[opirgyork] Events and Opportunities this week

[aruna at opirgyork.ca]

Happy solstice/summer everyone!

OPIRG York hopes to see you at the events posted below and please check
out our many opportunities for this summer!

Remember to "Like" us on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/opirgyork
and "Follow" us on Twitter at: @Opirgyork or our your YU Connect account!

- OPIRG York
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Events this week:
1) Solidarity with Six Nations Land Defenders (June 25th/26th)
2) Save The School House Shelter: Mass Delegation to City Council (June 26th)
3) Justice Not Fear | March with Mahjoub
4) We Are Queers, And We Are Dying For Social Justice
5) Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization - North American
Conference

Opportunities:
1) Working Group Call out - Start your own working group at York U!
2) DisOrientation 2012 Activity proposal - Get involved!
3) Be a writer for our upcoming newsletter PrOPIRGanda
4) Volunteers Needed - Radical Bookworms (OPIRG York Resource Centre)
5) Job Posting - Volunteer Coordinator at OPIRG York (Deadline July 6th)

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1) Solidarity with Six Nations Land Defenders

The April 28 Coalition would like to invite you to a speaking event to
launch the new Six Nations Land Defenders Legal Defence Fund, followed by a
day of court support for Francine “Flower’ Doxtator and Alex Hundert.

On June 25, the April 28 Coalition will be launching a new Six Nations Land
Defenders Legal Defence Fund to support front line Haudenosaunee land
defenders who have been criminalized and targeted by the state. We will be
hosting a speaking event that evening to which you are invited.

On June 26, Francine “Flower” Doxtator and Alex Hundert will both be in
court, in Cayuga and Toronto respectively. The April 28 Coalition would
like to invite you to attend both court hearings, and for a bus ride to and
from Cayuga for Flower’s afternoon hearing.

June 25

6 pm – San Lorenzo Latin American Community Centre,
22 Wenderly Drive, Toronto
Launch Event for Six Nations Land Defenders
Legal Defence Fund,

Speaking event with : Francine “Flower” Doxtator,
Alex Hundert, more speakers TBA

Fb invite: http://www.facebook.com/events/355150111223624/

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2) Save The School House Shelter: Mass Delegation to City Council (part 2)*

Tuesday, June 26th
Toronto City Hall (100 Queen St. West)

8:30am: Free Breakfast and Coffee in front of City Hall
9:00am: Delegation to Committee Room 1

The City is moving to close down the School House shelter on George
St, a 55 bed men's harm reduction facility that has provided shelter
in the Toronto Downtown East community for decades. It is one of the
few 'wet' shelters in Toronto, and those who stay there may have a
drink. It has saved lives over the years.

OCAP, the Downtown East Committee of Stop the Cuts, the Harm Reduction
Alliance and others in the community are challenging this decision. We
have gone to the last two meetings of the City’s Community Development
and Recreation Committee and continue to force this issue in to the
light of day. After unnecessary delay and some under handed tactics,
the issue is coming to the Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 26th
once and for all. We need everyone to join us on this day in a mass
delegation to show our strength and support that the School House
shelter remain open and operating in the Downtown East!

We will go before the Committee and give them a chance to put this
matter right but, should they not do so, we will continue to mobilize
in the community to prevent them closing the shelter down. We face a
housing crisis in this city, we have already lost hundreds of shelter
beds and services, and poor people are being priced and pushed out of
the downtown core. Whatever the pre-text, as we face cuts on all three
levels of government and austerity on a global scale, and as we face
rich development and displacement in the Downtown East, let's make
sure we send the message loud and clear that we will not let services
for poor people be cut and closed down. We will fight to save the
School House. Join us Tuesday, June 26th, 8:30am at City Hall.

*Email/Call Local Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam to tell her you want to
keep the School House shelter open and operating in the community:
councillor_wongtam at toronto.ca / Phone: 416-392-7903

*Sign the On-Line Petition:
http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/save-the-school-house-harm-reduction-shelter/834
http://www.facebook.com/events/1558620654279101/?notif_t=plan_user_invited

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
Downtown East Committee to Stop the Cuts
www.ocap.ca

Contact: TorontoDTE at gmail.com / 416-925-6939

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

3) Justice Not Fear | March with Mahjoub
*TWELVE YEARS TOO MANY!*

12pm, June 26, 2012
Meet at CSIS Offices (277 Front Street West)
March to Department of Justice & Federal Court House

https://www.facebook.com/events/312253422192348/

Mohammad Mahjoub, a torture survivor and refugee from Egypt, was arrested
on June 26th 2000 and has been detained without charge in Canada ever
since. That makes TWELVE YEARS TOO MANY. He was held for lengthy periods in
solitary confinement and later under house arrest. All of this is on the
basis of secret information which the Canadian Security Intelligence
Service (CSIS) has admitted was likely obtained under torture. March with
Mahjoub on the twelfth anniversary of his arrest.

Mr. Mahjoub is one of five Muslim men (the Secret Trial 5) who have been
struggling for justice in Canada against so-called security certificates.
Security certificates allow the government to indefinitely detain or deport
people on the basis of their profile. Join us on June 26th to demand
immediate liberation for Mr. Mahjoub and other two men still held on
security certificates. Demand justice, apology, reparations and citizenship
for all five and accountability for all officials responsible for
injustices against these men. Join us for a fun-filled demonstration to end
anti-immigrant racist fear!

** More on Mahjoub: www.supportmahjoub.org/background/summary-2/
** If you think Bill 78 & the Omnibus Crime Bill was bad, look at security
certificates:www.supportmahjoub.org/background/security-certificates/

*PLEASE HELP*

** Endorse the Justice for Mahjoub Campaign!* Organizations already on
board:
http://www.supportmahjoub.org/support/support-justice-for-mahjoub-network

** Join us in Toronto on June 26th.* To organize a bus or to hear about
transit coming from your city, please emailjusticeformahjoub at gmail.com or
find us on facebook atwww.fb.com/supportmahjoub

** If you can't be in Toronto, please consider organizing a solidarity
event in your city.* We have visuals, posters and media kits developed that
you can use, please get in touch by emailing justiceformahjoub at gmail.com

** Be part of the call/write/tweet campaign. *On June 26th call, write or
email Jason Kenney (jason.kenney at parl.gc.ca - 613-992-2235 - @kenneyjason)
and Vic Toews (Toews.V at parl.gc.ca - 613 992-3128 - @ToewsVic) and demand
that all remaining security certificate detainees be immediately freed,
that all five receive compensation and citizenship and that authorities
responsible be held accountable.

** We need financial support. *Cheques should be made out to “No One Is
Illegal Toronto” with “Justice for Mahjoub” in the subject line. Mail to
Justice for Mahjoub Network c/o No One Is Illegal-Toronto, 260 Queen Street
West, PO Box 60006, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z8. (Please confirm that you have made
the donation by emailing justiceformahjoub at gmail.com.)

*Coordinated by:
Justice for Mahjoub Network
WEB: supportmahjoub.org
EMAIL: justiceformahjoub at gmail.com
FB: facebook.com/SupportMahjoub*

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4) We Are Queers, And We Are Dying For Social Justice*

*Date: Saturday June 30th
Wearing funeral attire or black is an option for the die-in.
Meet up location: Yonge and Wellesley
Time: 12:00pm**
*FB invite: http://www.facebook.com/events/188269957967616/*

Queer Rights, like the rights of so many other marginalized or racialized
communities, are hard won, but too easily taken from us. We must keep
fighting!

Join Queers for Social Justice at the Dyke March for a demonstration
against homophobia and transphobia. We will participate in the Dyke March
and hold a die-in on Yonge Street at Wellesley during the march.

We demonstrate to oppose violence against women and trans people,
especially vulnerable trans women of color and sex workers who are most
often targeted, We demonstrate in support of Bill C-279, to amend the
Canadian Human Rights Act to include gender identity and gender expression.

We demonstrate against the deportation of LGBTQ refugees with the impending
passage of Bill C-31. We demonstrate against the criminalization of people
with HIV/AIDS. And we demonstrate against cuts to community programs that
support our queer and trans communities.

Join us for a die-in flash mob as part of the 2012 Dyke March.

If you are part of an organization (whether or not you have registered with
Dyke March) who wishes to be part of the contingent, email
vivleewh at gmail.com. This allows us to have a sense of how MASSIVE (and
awesome) the group will be!

Non woman-identified allies are encouraged to cheer and hold placards as
spectators. Gather at the intersection of Yonge and Wellesley to
participate!!!

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

5) “Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization”
North American Conference
August 11 & 12, 2012
United Steelworkers Hall
25 Cecil Street
Toronto, ON Canada

Registration fee is $20 (including meals and conference materials)
Organized by the Counterspin secretariat (CPFC & allies)
REGISTER NOW: http://bit.ly/workersconference

For more information, contact the Conference Secretariat:
Bryan Taguba
(416) 519-2553
siklab-on at magkaisacentre.org
www.magkaisacentre.org
Facebook and Twitter: Siklab Ontario
REGISTER NOW: http://bit.ly/workersconference

For more information, contact the Conference Secretariat:  John Kevin
Nerier or Joy C. Sioson  (416) 519-2553  pwc-on at magkaisacentre.org 
www.magkaisacentre.org

-------OPPORTUNITIES----------

1) Call for Working Groups at OPIRG York - Deadline Friday July 20th at 6pm

The Ontario Public Interest Research group at York (OPIRG) is looking for
new and exciting working groups for 2012-2013

OPIRG-York is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization based at York
University. Fundamental to our operation are working groups. These working
groups organize autonomously around various issues of social justice and
environmental action.

What Can OPIRG do for working groups?:
All working groups are allocated a budget for projects and events they
wish to have. These might include a speaker series, movie nights,
handbooks, and zines. In addition to a budget each working group also has
access to OPIRG’s many resources:
- phone, photocopier, fax machine
- a radical resource library
- computers with internet access
- meeting space at the OPIRG office at the Student Centre (4700 Keele St)
RM. C449
- anti-oppression, consensus decision making and facilitation skills
trainings are provided to all members of working groups for free!

This is in addition to the help of OPIRG staff, board members and
volunteers for project support, visioning and outreach etc.

What role do working groups play at OPIRG?
Working groups are central to the functioning of OPIRG.  They consist of a
group of volunteers who work on a specific issue pertaining to
anti-oppressive, anti-colonial, anti-imperialist, social justice and
environmental issues. The working groups are dedicated to enacting change
on campus and/or in the broader community.  Working groups receive funding
from OPIRG and access to the OPIRG office. OPIRG York is committed to
change at York University but we ALSO envision larger community
interaction. We want to blend student organizing with grassroots activism
to ensure broad social and environmental change. Thus, we are encouraging
applications for working groups with a broad vision, especially those who
come from traditionally marginalized communities.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered for Working Group status please fill out the application
form at www.opirgyork.ca/working-groups.

This form allows the Working Group to concisely outline its goals and the
way in which it embodies a particular issue. Once reviewed by the OPIRG
York board of directors, the contact person will be notified of approval.

If you have any questions about applying to become a working group and/or
what the benefits of becoming a working group are please contact us at
416-736-5724 or opirg at yorku.ca
We are also in the office (C449, the Student Centre, York Univeristy, 4700
Keele.) from 11am-6pm from Monday to Thursday. So please feel free to stop
by anytime!

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2) Call-out for activity proposals for DisOrientation 2012
Application: http://tinyurl.com/7mu3odb
*Deadline*: July 2nd, 2012

For years on the York University campus, YPIRG, its allied organizations
and community members have put together an alternative orientation week
that promotes critical thinking, education and insight into anti-oppressive
and social justice issues. DisOrientation is an alternative schedule of
events to foster student activism in the face of corporate and oppressive
control of our campuses.

We are looking for organizations, departments, collectives, people, groups
that have great ideas for events or activities of any kind to participate
in this year’s monumental DisOrientation, scheduled to happen on the week
of September 24-29th, 2012.

DisOrientation is a radically different, politically progressive, series of
events that will offer all students access and insight into the exciting
political and social justice spheres that exist at York University. By
bringing together a wide range of campus groups and services, we are trying
to draw the links between the many different kinds of political,
environmental and social justice based activism that exists on campus.

Please find the application here: http://tinyurl.com/7mu3odb, if you have
any questions or concerns, email all inquiries to Victoria at
*disoyork at gmail.com*

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3) *Callout for articles: PROPIRGANDA: OPIRG YORK NEWSLETTER*
*Theme: 20 years of Resistance*

OPIRG York is celebrating our 20th year anniversary of campus and on the
ground resistance! Please help celebrate with us by contributing to our
upcoming 2012 PrOPIRGanda newsletter! OPIRG York is seeking submissions for
our upcoming Fall 2012 newsletter! PrOPIRGanda is a media project
facilitated and produced by OPIRG York to provide space for activists,
students and community to promote their creativity and activism. It’s a
good avenue to outreach to York University and the North York community on
issues you are working on!

*Things we are Looking For:

**Articles*:Articles should be as relevant to the York community as
possible, and generally speak to the social and environmental justice
movements in Toronto/globally as well. Articles can be from 100-500 words.
**Resources*: Resource Articles can be guides, how-to's,
directories/contact info, and any helpful resources for new students. Up to
500 words.
**Organizational blurbs:*
If you are part of an organization/group organizing in the North
York/Toronto area, you can submit a 100 word write up on your organization
and how students can get involved. Please include contact information and a
website (if you have one).

**First Draft deadline: July 2, 2012*
*Please email them to propirganda at gmail.com

If you are passionate about a particular political issue or are organizing
a campaign, we would love to publish your work in our Fall 2012 issue! If
you would like to help with editing, layout and other exciting aspects to
creating a newsletter, contact us at propirganda at gmail.com

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4) RADICAL BOOKWORM CALLOUT!

Are you interested in developing an alternative library and building the
availability of radical resources on campus? Do you want to participate in
reading clubs that prioritize texts on social, political, and
environmental justice issues? Are you excited at the prospect
ofresearching and archiving the history of the radical student movement on
the York campus?

Join the OPIRG York Radical Bookworms! A meeting will be held on June 20th
at 2pm in room C449 of the Student Centre.

The Radical Bookworms is collective of social justice activists who are
interested in radical resources, reading groups, archiving and
institutional history. We are currently in the process of preparing
thelaunch of the new OPIRG York library and resource centre, recently
renamed as the Radical Reading Room.

We need your help to make the Radical Reading Room a valuable resource for
students on campus! We want your input on what books, films, magazines and
graphic novels the centre should acquire to cover the breadth of
social/political/environmental justice issues happening in Toronto
andaround the world. We want you to tell us what reading groups we
shouldcreate and what events we should host related to radical texts and
publications!

All York students and community members are invited to join! Help us get
this library in working order and develop programming that assists
students in examining and challenging injustice and oppression.

For inquiries, ideas and how to get involved, please e-mail
radicalreadingroom at gmail.com

OPIRG York is a student funded organization, run by a student board of
directors that funds events and working groups on and off the York campus
that organize around various social and environmental justice issues.

For more information on OPIRG york, please visit www.opirgyork.ca or
e-mail aruna at opirgyork.ca

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Job Description: Full Time Volunteer Coordinator

OPIRG York, the Ontario Public Interest Group, a student based social
justice and environmental education and action organization at York
University is seeking a full time, permanent Volunteer Coordinator.

Start Date: Monday July 23rd, 2012 to Monday August 6th, 2012 (Flexible
dates)
Deadline for Applications: Friday July 6th, 2012 by 6:00pm
Salary: $20.63/hour (+ cost of living adjustment), 30 hrs/wk comprehensive
health care plan.
Hours of work: 30 hours / week, office hours 4 days a week, plus evenings
and occasional weekend meetings and events.

Terms of employment: Staff are supervised by and responsible to a
volunteer Board of Directors and unionized under CUPE Local 1281, with a 6
month probationary period.

Responsibilities:
* Volunteer Coordination: recruitment, orientation, placement, training
and supervision of volunteers; assist in the coordination of Working
Groups (e.g. animal rights, art for justice, etc.); maintain volunteer
database; support, evaluation and appreciation of volunteers/working
groups.
* Project and Event Coordination: assist board and volunteers with
event/project programming, including conceptualizing planning,
publicizing, organizing, coordinating logistics, follow-up.
* Promotion and Outreach: producing outreach materials (e.g. pamphlets,
posters, press releases, newsletter, radio), networking with
campus/community groups, on common issues.
* Participating in Decision Making: attending board meetings, staff
meetings, relevant working group and committee meetings, assist in policy
and planning, using consensus process and practicing anti-oppressive
polices.
* Administration: assist the F/T coordinator of Administration and
Information with correspondence, office organization, grant proposals;
maintenance and development of Resource Centre.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and experience from
paid/volunteer work:
* Experience working with volunteers, esp. in nonprofit organizations with
volunteer board/committees.
* Awareness of anti-oppressive politics surrounding a broad range of
issues, including (but not limited to): Anti-racism, Indigenous
sovereignty and solidarity, sexism, environmental justice, student and
workers’ rights, opposing corporate rule/government cutbacks, ableism,
migrant justice, globalization, classism, homophobia, Transphobia and
other forms of discrimination.
* Experience coordinating projects and events, especially related to
anti-racism, social justice, environmentalism and political action.
* Familiarity with consensus decision making, organization and strategic
planning, and evaluations.
* Experience in supervising volunteers and grant staff, coordinating
research projects, especially related to social justice, environmental and
political action issues.
* Experience working with a community Resource Centre.
* Experience creating promotional/public education materials, familiarity
with computers.
* Experience in networking and community development with a diversity of
groups, familiarity with local activist groups and resources.
* Strong organizational and time management skills.

---

Please send your resume, with three references, cover letter and a one
page statement on your student/anti-racist activism including your views
of power and oppression by Friday, July 6th, 2012 at 6 pm to:
opirgyorkhire at gmail.com
OR
Attn: Hiring Committee
OPIRG - York
C449 Student Centre
York University
4700 Keele Street
North York, Ontario
M3J 1P3

Please NO FAXES
We regret that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please note that all interviews will be held between July 16th and 20th
2012.

Employment Equity Policy:
OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized
communities bring to our organization, and invites Indigenous peoples,
people of color, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people,
transgendered people, transsexual people, intersexed people, working class
people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and
people with disabilities to apply.

We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experience they
as individuals who identify with marginalized communities, would bring to
the OPIRG organization in their cover letter.