[opirgyork] Weekly Digest - March 31st 2011
OPIRG York
opirg at yorku.ca
Thu Mar 31 18:04:43 PDT 2011
Are you interested in social and environmental justice? Are you looking
to learn more about campus politics and community organizing?
Are you a York Student or a community organizer in the surrounding
community? Want to learn more about the organizing that happens
on the York University campus?
Come learn how to get involved with OPIRG York!
The York Public Interest Research Group Invites you to their Annual
General Membership Meeting!
Please join us for an update on our current projects, info on our
organization, elections of the Board of Directors and free food!
All Students at York University who have not opted out of OPIRG York are
eligible to attend. The Student Centre is Wheelchair Accessible.
Please contact us at opirgyorkcro at gmail.com about any other
accessibility needs. Childcare reimbursement and ttc tokens will be
provided.
Please contact us for more information.
OPIRG YORK IS NOW COLLECTING NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2011-2012 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS!
DEADLINE THIS Wednesday APRIL 6th.
Join OPIRG York’s 2011-2012 Board of Directors!
OPIRG York is looking for new Board of Directors Members for 2011-2012.
Ontario Public Interest Research Group at York University is one of many
student-driven public interest research groups across Canada,
whose purpose is to engage the student community in projects and
research based in social and environmental justice initiatives.
The York Public Interest Research Group board of directors is comprised
of York University students and community members, and all
York University students who have not opted out of OPIRG are eligible to
run for the Board. We especially encourage women, people of
colour, trans-people, queer people, members of different departments and
faculties, disabled individuals, working class and union
members and diverse religious and cultural communities to run, in order
to have a Board that is representative of the diverse student
population at York.
For nomination forms please visit the OPIRG office in the student
centre, room C449. Deadline for nominations is at 5pm Thursday, March 31st
2011 Completed nomination forms can be dropped off at the OPIRG office
prior to the deadline. Elections happen at the April 13th
Annual General Membership meeting from 1-4pm in Room 307of the York
University Student Centre.
Check out www.opirgyork.ca for more information on OPIRG York and the
work that we do. Inquiries about nominations and the election
procedures can be directed to Lindsay Hart, Chief Returning Officer at
opirgyorkcro at gmail.com. Please drop by the office to find out
more about what being on the OPIRG board of directors entails! We look
forward to seeing you!
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1) March on the McGuinty Government: RAISE WELFARE AND DISABILITY RATES,
RESTORE THE SPECIAL DIET!
2) No to CETA—CETA and the Tar Sands Teach-in
3) T-Dot Pioneers 2011 Exhibit Reception
4) APRIL 1: Kinnie Starr in concert with guests Amai Kuda, Lena
Recollet, Mata Danze & dj Nik Red. Hosted by Rosina from Lal and Sedina
Fiati.
5) Empire's Borders II - Western Enterprises, INC. CHen Chieh-Jen
6) SlutWalk Toronto
7) Love Letters to Japan: Cabaret Fundraiser for Earthquake Relief In Japan
8) Ayelasah: Performers in solidarity with the people of Batticaloa
9) Up Against the Temp Shop: May Day Assembly on Immigrant Rights with
Ai-Jen Poo
9a) Respond to CSIS recruitment on York Campus!
10) Media in the making - An Alternative media workshop with TMC/Free
Press/Dominion
11) "Trans Cabaret" Video Launch
12) April 9th rally: End the occupation of Afghanistan NOW
13) April 9th - Toronto Rally for Respect: Communities, Services, Jobs
14) Lines of Resistance: Prison Art from the Middle east
15) Canadian Mining Corporations Wreaking Havoc in Central America
16) OPIRG York Annual General Membership Meeting
17) Launch Party for the Sixth Annual Feminist Porn Awards
18) Provocative.Public.Porn: The Year’s Best in Feminist Film
19) Toronto Anarchist Bookfair 2011
Info/Callouts/Job Postings:
1) Contract Position: Wildlife Gardens Education Outreach Facilitator
2) ACTION: “No More Stolen Sisters: Safe Shelters, Safe Housing, Safe
Services”
3) WPIRG Job Posting – Volunteer Coordinator
4) ACTION: GLOBAL BEE EMERGENCY
5) WPIRG Job Posting: Transition Support Coordinator
6) NOII Release: Racist Conservative Campaign and Canada’s Immigration
Record
Condemned
7) JOB POSTING: Full-time Permanent Coordinator of OPIRG Kingston
8) Transformative Learning Centre at OISE's Summer Institute: Life-Long
Activism Class
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EVENTS!!! =D
1) March on the McGuinty Government: RAISE WELFARE AND DISABILITY RATES,
RESTORE THE SPECIAL DIET!
All Out April 1st!
Friday April 1st
Assemble at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
12 Noon
*Free Meal
*ASL-English Interpretation (weather conditions permitting)
*TTC tokens available
*Accessibility marshals
New Promo Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guk9jOXeUco
On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=178670685510930
Download the Poster here:
http://ocap.ca/files/ocap%20april%201%20poster%2011x17lo.pdf
Below is important information about the day of action this coming Friday,
including meeting points for Toronto locations, buses coming from Hamilton
and Ottawa, and a call from CUPE locals to members to join us on the day.
**If you would like to organize a contingent/meeting point from your
neighborhood, organization, union local, Let us know!
Toronto meeting points:
? Jane-Finch: Jane Finch Action Against Poverty invites community residents
FREE Bus Pick up to Nathan Phillips Square: From York Gate Mall Parking Lot
Near nofrills). Pick up time: 10:30 AM. The bus will return to Jane-Finch
at 2 PM). Refreshments provided. For more information please contact
JFAAP: (416)760-2677 or janefinchactionagainstpoverty at gmail.com
? Sistering - 962 Bloor Street West - 11:15am *TTC Tokens available
? Parkdale: 11:15am @ PARC drop-in (1499 Queen St.W) *Tokens available
? Davenport-Perth Area: 11 am meeting at the drop-in at the The Stop (1884
Davenport Rd). *Tokens available
? Lawrence-Weston Area: 11 am at the Weston/King Neighbourhood centre,
2017 Weston Rd. *Tokens available
? Downtown-East: 11:30 @ North-East corner of Dundas/Sherbourne *Tokens
available
From Out-of-town:
? Hamilton: 10:30 at 50 Dundurn St. South -
Fortino's Plaza (corner of Dundurn and King St. W)
-Return is 2:30
-Contact Carol @ CUPE local 5167: 289-253-4789 to reserve a seat!
? Ottawa: Contact Under Pressure to arrange with rides (opirgrc at gmail.com)
? Solidarity Action in Kingston - Join Kingston Coalition Against Poverty:
-Rally at 12 NOON in Skeleton Park, Kingston
-March to M.P.P. Gerretson's downtown office
-Contact: kcap at tao.ca
March on the McGuinty Government
RAISE WELFARE AND DISABILITY RATES, RESTORE THE SPECIAL DIET!
Friday April 1st
Assemble at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
12 Noon
It has been 16 long years since Mike Harris cut welfare and froze
disability. McGuinty's Liberals have been in power for half that time and
done nothing to deal with poverty. In fact people are worse off today. It
would take a 55% increase to bring benefits to pre-Harris levels. If
benefit levels were restored to the same level of spending power as they
had in 1994, a single person on Ontario Works would now be receiving $904
a month instead of the miserable $593 now being issued.
Now as the economy continues to slump and the need is greater than ever,
this Government is destroying the vital Special Diet Allowance that has
enabled people to survive. The new system they have proposed will provide
benefits for fewer conditions and applicants will have to release medical
information and face other intrusive measures designed to prevent access
to the benefit. Within the Liberals' own statement about this measure,
they refer to the fact that 'many will not be eligible', and this is a
move to 'respect taxpayers'. The new Special Diet comes in to affect on
April 1st, 2011 and all those who are not eligible under the new program
will be cut off by July 31st. (See here for OCAP's factsheet about the new
Special Diet: http://www.ocap.ca/node/940)
With no intention of dealing with the crisis of poverty they have created,
the Liberals are setting up an 18 month long review of the welfare system
to divert us from taking action to challenge them. We don't need a review
to tell us we're hungry. What we need is decent income and a 55% increase
in the rates now!
UNITED WE EAT, DIVIDED WE STARVE
March on the McGuinty Government April 1st!
For More information contact the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
(416) 925-6939 / ocap at tao.ca
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2) No to CETA—CETA and the Tar Sands Teach-in
What is CETA?
What does it mean for the Tar Sands?
Why should we resist?
Environmental Justice Toronto is holding a teach-in about the CETA and
its implications on the Tar Sands and communities.
Friday, April 1st
3-6pm Panel discussion, followed by discussion and snacks.
OISE Room 2211 (At Bedford and Bloor, St. George Subway Station)
CETA is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement--a free trade
deal between Canada and the European Union.
This trade deal will allow for water, land, and oil to be exploited. Who
bears the brunt of this resource exploitation?
What does this mean for environmental justice?
What does this mean for trade justice?
What do we do about it?
Speakers:
Clayton Thomas Mueller: Tar Sands Campaigner, Indigenous Environmental
Network
Stuart Trew: Trade Campaigner, Council of Canadians
Suzanne Dhaliwal: Co-founder, UK Tar Sands Network
Want some background info on CETA:
UK Tar Sands Group information on CETA
Council of Canadians CETA
Trade Justice Network Comic on CETA
More info about the event:
ej.action at gmail.com
http://ejtoronto.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134139376660076
Sponsors: Environmental Justice Toronto, Indigenous Environmental
Network, Council of Canadians, UK Tar Sands Group, OPIRG-Toronto, OPIRG-York
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3) T-Dot Pioneers 2011 Exhibit Reception
Friday April 1st
5pm to 8pm
Glenn Gould Studios, CBC
205 Wellington Street West
The year exhibition, building on the tremendous success of 2010, is a
mixture of original photography, historical
artifacts and archival photos from the last 25 years. T-Dot Pioneers
2011 is proud to present the "Once Assembled"
photography exhibit conceived and curated by Bobby O'neill. All housed
within the lavish Glenn Gould Studios at CBC
Toronto, T-Dot Pioneers 2011 is a partnership with the CBC Hip Hop
Summit, a month long celebration of Canadian hip hop culture
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4) APRIL 1: Kinnie Starr in concert with guests Amai Kuda, Lena
Recollet, Mata Danze & dj Nik Red. Hosted by Rosina from Lal and Sedina
Fiati.
8pm doors, 9pm show start. A 'transformed' 25 Cecil Street. $10-$25.
Juno Nominated artist (2004 – “Sun Again”), Kinnie Starr appears in
concert with Amai Kuda, Lenna Recollet (formerly of Red Slam),
dance crew Mata Danze and DJ Nik Red at an all ages show in a completely
transformed one-night only venue at 25 Cecil Street on
April 1. Rosina Kazi from Toronto electronic crew Lal and the amazing
theatre artist Sedina Fiati will be hosting this fabulous,
politically charged, all women and trans performers event, where partial
proceeds go to Turtle Island and African Reparations
Funds and No One Is Illegal. Tickets available at Toronto Womens
Bookstore 93 Harbord / Soundscapes 572 College St. ($10 in
advance, $1.50 service charge) and online at
http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/SpringUp
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5) Empire's Borders II - Western Enterprises, INC. CHen Chieh-Jen
Saturday April 2nd
2pm to 5pm
A Space Gallery
401 Richmond Street West Suite 110
Proudly Presented by A Space Gallery and The Images Festival
Empire’s Borders II – Western Enterprises, Inc.
Chen Chieh-jen
Exhibition runs April 2 - May 28, 2011
Reception: Saturday April 2nd, 2:00- 5:00 PM
Chen’s most recent work, Empire’s Borders II–Western Enterprises, Inc.,
looks at a period of cold war secrecy in the 1950s.
Working with the Taiwanese government, the American Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) established an operation called Western
Enterprises where its agents trained the Anti-Communist National
Salvation Army (NSA) for a surprise attack on Communists in
Mainland China. At the center of this three-channel installation is a
haunting narrative following a group of ghostly figures
as they stumble through the dilapidated interiors of an old factory.
Chen builds this story from the biography of his father,
who was a member of NSA, whose relics from his time with them—an
autobiographical journal, a list of soldiers killed, an
empty photo album and an old army uniform—form the substrate from
which Chen’s narrative is realized. Chen says of the work,
“This film affords an opportunity to re-imagine memories in a society
without records and to heal the self by refocusing
attention on the void created by ‘Western Enterprises.’ On this journey
into our recent past, we can reunite with those
silenced voices to rebuild our home for the future.”
BIOGRAPHY
Chen Chieh-jen was born in Taoyuan, Taiwan, in 1960. He represented
Taipei at the Venice Biennale in 2009, where he has
also been included in the curated shows in 1999 and 2005. He has
participated in many other international biennials
including Gwangju, São Paulo, Istanbul, New Orleans, Taipei, Shanghai,
Liverpool and Sydney; the Asia Pacific Triennial,
Brisbane; the Fukuoka Asian Art Triennial and the Guangzhou Triennial;
and was recently shortlisted for the Artes Mundi
Prize at the National Museum, Cardiff. He has had major solo shows at
the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, Paris; Asia
Society New York; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid;
REDCAT in Los Angeles; Long March Space in Beijing
and currently has a major retrospective at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
In 2000 he was awarded the Special Prize at the
Gwangju Biennale in Korea and in 2009 he was awarded Taiwan’s
prestigious National Award for Arts for Outstanding Cultural Achievement.
For more information visit: www.aspacegallery.org OR www.imagesfestival.com
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11 AM - 6 PM, Saturday 12 noon - 5 PM
The 24th annual Images Festival runs from March 31-April 9, 2011. Visit
www.imagesfestival.com
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6) SlutWalk Toronto
Sunday April 3rd
130pm to 430pm
Queen's Park SOUTH
1:30pm gathering and kick off speech. 2:00pm we Walk!
IT'S THAT TIME.
On Sunday, April 3rd, Sluts and Allies will walk, roll, holler or stomp
to Toronto Police Headquarters as our response
to the current perspective toward sexual assault and why it happens.
We are meeting in Queen's Park SOUTH (just south of the Legislative
building, just north of College St.) in downtown
Toronto. We're walking down University Avenue and east along College
Street to the doorstep of Toronto Police Headquarters.
Once at the headquarters we'll have some speeches from a variety of
voices and activists, including (hopefully):
- Jane Doe
- Michael Kaufman
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre (TRCC) Counselor/Representative
- SlutWalk Organizers
We'll then be able to disperse and we hope all in attendance can
continue the empowering energy of the day by gathering
in surrounding public parks, in restaurants and bars, or make it to our
after-party in the West end - details to come.
PLEASE NOTE:
This is a PEACEFUL demonstration. We are uniting to make our voices
heard, and asking the Toronto Police Force to be
part of an ongoing conversation about training/retraining those in
charge of our protective care about why sexual
assault takes place, and how we can work toward a better plan in
changing prevailing attitudes.
We are NOT walking to vilify the Police Force. We understand that it is
through working together that change can be affected.
As you know, SlutWalk is also working at reappropriating the word Slut.
To us, in our modern context, a Slut is someone —
anyone — in charge of their sexuality and is unapologetic in the desire
for consensual sex. Slut is NOT a look; it's an
attitude. You can wear a parka and army boots, and still be a Slut. You
can wear ankle-length skirts and sweaters and still
be a Slut. And yes, you can wear kitten heels and and a tube top and
still be a Slut.
We are not asking to 'vamp up' the streets of Toronto, as that would be
falling into the traditional stereotype that we are
working hard to break. SlutWalk Toronto is asking you to COME AS YOU
ARE. If you want to wear fishnets, great. If you want
to wear parkas, that's just as great. Any gender-identification, any
age. Singles, couples, parents, sisters, brothers,
children, friends. No matter how you visually identify, come walk with
us. And we're welcoming ALL those who feel that
prevailing attitudes as to why sexual assault happens need to change:
WHETHER YOU'RE A SLUT OR AN ALLY, come walk, roll,
holler or stomp with us.
Please RSVP to this event so we can gauge the size of the Walk. Stay
tuned for further details on the Walk as they develop.
And help spread the word. We look forward to seeing you all.
For more info on SlutWalk Toronto and our objectives, please visit our
website. Knowledge is power.
http://www.slutwalktoronto.com/
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7) Love Letters to Japan: Cabaret Fundraiser for Earthquake Relief In Japan
Sunday April 3rd
6pm to 10pm
Buddies in Bad Times Theatres
12 Alexander Street
Love Letters to Japan:
– Cabaret Fundraiser for Earthquake Relief in Japan -
With much love for Japan, we have decided to call our event 'Love
Letters to Japan' - a night full of good music,
amazing performances, and love from the broader community. Please join
us in solidarity by coming out for this amazing
event with the ultimate goal to support the earthquake relief in Japan.
Where: Buddies In Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander)
Date: Sunday April 3rd
Time: 6:00pm - 10pm
Hosted by Take Me Spears & Patrick Salvani
Music provided by DJ Craig, DJ Quinces, and DJ Totoro!
Performers: TBA
Cover: $10
For door cover charge, you have options of $10, $20, or $30. It's pay
what you can and it's up to you how much you wanna pay starting from $10.
+ $5 for flood relief in Sri Lanka: Because floods affect us all. The
peoples of Batticaloa and the east and
northern-central areas of Sri Lanka were recently affected by severe
floods that destroyed livelihoods and
homes and displaced hundreds of thousands. To show our solidarity, we
are asking people to add five dollars
to the door cover fee for the Japan relief event. Your donation will go
to relief and reconstruction efforts
led by the people of Batticaloa via the Toronto-based Ayelasah
Performers in solidarity with the people of
Batticaloa. Here is their event page.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137137426355910
We are proud to announce that this is an all ages event, and also
wheelchair accessible!
All the proceeds will be donated to Red Cross Canada!
Please contact us for further information, volunteering, donations, or
other questions.
Email: ll2j at hotmail.com
We would like to thank Buddies in Bad Time Theatre, Asian Community AIDS
Services, Kenichi Ueda/TransGraphik,
planning committee members, volunteers, performers, and all the
community members who are supporting this event.
On March 16, 2011, a group of concerned citizens and compassionate
community members met together to organize a
fundraiser in response to the cataclysmic 9.0 magnitude earthquake and
subsequent tsunami in Japan. The aftermath
of this terrible disaster has included nearly 26,000 persons missing, an
estimated 15,000 deaths, and a nuclear
accident resulting in radioactive release and contamination. Many in our
group have family, close friends, and
loved ones living in Japan. We are all deeply concerned for the
wellbeing of our loved ones, and often dread
turning on the evening news because the footage and the reports are too
upsetting to watch.
We will be holding a fundraising event on Sunday April 3, 2011 –
consisting of amazing stage performances, a
raffle, and a silent auction – called Love Letters to Japan. We have
been generously supported by Buddies
in Bad Times Theatre for a venue and Asian Community AIDS Service (ACAS)
for resources and time. All of the
funds raised from this event will be donated directly to the Canadian
Red Cross and earmarked for Japanese Disaster Relief.
If you can't make it, but you still would like to contribute. This is
how you can do it.
(1) Text to Donate.
Text the word ASIA to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5 to CRC.
(2) Donate Online
Use CRC's secure website:
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=66175.
(3) Call to Donate
Call 1-800-418-1111 to donate.
(4) Donate at a Participating Bank
Donate to the particiating financial institutions in cash to support Red
Cross relief efforts in Japan from March 15 to April 15, 2011.
Participating banks include BMO, CIBC, TD, RBC, Scotiabank, and others.
(5) Mail to Donate
Cheques should be made payable to the CRC, earmarked “Japan
Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami” and mailed to the
Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300,
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.
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8) Ayelasah: Performers in solidarity with the people of Batticaloa
Sunday April 3rd
6pm to 1030pm
918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, media, arts & education
918 Bathurst Street
Join us for a night of performances by artists in solidarity with the
peoples of Batticaloa and the east and
northern-central areas of Sri Lanka who were recently affected by severe
floods that destroyed livelihoods and
homes and displaced hundreds of thousands.
AYELASAH is an evening of music, spoken word, and dance as well as a
display and auction of artwork, sculpture and photography to raise funds
for and celebrate the resiliency of the
people of Batticaloa. It is the project of a new generation of cultural
workers looking to create a space for
challenging and contemporary works by Sri Lankan and South Asian artists.
Performers include:
Rosina Kazi (LAL) (song)
Karim Sultan (oud + electronic)
Nayani Vathsaladevi-Thiyagarajah (spoken word)
Amai Kuda (drumming & song)
Dancers from Sampradaya Dance Creations (dance)
Sinhala Folk Drumming Ensemble (song)
IMPACT (Kalarippayattu martial arts)
Exerpts from Ravensan Koothu (credit: Dr. Maunaguru)
Meena Murugesan (dance & spoken word)
Geetha Sanmugalingham (spoken word)
Parul "Provocation" Pandya (spoken word)
Atri Nundy (dance)
a Sinhala folk drumming ensemble (music)
And many more!
$10-$25 sliding scale
(No one turned away for lack of funds)
Food and beverages will be sold.
Aye-La-Sah is a family friendly, licensed event. It is a
volunteer-driven initiative, unaffiliated with any particular group.
918 Bathurst Centre is a TTC accessible venue. For directions and
accessibility information, please visit 918bathurst.com.
Proceeds from ticket, art, food, and beverage sales will go to following
efforts led by the people of Batticaloa:
DEAR CANADA: A collective of social workers from across the Eastern
province of Sri Lanka that has come together to
assist with immediate disaster relief. Its members are both
on-the-ground social workers from the Eastern province
and members of the Tamil community from Batticaloa, Trinco and Ampara
regions presently residing in the GTA. As of
January 15, 2011 Dear Canada have raised $10,700 for flood relief work
and have donated items such as bed sheets,
mats and powdered milk for over 1250 infants and 1210 families in over
14 camps. Dear Canada’s next objective is
to distribute school supplies and bicycles to approximately 3000
students and 10 schools in some of the remotest
parts of the province who have received little disaster relief.
THIRD EYE THEATRE: A community arts group based in Batticaloa that works
with children and youth using dance,
theatre, modern and traditional koothu, painting, music, and poetry to
stimulate the learning of children and
teachers. It provides children with enjoyable and creative ways to learn
to read and write and, equally importantly,
offers the opportunity to develop their artistic skills. Complementing a
formal education, these workshops show children
the resources, creativity and beauty that is already found in their own
communities and environments. Third Eye
Theatre also trains staff at Early Childcare Centres toward enhancing
productive interaction with children.
THIRUPERUNTHERAI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION OF BATTICALOA
(TCDO): TCDO is made up of a multi-religious
membership in several villages in the Manmunai North and South
administrative regions. Community committees from
the villages are connected via a central group and their projects build
the capacity of the community to represent
themselves through this organization. Its purpose is to organize and
mobilize marginalized and impoverished individuals
and help them to obtain economic support and collective rights, increase
access to educational opportunities and address
local social issues. One key local campaign was regarding the dumping of
rubbish in Thiruperuntherai. Their flood relief
efforts involved providing dry ration and cooked meals to displacement
camps. Another aspect of their work is providing
training on issues of gender equality, domestic violence, and sexual
health. They also give interest-free loans to
pursue agriculture, fishing, dairy and start small businesses.
A special donation box will be available for those fishing to
demonstrate solidarity with the survivors of Japan's
tsunami and earth quake victims, remembering the devastating impact of
our own in 2004. Please check out LOVE
LETTERS TO JAPAN: A CABARET FUNDRAISER FOR EARTH QUAKE RELIEF @ BUDDIES
AT BAD TIMES THEATRE
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210799198935763
Please address all inquiries (including those in regards to advance
ticket sales, donation of funds, publicity and media
coverage) to iddiappam at gmail.com or call 647-296-4117.
"Ayelasah" is a rhythmic element in the rowing chants of South Asian
fishing peoples; part of a choral movement prefaced
by the sounds 'eh-leh-loh,' ayelasah sets the pace for work whose
communal nature necessitates cooperation and harmony of movement.
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9) Up Against the Temp Shop: May Day Assembly on Immigrant Rights with
Ai-Jen Poo (National Co-Chair of the Domestic Workers’
Alliance), Lee Maracle, David McNally, Farrah Miranda and others.
facilitated by organizers from Workers Action Centre, Migrant Workers
Alliance for Change, Justice for Migrant Workers,
Caregivers Action Centre and No One Is Illegal - Toronto
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=187631304606392
http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/576
April 4, 2011
6:30pm
72 Lib, 350 Victoria Street
Ryerson University
On April 4th, join the May Day Assembly on Immigrant Rights with Ai-Jen
Poo, National Co-Chair of Domestic Workers Alliance, New York City.
Migrant Justice organizers across Turtle Island have fought to create
workplace protections, benefits, access to services, and
full status for undocumented and precarious status workers. On April
4th, join us to continue this struggle!
In the face of cutbacks, privatization, and forced displacement around
the globe, and anti-immigrant policies in Canada, we
continue to build a community-labour vision to ensure that the rights of
the most vulnerable and precarious members of the
working class continue to be fore-fronted during May Day, and within all
struggles for justice.
AI-JEN POO has been organizing immigrant women workers in New York since
1996. She was the Lead Organizer for Domestic Workers
United (DWU), an organization of nannies, housekeepers and elderly
caregivers in New York organizing for power, respect, fair
labor standards and to help build a movement to end oppression for all.
In July 2010 Domestic Workers United won the Domestic Workers
Bill of Rights that guarantees basic work standards and protections for
nannies, caregivers, and housekeepers. DWU helped to organize
the first national meeting of domestic workers organizations at the US
Social Forum in 2007, which resulted in the formation of the
National Domestic Workers Alliance of which Ai-Jen is now National
Co-Chair. Ai-jen also serves on the Board of New York Jobs with
Justice, Social Justice Leadership, the Labor Advisory Board at Cornell
ILR School and the Coordinating Committee of Grassroots Global
Justice. Read a recent interview with Ai-Jen:
http://www.organizingupgrade.com/2010/02/organizing-with-love/
LEE MARACLE is a Sto:Loh nation, grandmother of four, mother of four was
born in North Vancouver, BC and now resides in Innisfil, Ontario.
Her works include: the novels, Ravensong, Bobbi Lee, Sundogs, short
story collection, Sojourner's Truth, poetry collection, Bentbox, and
non-fiction work I Am Woman. She is Co-editor of My Home As I Remember
and Telling It: Women and Language Across Cultures, editor of a
number of poetry works, Gatherings journals and has published in dozens
of anthologies in Canada and America. Ms. Maracle is a both an
award winning author and teacher. She currently is Mentor for Aboriginal
Students at University of Toronto where she also is a teacher
and also the Traditional Cultural Director for the Indigenous Theatre
School, where she is a part-time cultural instructor.
DAVID MCNALLY teaches political science at York University Toronto and
actively supports numerous social justice movements in that city.
David is the author of six books: Political Economy and the Rise of
Capitalism (1988); Against the Market: Political Economy Market
Socialism and the Marxist Critique (1993); Bodies of Meaning: Studies on
Language, Labor and Liberation (2001); Another World is Possible:
Globalization and Anti-Capitalism (2002; second revised edition 2006);
Global Slump: The Economics and Politics of Crisis and Resistance
(2010) and Monsters of the Market: Zombies, Vampires and Global
Capitalism(forthcoming 2011). David’s research interests include the theory
and practice of democracy, Marxism and anti-racism, socialist-feminism,
classical and Marxian political economy, Hegel and dialectical
social theory, and the history of anti-capitalist movements.
FARRAH MIRANDA is an immigrant rights and feminist organizer in Toronto
who has organized against regressive immigration and security
policies since 2002. Prior to joining No One Is Illegal - Toronto,
Farrah organized high-school walkouts against Mike Harris's policies
in 1999 and was part of Project Threadbare, a grassroots coalition of
activists formed after the August 2003 arrests of 19 Pakistani men
arrested on National Security grounds. Farrah has been part of No One Is
Illegal - Toronto's successful campaigns to push immigration
enforcement out of Toronto district schools and organized and won the
removal of immigration enforcement from GTA anti-violence against
women agencies. Though this policy was eventually reneged, Farrah
continues to be part of No One Is Illegal - Toronto campaigns to build
a sanctuary city with full social services for all people irrespective
of immigration status and the fight for permanent status on
landing for immigrant workers and full regularization for undocumented
people in the country.
On May 1, No One Is Illegal - Toronto and community and labor allies are
organizing the 6th annual May Day demonstration for migrant
justice and status for all. http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/MayDay
Supported by: Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, OPSEU Workers of
Color, CAW Sam Gindin Chair for Social Justice, OPIRG UT, Greater
Toronto Workers Assembly, Socialist Project, New Socialist Group,
Justice for Migrant Workers, Latin American Trade Union Coalition,
Good Jobs for All. To endorse, please emailnooneisillegal at riseup.net
Media Sponsor: rabble.ca
-------------------------------------------
9a) Respond to CSIS recruitment on York Campus!
Are you power hungry? Have no morals? Believe in racial profiling and
the implementation of imaginary colonial borders?
CSIS is coming to campus for a recruitment drive! Come find out what it
takes to be a CSIS officer!
Apr 5, 2011, 12:15pm-1:45pm - 140 McLaughlin College - Senior common room
Question them! Organize a response! Let them know that we do not want
violent, racist tools of the colonizer on our campuses!
-------------------------------------------
10) Media in the making - An Alternative media workshop with TMC/Free
Press/Dominion
Wednesday April 6th
1:30pm to 4pm
York University
Student Centre
ROOM 321
Do you have a story idea or a video kicking around in your head that
you've always wanted to work on, but don't know where to start
or how to get your work published?
Do you have a blog but want to reach new people instead of just your
facebook list?
Do you want to do more than just post a video on youtube but be part of
a media collective?
Come and learn more about alternative media through a workshop by the
York University Free Press and the Toronto Media Coop, in
association with The Dominion.
Learn from experienced indie journalists and folks just like you have
just started the journey to becoming media producers and editors.
You'll learn how to delve the internet for deep investigative
journalism, how to find people for interviews and get information out of
the government.
You'll learn how to write in a news media style- it's easier than you
think! We'll also hook you up with editors to get that story you've
been mulling over out in the world, and together we'll come up with the
stories around Toronto/York that need attention.
We'll have a participatory story meeting for the next issue of The Spoke
(TMC's print publication), which we will publish based on stories
from this workshop!
We'll hook you up with an editor and get your stories or videos
published on either The Spoke, The Media Coop website, or the YU Free Press.
For more information:
The Dominion: www.dominionpaper.ca/topics/media
The Toronto Media Coop: www.toronto.mediacoop.ca
York University Free Press: www.yufreepress.org
--------------------------------------------
11) "Trans Cabaret" Video Launch
Thursday April 7th
7pm to 10pm
519 Church Street Community Centre
Alec Butler:
yeah, new vid, coming to the 519! April 7th, featuring footage from the
very first Trans March in 2009! so you might be in it!
Alec Butler
FYI the video is a cabaret with music and skits about being
trans/2Spirit/Intersex, intended to bring "translightenment" to
the masses, haha...original music by Dana Baitz, CGI avatars created by
Jason Brown, Don't miss "fear factor: the shelter
version" and check out the "models" on the "gender catwalk", closed
captioned for the hearing challenged (and the audio challenged director)
------------------------------------------------
12) April 9th rally: End the occupation of Afghanistan NOW
Saturday April 9th
12pm to 1pm
U.S. General Consulate
360 University Avenue
We are now in the 10th year that Afghanistan has been occupied in an
illegal war by Canadian and NATO-led forces. Civilian deaths
rise every year, and over 30% of those figures are Afghan children. With
the eye-opening "Kill Team" story and the release of
graphic photographs and video footage of soldiers proudly posing with
Afghan corpses, it has become evident that Coalition forces
deliberately target and murder Afghan civilians. This is how the
military industrial complex operates but these war crimes MUST STOP!
Rolling Stones 'Kill Team' article (Photos and Video included). Caution
- Graphic:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-kill-team-20110327?page=8
A clear majority of Afghans want the troops to leave their country. A
clear majority of Canadians want to bring the troops home.
The so-called military solution in Afghanistan has FAILED.
We call on the Canadian community, especially the Afghans in the GTA, to
come out, take a stand and make their voices heard loud and clear!
Please join us on April 9 for a city-wide rally and unite against the
illegal occupation and war in Afghanistan. At 1pm we will march to
Dundas Square.
10 YEARS WASTED
30,000+ LIVES WASTED
$50 BILLION WASTED
ENOUGH! END THE OCCUPATION IN AFGHANISTAN NOW!
RALLY
APRIL 9th
12 PM
US Consulate
360 University Ave
Organized by
Afghans for Peace: http://afghansforpeace.org/
Toronto Coalition to Stop the War: http://www.nowar.ca/
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/afghansforpeace
Follow us on Twitter: @afghansforpeace
RELATED LINKS
-Afghan Civilians Intentionally Targeted by NATO/ISAF Forces:
http://afghansforpeace.org/archives/1291
-Afghans Discover Graphic Photos of US Soldiers & Civilian Corpses:
http://afghansforpeace.org/archives/1416
-Stop war crimes against Afghan civilians!:
http://afghansforpeace.org/archives/1463
***Save and share the Poster:
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff398/Masoum/AFP_poster_with_US_soldier_FINAL.jpg
***Anyone who is interested in helping organize the April 9th Rally is
welcome to attend the meeting this Friday, April 1st.
Details:
https://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=YW1mMWZiOGt1Yzkyc2xzMmhucG0wbmJqOTQgYWZnaGFuc2ZvcnBlYWNlLm9yZ192a2JscDllajYzZDd2ZWFxdDh1ZzhlcHE2c0Bn&ctz=America%2FToronto&gsessionid=OK
-------------------------------------------------
13) April 9th - Toronto Rally for Respect: Communities, Services, Jobs
Saturday April 9th
1pm to 4pm
Dundas Square: Followed by a march to Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto
City Hall)
On Saturday, April 9, 2011, come to Toronto City Hall to help defend
good jobs, public services and greener
cities throughout Ontario. Together, we can challenge the conservative
agenda that is threatening our jobs,
our livelihoods and our neighbourhoods.
-------------------------------------------------
14) Lines of Resistance: Prison Art from the Middle east
Saturday April 9th
7pm to 10pm
Beit Zatoun
612 Markham Street
An Exhibition of Paintings and Mixed Media Art
Exhibit runs Saturday, April 9 to Sunday, April 17
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 pm
Lines of Resistance: Prison Art from the Middle East is a mixed media
work produced by former political prisoners from the Middle East,
notably Iran, as well as artists standing in solidarity with them. The
exhibition is an instance of visualizing atrocities committed
by states in the region including Israel.
Since June 2009, the regime has imprisoned and executed thousands of its
citizens; the crimes have been surrounded in an official culture
of silence and denial.
This exhibition serves as a testament to those who resist oppressive
state policies. It is also an opportunity for us to stand in
solidarity with the Iranian people and demand the immediate end to
imprisonment, torture and executions.
The project was created by Shahrzad Mojab, a professor of women’s
studies at OISE at the University of Toronto, as part of her research
into the effect of violence and war on women and learning. Mojab started
using art — from dance and song to painting — four years ago to
help women deal with the trauma of prison.
Need to know:
- Exhibition open during regular gallery hours
(Wednesday to Sunday from 12 noon)
- Admission Free
- Sorry, not wheelchair accessible
-----------------------------------------------
15) Canadian Mining Corporations Wreaking Havoc in Central America
Sunday April 10th
2pm to 4pm
OISE - 252 Bloor Street West
Room 5150
No Registration. Everyone welcome.
Presenters: Rebecca Granovsky-Larsen, Juan Carlos Jimenez, Megan
Cotton-Kinch. All are organizers in the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network.
Canadian mining companies are continuing to contaminate water, poison
land and tear apart communities in Central America.
• In El Salvador, the government has ruled that metal mining would
fatally pollute the rivers needed for agriculture, but the
country itself is now being sued for 77 million under a free trade
agreement.
• In Guatemala, Mayan communities are fighting back through
community-controlled referendums, but face the imposition of martial law.
• In Honduras, the Canadian government was one of the first to
legitimize a bloody military coup, which replaced a left-leaning
government with one more friendly to mining interests.
Organizers from Mining Injustice Solidarity Network will present on how
Canada is complicit in intimidations, assassinations,
anti-environmental lawsuits and military coups and how we in Canada can
join in solidarity with the struggle for justice.
Readings:
http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/corporate-rights-over-human-rights-canadian-mining-central-america
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q20YxkM-CGI
Additional suggested readings:
http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/2094
http://www.canadians.org/tradeblog/?p=1380
http://www.zcommunications.org/honduras-the-coup-that-never-happened-by-tyler-shipley
Co-sponsors -
Toronto Bolivia Solidarity, an action group of OPIRG-Toronto;
Council of Canadians-Toronto, Toronto Haiti Action Committee, Mining
Injustice Solidarity Network
http://t.grupoapoyo.org/
http://councilofcanandianstoronto.blogspot.com/
http://www.thac.ca/
www.solidarityresponse.net
------------------------------------------------
16) OPIRG York Annual General Membership Meeting
Wednesday April 13th
1pm to 4pm
Student Centre - York U
Room 307
Are you interested in social and environmental justice? Are you looking
to learn more about campus politics and community organizing?
Are you a York Student or a community organizer in the surrounding
community? Want to learn more about the organizing that happens
on the York University campus?
Come learn how to get involved with OPIRG York!
The York Public Interest Research Group Invites you to their Annual
General Membership Meeting!
Please join us for an update on our current projects, info on our
organization, elections of the Board of Directors and free food!
All Students at York University who have not opted out of OPIRG York are
eligible to attend. The Student Centre is Wheelchair
Accessible. Please contact us at opirgyorkcro at gmail.com about any other
accessibility needs. Childcare reimbursement and ttc
tokens will be provided. Please contact us for more information.
OPIRG YORK IS NOW COLLECTING NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2011-2012 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS!
DEADLINE THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 31st.
Join OPIRG York’s 2011-2012 Board of Directors!
OPIRG York is looking for new Board of Directors Members for 2011-2012.
Ontario Public Interest Research Group at York University is one of many
student-driven public interest research groups across
Canada, whose purpose is to engage the student community in projects and
research based in social and environmental justice initiatives.
The York Public Interest Research Group board of directors is comprised
of York University students and community members, and all
York University students who have not opted out of OPIRG are eligible to
run for the Board. We especially encourage women, people
of colour, trans-people, queer people, members of different departments
and faculties, disabled individuals, working class and
union members and diverse religious and cultural communities to run, in
order to have a Board that is representative of the diverse
student population at York.
For nomination forms please visit the OPIRG office in the student
centre, room C449. Deadline for nominations is at 5pm wednesday April 6th
2011 Completed nomination forms can be dropped off at the OPIRG office
prior to the deadline. Elections happen at the April 13th Annual
General Membership meeting from 1-4pm in Room 307of the York University
Student Centre.
Check out www.opirgyork.ca for more information on OPIRG York and the
work that we do. Inquiries about nominations and the election
procedures can be directed to Lindsay Hart, Chief Returning Officer at
opirgyorkcro at gmail.com. Please drop by the office to find out
more about what being on the OPIRG board of directors entails! We look
forward to seeing you!
--------------------------------------------------
17) Launch Party for the Sixth Annual Feminist Porn Awards
Wednesday, April 13 2011
8pm
FREE
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West, Toronto Ontario)
A screening of work from emerging filmmakers including Maybe He’s Gifted
by N. Maxwell Lander and
Beau Charlie; Said and Done by Link Ross and Picnic in the Rain by Sam
Martin.
Plus, performance from porn star Sophia St. James and DJ Sasha Van Bon Bon.
---------------------------------------------
18) Provocative.Public.Porn: The Year’s Best in Feminist Film
Thursday, April 14 2011
9:30pm
$12 advance/door
Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West, Toronto Ontario)
A screening of selected Feminist Porn Award nominees and work by
honoured directors, including Q + A with Carlos Batts, Cheryl
Dunye, Jaiya and Drew Deveaux with a special introduction by Tristan
Taormino, 2010 Feminist Porn Award winner of the Trailblazer Award.
-----------------------------------------------
19) Toronto Anarchist Bookfair 2011
Friday April 15th to April 17th
Steelworkers Hall
25 Cecil Street
It's time to pause for a minute, and envision the city and world we want
to live in--a city defined by the spirit mutual aid
and solidarity, and a world shaped by radical resistance. It’s time to
celebrate all that we’ve done, and most importantly
make plans for what comes next. It's time to take inspiration from each
other and make connections. It's time to build bridges
in and across our fractured city and our disparate movements. And it's
time to read a few good books.
On April 15-17th, the Toronto Anarchist Bookfair will provide a space
for the presentation of new theories, ideas and dreams, and
an avenue to kick-start them into practice with a weekend of workshops,
actions, speakers, conversations, new friends, festivities,
books and zines. We're calling out to all anarchist publishers, artists,
infoshops, zinesters, activist groups, community organizations
and like-minded folks. Tell us what workshops you want to facilitate!
Tell us you want to table! Tell us you want to perform! Tell
us what other sorts of things you'd like to see happen this year!
Contact us at toanarchistbookfair at gmail.com!
The Toronto Anarchist bookfair will be held at Steelworkers' Hall, a
barrier-free venue with accessible washrooms. Attendant care,
childcare, and food will be available. More details on accessibility
will be forthcoming as we put things together, but please get
in touch if you have specific questions, thoughts, requests, or are
interested in participating. Contact us at toanarchistbookfair at gmail.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
------------------------------------------------
Info/Callouts/Job Postings:
1) Contract Position: Wildlife Gardens Education Outreach Facilitator
2) ACTION: “No More Stolen Sisters: Safe Shelters, Safe Housing, Safe
Services”
3) WPIRG Job Posting – Volunteer Coordinator
4) ACTION: GLOBAL BEE EMERGENCY
5) WPIRG Job Posting: Transition Support Coordinator
6) NOII Release: Racist Conservative Campaign and Canada’s Immigration
Record
Condemned
7) JOB POSTING: Full-time Permanent Coordinator of OPIRG Kingston
8) Transformative Learning Centre at OISE's Summer Institute: Life-Long
Activism Class
--------------------------------------------------
1) Contract Position: Wildlife Gardens Education Outreach Facilitator
Gosling Wildlife Gardens: a project of the Gosling Foundation in support
of the Arboretum, University of Guelph
Scope
Research, design and deliver education programs associated with the
goals of the Gosling Wildlife Gardens
(http://www.goslingwildlifegarden.org/) on site and in the community
through both school and public educational opportunities.
Qualifications and Requirements
·Experience/education in environmental education and natural history.
·Education system experience beneficial.
·Ability to work independently.
·Occasional automobile use required.
·Ability to work a flexible work week that at times includes evenings
and weekends.
Compensation
$20 per hour/ 40 hours per week plus expenses. This is a limited
contract position.
Duration and Start
April/May start and initially for six months in duration with some
possibility of extension.
For a more detailed position description and to submit applications by
April 11, 2011 (by email only) contact:
Stan R. Kozak
Project Consultant
The Gosling Foundation
T 519 826-0408
F 519 826-0407
E skozak at goslingfoundation.org
W www.goslingfoundation.org
Only those selected to interview will be contacted.
------------------------------------------
2) ACTION: “No More Stolen Sisters: Safe Shelters, Safe Housing, Safe
Services”
* HOW TO SUPPORT:
1) PETITION: Please sign our online petition. We are hoping to gather 5000
signatures in two weeks and need your help to make this happen! Link to
petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/DTESsafe/petition.html
2) ENDORSE: If you are a member of a women’s group, social justice
collective, community centre, union, service organization, or campus
group, we request that you please endorse our three demands by emailing
hwalia8 at gmail.com or calling 778 885 0040.
Our current list of endorsers include: Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre,
DTES Power of Women Group, WISH Drop-In Centre Society, Walk4Justice,
Battered Women’s Support Services, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House,
PACE Society, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council, Vancouver Status of
Women, Oxfam Canada, No One Is Illegal Vancouver, Vancouver Action,
Council of Canadians, Association of Chinese Canadians for Equality and
Solidarity Society, Aboriginal Women’s Action Network, West Coast Legal
Education and Action Fund, Streams of Justice, Franciscan Sisters of the
Atonement, Carnegie Community Action Project, Purple Thistle Centre, W2
Community Media Arts Society, Life Skills Centre , Ending Violence
Association of BC, Portland Hotel Society, Pivot Legal Society, UBC Centre
for Race Autobiography Gender and Age studies, Interfaith Institute for
Justice, Peace and Social Movements, Women Against Violence Against Women,
Aboriginal Front Door
3) WRITE-IN: We are requesting that everyone to please send an email along
the lines of the below to all of the following people in BC Housing, City
Council, MLA’s and MP’s. Email addresses compiled here:
rich.coleman.mla at leg.bc.ca, yourvoice at christyclark.ca,
sramsay at bchousing.org, dmcmann at bchousing.org, MMcNeil at bchousing.org,
gregor.robertson at vancouver.ca, lranton at vancouver.ca,
Ellen.Woodsworth at vancouver.ca, clrcadman at vancouver.ca,
clrchow at vancouver.ca, clrdeal at vancouver.ca, clrjang at vancouver.ca,
clrlouie at vancouver.ca, clrmeggs at vancouver.ca, clrreimer at vancouver.ca,
clrstevenson at vancouver.ca, harry.bloy.mla at leg.bc.ca,
stephanie.cadieux.mla at leg.bc.ca, mary.polak.mla at leg.bc.ca,
ida.chong.mla at leg.bc.ca, mable.elmore.mla at leg.bc.ca,
Jenny.Kwan.MLA at leg.bc.ca, daviel at parl.gc.ca, Davies.D at parl.gc.ca,
Dhaliwal.S at parl.gc.ca, Fry.H at parl.gc.ca, Murray.J at parl.gc.ca,
Siksay.B at parl.gc.ca, Julian.P at parl.gc.ca, Dosanjh.U at parl.gc.ca
RE: Safe Housing and Safe Services for Women in the DTES
It has come to my attention that for the past two months a coalition has
been raising the urgent issue of women’s safety in shelters in the
Downtown Eastside. I have been dismayed by the lack of response by all
levels of government about the ongoing violence committed against women in
the Downtown Eastside. Sexual assaults against women in this neighbourhood
in particular are normalized and their safety is not considered of highest
priority as we have seen with the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered
women. This would never be acceptable in any other part of town. I support
the call for a 24 hours drop-in space and shelter for women in the
Downtown Eastside, housing for homeless women and children, and clear
protocols to be established within co-ed shelters.
Sincerely,
(NAME, ADDRESS, CONTACT INFO)
* ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN:
Over the past two months a growing group of women residents of the
Downtown Eastside as well as a coalition of DTES and women-serving
organizations have been raising the urgent issue of women’s safety in
shelters in the Downtown Eastside. This has come in response to a number
of reported sexual assaults in DTES shelters.
We have been dismayed by the lack of response by all levels of government
about the ongoing violence committed against women in the Downtown
Eastside. We have been outraged that all four of our correspondences have
been ignored. We have been shocked that our delegation to BC Housing in
March 2011 was met with a heavy presence of police and we were shut out
from any dialogue on this issue. All this suggests to us that BC Housing
as well as city and provincial officials do not consider women’s safety a
priority within their funded facilities.
Sexual assaults against women in this neighbourhood are normalized as we
have seen with the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered women. Women
should not have to “choose” between the indignity of homelessness and
being warehoused in shelters, and the high-risk of assault associated with
both. We will not remain silent or complicit and are continuing a
grassroots campaign based on three core demands that we believe can and
should be met in a timely manner.
We are calling for:
1) A 24 hours low-barrier women-only (includes all self-identified women)
drop-in space and shelter in the Downtown Eastside, ideally on Hastings
Street between Main and Jackson. The establishment and operation of this
service should be done through an accountable process including a
transparent call for tenders and in consultation with community
organizations and DTES resident women.
2) Housing for homeless women and children with at least 100 new units to
be made available immediately.
3) Clear provincial standards for women’s safety in co-ed shelters to be
implemented immediately in all existing and new shelters, including but
not limited to:
• Women-only facilities in co-ed shelters with adequate women-only beds
and services within those spaces.
• Women staff and training for all staff by women’s organizations
experienced in issues of sexual and gender violence. Shelter contractors
must demonstrate the ability to ensure safety and security for women
shelter users and all staff must be able to demonstrate an understanding
of gender inequalities that contribute to violence against women.
We are calling on allied groups, communities, and individuals to support
us. Please get involved and spread the word! For more information email
project at dewc.ca or call 604 681 8480 x 234. Website:
http://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com/
* BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
- Open Letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson “Women Respond to Sexual Assaults
in Downtown Eastside Church Shelter While Shelter and City of Vancouver
Ignore Reports” http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/6390
- Press Release “Women Respond to Comments by Reverend Ric Matthews of
First United Church; Reiterate Calls for 24-hour Women’s Shelter and Safe
Housing in DTES” http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/6496.
- Press Release “Women’s Action in Downtown Eastside for Women’s Safety”
and Open Letter to BC Housing:
http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/6692
SELECTED MEDIA:
- Video of press conference:
http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/video/press-conference-women-respond-sexual-assault-dtes-shelter/6484
- Podcast of Vancouver DTES women’s groups shut out of B.C. Housing
office:
http://rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/pivot-legal-society/2011/03/vancouver-dtes-womens-groups-shut-out-bc-housing-office
- Women rail against violence in shelters:
http://www.theprovince.com/news/assault+protest/4488619/story.html
- Safe Housing, Safe Shelters and Safe Services for Women:
http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/story/vancouver-politics-and-service-provision/6707
- More emergency shelter spaces needed for women, Vancouver council hears:
http://www.straight.com/article-382418/vancouver/more-emergency-shelter-spaces-needed-women-vancouver-council-hears
- Women’s groups outraged over sexual assault comments:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/03/02/bc-first-united-church-sexual-assaults.html
--------------------------------------------
3) WPIRG Job Posting – Volunteer Coordinator
Application Deadline: April 11, 2011 9am
WPIRG is seeking a dynamic, personable, and creative individual who is
committed to issues of social and environmental justice.
This individual will provide mentorship and support to WPIRG volunteers
through the permanent full-time position of “Volunteer Coordinator”.
Details here: http://wpirg.org/job-posting-wpirg-volunteer-coordinator-2/
----------------------------------------------
4) ACTION: GLOBAL BEE EMERGENCY
Quietly, globally, billions of bees are dying, threatening our crops and
food. But a global ban of one group of pesticides could save bees from
extinction.
Four European countries have begun banning these poisons, and some bee
populations are recovering. But chemical companies are lobbying hard to
keep all killer pesticides on the market. A global outcry now for a ban in
the US and EU, where debate is raging, could provoke a total ban and a
ripple effect around the world.
Let's build a giant global buzz calling for these dangerous chemicals to be
outlawed in the US and EU until and unless they are proved to be safe. Sign
the petition to save bees and our crops and send this to everyone:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/
WHAT YOU CAN DO
* Plant a pollinator-friendly garden
http://pollinationcanada.ca/?n=pc_lib_pfg
* Don't use pesticides or chemical fertilizers
http://google.ca/search?q=organic+gardening
* Naturalize / plant native flowers in your yard
http://google.ca/search?q=wildflowers
* Become a backyard beekeeper http://google.ca/search?q=backyard+beekeeping
* Support conservation, wetland conservation, biodiversity
http://planetfriendly.net/dontpave.html#links
* Avoid industrial food and GMOs -- buy local organic
http://planetfriendly.net/organic.html#food
* Be a pollinator observer http://pollinationcanada.ca/?n=pc_be_an_observer
* Learn more and get involved
http://planetfriendly.net/wiki/?title=Save_the_Bees
* Live sustainably. It's all connected.
Pollination Canada -- pollinating insects are "essential for over a billion
dollars of apples, pears, cucumbers, melons, berries, and many other kinds
of Canadian farm produce".
http://www.pollinationcanada.ca/
North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
http://pollinator.org/nappc/
Pollinator Partnership
http://pollinator.org/
More Groups, Organizations, Resources
Canada: http://pollinationcanada.ca/?n=pc_partners
North America: http://pollinator.org/nappc/partners.htm
(warning: might include government partners with vested
interests in corporate, pesticide-intensive agriculture)
------------------------------------------------------------
5) WPIRG Job Posting: Transition Support Coordinator
Application Deadline: March 31, 2011, 5pm
This is a 12 week position from April 11th – June 30th 2011 for 15
hours/week. Wages commensurate with experience.
WPIRG is looking for an individual who has knowledge of the structure
and operations of WPIRG.
This is a short-term contract position that will provide support for the
organization in a period of transition.
A key role of this position is to support one core WPIRG staff person,
board members in specific tasks, work
with the organization’s bookkeeper, and manage basic administrative tasks.
Details Here: http://wpirg.org/job-posting-transition-support-coordinator/
------------------------------------------------------------
http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=3478
6) NOII Release: Racist Conservative Campaign and Canada’s Immigration
Record
Condemned
March 30, 2011, Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories – The refugee rights
and migrant justice group No One Is Illegal is outraged at the xenophobic
message of an ad campaign launched by the Conservative Government of
Canada. The 30 second ad (which can be viewed here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1eoGi5omvU) features photos of the MV Sun
Sea carrying 492 Tamil refugees in August 2010 and refers to the asylum
seekers as “criminals
abusing Canadian generosity.”
According to Magin Payet, member of No One Is Illegal, “The Conservatives
are relying on fear mongering and racist stereotypes to vilify refugees
and asylum seekers. Over the past two years, the Conservative government
and Jason Kenney have consistently and deliberately tried to create an
atmosphere of paranoia to justify their growing trend of anti-refugee
policies, including the widely condemned Bill C49, and the prolonged
detention of almost 600 Tamil refugees aboard Ocean Lady and MV Sun Sea.”
“While chameleon Kenney tries to buy the immigrant vote by watching
cricket and eating in ethnic restaurants, his anti-immigrant record speaks
for itself. Kenney has drastically expanded slave-like temporary worker
programs, under which migrant workers are exploited as cheap labour
without basic rights. Meanwhile, the number of accepted refugees and
permanent residents has plummeted,” states Sozan Savehilaghi, member of No
One Is Illegal.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s annual report the number
of refugees who had their asylum claims approved has dropped by 56% over
the past four years. Since, 2008 the number of temporary foreign workers
(>250,000 people) in Canada now exceeds the number of permanent residents.
The number of family class immigrants accepted into Canada has dropped by
10,000 and the number of skilled worker visas has decreased by 20% since
the Conservatives took power.
“The Conservative’s recent proposal to make spousal sponsorships for
permanent residence conditional for two years is yet another attack on
immigrant families. Under the guise of cracking down on marriage fraud,
this proposed regulation will ensure that sponsored partners are living
with precarious status, alongside hundreds of thousands of nonstatus
people in this country. This makes women in particular extremely
vulnerable to domestic and gender violence,” states Harsha Walia, member
of No One Is Illegal.
“The Canadian immigration system is structurally flawed and oppressive.
From historic injustices like the Chinese Head Tax and Komagata Maru to
the present day, statistics and people’s lived experiences have repeatedly
pointed to the racism and labour exploitation within Canadian immigration
policies. We assert that no human being is illegal and that everyone has
the right to sustenance and livelihood. All politicians should be aware
that immigrant communities will not easily be persuaded by any empty
election promises given the bleak history of human rights and justice for
immigrant communities in Canada,” continues Walia.
-30-
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7) JOB POSTING: Full-time Permanent Coordinator of OPIRG Kingston
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
April 15th, 2011
THE POSITION:
This is a full-time, permanent position at 30 hours per week. Because
OPIRG Kingston works with students
from Queen’s University, the job follows the cycles of university life –
two busy four-month terms
(Sept-Dec and Jan-Apr) and the slower spring and summer terms (May-Aug.)
Work time allocated in each
area of the Coordinator’s responsibilities will vary greatly depending
on the time of year. The Coordinator
will be a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local
1281. The base wage is $18.77 per hour.
Each unionized OPIRG staff person has health and dental benefits, pays
into a long-term disability insurance plan,
and receives an RRSP contribution annually (4% of gross wages.) The
position can start immediately though ideally
no later than May 1st, with a paid training period and subject to a
6-month probationary period.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Because OPIRG Kingston has a high turnover of volunteers, who are mainly
students, the coordinator provides
continuity and stability to an ever-changing organization. This
individual works with the Board of Directors
and volunteers to promote research, education, and action on a variety
of social justice and environmental
issues. Because the position of coordinator is OPIRG’s primary staff
position, this person is ultimately
responsible for maintaining all of the organization’s operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
>Volunteer Co-ordination
>General volunteers:
>Support all OPIRG working groups and volunteers through administrative
support, assistance with event planning, training,
and access to resources.
>Recruit and train new volunteers specifically in the areas of
anti-oppression, consensus decision-making and facilitation,
group goal planning, event planning and evaluation.
>Board of Directors:
>The Coordinator is ultimately responsible for the orientation and
training of Board members (including, but not limited to,
consensus, facilitation, financial management, and anti-oppression)
>Provide administrative support
>Maintain the organization’s records
>Attend Board meetings
>Assist the Board in making policy, budgets, the annual report, and
planning decisions using a consensus process.
>Office, Archive, and Financial Management
>Office Administration:
>Maintain regular office hours
>Respond appropriately to phone messages, E-mail, mail, and drop-ins
>Ensure that the office, its resources and equipment are
“user-friendly” for volunteers, visitors and other staff.
>Ensure that the web page is functional and up-to-date and oversee the
weekly events E-mail, “Ear to the Ground.”
>Maintain office functionality, including computer systems,
photocopier, supplies and other equipment.
>Archive Administration:
>Work with the Board to maintain the archives, its resources and catalogue
>Assist with training and orientation of library staff and volunteers,
promotion
of the library, and selection of new resources
>Work to maintain and facilitate the People’s History Project
>Financial Administration:
>Manage the day-to-day financial needs of the organization, including
working with the bookkeeper and auditor, banking, paying
expenses, project and grant funding, fundraising, record keeping,
working within a set budget.
>Work with the Board to apply for and administer grants
>Work with the bookkeeper to create monthly and year-end financial reports
>Work with the Board to establish budgets and to allocate resources
>Programming, Networking, and OPIRG Provincial
>Programming:
>Work with the Board to develop and implement organizational programming
>Work with the Board to establish anti-oppression goals and participate
in their implementation
>Assist the Board in the development of research projects and their
implementation
>Create and distribute promotional pamphlets, newsletters, and posters
>Write press releases and work with the local media
>Networking:
>Participate in coalition and solidarity work with other Kingston and
Queen’s
organizations and/or activists
>Seek out opportunities to work with other local organizations, provide
information and support to community groups and individuals
>OPIRG Provincial:
>Maintain contact with other PIRGs and participate in OPIRG’s
provincial Board, including attending Board and Staff meetings,
committee/portfolio work, and participating in Provincial initiatives
QUALIFICATIONS:
>Essential Skills
>Ability to prioritise work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously
>Self-direction and ability to take initiative in a largely
unstructured and unsupervised work environment
>Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
>Experience working with a non-profit, non-governmental organization
>Ability to work cooperatively with volunteers and co-workers
>Basic computer literacy (comfortable using email and office programs
on a PC)
>Experience in office and financial administration
>Ability to use consensus decision-making in small group settings
>Demonstrated interest in social and environmental justice issues
>Other Assets
>Understanding of and commitment to anti-oppression work
>Understanding of and commitment to consensus decision making
>Experience coordinating projects and events
>Experience designing promotional and/or public education materials and
workshops
>Related relevant experience in a similar non-governmental, non-profit
organization
>Experience working with students
>Advanced computer skills (using a variety of programs) and web-design
>Experience working with or on a volunteer Board of Directors
>Knowledge of a wide variety of social and environmental issues
>Experience working in coalitions or networks of organizations or
political activists
>Experience as a volunteer or political activist
>Knowledge of the specific Queen’s and Kingston community and political
climate
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must provide a resume with 3 references, a cover letter and a
one-page (one-sided) statement or essay
that addresses any of the following topics: the relevance of
anti-oppression work to social change organizations,
the most pressing issues facing our communities today, the role of
public interest research in society, or the role
of students in social or environmental change.
The deadline for submissions is 4:00 p.m. on April 15th. Any submission
received after that time will not be considered.
Please deliver via email to info at opirgkingston.org (preferred)
OR in person or by mail to:
Attn: The Hiring Committee
OPIRG Kingston
51 Bader Lane, Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 3N6
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Interviews will take place on one of the following days: April 23rd
and/or April 24th.
For more information about OPIRG Kingston go to our website
www.opirgkingston.org
OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized
communities bring to our organization, and invites
individuals from the following groups though not limited to: Aboriginal
people, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians,
bisexuals, transgendered people, queer-oriented people, single parents,
members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and people
with disabilities to apply. We encourage applicants to describe the
contributions and experiences they, as individuals who
identify with marginalized communities, would bring to the OPIRG
organization in their cover letter. All applicants are
asked for a brief statement on their views of power, privilege, and
oppression.
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8) Transformative Learning Centre at OISE's Summer Institute: Life-Long
Activism Class
Hi Everyone!
I'm just writing to ask for your help in promoting the Transformative
Learning Centre at OISE's Summer Institute.
I'm teaching a couple of courses there and would really appreciate your
help in filling them up. Please pass on
the info below to any friends you have in or near Toronto and encourage
them to register for one or both of my courses
or some of the other great courses being offered.
The registration form is attached and more registration info can be
found here, including course descriptions:
http://tlc.oise.utoronto.ca/Summer_Institute/Registration.html
The courses I'm offering are described below. The "Recipe" course is 20
Hours, the "Strength" course is 8 hours.
A Recipe for Lifelong Activism - Tracey Mitchell (CODE SI-010 W)
A Recipe for Life-Long Activism
Serves up to 24
1 part historical analysis of social movements
1 part self-care
1 part attention to mental health
1 part building unity
Combine ingredients in a workshop. Stir in dashes of humour, creativity,
and fun.
Encourage participants to add their individual flavor (to taste). Ensure
that participants
have a chance to practice using the ingredients. Bake for 20 hours until
participants show signs of fresh
perspectives and great ideas to take home and share with others. Serve
and watch healthier individuals and
social movements grow.
In other words...
This workshop uses self-care principles to help people commit to their
activism for the
long haul in a healthy way. The workshop will look at the history of
social movements and how, by learning from
those that have come before, we can build on successes while building
healthier and more inclusive ways of organizing.
Through this historical analysis as well as creative energy, the
workshop will explore how we can build united, diverse
and dynamic movements that people want to be part of, that are exciting,
that make them feel better about who they are
and about the possibilities that exist in the world.
Personal Strength, Family Strength, Community Strength - Tracey Mitchell
(CODE SI-013 C2)
This course explores many types of alternative families, changing gender
roles, and how allies, workplaces and organizations
must adapt to accommodate and support these changing approaches to
family. The course looks at these issues from a broad feminist,
queer-positive, anti-racist, anti-ableist perspective. We will use
storytelling, video and creative and engaging facilitation
methods to create a safe environment to share, challenge one another and
build a better understanding of contemporary families.
After this course, participants will:
* Better understand their value as individuals beyond the role they play
in relationships, family, workplaces or their
activism, and that being who they are can strengthen their families,
workplaces and unions.
* Make connections between the personal and the political in terms of
how they approach relationships, gender roles, social norms, etc.
* Develop strategies for balancing a strong sense of self/independence,
family life, work and activism
Thank you for your help promoting these courses!
Tracey Mitchell, Community Facilitator
Phone: 306-244-4955
Email: facilitrace at gmail.com
Web: www.facilitrace.com
More information about the Opirgyork
mailing list