities if we do not stand in solidarity
with others who are resisting all forms of oppression.

Canada and Israel bolster each other's colonial occupations through
political, military and economic support. To us, the links are clear. As
queers our role in the struggle is obvious.

It's been 8 months since Israel's brutal assault on Gaza which saw hundreds
of thousands of people across the world take to the streets in outrage. Many
have joined the global movement of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against
Israel.

In Tyendinaga, Six Nations, Barriere Lake, Akwesasne, Coast Salish and
across the continent, first nations communities are fanning the flames of
resistance to colonization.

Recently, in Toronto and Montréal, Queers have taken to the streets during
Pride parades to loudly declare their love and solidarity towards the people
of Palestine and their struggle for justice, land and dignity.

This Pride week, it's time for us in Ottawa to reaffirm our solidarity and
to march with our allies in our hearts.

Join us as we loudly declare:

THERE IS NO PRIDE IN OCCUPATION!
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Endorsed by:
Agitate!
Queer fAction
Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA)
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA)
Q-Team MTL
OPIRG-GRIPO
Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR-Ottawa)
Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement Ottawa (IPSMO)
Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians (APAC)

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Media Contact: D.J. Fallous-Tyne
Phone: 613 864 0159Email: falloustyne at gmail.com
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