[opirgyork] Weekly Digest Jan 27th 2011

[aruna at opirgyork.ca]

Hey all!

Have your registered for the upcoming Forehead Creativity: embodied
decolonial art workshop?
It's happening THIS COMING MONDAY JAN 31st! From 1pm to 5pm in RM. 313 in
the student centre.

You have to register, and there are only a few spots left!

This workshop will engage participants in acts of decolonization through
collective processes using artistic media such as Forum Theatre,
Portraiture, and individual writing exercises. We will activate
friendships between these separate yet connected matter in ourselves to
grow communication and resilience between each other in our social
movements.

No artistic skills needed though openness to creative process is useful.

-> Forehead Creativity is for everyone though information is primarily
directed towards all First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Indigenous, Brown,
Non‐white, Mixed‐race, ‐of Colour, Two‐spirit,
Trans, Genderqueer, Queer, Women and People from these communities with
disAbilities.
-> If you are an ally to these experiences, please come to witness and
share support while staying mindful of your role.

---> To register, please contact Louis Cruz at:
foreheadcreativity at gmail.com or 647.234.2625 by January 28th, 2011

Space is limited for attendance, so please get your registration forms in
as soon as possible!
**event location is wheelchair accessible & scent-free. please refrain
from wearing perfumes and other scented products.
For accommodation requests, please contact Aruna Boodram:
aruna at opirgyork.ca or 416.736.5724

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***Events/Actions:

1) LGBTQ Movie Night
2) Rally in solidarity with the people of Egypt & Tunisia
3) Building the working class movement
4) Hamilton Day of Action: The People VS. U.S. Steel
5) MARRICHIWEU!! Denouncing a G20 Police State Conspiracy
6) NEVER AGAIN FOR ANYONE - 2011 international Holocaust Remembrance Day
7) Interruption by Eshan Rafi: Art Exhibition
8) Feminist Parade! Reclaim Student space!
9) Mining Injustice Solidarity network new members meeting
10) Leah Lakshmi at the AGO
11) The "Hurricane" Rubin Carter at York
12) Remembering Our Sisters - screening of short docs
13) Secret Trial 5, Sophie Harkat and the Human Impact of Canada's
Anti-Terror Laws
14) Stop the cuts to Federation of Metro Tenants Association (ACTION)
15) Mexico and the Burden of "Free Trade" -  NAFTA capitalist devastation,
and community resistance
16) Toronto's 6th Annual Rally & March for Missing & Murdered Indigenous
Women
17) Symposium on Building Alliance in Queer Communities: Bridging the Gap
between Deaf and Hearing People
18) The 7th Annual Israeli Apartheid: featuring keynote speakers Judith
Butler and Ali Abunimah

-------------------------------------------------------

1) LGBTQ Movie Night
Friday January 28th
7pm to 10pm
519 Church Street Community Centre

BREAKTHROUGH is back!

What's a better way to spend a January evening than with a great film,
friends and some popcorn?

BREAKTHROUGH is hosting a film night for LGBTQ Newcomers, as part of our
monthly event series. We will be showing LGBTQ short and feature length
films that are fun and inspiring stories about understanding our
sexuality, love, family, relationships and migration.
...
We're excited to screen a short film by Teresa Cheng from 2010's InsideOut
Video Legacy Project and be joined by Colin Druhan, Volunteer Coordinator
with the Toronto International Film Festival, who will be recruiting
volunteers. Also, Ahmed Muslimani will talk about the new Col(ours)
project with Access Alliance.

All this before our feature length film.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Popcorn and refreshments provided.
--
BREAKTHROUGH is a group of LGBTQ newcomers who care about making Toronto a
better place for everyone. We will be organizing monthly events at The 519
to bring people together, have fun and share information. We're a network,
which means we want everyone to share information about events, services
and ideas to build better spaces for LGBTQ newcomers in Toronto!

BREAKTHROUGH hosts events the last Friday of every month at The 519.

For more information e-mail: breakthrough at the519.org
Make sure you "like" our facebook page to stay in touch.

----------------------------------------------------------

2) Rally in solidarity with the people of Egypt & Tunisia
Saturday January 29th
1pm to 4pm
Yonge-Dundas Square
Toronto

Let us head to Toronto most visible meeting spot, We can not reach the
Egyptian or Tunisian embassy in Ottawa nor our fellow brothers and sisters
in Egypt and those seeking their freedom every where., but we can deliver
them a message.

We are here standing in solidarity with you, supporting your struggle for
a free and honorable living, democratic governments and human rights. we
are here to raise awareness in Canada and to tell ...the Egyptian regime
that we are all watching and their crimes against the people will not be
tolerated. and tell the Tunisian People "Thank you" for giving us hope and
humbling the world with your Courage.

Bring your Flag, all flags, but most of all bring your spirit.
< we can not send global messages due to the large numbers now, but we
have talked to Dundas Square Management and they will designate us an
'impromptu gathering' status , thank you Dundas Square. Toronto Police
will help, please bring a cookie for each officer that comes>.

<after taking vote on the wall, the Event has been changed to include our
inspiring Tunisian brothers and sisters this event is for the people, by
the people and to the people>.

------------------------------------------------------------

3) Building the working class movement
Saturday January 29th to Sunday Jan 30th
55& 63 Gould Street - Ryerson student centre

The Labour Committee of the Greater Toronto Workers Assembly (GTWA) is
organizing a conference where activists can come together to talk about
the attacks on the working-class in every dimension of our lives, reframe
the public discussion and launch a united activist network of workers from
all sectors, unions and precarious workers, new immigrants and
non-unionized workers to mobilize a new kind of working class movement.

Registration will begin December 22nd 2010 via our website at:

www.workersassembly.ca/callout2011

-----------------------------------------------------------

4) Hamilton Day of Action: The People VS. U.S. Steel
Saturday January 29th
1pm to 4pm
71 Main street west
Hamilton, ON

USW Local 1005 and its 900 members and 9,000 pensioners are waging a
battle on behalf of ALL of us. Foreign-owned companies think we're just
bod parts to be thrown away at the end of our working lives.

U.S. Steel locked out its workers on Nov. 7. It is trying to drive
pensioners into the dirt by de-indexing their pensions! AND they want
defined benefits plans closed to new hires and replaced with defined
contribution plans that are nothing more than glorified savings accounts.

The OFL, CLC, USW Local 105 and Hamilton and District Labour Council are
calling for a massive province-wide mobilization to stop U.S. Steel and
other foreign-owned companies from wrecking our communities and stealing
our futures.

Join the Hamilton day of action on Jan. 29 and help spread the word!

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5) MARRICHIWEU!! Denouncing a G20 Police State Conspiracy

SATURDAY JANUARY 29TH 2011 @ 7:30PM
BIRGE CARNEGIE READING ROOM
95 CHARLES ST. WEST (@ MUSUEM STATION ñ U of T Campus)

On September 29th, 2010 Mapuche indigenous rights activist Jaroslava Avila
was arrested on University of Toronto campus with three charges of
ìConspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offenseî for her alleged participation
 and organization of G20 Toronto protests and mobilizations of this past
June.

On December 20th, 2010, her charges were fully DROPPED by the Crown
attorney alleging ìno reasonable groundsî for conviction after three
months of undergoing gruelling judicial conditions, including house arrest
and no public demonstration.

This marks a Victory for the WCCC as an indigenous Mapuche organization
against the judicial setups mounted by the G20 Police State, demonstrating
the continued criminalization of the struggle of indigenous peoples in
denouncing the plunder and displacement of our lands.

However the struggle continues as 18 other co-accused for Conspiracy
remain under these harsh conditions as well as remaining G20 arrestees,
all of whom have in one way or another expressed their solidarity with
indigenous rights.

With this Victory, we publically express our solidarity with those who
have been systematically targeted and imprisoned due to the ongoing
harassment and criminalization of dissent within mobilized communities by
police and authorities.

We will continue to struggle for our intrinsic rights as Mapuche
indigenous peoples, for our land, for our people, for our right to exist
and for the reconstruction of our nation.

MARRICHIWEU!!
[Ten Times We Shall Overcome!!]

Keynote Speaker:
JAROSLAVA AVILA:
**Mapuche solidarity activist with the Womenís Coordinating Committee for
a Free Wallmapu [Toronto], University of Toronto Student ñ Political
Science Specialist. Testimony on recently Dropped G20 Conspiracy charges
and the criminalization of indigenous rights

Guest Speakers:

MISSY ìOJISTAR:IOî ELLIOTT
** Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and founder of Y.O.U. (Young
Onkwehonwe United)

DAVIN CHARNEY
**Attorney (representing Jaroslava Avila) & founder of the Centre for
Police Accountability

JULIAN ICHIM
** Organizer with S.O.S. (Sense of Security) & the SPOT Youth Collective
(Kitchener ON)

TESTAMENT
**Artist with radical Southern Ontario hip-hop group ìTEST YOUR LOGIKî

DANIEL VANDERVOOT
** External Commissioner of the University of Toronto Graduate Studentsí
Union (GSU)

AZAD MASHARI
** Organizer with Health for All

Musical Performances by:
TEST YOUR LOGIK
& Much More....

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6) NEVER AGAIN FOR ANYONE - 2011 international Holocaust Remembrance Day
www.neveragainforanyone.com

Over the 2011 international Holocaust Remembrance Day, please join us in
welcoming Dr. Hajo Meyer, who will be sharing the lesson of his experience
in Auschwitz: Never Again for Anyone. Dr. Meyer will be on tour in the
U.S. and Toronto is his only Canadian stop.

In Toronto Dr. Meyer will be joined by Gina Csanyi from the Roma
community, Lee Maracle, acclaimed writer and member of the Sto: Loh
nation, Khaled Mouammar, president of the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF),
and one other speaker (TBA) to discuss the urgency of this message in
Canada and the US today.

In the face of the on-going ethnic cleansing of Palestine, attacks and
persecution of Muslim and Arab communities in Canada and the US, the
repression of dissent on campuses, the continued military occupation of
Iraq and Afghanistan, and the on-going struggles of People of Colour,
Immigrant, Indigenous, Queer, and Disabled communities for their rights,
we assert a commitment to collective humanity against the application of
ìnever againî to only a few.

WHO: Dr. Hajo Meyer, Gina Csanyi, Alan Sears, and Dawud Assad
WHEN: 31 January 2011 7-10 PM
WHERE:  Friends House: 60 Lowther Avenue
HOW: St. George subway stop, Bedford St. exit, 2 blks. north of Bloor
ACCESSIBILITY: Wheelchair accessible via side entrance from parking lot,
and two accessible washrooms.

WHO: Dr. Hajo Meyer, Lee Maracle, and Khaled Mouammar
WHEN: 1 February 2011 7-10 PM
WHERE: The Winchevsky Centre: 585 Cranbrooke Avenue
HOW: Bathurst bus north of Lawrence, Cranbrooke off east side of Bathurst
Street
ACCESSIBILITY: Not wheelchair accessible

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7) Interruption by Eshan Rafi

Exhibition runs January 31 to February 11, 2011
Opening Reception: February 4 2011, 4:00 - 7:00pm

Gales Gallery*, 105 Accolade West Building, York University, Keele campus

Gallery hours are 10:30am - 4:00pm (Monday to Friday)

In interruption, the artist engages in a process of active remembering -
of family stories, public histories, and personal transformation. A
multidisciplinary art exhibition, interruption foregrounds spaces of
resistance and uses translation and interpretation to disrupt official
narratives. The artist constructs a critical space that interrogates
current and past events in Pakistan, while locating the self as a
gender-variant, diasporic body that is implicated in, and subject to,
histories.

Biography:
Eshan Rafi is an emerging Toronto-based artist who uses video,
photography, performance and installation art to construct
auto/biographies out of fragmentation and rupture. Eshan previously
attended Concordia University in the Intermedia/Cyberarts and Photography
programs, and is currently continuing his B.F.A at York University and a
Concurrent B.Ed with a focus on the Visual Arts

He has exhibited his work in Montreal, Toronto, and Brooklyn, including
Art M˚r with Art Matters (Montreal), anitafrika! dub theatre with
Mayworks: Festival of Working People and the Arts (Toronto) and Jackman
Hall at the Art Gallery of Ontario with Push Play: Media Arts for Asian
Artists (Toronto). Eshan recently participated in an artist residency with
artists James Luna and Guillermo GÛmez-PeÒa. For more information, contact
Eshan at eshan.rafi at gmail.com.

Directions to York University:
Take the 196 Rocket from Downsview Subway Station which will take you
straight to York (in about 15 minutes). Get off at York Commons. The bus
runs every few minutes. The Accolade West building is on the south west
side of the commons (the big ground). If you have never been to York
before, it is probably useful to consult this map beforehand:
http://www.yorku.ca/web/maps/

*This event is wheelchair & bathroom accessible & there are gender neutral
washrooms.

The flyer design is by the very talented Meera Sethi - check out her work
at http://www.meerasethi.com/ or look up Meera Sethi Creative on facebook.

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8) Feminist Parade! Reclaim Student space!
Tuesday Feb 1st
230pm to 3pm
York Campus

Come one come all to the FEMINIST ACTION @ YU Campus PARADE!

There will be cheers, chants, dance, music and general noise-making as we
spread the word about feminist action @ york and the relevance of feminism
on campus!

We'll be doing ANTI-RACIST, QUEER, ANTI-CAPITALIST, ANTI-WAR, ABILITY,
ECOFRIENDLY, ANARCHIST....ANTI ROB FORD..etc. cheers!

SO IF YOU ARE DOWN FOR RECLAIMING STUDENT SPACE, WANT TO BRING BACK THE
POLITICAL OPINIONS AT YORK.....this is for you!

Come in costume or as you are, bring signs, instruments and noise makers,
roller skates, hula hoops, whatever your heart desires! Most of all, bring
ENERGY!!!!!

We want to know who would be able to participate -
it'll take 15-20 MINS TOPS and ALL you'll need to do is JUMP in line and
MAKE SOME NOISE!

So if you're interested please attend and spread the word!! Invite your
par-tay people!!

THANKS!

---------------------------------------------------

9) Mining Injustice Solidarity network new members meeting
Wednesday February 2nd
5pm
OISE - 252 Bloor St. West

We stand in solidarity with mining affected communities and work with them
to resist the destructive acts of Canadian mining companies that threaten:

*indigenous sovereignty
*community rights
*labour rights
...*the environment
*our water
*health and wellness
*food security
*survival

and exacerbate:

*gendered violence and inequity
*militarization and forced displacement
*criminalization of community leaders
*the corporatization of education
*mass poverty

>From North to South, East to West - from university campuses to the rural
highlands of mining affected regions - we believe that resistance is
possible. We take direction from local community leaders who experience
the impact of mining companies first-hand. We work to join our struggles
together and form a network of mining impacted people (directly affected
and otherwise)

Join us! We put on the annual Mining (In)Justice Conference in Toronto
where we bring affected community members from around the world to tell
their stories, and organize. We also do protests, petitions, independent
media, vigils, art projects, photography, and documentaries. We are made
up of community members and also have a chapter at the University of
Toronto that you can get involved with, specifically focused on taking on
corporatization and the support of the university for these mining abuses.

----------------------------------------------------

10) Leah Lakshmi at the AGO
Wednesday februrary 2nd
6pm to 8pm
AGO
317 Dundas St. West

Come to a night of performance and art about disability activism,
anti-colonialism and the many ties that connect these movements.

FREE

Featuring Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Kenji Tokawa, Romeo, new video
work by John Richard Allen, and more!

About Leah:

Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha is a queer disabled Sri Lankan writer,
teacher and cultural worker. The author of Consensual Genocide, her work
has been widely anthologized. She co-founded Mangos With Chili, the
national queer and trans people of color performance tour, is a lead
artist with Sins Invalid and teaches with June Jordan's Poetry for the
People. In 2010, she was named one of the Feminist Press' 40 Feminists
Under 40 and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her life's work is at the
intersection of community accountability, disability justice, queer and
trans people of color artistic community and teaching for liberation.

mangoswithchili.wordpress.com
www.brownstargirl.org

ASL Interpretation provided.
Wheelchair accessible.

For more info:
http://www.ago.net/leah-lakshmi-piepzna-samarasinha

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11) The "Hurricane" Rubin Carter at York
Wednesday February 2nd
630 to 930
Accolade East 102
Price Family Cinema

"The Hurricane" Rubin Carter at York

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
doors open 6:30pm

Accolade East 102 - Price Family Cinema

Tickets available at Member Services Office and all week in Vari Hall

$2 for students
$10 for non-students

The York Federation of Students invites you to witness the ìHurricaneî
Rubin Carter on February 2nd, 2011 to launch Black History Month as part
of the Xpressions Against Oppression speakers series. Carter was a
middleweight boxing champion once ranked as a top contender in the early
1960s. Carterís boxing fame was eclipsed by a controversial and racially
biased murder trial in 1966. His conviction put him in prison for nearly
20 years, despite the lack of physical evidence linking him to the crime.
He staunchly maintained his innocence and penned the autobiography The
16th Round: From Number One Contender to Number 45472 while in prison. The
book shed light on the complex psychological struggle he endured to
maintain his integrity not only in prison but also as a black man living
in America.

His plight captured the attention of celebrities like Bob Dylan and
Muhammad Ali, as well as a small commune in Canada. He befriended the
Canadians, and later went to live with them upon his release from prison
in 1985.

Rubin Carter went on to work for the Canadian Association in Defence of
the Wrongly Convicted and, while he was never declared innocent, he serves
as an example of the ireless pursuit of freedom and justice.

brought to you by:

The York Federation of Students
Xpressions Against Oppressions

for more info please contact:

Vanessa Hunt
VP Campus Life
vpcampuslife at yfs.ca
416-434-4251

----------------------------------------------------

12) Remembering Our Sisters - screening of short docs

On February 3rd, the Centre for Integrative Anti-racism Studies (CIARS at
OISE/UT), with the support of No More Silence, will screen short docs on
missing and murdered Indigenous women in preparation for February 14th
when rallies and memorial marches will take place across the country.

February 3

7:00 pm at OISE 5th floor Room 5-250

Screening work by director/producer Audrey Huntley including ìA New Dayî
produced for CTV First Story in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside - the piece
looks at the tragic death of 22 year old Ashley Mischiskinic in mid
September. Community members believe she was thrown out of the window of
the 5th floor of the Regent Hotel by drug dealers as punishment for a drug
debt and to send a message and warning to the community. Residents were
outraged when police initially closed the investigation declaring her
death a suicide on the same day. Huntley interviews members of the
February 14th Women's Memorial March organizing committee looking at the
bigger picture and their quest to end the violence. The screening will be
followed by a skype Q & A with Vancouver activists and DTES residents.

Sponsored by: Centre for Integrative Anti-racism Studies, CIARS at OISE/UT

----------------------------------------------------

13) Secret Trial 5, Sophie Harkat and the Human Impact of Canada's
Anti-Terror Laws
No One Is Illegal - Toronto invites you to a film screening and talk
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136733899724898
http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/556

February 3, 2011
6:30pm - 8:30pm
103, Fitzgerald Building, UofT
150 College Street

The Secret Trial 5 is a new crowdfunded documentary, currently in production,
that examines the human impact of Canadaís ìwar on terrorî; specifically
the use of security certificates, a tool that allows for indefinite
detention,
with no charges, and secret evidence. Over the last decade, 5 Muslim men,
Hassan Almrei, Adil Charkaoui, Mohamed Harkat, Mahmoud Jaballah and Mohammad
Mahjoub have been held under security certificates in Canada. Theyíve spent
between 2 and 7 years in prison each. None of them has been charged with a
crime.

Though Adil Charkaoui and Hasan Almrei's certificates have been quashed,
Mohamed Harkat's security certificate was ruled "reasonable" on December 9,
2010. On Jan 21, 2011, Immigration Enforcement served him with a deportation
notice that his lawyers have vowed to fight all the way to the Supreme
Court of
Canada if necessary. The Justice for Harkat Campaign is calling for
individuals
and organizations to sign the statement at www.harkatstatement.com(and
below).
Sophie Harkat, Mohamed Harkat's wife and and organizer with the Justice for
Harkat Campaign will be speaking at the event.

The evening will include a free screening of The Good Son, director Amar
Walaís short film about the Jaballah family, followed by a discussion with
the filmmakers about their new documentary. This film will be crowdfunded,
meaning anyone, anywhere can become a part of the project by donating to the
production, and helping spread awareness.

Supported by:
Ontario Public Interest Research Group - UofT
Immigration and Legal Committee of the Law Union of Ontario
Council of Canadians
Toronto Action for Social Change
Campaign to Stop Secret trials in Canada!
Immigration Legal Committee (Law Union of Ontario & No One Is Illegal -
Toronto)

To endorse the event, please email nooneisillegal at riseup.net

Statement Against Security Certificates
www.harkatstatement.com

We, the undersigned, have grave concerns regarding the continued use of
sections 9, 76-87 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which allow
for the imprisonment in Canada of refugees and permanent residents under the
authority of a ìSecurity Certificateî.

The new version of this measure - which included only cosmetic changes in the
form of a very limited appeal provision and of the introduction of "special
advocates", whose ability to act on behalf of the detained is extremely
limited
- still maintains a veil of secrecy over any information that may be used
against the detained.

Therefore, we are concerned that those detained under security certificates
are:

Imprisoned indefinitely on secret evidence, though no charges have been laid
against them;
Tried in unfair judicial proceedings where information is not disclosed to
the
detainee or their lawyer;
Denied the full right to appeal when the certificate is upheld in a process
that uses the lowest standard of proof of any court in Canada;
Under threat of deportation even when they face unfair imprisonment,
torture or
death.

We believe that the existing Security Certificate process is undemocratic;
violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and violates fundamental
human rights, to which the government of Canada has committed itself through
the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on Refugees,
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the UN
Convention on Torture.

Accordingly, we demand that the Security Certificate process be abolished.

For those currently detained under security certificates, we demand:

That their certificates be removed, and, if any case against them actually
exists, that they be allowed to defend themselves in open, fair and
independent
trials with full disclosure of the case against them.
That they not be deported.

-------------------------------------------------------

14) Stop the cuts to Federation of Metro Tenants Association (ACTION)
February 4th
2:30-5:00pm
Centre for Women and trans people
Student centre - RM. 322

Federation of Metro Tenants' Association is a fantastic organization that
provides educational workshops on tenantsí rights as well as advocacy and
support to tenants in Toronto and is about to lose 100,000$ in municipal
funding. It is important that we do our best to make sure this doesnít
happen!  FMTA has provided the CWTP with amazing workshops, and does
invaluable
work throughout the city for all renters.  Students are amongst those most
susceptible to tenant abuse as they can be first time renters, new to Canada,
living month to month or looking for a place without a consistent income.

For example did you know that:

a- your landlord cannot increase your rent without three months written
notice,
and can only do so once a year and only up to a set amount (2.1% for 2010)

b- even if you have not signed a lease you are likely protected by the
Residential Tenancy Act (unless you are sharing a kitchen or a bathroom with
your landlord or their dependents, in which case you are protected by
whatever
documents youíve signed)?

c- landlords are only allowed to enter your apartment between 8am-8pm , only
for a valid reasons and must give you 24 hours written notice (unless they
are
showing the apartment in which case they must just make a ëreasonable
effortí to notify you).

Our best defense against this abuse is knowing our rights, and knowing
where we
can get support when they are violated.

Join us on Thursday February 4th from 2:30pm-5pm as we let Rob Ford and
Toronto
City Counselors know that we dot not agree with their proposed cuts to the
Tenant Defense Fund (which funds the work of Federation of Metro Tenantís
Association).

We will spend the afternoon calling our local city counselors and the
office of
Rob Ford to let them know we oppose these new budget cuts and that we believe
FMTAís work is essential for our communities to be healthy. The CWTP will
have form letters folks can sign and send as well as points to bring up on
the
phone.	We just ask that you bring yourself, and if you have one, a cell phone
so we can maximize the volume of calls we make!

There will be snacks, support and good company!

for more information on FMTA check out: http://www.torontotenants.org/

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15) Mexico and the Burden of "Free Trade" -  NAFTA capitalist devastation,
and community resistance
Sunday, February 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 pm.
OISE, 252 Bloor Street W., Room 5150, Toronto

Rachel Mehl and Aaron Samsel of Toronto Bolivia Solidarity will give a
short introduction after which we will break up into small discussion
groups.

Mexico entered into NAFTA with the U.S. and Canada in 1994, beginning a
new era of supranational capitalist trade. Mexicoís experience is a
critical reference point in understanding corporate interest in expanding
free trade throughout the global south.

In this study session, we will explore NAFTAís devastating effects on
Mexicoís campesinos, indigenous communities, and urban poor, and the
corresponding surge in Mexican economic refugees to its northern
neighbors. We will also discuss the various forms of resistance that have
emerged in post-NAFTA Mexico, their relationship to the neoliberal state,
and implications and possibilities for Canadian solidarity.

Reading suggestion:
Armoring NAFTA: The Battleground for Mexicoís Future  (attached)
(https://nacla.org/node/4958) -  a focused article on NAFTA, its
discontents, and moves to militarize these economic policies through the
Security and Prosperity Partnership.

No Registration. Everyone welcome.
Toronto Bolivia Solidarity
http://t.grupoapoyo.org/

Also see us on facebook

Optional readings:
1. NAFTAís devastating effects on campesinos (Revolutionary Worker)
2. Sixth Declaration of the Selva Lacandona - 2005
3. Northern Mexico campesino mobilization against NAFTA 2008
4. Guerrilla forces in Mexico (EZLN, EPR, APPO, FPDT - Atenco)

---------------------------------------------------------------

February 14 National Day of Action

16) Toronto's 6th Annual Rally & March for Missing & Murdered Indigenous
Women

Monday, February 14, 2011 @ **5 pm** (NOTE THE NEW TIME)
Rally at Police HQ, 40 College St at Bay

March to the Coronerís Office, 26 Grenville St.

Gathering with food at The Meeting Place following rally & march
(6:30-8pm); a bus will be available to transport participants from the
Coronerís Office to the gathering.

TTC tokens will be available for those attending by public transit
To endorse or support the rally in any way, please email:
nomoresilenceorg at gmail.com

According to research conducted under the Native Women Association of
Canadaís (NWAC) Sisters in Spirit project, over 580 Indigenous women have
been murdered or gone missing, most of them over the last 30 years. 
Despite the clear evidence that this is an ongoing issue, the federal
government decided in Fall of 2010 to end funding to Sisters in Spirit. 
In a move to detract attention from this cut, Rona Ambrose (Federal
Minister for Status of Women) announced a $10 million fund to be put
primarily towards creating a central RCMP missing person centre.  It is
evident that few of those in power have a genuine interest in ending the
violence against Indigenous women.  On February 14th, we come together in
solidarity with the women who started this vigil in the Downtown Eastside
of Vancouver, and with the marches and rallies that will be taking place
across this land.  We stand in defense of our lives and to demonstrate
against the complicity of the state in the ongoing genocide of Indigenous
women and the impunity of state institutions and actors (police, RCMP,
coronersí offices, the courts, and an indifferent federal government) that
prevents justice for all Indigenous Peoples.

This event is organized by No More Silence, part of an inter/national
network to support the work being done by activists, academics,
researchers, agencies and communities to stop the murders and
disappearances of Indigenous women.

Besides the Toronto rally, marches and other events will take place in
Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London (Ontario), and
Ottawa.

Endorsed by: Sistering, The Women and Gender Studies Institute (University
of Toronto), No One is Illegal Toronto, Indigenous Education Network
(University of Toronto), Canadian Chiapanecas Justice for Women, Parkdale
Activity and Recreation Centre (PARC), Springtide Resources Inc. Ending
Violence Against Women, Anduhyaun Shelter,

To add your name to this list of endorsers, email:
nomoresilenceorg at gmail.com

Visit us online:
http://nomoresilence-nomoresilence.blogspot.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------

17) Symposium on Building Alliance in Queer Communities: Bridging the Gap
between Deaf and Hearing People

> > On the behalf from Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (ORAD), we are
> > inviting the Deaf and Hearing organizations in Queer communities to come
> > together at our first Symposium on Building Alliance in Queer
Communities:
> > Bridging the Gap between Deaf and Hearing People.
> >
> > The Symposium will be scheduled on Friday February 25, 2011 from 10:30
> > a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The 519 Church Street Community Centre, to discuss
> > about these barriers that many individuals in the Deaf Queer community
> > face. Symposium topics will be dedicated to discuss about accessibility
> > issues, solutions, proactive planning, and working together.
> >
> > Please register with Frank Folino at edirector at orad.ca and please include
> > your name and email. If registering as an organization, please state your
> > position in your organization and how many will be attending. You will
> > receive confirmation within 24 hours.
> >
> > Hope you will join us and there will be ASL-English Interpreters Provided
> > and Wheelchair Accessible. ORAD looks forward hearing from you soon!
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
> > c/o The 519 Church Street Community Centre
> > 519 Church Street
> > Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2C9
> > E: info at orad.ca
> > W: www.orad.ca
> > T: www.twitter.com/OntarioRAD
> > Y: www.youtube.com/OntarioRAD

------------------------------------------------

18) The 7th Annual Israeli Apartheid: featuring keynote speakers Judith
Butler and Ali Abunimah
Toronto: March 7 - 13, 2011
www.apartheidweek.org

Mark your calendars - the Seventh Annual Israeli Apartheid Week will take
place in Toronto from March 7 - 13, 2011!

First launched in Toronto in 2005, IAW has grown to become one of the most
important global events in the Palestine solidarity calendar. Last year
was incredibly successful with over 55 cities worldwide participating in
the week's activities. In Toronto, IAW 2010 featured a full week of events
celebrating 5 years of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) successes.

IAW 2011 takes place following a year of incredible successes for the BDS
movement on the global level. Lectures, films, and actions will highlight
some of these successes along with the many injustices that continue to
make BDS so crucial in the battle to end Israeli Apartheid. Confirmed
speakers in Toronto include world-renowned philosopher Judith Butler and
Palestinian-American journalist Ali Abunimah!

All speakers and full programme available soon at: http://apartheidweek.org/

Join our facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-Apartheid-Week-Toronto/46324309566

----------------------------------------------

***Callouts/articles/opportunities:

1) The White Anti-Racist Is an Oxymoron: An Open Letter to ìWhite
Anti-Racists
2) Job Posting: SWB Executive Director, Operations
3) I AM A HUMAN SMUGGLER - Posters
4) Letter to York Admin: Democracy at York
5) THE 519 CHURCH STREET COMMUNITY CENTRE JOB POSTING
6) Job Posting: Ontario Health Coalition: Fundraising Coordinator

----------------------------------------------

1) The White Anti-Racist Is an Oxymoron:
An Open Letter to ìWhite Anti-Racists
By Tamara K. Nopper
http://racetraitor.org/nopper.html

´So what does this mean for the future of white anti-racists? This might
mean to first, figure out ways in which whiteness needs to die as a social
structure and as an identity in which you organize your anti-racist work.
What this looks like in practice may not be so clear but I will attempt to
give some suggestions here. First, don't call us, we'll call you. If we
need your resources, we will contact you. But don't show up, flaunt your
power in our faces and then get angry when we resent the fact that you
have so many resources we don't and that we are not grateful for this
arrangement. And don't get mad because you can't make decisions in the
process. Why do you need to? Secondly, stop speaking for us. We can talk
for ourselves. Third, stop trying to point out internal contradictions in
our communities, we know what they are, we are struggling around them, and
I really do not know how white people can be helpful to non- whites to
clear these up. Fourth, don't ever say some shit to me about how you feel
silenced, marginalized, discriminated against, or put in your place.
Period. Finally, start thinking of what it would mean, in terms of actual
structured social arrangements, for whiteness and white identity--even the
white antiracist kind (because there really is no redeemable or reformed
white identity)--to be destroyed.ª

-------------------------------------------

Deadline is this coming Monday the 24th, 5pm EST.

2) Job Posting: SWB Executive Director, Operations
> Date: February 1, 2011 ñ March 31, 2011 (2 month Probationary Period.
Option to extend)
> Reports to: SWB Board of Directors (Along with 4 person Executive Team)
> Fulltime Staff Position: $50,000 ñ 60,000/year (depending on work
experience)
> - 40 hours/week, Benefits included, subject to regular deductions
required by law
>
> About SWB
> Schools Without Borders(SWB) is an award winning network of grassroots
educators and learning
> communities. The educators we support are young leaders (18-34 years
old) running accessible and
> engaging learning projects around the world. The learning communities we
work with are groups of
> people that share a commitment to healthy relationships and
life-changing experiences.
>
> Our Mission is to create learning opportunities for young people around
the world.
>
> Our Vision is to improve lives and communities through the power of
education.
> SWB seeks a professional (with 3 ñ 8 years of experience) who is
passionate about supporting
> young people to make positive change in their communities at home and
around the world. We are
> looking for an Executive Director of Operations who understands the
immense value of creating a
> supportive platform upon which youth can accelerate and amplify their
work and impact.
>
> About this Position
> The ED Operations will have skills sets, vision and passion to 1.
Establish robust organizational
> systems, 2. Manage teams of staff, volunteers and interns, and 3. Lead
implementation and
> maintenance of administrative process, policy and office systems. The ED
Operations will be highly
> independent, with a strong ability to troubleshoot, problem solve,
manage projects, create and
> implement practical office solutions.
>
> 1) Executive Director, Operations - Basic Responsibilities
> a. Organizational Operations and Admin: Establish robust administrative
> organizational systems, with a focus on IT integration. Lead
implementation and
> maintenance of strong administrative process, policy and office systems
> b. HR: Manage staff, volunteers and interns
> c. Financial/Resource Management: Ensure responsible planning and
management
> of SWB resources related to Operations;
> d. Stewardship/Communications: Oversee contact management and donor
> stewardship.
>
> 2) Required Skills:
> ï Strong leadership, inter/intra-personal and organizational skills;
> ï Ability to work independently, with teams and in high pressure
environments;
> ï Proficiency in MS office and both Mac and PC operating systems;
> ï Experience in designing and implementing online project
> management/database/CRM software;
> ï Experience in working with, not for, communities;
> ï Valid drivers license and comfort in driving in Toronto and
surrounding areas;
>
> Please send an electronic version of your resume (listing two
references) and cover
> letter to info at swb.ca by Monday, January 24th, 2010 at 5pm.

----------------------------------------------------------------

3) I AM A HUMAN SMUGGLER

**View the posters:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nooneisillegal/5366393464/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nooneisillegal/5365781147/

Under the banner of combating ìhuman smugglingî and deterring the arrival
of boats such as the MV Sun Sea, politicians are proposing and debating
blatantly anti-migrant legislation. Criminalizing smuggling cannot prevent
human migration as millions of people across the globe are forcibly
displaced from their lands and communities due to military occupation,
environmental degradation, and corporate profiteering.

Much like the hypocritical ideology of ìliberationî through military
occupation, anti-smuggling provisions are justified through the rhetoric of
protecting migrants. In reality, such legislation only increases the stakes
in irregular, often dangerous, migration. There are an estimated 500 deaths
per year at the US-Mexico border and over 1000 deaths at the
African-European border.

We affirm human smuggling as an often necessary pathway to protection and
freedom. Human smuggling exists as a symptom in a broader context of
increasing border controls, repressive immigration policies, and racist
security processes that cast migrants as undesirable human cargo.

We also reject anti-trafficking legislation that perpetuates exploitation of
women and children through policies of detention and deportation. In
actuality, the state is the biggest culprit in the trafficking of humans ñ
importing hundreds of thousands of exploitable migrant labour to the fields
and homes of Canadians to toil under conditions of servitude and legally
denying them basic rights.

Rather than despair, historic resistance from within the walls of detention
centres to human underground railroads has inspired us to create a poster
series ìI am a human smugglerî.  We encourage you to please download, post,
and distribute this poster linked above widely!

**No One Is Illegal Toronto and The South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario held
a public forum on January 11, 2011 called "Can human smuggling be defended?"
Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhFuyQAVYS0

www.nooneisillegal.org

* NO ONE IS ILLEGAL, THE SYSTEM IS ILLEGAL!

Canada's immigration system is not broken. It is the result of a perfected
system of social control, containment, and commodification. We do not
advocate for more humane politicians or more generous laws. We demand an end
to detentions and deportations and the violence of all cages of control. We
demand the abolition of exploitative temporary worker programs. We demand
workers control over their own production, not corporate wage-slave working
conditions that commodifies human beings especially women. We demand status
for all those who have been deemed illegal in order to justify theft of
their labour.  From Turtle Island to Afghanistan, we demand the dismantling
of Fortress North America and its border security pacts as well as the
global military-industrial complex, all of which deliberately creates and
justifies a culture of fear and repression.

We say this because we challenge the very notion that some people are more
deserving of a fulfilling life than others.  Ideologies of worth are based
on racism and domination that have justified the dehumanization and genocide
of peoples across the world. Instead, we assert the basic principle of
self-determination. That people have the right to remain in their homes in
the face of global displacement due to land theft, occupation, corporate
globalization, and other capitalist and imperialist forces. That in light of
the freedom afforded to capital and armies, people are free to move whether
due to persecution or poverty, or simply in order to flourish with dignity.
That people have the inherent right to return to the lands of which they
have been unjustly dispossessed.

The Canadian state and its economy are built on the theft of Indigenous
lands; the exploitation of labour, especially slave, migrant, and
reproductive labour; and the global appropriation of natural resources. The
ongoing apartheid reality instituted through reserves and sweatshops is one
that must be fundamentally uprooted and transformed. We envision and
actively strive to create a humanity where everyone has the right to
sustenance and the ability to provide it, where we are free of oppression,
misery, and exploitation, and are able to live meaningfully with one another
and in reverence for the land that sustains us.

-------------------------------------------------------

4) Letter to York Admin: Democracy at York

Dear York University Students,

Unfortunately, it appears that a small handful of individuals are
attempting to get the university administration to interfere with the
democratic decisions of students on this campus. As I have observed over
the past couple of months, the decisions were made openly and honestly
with the best interests of you, the student in mind. Please take some time
to send an e-mail to the individuals below lett...ing them know that there
is democratic renewal within the YFS and that the students' union is
autonomous. Please make sure you also CC the listed individuals below. It
will only take a few minutes to send the e-mail in order to make sure that
your voices are heard.

Yours truly,
Robert Cerjanec

Send to:
provost at yorku.ca
rjtiffin at yorku.ca
jsloan at yorku.ca
mshoukri at yorku.ca
salolec at yorku.ca
brewerg at yorku.ca

Cc:
president at yfs.ca
rcerjanec at gmail.com
editor at excal.on.ca

Subject:

Democracy at York

Body:

Dear York Administration,

I am writing to you in support of the new YFS election By-Laws that were
recently voted upon at our last Annual General Meeting and to ask that the
York Administration respect the democratic will of undergraduate students
at York University.

Over the past several years, participation in the student union's
democratic process has been extremely high. However, a small number of
individuals who are unsatisfied with the democratic decisions of students
on this campus are attempting to make you believe that there is widespread
disenfranchisement occurring. I along with the more than 8,000 students
that vote every year disagree.

Democratic renewal is alive and vibrant within the YFS. Students are
regularly consulted and participate in all levels of decision-making,
recently voting to implement 40 new changes to the elections By-Laws of
the YFS. Students have the right to determine the rules that govern their
own student union. In fact, it is participation in developing and adopting
these by-laws that truly showcases the democratic renewal of the student
union.

The YFS has gone over and beyond the principles behind Presidential
Regulation 4 to ensure democratic renewal. I encourage the Senior
Administration to respect the autonomy of students to organize themselves
and to work cooperatively with the students' union and to not be
distracted by the political agenda of a handful of students who were
unsuccessful candidates in previous elections.

Sincerely,

xxx

--------------------------------------------------------------

5) THE 519 CHURCH STREET COMMUNITY CENTRE JOB POSTING

*Job Description*
Program Supervisor, Children, Youth and Family Services

*Eligibility to Apply:*
All eligible employees are invited to apply for this position.

*Major Responsibilities:*
Reporting to the Director, Community Services this position directly
supervises staff that operate programs and services for children, youth,
parents and prospective parents.

*The position is responsible for the development of inclusive, child,
youth and
parent centred programs that meet the needs of community participants and
support the mandate, policies and procedures of the Centre and adhere to
applicable legislation.

ï Hires, supervises, manages staff performance ensuring effective
teamwork, high standards of work quality, organizational performance, and
encourages innovation in others

ï Responsible for service planning, program delivery/evaluation
using a community development, participant centred approach, which build and
strengthen communities and fosters social inclusion.

ï Completes related grant/funder applications/reports and utilizes
measurement tools to provide regular reports to senior management

ï Provides leadership and participates on relevant internal and
external committees and workgroups with community stakeholders to review and
enhance community centred programming.

ï Responsible for ongoing evaluation and analysis of relevant
community trends regarding children and their caregivers including
forecasting community needs, monitoring program activities and overseeing
policy implementation

ï Recommends results based program changes to improve and enhance
service delivery and operational performance.

ï Oversees the scheduling of employees assigned to the programs to
ensure service delivery objectives are met within budget

ï Initiates and influences advocacy efforts for the 519 community in
accordance with program needs and the Centreís advocacy framework

ï May organize other specific consultations with
inter/intra-divisional contacts, community agencies and community
participants, as needed

ï Plans and coordinates special events when appropriate

ï Other duties as assigned

Key Qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to this work and/or
the equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Extensive experience managing in a social services and human services
in a unionized environment. Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, coach
and develop individuals and teams.

3. Extensive experience in the planning, development, and implementation
of community-based programming for children, parents and prospective parents
including demonstrated expertise and experience integrating community
development and social inclusion principles in program planning, development
and delivery.

4. Knowledge of current issues and trends for LGBT families and
prospective parents, child development, early childhood education and family
support.

5. Knowledge of current issues and trends regarding immigration,
anti-poverty, education, advocacy, community development, social housing,
mental health, addiction, community funding, municipal trends, policies and
related legislation.

6. Highly developed conflict resolution, problem solving, facilitation
and communication skills and ability to effectively communicate, both
orally and in writing, at a supervisory level.

7. Demonstrated experience managing administrative and financial
activities associated with program operations including report and grant
writing, well-developed budget and variance reporting experience.

8. Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining cross departmental
program/service delivery teams

9. Demonstrated experience in developing partnerships amongst staff,
community participants and community agencies.

10. Working knowledge of Collective Agreements, Occupational Health and
Safety Act, Child Protection Act, MFIPPA, PHIPA, and other relevant
legislation.

11. Sound decision-making and judgment skills in public relations with
the ability to effectively manage communications to community and government
agencies, committees and coalitions.

12. Working knowledge of statistical methods of data collection and
analysis.

13. Must be able to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings.

14. proficient in Windows-based applications such as Excel, Microsoft
Word, Power Point and Outlook.

This full-time position is scheduled to work from Tuesday to Saturday
including day and evening shifts.

Scope of Supervision:

5.42 FTE: Childrenís Program Coordinator (.8 FTE); Queer Parenting
Coordinator (1FTE); Family Resource Centre Assistant Worker (.65FTE) Summer
Camp Coordinator and camp staff (1.37FTE) Casual Family Resource Program
staff (.8 FTE); Trans Youth Toronto staff (0.25 FTE); Healthy TransActions
Staff (0.8 FTE)

Annual Salary: City of Toronto Grade 4.5 starting at $53,981.20 -
range $66,892.80

Please submit a covering letter stating your specific qualifications and
resume to:

Hiring Committee ñ Supervisor, Child and Family Services

519 Church Street Community Centre,

519 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2C9

Send resume and cover letter in an email to jrowe at the519.org

- attach one pdf document - saved with first initial and full last name + (PS
2011 #1)

- with a subject line stating: ìHiring Committee ñ Supervisor, Child and
Family Servicesî

E-mails with a different subject line may be deleted without being
considered.

*Application Deadline February 7th, 2011*

Only those being interviewed will be contacted.

No telephone enquiries or faxes, please.

*The 519 Church Street Community Centre actively encourages
applications from all equity seeking groups*

-------------------------------------------------------------------

6) Job Posting: Ontario Health Coalition: Fundraising Coordinator

Deadline: February 2, 2011
Please send your resume and cover letter to:
Ontario Health Coalition, 15 Gervais Drive, Suite 305, toronto, Ontario
M3C 1Y8 ohc at sympatico.ca

Role
The fundraising coordinator is responsible for coordinating all
established OHC fundraising events and activities. The successful
candidate will have demonstrable ability to develop fundraising plans and
build our capacity, including membership development. In addition, the
fundraising coordinator must be able to maintain accurate membership data
in Microsoft Access, recruit and supervise volunteers and maintain
records.

Qualifications
Post-secondary education or equivalent work expreience.
Excellent communication skills ñ written and oral.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent computer skills ñ including word processing, Excel, Access.
Excellent problem-solving abilities.
Demonstrable understanding of how to use the internet to build fundraising
and networking.
Ability to do basic graphic design: to make attractive posters and
effective promotional materials using word processing programs.
Knowledge of the province of Ontario, including location of population
centres
Knowledge of non-profit organizations and civil society groups ñ including
health, social service, seniors', patients', ethnic, cultural and union
organizations.
Creativity.
Ability to work in a busy and vibrant shared office.
Ability to multitask, meet deadlines and work under pressure.
Ability to recruit and retain volunteers, and work with volunteers of
widely varying capacities.
Commitment to a progressive vision of social and human development through
safeguarding our public non-profit health system.

Remuneration
Based on $36,000 annual/pro-rated for 6 months.

Term
6 month contract with potential to renew.
We encourage applications from visible minority and equality-seeking groups.