[opirgyork] EJ Tar Sands Meeting Update, CWTP Events + 2 important events November 14th!

[OPIRG York]

Hi Everyone,

So many exciting things happening!

First note- the *Environmental Justice, Tar Sands and Line 9- Organizing
Meeting @ York on November 7th* will be held in room 311B Student Centre
(not 331B as mentioned in a previous email!).

*The **Honouring our Communities: March Against Racism* is happening this
upcoming weekend- OPIRG York will be there, and we hope to see as many of
you there as possible too! Jason Kenney is being awarded an ‘honorary’
degree by Israel's Haifa University at a fundraiser supported by Stephen
Harper, Ezra Levant, Peter Munk, Stockwell Day and others. This event is a
celebration of war, racism, corporate profit, displacement, apartheid and
anti-migrant xenophobia – all intensified by the Conservative Party of
Canada’s agenda. There is nothing honorable about this gathering.

*ALSO* Please check out the two very important events happening on *November
14th*: Stop Racial Profiling! – Stop Racist Policing! (@ 12:30pm) and Save
the School House Shelter Defend the Downtown East! (@ 9am)- full details
are below!

*ALSO* check out the awesome events that the *Centre for Women and Trans
People (CWTP)* are hosting this week and ongoing! And OPIRG York and OPIRG
Toronto's *ReBuilding Bridges Conference* details!

As always, you can contact us at opirg at yorku.ca, and 416-736-5724.
See you all around soon!

-OPIRG York


********************
*DIGEST- In this email:*

1. ReBuilding Bridges Conference Schedule Available! - Nove 15-18th
2. Honouring our Communities: March Against Racism
3. Environmental Justice, Tar Sands and Line 9- Organizing Meeting @ York -
November 7th
4. JFAAP Meeting- November 7th
5. Stop Racial Profiling! – Stop Racist Policing! - November 14th
6. Save the School House Shelter Defend the Downtown East! - November 14th
7. Beautiful We – every Thursday 7-9pm
8. Trans and Allies Group – Thursdays 1-4pm, Trans support – Thursdays 3-5pm
9. Anti-Violence Quilt Making - October 31, 2012
10.The Nail Salon: The Conflict Edition, Oct 31
11. TOOLS FOR CHANGE ANNOUNCES WINTER WORKSHOPS FOR CHANGE MAKERS -
ongoing, various dates
********************
*
*
********************
*1. **ReBuilding Bridges Conference Schedule Available*

*November 15th-18th, 2012*
*Toronto, ON.*

Rebuilding Bridges is a convergence of community organizers, educators,
radicals and activists from across different social movements, intent on
engaging in conversations and discussions about our political work.

*WORKSHOPS & PANELS: Saturday November 17th and Sunday November 18th, 10
am-5 pm*
*Saturday: Sidney Smith Hall, 100 St. George Street*
*Sunday: Bahen Centre, 40 St. George Street*
*
*
*WEBSITE: *rebuildingbridgesto.wordpress.com
*FACEBOOK EVENT: *https://www.facebook.com/events/293407270768607/
***Please continue to check these two online versions for any changes,
updates, etc.*

********************

>
*2. Honouring our Communities: March Against Racism*
*
*
*Jason Kenney is Coming to Toronto …*

> *Confront! Oppose! Speak Out! Organize!*
*
*

> *November 4, 2012 – 4 pm*

> *Rally at David Pecaut Square (King & John) March to Fairmont Royal York
Hotel (100 Front)*

>
*NO HONOUR IN DEPORTATIONS | NO HONOUR IN APARTHEID | NO HONOUR IN
CORPORATE PROFIT*

>
*https://www.facebook.com/events/233309536798501 *

> *#confrontkenney  #nohonour*

Jason Kenney is being awarded an ‘honorary’ degree by Israel's Haifa
University at a fundraiser supported by Stephen Harper, Ezra Levant, Peter
Munk, Stockwell Day and others. This event is a celebration of war, racism,
corporate profit, displacement, apartheid and anti-migrant xenophobia – all
intensified by the Conservative Party of Canada’s agenda. There is nothing
honorable about this gathering.

We call on our communities to gather in honour of our strength and
resilience, in opposition to this award and gathering, and against the
dishonorable acts of Kenney, Harper and their allies. Bring signs and
banners with names and pictures of communities we need to commemorate and
honour.

Join us on November 4th!

Childcare and ASL will be available.

*BACKGROUND*

Why is a major Israeli academic institution honouring Canada’s most
infamous and despised Minister, Jason Kenney? And why are people like
Stephen Harper, Peter Munk and Ezra Levant supporting this?

It is well-known across Canada that Jason Kenney - Minister of Censorship
and Deportation - is a key player in advancing the Harper government’s
austerity and policing agenda.  Their agenda is transparent and their
racist, xenophobic, neoliberal policy agenda is clear.  It includes:

** Giving unhindered access to corporations while cutting public services,
attacking workers, and forcing communities into deeper poverty and greater
precarity

** Unquestioned support for wars and colonization in Turtle Island, and
globally from Palestine to Iraq to Afghanistan

** Unequivocal support for the Israeli apartheid state and its
internationally condemned war crimes and human rights violations against
Palestinians and all refugees in Israel

** Expanding an already exclusionary and racist immigration system by
increasing temporary work programs, citizenship rejections, detentions and
deportations while cutting off refugee status, sex workers, family
reunification and access to full services for migrants, in particular
undocumented residents.

** Defunding, criminalizing and censoring dissent and organizing for queer
rights, gender justice, Palestinian liberation, migrant justice and beyond

This fundraiser is also meant to establish the “Jason Kenney Holocaust
Education Fund”. At the same time that Kenny receives this 'honour', the
Roma community in Canada is facing intensified discrimination as a direct
result of Kenney's brutal immigration policies. This is a horrifying insult
to the memory of the Roma people who were also targets of Nazi genocide.
 Indeed, Kenney has shown great disregard for the atrocities committed
during the Holocaust. At a 2009 event, Kenney praised WWII-era fascist
collaborator Cardinal Alozije Stepinac, who was convicted for his role in
collaborating with the fascist Ustasha regime in Croatia.  This regime was
responsible for the deaths of between 250,000 to 750,000 Jews, Roma, Serbs,
and anti-fascist Croats.  And yet, in Kenney's words: "[Stepinac] was a
kind of martyr for Croatia and the faith, and he for me is one of the great
heroes of the 20th century".

This is the agenda that Kenney represents, and these are just some reasons
why he and Harper should not be honoured.  Join us on November 4th to
honour our communities, and to oppose this agenda.

Organized by: Afghans for Peace, Barrio Nuevo, Caregiver's Action Centre,
Centre for Social Justice, Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA),
Common Cause Toronto, Educators for Peace and Justice, Faculty for
Palestine (F4P), Gay West Community Network Inc, Health for All,
Independent Jewish Voices - Canada, Independent Jewish Voices – Toronto
Chapter, Indigenous Sovereignty and Solidarity Network, International
Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) Canada, International Socialists,
Justice for Mahjoub Network, Justice for Migrant Workers, Maggie's: The
Toronto Sex Workers Action Project, Mining Injustice Solidarity Network,
Munk OUT of UofT, New Socialist Group (NSG), No One Is Illegal – Toronto,
Not In Our Name (NION): Jews Opposing Zionism, Ontario Coalition Against
Poverty (OCAP), Ontario Public Interest Research Group - York, Ontario
Public Interest Research Group - UofT, Protest Barrick, The Public Health
Social Justice Collective, The Women's Coordinating Committee for a Free
Wallmapu, Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA), Queers for Social
Justice (QFSJ), Students Against Israeli Apartheid - UofT, Social Justice
Committee of the United Jewish People’s Order (SJC-UJPO), Socialist
Project, Toronto Haiti Action Committee, Toronto Immigration Legal
Committee, Toronto Rape Crisis Centre, University of Toronto Graduate
Students Union, University of Toronto Students Union (UTSU), Women in
Solidarity with Palestine

For further questions on accessibility, to endorse, or to join the
organizing please email honouringourcommunities at gmail.com

********************

*3. Environmental Justice, Tar Sands and Line 9- Organizing Meeting @ York *
https://www.facebook.com/events/300235506759435

*Date*: Wednesday, November 7
*Time*: 3:30pm
*Location*: Room 311B, Student Centre @ York U.

*Contact*: opirg at yorku.ca, 416-736-5724

This is the first meeting for the environmental justice working group of
OPIRG York, and is going to focus on and be a follow-up from discussions
and ideas that were discussed during OPIRG's Tar Sands workshop in October (
https://www.facebook.com/events/433316643397603/).

The meeting will provide information on ways to get involved with tar sands
and line 9 organizing and empower participants to take action, as well as
to come up with action plans around this, on work that we can be doing
around this at York University.

After the meeting, we will go on a walk to visit the Line 9 site, that is
close to the university.

You can read a great article on Line 9 here:
http://rabble.ca/news/2012/09/enbridge-line-9-other-other-pipeline

More information on Line 9 organizing: http://line9campaign.wordpress.com/

**Note- it is being held in Room 311B Student Centre, NOT 331B - signs will
be posted! Sorry for any confusion!**
*
*
********************

*4. JFAAP Meeting- November 7th*

JFAAP meets at 6pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Black
Creek Community Health Centre in Yorkgate Mall; new members are always
welcome! Jane and Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP) is a resident-led
grassroots coalition of community residents, activists, workers and
organizations working to eliminate poverty in our community and in the
world.

*Next Meeting: *Wednesday, November 7th @ 6pm, at the Black Creek Community
Health Centre in Yorkgate Mall


********************

*5. Stop Racial Profiling! – Stop Racist Policing! *

On November 14, 2012, join us as we speak out against the continued racial
profiling and racist policing directed at affected communities here in
Toronto.

Our struggles to be free from racist police harassment and unconstitutional
violations of our rights has resulted in many studies and much talk, but in
the neighbourhoods, nothing has changed – police still harass, intimidate,
illegally search, arrest, and brutalize the people, and especially Black
and racialized youth.  The Toronto Police Services Board's words have
proved empty and hollow, and the "new way of doing business" looks exactly
like the old one.

>From TAVIS to Form 208 cards, the security they talk about doesn’t mean
safety for us.  It’s time to find real solutions to neighbourhood problems!


On November 14, 2012, join us in saying – enough is enough!

No more illegal detentions and searches!

Stop racial profiling and racist policing!

Speak out in front of 40 College Street before the Toronto Police Services
Board meeting on November 14, from 1230PM -130PM

*Event endorsed by:* Justice IS NOT Colour-Blind Campaign, Law Union of
Ontario, Rights Watch Network, Network for Pan-African Solidarity, Nation
of Islam (Toronto), the office of Jagmeet Singh, and OPIRG York

To endorse please email speakoutnovember14 at gmail.com.

********************


*6. **Save the School House Shelter **Defend the Downtown East!*

*Wednesday, November 14th
9am
Moss Park (Queen and Sherbourne)
*Free Breakfast, Rally and March*

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/289020987881979/?context=create

In June, the City of Toronto's 'Community Development and Recreation
Committee', including local councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, voted to close
down the School House on George St, a 55 bed men's harm reduction shelter.
On Wednesday, November 14th the issue of the School House Shelter will be
brought back to City Hall for a final report on how the money that should
be spent keeping the shelter open, will instead be re-shuffled in the
system.

In the mean-time, all shelters remain overcrowded, harm reduction
programming is scarce, the Provincial cut to Community Start-Up will throw
more people on to the streets, and winter is about to set in.

The closing of the School House is a gateway for the re-development and
gentrification of the entire Downtown East. On George St alone,
politicians and slumlords have let buildings that should have been
converted to affordable housing long ago, instead sit empty and catch
fire. They talk about 'cleaning up the neighborhood' but instead of
building housing, keeping shelters open, and providing more and better
services, they cut services, reduce shelter beds, and blame the poor. They
talk about 'mixed income' neighborhoods, and yet no one looks at mixing up
Rosedale, only the Downtown East is the target.

We can not let this shelter be closed, and we will not let poor people be
pushed and priced out of the Downtown East. OCAP has said from the
beginning that we will not simply watch the School House be cleared or sit
empty while people die on the streets. We have brought our community
together to fight for this space, and on November 14th we are not backing
down.

Get involved, join OCAP and the Downtown East Committee:
416-925-6939 / ocap at tao.ca / www.ocap.ca

Twitter: @OCAPtoronto
#SaveSchoolHouse

Fact Sheet on the School House Shelter: http://www.ocap.ca/node/1020
--------------------------------------------------------
*Next Downtown East Community Meeting

Wednesday, November 7th
6pm
St.Lukes (Sherbourne/Carlton)*

Join us for our next Downtown East public community meeting to talk about
the School House, the history of the Downtown East, and resistance in the
neighborhood to upscale development. Food and tokens provided.

********************

*7. Beautiful We*

*Every Thursday 7-9pm, 322 The Student Centre*

In collaboration with YUBSA and CWTP at York, Beautiful We offers safer space
for women and trans people of the Afrikan Continent and Diaspora to discuss
and celebrate Black cultures through art-making, conversation, film viewing
and more. From writing workshops to informal hangouts to sharing spiritual
space,
Beautiful We finds the liberating place where Blackness and feminism
meet. Different topics every meeting. You're beautiful, it's true. Meets
weekly on
Thursdays, at CWTP at York (room 322 of the student centre)

********************
*8. **Trans and Allies Discussion Group*

Trans and Allies Discussion Group – Thursdays 1-4pm and the Trans
Support and Action Group – Thursdays 3-5pm in 322 The Student Centre. The
following Thursday Nov 1st is during Co-Curricular Week (Oct 31st – Nov
4th). We will not be meeting again until November 8th.

********************
*9. **Anti-Violence Quilt Making*

* October 31, 2012
12 – 2pm
At the Centre for Women and Trans People at York, room 322 Student Centre*

Enraged about the sexual harassment and assaults that have been happening
on campus and in the larger community? Exhausted by daily experiences of
transphobia? Want an outlet?

At CWTP, we believe that art is an important tool to resist violence. We
are working on a quilt to re-imagine what a world without violence could
look
like. Get crafty on Halloween and create your very own quilt square!
The squares will be sewn together and displayed at the Centre, as our
collective
anti-violence vision.

Snacks and art supplies will be provided. You don’t have to be an artist to
come! We can help each other draw, embroider, bead and glue.

Can’t make it? Didn’t quite finish your art work? No problem, we’ll be
having another quilt making date on *Wednesday November 7, 1-3pm. Save the
date!*


********************
*10. **The Nail Salon: The Conflict Edition*
*
*
* Wednesday October 31, 2012
2:30 – 4:30pm
Centre for Women and Trans People at York
Room 322 of the Student Centre*

It happens in all of our relationships. Sometimes we avoid it, sometimes
we dive right into it, and most of us need more skills in how to work
through it.
Let’s talk about conflict! What is your reaction when conflict pops up?
When we’re hurt/angry/disappointed by our friends or fam, why is it so
difficult to
talk about? How can we take care of ourselves while trying to work through
it? What happens if it doesn’t get resolved? Let’s share strategies while
getting
our nails done.

Bring your stories, lunch and nail art skills! Halloween nail decals anyone?
---
Nail Salons are a fun way to learn about a particular anti-oppression
topic while getting our nails done by each other. This is not a workshop,
but a
skill share – we will share strategies on how to fight oppression,
build skills in healthier relationships and learn how to make our nails
fabulous.
Nail polish and remover will be provided. Please bring your lunch.

The discussion will be facilitated by Arti (who is CWTP staff) and
CWTP volunteers.

Nail Salons happen twice a month at the Centre. Are you interested in
a particular topic focused on anti-oppression? Email articwtp at gmail.com with
your ideas.

* Save the date: *Next nail salon is on November 14th, 1-3pm!


********************
*11. **TOOLS FOR CHANGE ANNOUNCES WINTER WORKSHOPS FOR CHANGE MAKERS*


A project of OPIRG Toronto, Earthroots, and Greenpeace Canada, Tools for
Change helps you develop skills to advocate for social, economic, and
environmental justice by hosting workshops throughout the year.

Payment is based on a sliding scale system from $10 to $90.  Scholarships
available.  Community sponsors, University of Toronto students, Greenpeace
and Earthroots members can choose to attend the workshops on a
free/donation only basis.

All workshops are held in accessible classrooms at the University of
Toronto, St George Campus.

Advanced Media Skills
Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4191230082/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4191230082/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4191230082/eorg>
Learn how to develop a media strategy for a long term social change
initiative. The training will also cover framing, story-based narrative
analysis, understanding the media story cycle, and building relationships
with reporters.

Trainer: Martin Lukacs is an independent journalist, community organizer,
and editor with the Media Co-op network.

Campaign Planning
Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4218758420/eorg
This workshop will help you plan and execute a winning campaign plan to
help you achieve your goals. Learn the basic components of a campaign, as
well as how to choose strategic goals, strategies, and tactics.

Trainer: Christy Ferguson heads the climate & energy campaigns team at
Greenpeace Canada.

Research Skills for Activists and Independent Journalists
Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4666797517/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4666797517/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4666797517/eorg>
This workshop will introduce participants to a banquet of research skills
and techniques from a variety of fields. Facilitators will use storytelling
to give concrete examples of ways to apply advanced google techniques,
freedom-of-information requests, archival research, private eye tricks,
crowd sourcing, database skills, and many other skills. Jammed-packed from
edge to edge, this session will be a chance for novice and expert
researchers alike to pick up skills they can use everyday.

Trainer: Tim Groves is an investigative reporter and an organizer with the
Toronto Media Co-op.

Political Writing 101
Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652359332/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652359332/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652359332/eorg>
In this workshop, participants will be encouraged to think carefully about
the writing process itself, learn effective methods for improvement, and
develop approaches to (alternative) publishing.

Trainer: Clare O'Connor is a Toronto-based writer and activist. From 2008
to 2012, she served on the editorial committee for Upping the Anti: A
journal of theory and action.

Self-defense: Politics and Practice
Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4669483551/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4669483551/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4669483551/eorg>
Our experiences of violence impact our lives and our activism. To challenge
patriarchy, colonialism and capitalism, we need to be able to ourselves and
our communities. Join us for a physical self-defense workshop and a
discussion about gender norms and the right to anger, to healthy agression
and the pathologizing of women who fight back.

Location: Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Gym, 388 Carlaw Av, Unit #108
(Located just south of Gerrard St, on the main floor of the building.)

Trainer: Jen Danch is an activist, amateur boxer and survivor of
gender-based violence. She is currently the Coordinator of Shape Your Life,
a free recreational boxing project for women and trans survivors of
violence. www.torontonewsgirls.com/shapeyourlife<http://www.torontonewsgirls.com/shapeyourlife>
<http://www.torontonewsgirls.com/shapeyourlife>
Avoiding Activist Burnout
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EST)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652339272/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652339272/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652339272/eorg>
This workshop aims to break down the stigma surrounding activist burnout,
offer some constructive solutions for how to get back from the brink of
burnout, and tips how to prevent it in yourself and members of your group.
Trainer: Angela Bichoff is the Outreach Director for the Ontario Clean Air
Alliance.

Grassroots Fundraising
Sunday, April 7, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EDT)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4668223783/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4668223783/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4668223783/eorg>
This workshop will help you prepare to develop a strategic fundraising plan
for your grassroots social or ecological justice group. The workshop will
focus on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of common grassroots
fundraising methods including events, membership donations, small grants,
contributions from NGOs and unions, online, etc, with an eye to assessing
what will be most effective and appropriate for your group.  We will also
offer tips on best practices, including case studies of effective
fundraising efforts.

Trainer: Paul Tucker is an educator and organizer based in Toronto. He has
fundraised for grassroots groups as well as professionally for registered
non-profits.

Direct Action 101
Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM (EDT)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652465650/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652465650/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4652465650/eorg>
Learn the skills necessary for organizing and participating in a direct
action. The workshop will cover basic action strategy and planning, group
decision-making, roles and responsibilities, execution, and post-action
follow up.

Trainers:
Natalie Caine has been involved in direct action led campaigning in Europe
and Canada for nearly a decade. She has worked on issues ranging from
anti-war, environment, migration, and the eradication of racism and
xenophobia. Currently she's the volunteer program coordinator at Greenpeace
Canada.
David Sone has organized a broad range of direct actions in support of
environmental justice and indigenous sovereignty for over a decade. He
currently works as a campaigner at Earthroots and supports Grassy Narrows
and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Indigenous Nations.

Get on the Mic! Public Speaking Workshop
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4658876826/eorg<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4658876826/eorg>
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/4658876826/eorg>
Public speaking can be intimidating and difficult, especially when you’re
talking about social change and inspiring people to action. Learn some tips
that will help you build your confidence and get you on that mic or
megaphone!

Trainer: Sarah Vance is an organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against
Poverty.

For more information:
www.toolsforchange.net
tools.change at gmail.com
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