[opirgyork] Weekly Digest - March 20th, 2012

[aruna at opirgyork.ca]

Hey all!

Hope everyone is having a great productive end of year!
Check out the upcoming events happening this week - and hope to see
everyone at next week's Annual General Meeting (Info can be found at #4).

1) *CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group New Members Meeting*
2) Music Showcase: Toronto the Amazing
3) Marginalized Peoples Self Defense Class
4) 2012 Annual General Meeting for the Ontario Public Interest Research
Group @ York U
5) Support food service workers on campus! Sign and share the petition!
6) *Stop the Secrecy! Pack the Courts!*

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

1) *CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group New Members Meeting*

Wednesday March 21st 11:30-12:30
York Campus, Location TBA (please email lauralepper at gmail.com for more
details)

Since its existence, the FNSWG has been one of CUPE 3903’s most active
working groups, and has been centrally involved in doing Indigenous
solidarity work in southern Ontario. The FNSWG is currently involved in the
exciting and important work of organizing a march with our allies at Six
Nations to insist that Six Nations land rights must be respected and that
the Canadian people and the Canadian government must honour the treaties
they have made with Six Nations and all other indigenous peoples.

Come out to the meeting to learn more and join us! The active engagement
and support of the 3903 membership (and non-members) is greatly needed and
encouraged.

Other past and present work aligns with the group’s mandate:
1. To educate and organize the CUPE 3903 membership about issues relating
to matters of Indigenous sovereignty and solidarity and to encourage
membership participation both within the working group and the local on
this issue.

2. To work within and to help build rank and file networks of union
activists working on issues of Indigenous sovereignty and solidarity.

3. To co-ordinate efforts in support of Indigenous sovereignty with other
local, regional and national (union and non-union) projects in support of
Indigenous sovereignty and solidarity.

4. To actively participate in supporting Indigenous struggles such as (but
not limited to) the Six Nations struggle to reclaim the Haldimand Tract.

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

2) Music Showcase: Toronto the Amazing

Dear Toronto
To all concerned with discovering new and out there talent. Those of us
who are not conditioned by advertising and oppressive rule in our lives
and those who are trying to deprogram and shift into a new consciousness.

We are here. On Wednesday March 21st, 2012, be prepared to discover the
old and new face of Toronto. The face that hides in basement parties,
ciphers, underground resistance movements, alleyways, indie queer parties
and more. Where the majority are black, brown, in-between, different,
unapologetic for our uniqueness of being, in your face opinions and
upfront attitudes. Come join us for night of music, dancing, celebration
and gathering with some of Toronto’s diverse talent. There are more of us,
and this showcase is only a few, but we’re here and we won’t be ignored.

Date: Wed March 21st, 2012
Where: Cinecycle 129 Spadina Ave
Cost: $6-10
Time: 9pm doors, 10pm show starts
Dancing: 1am
Facebook Invites accepted to party!

All proceeds go back to the artists and fostering some next shit.

sponsored by: OPIRG York OPIRG Toronto
http://www.opirgyork.ca/
http://www.opirgtoronto.org/

Featuring:
Lal, Humble the Poet, 88 days, Ayo Leilani, Bizzarh, Brendan Philip,
Abstract Random, Amai Kuda, djs Lover Sun and Murr
More info check: info at lalforest.com

Bands
lal
Formed in 1998 by the dynamic duo of poet, lyricist, activist, singer and
Bengali-rooted tough-guy Rosina Kazi and her life partner, producer, sound
designer, philosopher, aphorismist and Barbados-born king of chill,
Nicholas Murray, then joined later by bassist and walking guru Uganda-born
Ian De Souza, LAL always proved hard to describe. Their musical experience
is wide with Murr having been a member of the seminal hip hop collective,
da Grass Roots and designed sound for theatre and film and Ian playing
with the Euclid Sisters, the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, and steel-pan player
Robbie Greenwich, to name only a few. They’re a band, but not only a band
- they're a music making magical mushroom, the visible flowering part of a
much larger organism, connected with very fine but infinitely resilient
roots. LAL's music is rooted in social justice, and they have been working
independently to briget teh gap between art and social change.
www.lalforest.com
http://lalforest.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/r3collaborative

Amai Kuda
Amai Kuda is a Toronto based singer/songwriter, community activist and the
mother of a young child. The name Amai Kuda means "mother to the will of
the creator" in the southern African language Shona. A popular singer
within progressive political circles and the diverse women's cultural
scene in Toronto, Amai Kuda is releasing her first CD in the fall of 2011,
the self produced album called "Sand from the Sea".
As well as her music work Amai Kuda is a co-founder and co-coordinator of
three organizations, Moyo Wa Africa, Seven Directions and R3, dedicated to
the decolonization of African peoples and to indigenous solidarity
respectively
http://amaikuda.com/
http://www.myspace.com/amaikuda
http://www.facebook.com/r3collaborative

Humble The Poet is a Toronto Bred MC/Spoken Word Artist who aura embodies
the diversity and resiliency of one of the World’s most diverse cities.
>From his appearance to the myriad of topics and taboo addressed in his
work, Humble The Poet has been successfully introducing a critical
viewpoint to Hip Hop’s Landscape.
In 2008, Kanwer Singh began releasing independently recorded tracks on
Youtube with self-made videos shared through social networking sites.. By
Early 2009, Kanwer adopted the stage name ‘Humble The Poet’ and launched
thepoetproject.com, a space to share his works, and those of others that
inspire him. The launch of the site also coincided with the release of his
first project -00:05. Humble has since released two more projects aptly
titled -00:04 & -00:03. Humble The Poet has since toured North America, UK
and India in addition to being featured in numerous publications and major
hip hop web sites including: MTV Iggy, Rolling Stone, World Star Hip Hop,
Allhiphop, & 2dopeboyz. Humble is now in the works to establish his
Believe Me Music Imprint under Major Label for 2012.

88 Days Bio (Abstract Random, Bizzarh, Brendan Philip)
We are a Toronto based, youth-led, grass roots, queer, trans and straight
identified, music and multi media collective. As a community driven,
youth-led organization, our mission is to support collective members to
develop their creative and artistic practices through: Providing a
platform to showcase their art, creating independent music videos,
producing and recording albums, touring, peer mentor-ship and more. Our
goal is to challenge the stereotypes that surround urban arts/music
culture, and to promote underground art culture in the city of Toronto and
world wide.
Since starting in April of 2009, 88 Days Of Fortune has featured over 30
of Toronto's best DJs, singers, rappers, visual artists, producers,
dancers & musicians. Growing from a mere 5 members to a current 21
collective members.
http://88days.ca/
http://88days.bandcamp.com/
http://twitter.com/88daysoffortune

Bizzarh Bio
bizZarh is the musical duo that is unlike all others. Their style has no
specific genre, yet their music intrigues many.
Consisting of Charlie Champ and Dollar Paris, Bizzarh is the young,
eclectic group that has a lot to say with more than just a pretty face on.
With the revolutionary Toronto based collective, 88 Days of Fortune
standing behind this duo, Charlie Champ and Dollar Paris are steadily
making their way up to the moon - where they truly belong.
http://www.bizzarh.bandcamp.com/
http://www.Bizzarh.tumblr.com/
http://www.prettyisugly.tumblr.com/
http://www.youbitcharlie.tumblr.com/
http://twitter.com/bizzarh

Brendan Philip Bio
Brendan Philip is a melodic narrator. His music a precise translation for
the collective of his personal experiences and an emerging subculture in
Toronto. As a singer/songwriter Brendan defies physics, he shows rather
then tells. His music is somehow cinematic, encompassing and explanatory,
simultaneously. He manages to not only challenge perceptions of
youth,wealth, art, and sexuality but re-imagines new outlets and ways of
being and thinking for black musicians and artists. The two EPs he has
released are nothing short of magic with his seamless and raw vocals,
denoting r&b, neo-soul, and alternative folk coupled with a writing style
that is practical and simple. Presently he is a member of a local multi
media collective, 88 Days of Fortune, together they combine their diverse
efforts to contribute unheard voices to the Toronto music and art scenes,
respectively.
http://brendanphilip.bandcamp.com/
http://purplehearts.bandcamp.com/album/purple-hearts-i
https://twitter.com/#!/brndnphlp
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brendan-Philip/110057484935

Abstract Random Bio
abstract random is a three human animal in facepaint and costume under a
video projection. they call the wordsoundbeat electro dub hop bringing
back feminist political cool. JAMILAH MALIKA (VOCALS) , LOVERSUN aka F.
NOCERA (PRODUCER , VOCALS , VISUALS ) & AYO LEILANI (VOCALS)
played NXNE, Canadian Music Week, Under The Volcano, Brooklyn Boihood,
Womens' World Conference, Nuit Blanche, Manifesto; from galleries to bars
to bookstores, festivals and parks; with the love from audiences from
their hometown of Toronto to Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Guelph and
Brooklyn, abstract random is off to Europe, shows booked in Berlin and
Paris, to share their two years of works; two EPs and recent album Siren
Songs plus six independently produced music videos featured in film
festivals in Toronto, Brazil, New Zealand and Milan, check
www.abstractrandom3.com to see. Ontario Arts Council Popular Music grant
recipient. 88 Days of Fortune Collective members.
website: www.abstractrandom3.com
download music: http://abstractrandom.bandcamp.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/abstractrandom3
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/abstractrandom3

Community Partnership:

R3

R3 is an artist collective focused on Resistance to colonial oppression,
the attainment of Reparations for colonized peoples, and the Reclamation
of Indigenous worldviews and ways of life. Our objective is to raise funds
and awareness for decolonization work, which encompasses all the efforts
of colonized peoples to heal and rebuild communities, recreate sustainable
and self-sustaining grassroots economies, reclaim land and resources as
well as spirituality, his/herstory and other aspects of culture eroded by
colonization.

R3 programs feature a diverse range of socially conscious artists in terms
of genre, stlye, and identity. Our events are multi-media showcases,
incorporating film, music, dance, visual art, shadow puppetry and theatre,
and showcase many local talents. We strive to create accessible spaces for
disabled people and intend to bring on board ASL interpreters. Our goal is
to draw in a wide audience and enough money to really effect change in our
communities. We welcom involvement from UofT students and community
members.

http://r3collective.wordpress.com/author/r3collective/
http://www.facebook.com/r3artists

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

3) Marginalized Peoples Self Defense Class

Monday March 26th
6:00 – 9:00pm
FREE!
Student Centre Room 313
York University
*** Registration required *** Email b.jianjian at gmail.com

Ever feel unsafe on campus?
Fear of being assaulted?
Feel vulnerable for not being able to defend yourself?
Wonder if you’re going to get harassed due to being who you are?

This is a workshop for anyone who identifies as marginalized
in some way and wants to attend a self defense class. All of the sites of
violence that have occurred recently on campus need to be addressed.

This workshop is explicitly open to trans people, queer people, Aboriginal
women, people of colour, sex workers, and persons with disabilities.

The workshop is 100% free and open to everyone and we encourage those who
identify in spaces of marginalization to register.

Try and wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes.

Email b.jianjian at gmail.com to sign up as space is limited (Registration is
mandatory). Email if you have any kind of accommodation needs or want more
information.

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

4) 2012 Annual General Meeting for the Ontario Public Interest Research
Group @ York U

Tuesday March 27th, 2012
2pm to 4pm
Student Centre RM. 307
Refreshments and Food served!
Everyone welcome!

* Revolutionary updates from Working Groups
* Tales of resistance from OPIRG staff
* Report backs on our political projects
* Solidarity work with other organizations
* Participate in this year's Board of directors elections
* Learn more about the amazing work we do and how to get involved!

OPIRG-York is an umbrella organization that facilitates political action and
provides practical tools and advocacy on social and environmental justice
issues
at York University and beyond! For any questions or inquiries, please
email opirg at yorku.ca

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

5) Support food service workers on campus! Sign and share the petition!

More than 500 campus food service workers at York University and the
University of Toronto are now in negotiations for new union contracts with
global food service corporations, Aramark and Compass.

Too many of these workers are stuck –

•    Working for close to minimum wage
•    Working for too few hours or in part-time positions
•    With inadequate or no benefits for themselves or their families

We need your support!  Please click on the link below and sign onto our
online petition.

www.uniteherecanada.org/students

If you are interested in getting more involved or have further questions,
please contact Nadia Baer (see contact information below).
-- 
Nadia Baer
Organizer
UNITEHERE
15 Gervais Drive, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M3C 1Y8
Cell: 416-525-1013
nbaer at uniteherelocal75.org

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

6) *Stop the Secrecy! Pack the Courts! *

*Mohammad Mahjoub, a Torontonian, detained without charge for over 11
years, is going to court to have all charges against him quashed on April
23 - 25, and the proceedings are open to the public. Sign up for a morning
or afternoon shift by clicking here:
http://www.doodle.com/244bzmq2x9m6asdt(Federal Court, 180 Queen
Street, 6th floor, Toronto)

In the summer of 2011, government officials entered Mr. Mahjoub's lawyers'
room in the Federal Court, seized boxes of documents, viewed and read the
materials and then mixed them up (commingled) with their own government
documents. This represents a serious breach of attorney-client privilege,
an essential part of a fair trial.

This latest, entirely illegal and unprecedented access to confidential
defense documents by government officials representing the Department of
Justice, proves yet again that no legal, fair or just processes are being
followed in Security Certificate detentions and hearings.

Earlier, CSIS officials admitted in court that, from about 1996 to 2006,
CSIS and/or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) listened to, recorded,
analysed and used Mr. Mahjoub's conversations with his lawyers (as well as
his family members and friends) against him. In December 2010, the court
found that, despite an order to cease doing so, CSIS continued the practice
of listening to his conversations with his lawyers for two more years.

*Stop the Secrecy! Pack the Courts! End the Security Certificates!
April 23 - 25, 9:30am - 5:00pm.
Federal Court, 180 Queen Street, 6th floor, Toronto*

Mohammad Zeki Mahjoub was arrested under a "security certificate" in June
2000, over 11 years ago. Under this “security certificate” Mohammad Mahjoub
has spent the last 11 years without any charges being laid against him or
having access to the "evidence" against him. For over 11 years, Mr. Mahjoub
has remained either in jail or on draconian bail conditions without going
through a trial or being found guilty. For 11 years, Mr. Mahjoub has lived
with the threat of deportation to death or violence looming over his head
without access to justice. Security Certificates can only be used against
non-citizens, who are given lesser rights to justice, simply on the basis
of citizenship.

Currently, three men are being held under security certificates: Mohammad
Mahjoub (since 2000), Mahmoud Jaballah (since 2001), and Mohamed Harkat
(since 2003). In 2009, security certificates against Adil Charkaoui and
against Hassan Almrei were thrown out; both are now suing the government.

SECURITY CERTIFICATES:
* Only apply to immigrants, not citizens
* No charges are laid; only general allegations of potential danger, often
based on profile and association
* Federal Court has ruled that presumption of innocence does not apply
* Evidence is not disclosed to the person arrested nor to his lawyer
* Evidence thought to have been obtained under torture is supposed to be
excluded; in practice, CSIS admitted in 2008 that all current cases would
fall apart without recourse to evidence likely resulting from torture
* Standard of proof is "reasonable grounds to believe" - far lower than in
criminal courts
* Any information is accepted as evidence; including hearsay, newspaper
clippings, unsourced intelligence, etc.
* Until 2008, CSIS systematically destroyed evidence (all current cases
predate 2008)
* In practice, people arrested under security certificates are subject to
indefinite detention
* If upheld, a security certificate results in deportation, even if there
is an acknowledged risk of death or torture

Please Like: www.facebook.com/SupportMahjoub
For more information: http://www.peoplescommission.org/en/mahjoub/

To contact the Justice for Mahjoub Network: justiceformahjoub at gmail.com

Our Demands: 1) Immediately free Mahjoub, Harkat and Jaballah; 2. Apology,
reparations and citizenship for all five security certificate detainees;
and 3. Accountability for all officials responsible for their arbitrary,
indefinite detention.