[opirgyork] TOMORROW: People’s Forum on Campus Safety + More Upcoming Events!

[OPIRG York]

Hello OPIRG York members and community!

A very important event is happening here at York University tomorrow: *People’s
Forum on Campus Safety.*
The forum has been called in light of the most recent violence that
has occurred on York's campus, and in light of York's President Shoukri,
calling of an "open forum" last November. Students, staff, faculty and
community members are invivted to participate in this forum, commencing at
1pm in Vari Hall. See below for full details!

As always, you contact us at OPIRG York any time about ways to get
involved, and help out, or if you are interested in other issues that we
can help connect you too. Feel free to stop by the OPIRG York office at
449C Student Centre anytime during regular office hours (Mon-Thurs. 10-5pm)
to chat!

-OPIRG York
--
www.opirgyork.ca
416-736-5724
opirg at yorku.ca



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*In this email:*
*
*
*OPIRG YORK NEWS*
*
*
*(1) TOMORROW (**Feb 7): **People’s Forum on Campus Safety*
* (2) Feb 7: **Canada and the Palestine Question: Imperial Politics and the
Campus Left*
*(3) **Feb 7: SFT at YORK Film Screening: "Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion"*
*(4) Ongoing: WPIRG Job Posting*

*COMMUNITY NEWS*

*(1) Feb 8: **Anti-Valentine's Day Queer Coverband Show!*
*(2) **Feb 8: **Justseeds: Migration Now! And More for Social Change*
*(3) Feb 10: **Shameless Magazine launch party *
*(4) Feb 13: 100th Anniversary of Tibetan Independence Day Toronto! *
*(5) Feb 13: **North York Regional Cycle Toronto Meeting*
*(6) Feb 14: **Toronto's 8th Annual Ceremony for our missing and murdered
woman*
*(7) Call Out: **An Open Letter from the Solidarity City Network **Lets
make Toronto safer for undocumented people*
*(8) Feb 27: OCAP FUNDRAISING PARTY- 2013: Bring it On*
*(9) March 1: The Ninth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week*
*(10) Call Out: BANGLADESHI YOUTH ADVOCACY COMMITTEE (BYAC)*
*(11) The project for an activist tool kit on Iraq: 10 years later*

*OPIRG YORK NEWS *

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*People’s Forum on Campus Safety *

*Invite friends on Facebook:*
https://www.facebook.com/events/337156096397724/

*Date*: Thursday, February 7th
*Time*: 1pm
*Location*: Vari Hall, York University

You are invited to come out to Vari Hall on Thursday February 7, 2013 at
1:00 PM and have your voice heard!

York students are increasingly concerned about safety on campus. This is
not a new phenomenon to York University. In 2008, METRAC completed a safety
audit of York’s campus. It seems that instead of investing in education and
initiating systemic change, the York administration has only been
interpreting the METRAC's recommendations superficially and implementing PR
moves such as inviting more police onto campus and arming security.

On November 29, 2012, York University’s President Mamdouh Shoukri, in
partnership with the Toronto Police Services, held a community forum to
discuss improvements to campus safety. During this forum, racialized
students and many others brought fourth serious concerns about racial
profiling and other safety issues on York Campus, and these concerns were
dismissed and the voices of York students were silenced.

In order to challenge violence on campus, we must address the systemic
causes of violence – including misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, racism,
poverty, war, and ongoing settler-colonialism on First Nations land.
Increasing police presence is at best a “band-aid” solution to a broader
social problem.

Increased police presence on campus has actually led to many students
feeling unsafe at York University. Police are not the answer to addressing
the serious concerns of gender-based violence. Racial profiling has been a
common practice by police in low-income and racialized communities,
prompting the ‘carding’ of many black male students and community members
at York University. Women and trans people are not safe with cops on
campus! Racialized students are not safe with cops on campus! Free Speech
is not safe with cops on campus! We want to hear from you - the students
and community members of York University!

A coalition of student and community groups and organizations - including
Justice Is Not Colour-Blind (JINCB), York University Black Students’
Alliance (YUBSA), Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) York, the
Centre for Women and Trans People (CWTP), CUPE 3903 Trans-Feminist Action
Collective, the Graduate Students Association at York (YUGSA), and Students
Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) York – invite you on February 7 to a
People’s Forum on Campus Safety.

Let’s begin to address campus safety by creating a democratic student
community that values the perspectives and experiences of marginalized
students and community members. Let’s challenge the structural causes of
violence that pervade our campus and our society!

*Contact Us: *copsoffcampus at gmail.com
*To EDORSE or participate:* copsoffcampus at gmail.com
*
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*Canada and the Palestine Question: Imperial Politics and the Campus Left*

*When*: Thursday, February 7 at 4:30-6:30pm
*Where*: Graduate Students' Association (GSA) Lounge, room 430 Student
Centre
*On facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/events/442124492532525/?ref=2

Israeli elections season has painted a frightening political picture.
There clearly exist no Israeli social forces that can challenge the
reigning politics of colonial domination; indeed the principal internal
challenge to traditional state institutions, such as it is, comes from the
rising far right. The imbalance of power between Israel and the
Palestinians thus suggests an extremely dangerous future.

Thanks largely to U.S sponsorship, Israel is maintaining broad Western
support for its apartheid governance and escalated killings of
Palestinians. The Harper government has positioned Canada at the centre of
this international problem, isolated on the extreme pro-Israel fringe of
world politics. The question of how to challenge this sustained complicity
demands our attention.

Anti-imperialist opposition can benefit from historical grounding, and the
politics of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) are most strategic
when carefully adapted to particular contexts. In this spirit, this talk
will review the history of Canadian politics on the Palestine question,
from the ethnic cleansing of 1948 to the contemporary “peace process” --
including how this has played out over the decades at York University.


Formerly an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Committee at York
University (2005-08), Dan Freeman-Maloy is currently a PhD student at the
University of Exeter’s Centre for Palestine Studies. He worked with the
York Federation of Students (YFS), was an editor for Excalibur, and more
recently has written for publications ranging from ZNet and Race & Class
to The Journal of Palestine Studies. Dan hosts a writings site at
www.notesonhypocrisy.com.
*
*

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*SFT at YORK Film Screening: "Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion"*

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) @ YORK's first film screening of the year,
the documentary "Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion".

*Date*: Thursday, February 7th
*Time*: 5:30pm
*Location*: NAT Taylor Cinema
*On Facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/events/522205947811364/?ref=2

*About us: *Students for a Free Tibet @ York University is a political club
where Tibetan students as well as other students of York University work
together to raise awareness of the chinese colonialism and oppression in
"Tibet" on campus and to reach out to more people to support us and hope
for freedom and independence of Tibet. We are hosting one of our most
important events this year, our very first film screening of this year. We
welcome anyone and everyone for this very important event for raising
awareness and discussing about the current issues and history of oppression
and resistance in Tibet. The film will begin at 6PM but we recommend have
everyone come in early and we will have Q&A afterwards led by Rinchen
Dolma. The film screening will be held in the Nat Taylor Cinema at York's
Keele Campus, directions will be posted in school on the day of event.

ADRESS & DIRECTIONS:

York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3J 1P3

3 DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION

1. DOWNSVIEW SUBWAY STATION THEN BUS 196A or 196
2. KEELE SUBWAY STATION THEN BUS 41
3. JANE SUBWAY STATION THEN BUS 35


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*WPIRG Job Posting - **Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator*
*Submission Deadline: March 4th 2013, 9am *

WPIRG is seeking a dynamic, personable, and creative individual with a
demonstrated commitment to social and environmental justice to fill the
full-time permanent position of ‘Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator’.

*The Organization*

The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) is a student funded and
directed organization that provides support for students and community
members to research, educate, and take action on social and environmental
justice issues. WPIRG is a non-hierarchical organization that uses
consensus decision-making processes, and strives to create an
anti-oppressive working environment by proactively opposing all forms of
oppression such as those based on gender, race, class, sexuality, age,
cultural heritage/ethnicity, religion, and ability.

****

WPIRG has a high turnover in volunteers and the three permanent staff
provide continuity and stability in this ever-changing organization. Staff
carry out critical support work that maintains the integrity of the
organization, assist volunteers, and provide connection to other activists,
community groups, and organizations. They have an awareness of and interest
in issues relating to racism, sexism, queer and trans* phobia, class
exploitation, imperialism, environmental degradation, indigenous
sovereignty and decolonization, and ableism. WPIRG is a small office
environment, so staff work collaboratively, support each other, and share
some responsibilities.

****


*The Position*

The primary function of the ‘Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator’ is to
develop and implement a WPIRG outreach strategy; build awareness of the
organization – its mandate, services, programming etc. on the University of
Waterloo campus; increase the public profile of the organization in the
broader Kitchener-Waterloo community; and maintain the WPIRG Resource
Centre.

*Campus Outreach:* Raise awareness of the organization on the University of
Waterloo campus through a variety of means –  class talks, traveling
displays, posters, ads, information meetings etc. Connect and network with
other campus groups, societies and clubs, as well as sympathetic faculty
and departments.

****

*Community Relations: *Build and maintain relationships with allied
organizations in the broader Kitchener-Waterloo community. Seek out and
actively create opportunities for collaboration between WPIRG and other
community groups/projects.

****

*Website & Social Media:* Develop and implement a social media strategy.
Maintain and regularly update the WPIRG website, Facebook page/group and
Twitter account. Create WPIRG outreach materials (both electronic and hard
copies).

****

*Resource Centre: *Maintain the functionality of the library – ensure that
the centre has up to date materials (renew magazine and journal
subscriptions, acquire new books and DVDs as required), track materials and
maintain/update the Delicious Electronic Library System, assist library
users (in-office, calls, email correspondence) in finding information, and
stock the WPIRG zine distro.

****

*Research:* Envision and develop WPIRG research projects. Supervise and
assist with volunteer research initiatives – helping to define and refine
projects, developing research strategies and providing feedback.

****

In addition, the ‘Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator’ will assist other
permanent staff in the following areas: policy development, grant
applications and strategic planning.

*Qualifications*

·     Demonstrated interest and experience in social and environmental
justice organizing, and familiarity with related contemporary issues****
·     Knowledge of social movement/activist oriented resources (i.e.
publications, books, journals, zines, documentaries etc.)****
·     Familiarity with activist research methodologies ****
·     Knowledge of anti-oppression analysis and proficiency in applying
this throughout your work****
·     Experience in promotion of workshops, events, campaigns and/or actions
****
·     Experience in development and implementation of outreach strategies***
*
·     Self-direction and ability to take initiative in a dynamic work
environment****
·     Ability to create outreach materials (i.e. posters, pamphlets, flyers
etc.)****
·     Proficiency with social media and basic web development skills****
·     Experience with not-for-profit organizations****
·     Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills****
·     Familiarity with a university/college environment****


*Employment Terms*

The ‘Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator’ is a permanent full-time
position with a 6-month probationary period. It is a 30 hours per week
position at a rate of $20.63 per hour, with extended health care benefits
and four weeks paid vacation per year. Permanent staff are members of the
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1281. The anticipated start
date is March 25th.

****

Because WPIRG is located on a university campus it follows the cycles of
university life – four-month terms (the busiest terms being Sep-Dec and
Jan-Apr and the slowest term being May-Aug).  Within each term, another
cycle exists, with the beginning of term being the most active and the end
of term quieter. Work time allocated to the various areas of responsibility
will vary greatly depending on the time of term. Evening and some weekend
work is expected.

****

* *

*How to Apply*

WPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized
communities bring to our organization, and encourages aboriginal people,
people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people,
single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and people with
disabilities to apply. We encourage applicants to describe in their cover
letter the contributions and experiences they, as individuals who identify
with marginalized communities, would bring to WPIRG.****

Also in their cover letter, *all applicants* are asked to provide a brief
statement on their views of power and oppression.****

*Applicants must provide* *a resume with 3 references, a cover letter, and
a response, no longer than 750 words, to one of the following questions:****
*

1) How would you envision your role in fostering a radical campus
environment and supporting students working towards social change?****

2) How do you integrate an anti-oppression framework into your activism,
and what are some of the challenges?****

*Deadline for Submissions is Monday March 4th 2013 at 9am.*

Deliver submissions to The Hiring Committee, WPIRG, Student Life Centre
room 2139, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1; or email
applications to *tammy at wpirg.org.*****

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.****



*COMMUNITY NEWS*
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*ANTI-VALENTINES DAY QUEER COVERBAND SHOW!*
*
*
*Date*: Saturday, Feb 8, 2013
*Time*: 8pm until 2am
*Location: *Bike Pirates 1292 Bloor Street West (near Lansdowne TTC station)
*On Facebook: *https://www.facebook.com/events/516487071704374/?ref=2

Folks, the time has come again. It's time to reclaim the spaces that been
taken up from those people who have pushed us out or told us to step in the
sidelines. It's time to pick up those instruments and sing out our
favourite tunes. And what better time to do it than on one of the most
capitalist, heteronormative, straight holiday of the year: Valentines day.
On the night of Saturday February 9th, come sing your heart out and dance
your socks off at this year's queer anti-valentines day show!

It's ok. We can still be friends. We won't let a heterocapitalist idea of
love tear us apart.

We are bored and tired of straight cis-gendered white dudes taking up the
majority of space at shows. We want more rad folks to sing and play their
hearts out. Lets show these bros how we can overcome the bullshit in the
music scene. For too long we have been excluded. This is the time for our
glittery selves to shine.

At first I was afraid I was petrified
Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side;
But then I spent so many nights
Thinkin' how you did me wrong
And I grew strong and I learned how to get along

Obviously no one said it best than Gloria GAYnor!

Unapologetic and Unashamed! Belt out your favourite tunes. Do a Classic
Cover or reinvent the songs you love. Liked a song but then realized it was
problematic? Change the lyrics and take that Shit Back! What better time
than Valentine's Day to take that love song from the radio, change the
words and confront the fucked up shit!

Save the date and start practicing!
Saturday February 9, 2013
Doors at 8 PM

$5 at the door or pay what you can.
No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
All proceeds will go to queerCORE (New Anti-capitalist queer group in
Toronto) and The TRIP Project (http://www.tripproject.ca/trip/)

Location: Bike Pirates
1292 Bloor Street West (near Lansdowne TTC station)
This location is wheelchair accessible.

Don’t know how to play an instrument? Want to form a band but need folks to
do it? Need a space to practice? We can help you out!

Contact: radicalcoverbandshow.to at gmail.com
Please get in touch with us for any questions, concerns and accessibility
inquiries.


This space is prioritizing queer/trans people of colour, black, indigenous,
women and all those that are underrepresented and alienated from the music
scene. Let's build our own beats to break down barriers and help create a
music scene that aims to be safe, inclusive and empowering. Have no shame
in your skill level. You can do it!


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*Justseeds: Migration Now! And More for Social Change*

*Date*: Friday, Feb 8, 3013
*Time*: 6pm until 10pm
*Location:* Graduate Gallery at OCAD University 205 Richmond St. W
*On Facebook: *https://www.facebook.com/events/146018452222511/?ref=2

Migration Now! is a limited-edition portfolio of handmade
prints addressing migrant issues from Justseeds &
CultureStrike. In addition to the members of Justseeds,
participating artists include former Minister of Culture for the
Black Panther Party Emory Douglas, and Undocumented
DREAM Act agitators, Julio Salgado and Felipe Baeza.
The exhibit will also feature a selection of graphics from No One Is
Illegal Toronto, Justseeds portfolios on resource extraction and prisons,
and the Imaging Apartheid poster project, based in Montreal. Programming
will highlight the knowledge and experiences of activists and organizers
from Toronto, and how art and social justice can impact one another.

About Justseeds: Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative is a
decentralized network of 24 artists committed to making print
and design work that reflects a radical social, environmental,
and political stance. With members working from the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico, Justseeds operates both as a unified collaboration of similarly
minded printmakers and as a loose collection of creative individuals with
unique viewpoints and working methods. We believe in the transformative
power of personal expression in concert with collective action.

www.migrationnow.com<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migrationnow.com&h=6AQGjBIB1&s=1>

www.justseeds.org<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.justseeds.org&h=lAQFglxrb&s=1>

www.beehivecollective.org<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beehivecollective.org&h=JAQHkk-It&s=1>
http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/
www.justicia4migrantworkers.org<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.justicia4migrantworkers.org&h=fAQGJHqx2&s=1>


FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2013. 6:00-10:00 pm
OPENING RECEPTION with music by DJ TEACH, refreshments, print sale,
and live silkscreen printing with Radical Design School


TUESDAY FEBRARY 12, 2013. 7:00-9:00 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION with No One Is Illegal Toronto,
Justicia for Migrant Workers, Beehive Collective, and Radical Design
School. Moderated by Mary Tremonte of Justseeds.

Accessible space, free events.

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*Shameless Magazine launch party!*
*
*
*Date*:  Sunday Feb 10, 2013
*Time*: 5pm
*Location: *231 Wallace Ave Toronto, Ontario
*On Facebook: *https://www.facebook.com/events/423951481016072/
 *
*
Shameless Magazine is holding a launch party for the new Get Schooled issue!

Shameless' new winter issue has been published, and we're holding a party
to celebrate! The launch party will feature bands and a DJ, so come listen
to some great music and then dance the night away! We'll also be having
great food from Urban Herbivore!

$5 admissions (comes with a FREE issue of the magazine!)

Featuring performances by:
Superlion
http://www.facebook.com/SuperlionParty

Labour Day
http://www.facebook.com/labourdayeveryday

Dj Sun Sun
https://www.facebook.com/sun.sun.372

Come have the chance to win prizes from Come As You Are and the lovemuffin
bakery!


---

The new issue features:

Learn Outside the Classroom: What they didn't teach you in school, By
Auburn Phillips, Anqi Shen, Kate Miller, and Laura Shaw

It's Your Right to Study: Making education your right, By Karine-Myrgianie
& Jean-Francois

Aboriginal Education: How Canada's colonialist tradition affects Indigenous
communities, By Jackie Mlotek

The Academy of the Impossible
231 Wallace Ave
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 1V5
This venue is accessible
$5 cover at the door (includes magazine!)


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*100th Anniversary of Tibetan Independence Day Toronto! *
*
*
*Date*:  Wednesday Feb 13, 2013
*Time*: 10 am
*Location: *Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. West Toronto Ontario
*On Facebook: *https://www.facebook.com/events/378608425569321/

On February the 13th, Wednesday, Tibetans across Toronto will be observing
and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Tibetan
independence.

There will be a procession from Nathan Phillips Square to Chinese Consulate
at 240 St George Street, and there will be an unveiling of the scroll along
with a historic raising of the Tibetan flag.

Headed by Students for a Free Tibet Canada and Regional Tibetan Youth
Congress of Toronto and supported by all Community organizations, Feb 13
2013 will mark exactly 100 years since the re-assertion of Tibetan
independence in 1913.

Join us this year and help us make 2013 the year of Tibetan independence!
*
*

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*
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*North York Regional Cycle Toronto Meeting!*
*
*
Come out to the first ever North York Regional Cycle Toronto Meeting.

When: February 13th, 7-9pm
Where: North York Civic Center, Committee Room #1
           5100 Yonge St.

Cycle Toronto is holding a North York regional meeting as part of its Ward
Advocacy Program, and we want you be a part of it!  The idea is to bring
people together to talk about the unique challenges of cycling in the
suburbs, to build community among cyclists who live or cycle in North York,
and to develop strategies for local cycling advocacy.

At this meeting, we'll talk about to do Ward Advocacy and priorities for
improving cycling in North York. Some examples of topics the group could
tackle include: trails development, the Finch hydro-corridor, safely
crossing the 401, cyclist and driver education, and anything else you think
is important.

Please RSVP to cyclenorthyork at gmail.com so we know how many to expect. Hope
to see you there!
*
*
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Toronto's 8th Annual Ceremony for our missing and murdered woman

*Date*:  Thursday, Feb 14, 2013
*Time*: 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm
*Location: *40 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2J3
*On Facebook: *https://www.facebook.com/events/392727830818932/?ref=2


Strawberry Ceremony with Wanda Whitebird begins at 12:30 Police
Headquarters 40 College Street at Bay, Toronto
Community Feast catered by NaMeRes at the 519 Church Street Community
Centre; 519 Church Street following the rally.

Please signs and banners about the missing and murdered women only.

Tokens will be available at the rally.

Raising our Voices to Demand a national public inquiry led by Indigenous
grass roots women and supported by a United Nations Investigation into
Missing & Murdered Indigenous women in Canada

According to research conducted by the Native Women Association of Canada
(NWAC) under the Sisters In Spirit Program, over 600 Indigenous women have
been murdered or gone missing, most of them over the last 30 years.

Despite clear evidence that this is an ongoing issue, the federal
government decided in the fall of 2010 to end funding to Sisters in Spirit.
Instead monies in the amount of $10 million have been dedicated to a
central RCMP missing person centre. The same institution - who, along with
the Vancouver Police Department, failed to properly investigate Pickton in
1997 - was at the centre of a public inquiry in Vancouver. The sham inquiry
into the failed Pickton investigation has since been completed with no
consequences for any guilty parties and was boycotted by 20 of the 21
groups who were granted standing due to the denial of adequate funding for
legal defense.

Pickton, who was convicted for six murders, has admitted to killing 49
women. A total of 18 murders occurred after he was arrested and released
for the attempted murder of a sex worker in 1997. This is blood on police
hands, yet RCMP officers testifying at the sham inquiry state “there are
few things they would change about how they did their work.”

It should come as no surprise that the Committee to End Discrimination
Against Women at the United Nations has accepted submissions put forward by
advocates of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) as well as the Native
Women's Association of Canada and announced their intent to launch an
inquiry into Canada's missing and murdered Indigenous women.

On February 14th we come together in solidarity with the women who started
this vigil over 20 years ago in Vancouver's DTES, and with the marches and
rallies that will be taking place across this land. We stand in defense of
our lives and to demonstrate against the complicity of the state in the
ongoing genocide of Indigenous women and the impunity of state institutions
and actors (police, RCMP, coroners' offices, the courts, and an indifferent
federal government) that prevents justice for all Indigenous peoples.

Endorsed by Native Women's Resource Centre, Anduhyaun, No More Silence,
Ontario Aboriginal HIV Strategy, Native Youth Sexual Health Network, Camp
Sis, Sistering, Ontario Federation of Labor, IWD Toronto Committee, Muskrat
Magazine, TRCC/MWAR, Gathering Weavers, Christian Peacemaker Teams-
Aboriginal Justice Team, Canadian Chiapanecas Justice for Women,
Maggies,OCAP, METRAC, Indigenous Sovereignty and Solidarity Network, The
Redwood, Aboriginal Student Association at York (ASAY), CUPE local 1281,
Women and Gender Studies Institute at U of T (WGSI), International Jewish
Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), International Socialists, Health for All,
Toronto New Socialists, NOII, Communist Party of Canada, Centre for Women
and Trans at U of T CWTP, Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid, OPIRG
Toronto and Students against Israeli Apartheid U of T, Educators for Peace
and Justice (EPJ) & Rank and File Education Workers of Toronto (REWT),
Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Rising Tide, United Jewish
People’s Order-Toronto and the UJPO Social Justice Committee



GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY:
Elementary School Teachers of Toronto (ETT), Sam Ginden Chair in Social
Justice and Democracy Ryerson University, Sistering, WGSI

List of Feb 14th Memorial Marches in other communities:
http://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com/national/


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*
*
*An Open Letter from the Solidarity City Network*
*Lets make Toronto safer for undocumented people*
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear fellow Torontonian!


In just two weeks, you could help make history. If you act now, Toronto
could become the first city in Canada that publicly opens up all its
services for immigrants without papers. All you have to do is contact your
local councillor <http://bit.ly/ISupportAcessWithoutFear>.

Last week, the Community Development and Recreation Committee of Toronto
City Hall heard from the Solidarity City Network and passed Motion 18.5.
This motion will commit Toronto providing city services to undocumented
people. Not only that, it will commit City council to advocate on behalf of
undocumented Torontonians at the provincial and federal level. (read
it here<http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2013.CD18.5>
).

The motion now goes to Toronto City Hall on February 20th, 2013. This is
where you come in. You can make Toronto keep its promise. You can visit,
call, or even write to your local city councillor, and insist that they
vote for this motion on February 20th.

Everything you need to know about contacting your councillors is right
here: *http://bit.ly/ISupportAcessWithoutFear*. Sign up!

But we need you to do a little more. After you've contacted your
Councillor, we need you to show up at City Hall on February 20th, with your
kids, your friends, and everyone you can bring along. Together, we can join
the wave of sanctuary cities emerging across the United States and Europe.

To make sure you hear details of February 20th, sign up here: *
http://eepurl.com/tzEq9*

In 2006, Toronto City Hall promised to make city services available to the
over 200,000 undocumented immigrants that live here. Yet for Maria who was
not allowed into three shelters, Danielle who was randomly stopped by
Toronto police and handed over to immigration enforcement and Andrea who
couldn't get her children in to any Toronto schools for two years - these
promises never came true. Our actions over the next two week can change
that.

We are all counting on you.


 - Solidarity City Network

*Facebook link: http://on.fb.me/WMkMlQ; Web link: http://bit.ly/UtmQ3K*

*The Solidarity City Network comprises of Health for All, Immigration Legal
Committee of Toronto, Justice for Migrant Workers, Law Union of Ontario, No
One Is Illegal – Toronto, Parkdale Community Legal Services, Roma Community
Centre, Social Planning Toronto, South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario, South
Asian Women's Rights Organization, Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office and
Workers Action Centre. To join the network, or to support our Access
Without Fear campaign or to add your organizational support behind the CDRC
recommendations, please write to solidaritycitytoronto at gmail.com*


*==============================
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OCAP FUNDRAISING PARTY- 2013: Bring it On

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd
STEELWORKERS HALL, 25 CECIL STREET

6.00 to 8.00 Meal and family friendly celebration

8.00PM: Bar opens, Music and Entertainment: DJ's AntiCapitalista, and more!

Admission: Pay-What-You-Can
Space is wheelchair accessible (with a lift off the front entrance)

On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/483539615017209/?notif_t=plan_user_joined

----------
2012 was a landmark year for OCAP's work. We fought and prevented the
definitive closing of the School House Shelter and continue to fight for
increased harm reduction, homeless services and housing.

The Raise the Rates Campaign for a decent social assistance income grows
stronger every day. As a result of a powerful and determined mobilization
across the province, the Ontario Liberal party was forced to restore $42
million in funding it had intended to cut as part of the elimination of
Community Start Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB). And we aren't slowing
down anytime soon! This partial but significant victory has shown us what
communities can achieve and it will propel us forward as we continue the
fight to fully restore the CSUMB and Raise the Rates by 55%.

To make 2013 truly revolutionary we need the involvement and support of
everyone that can. Come out on February 22nd to help us celebrate the past
year and prepare for the year ahead!

Want to become an OCAP sustainer? Here’s how: http://update.ocap.ca/node/756

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
www.ocap.ca
416-925-6939
@OCAPtoronto

*==============================
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*The Ninth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week
March 1 - 10, 2013
www.apartheidweek.org
----------------------------------------------------*

Mark your calendars for Toronto’s Ninth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week,
coming
up March 1st - 10th!

First launched in Toronto in 2005, IAW has grown to become one of the most
important global events in the Palestine solidarity calendar. Last year’s
IAW was incredibly successful with 216 cities participating. The Israeli
Ministry of Public Diplomacy even dispatched “envoys” around the world in
an attempt to undermine the week.

This year Palestinians have endured another massacre on Gaza, the
enlargement of settlements, and daily growing brutality by Israel. Hence
our role in the international community to support the Boycott, Divestment,
and Sanctions (BDS) movement is more important than ever. This year IAW
will highlight many faces involved in the Palestinian struggle, from the
periphery and the centre, from the diaspora to diplomats, Indigenous groups
in solidarity to Palestinian professors, highlighting the many levels of
resistance to apartheid.

IAW 2013 will also take special care to voice the narrative of the changing
regional context. Around the world, people are standing in solidarity with
each other in struggles for democracy, equity, human rights and economic
justice. The resolve of Palestinians as they continue their 64 year
struggle against colonization, occupation and apartheid has provided
inspiration for movements struggling for freedom, justice and equality
around the world. Palestine, too, will be free.

*Confirmed speakers in Toronto include:*
- *Crystal Lameman:* Beaver Lake Cree First Nation activist and the Peace
River tar sands campaigner for the Indigenous Environmental Network in
Alberta
- *Razan Ghazzawi: *Frontline Syrian blogger and activist
- And a screening of *Roadmap to Apartheid* with Cinema Politica at the
Bloor Cinema!

Full program available soon at http://toronto.apartheidweek.org/

For other cities visit http://apartheidweek.org

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

Follow us on Twitter: @ApartheidWeekTO
*
*
*==============================*
* (10)
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*CALL OUT FOR DIRECTORS: **BANGLADESHI YOUTH ADVOCACY COMMITTEE (BYAC)*



The Bangladeshi Youth Advocacy Committee (BYAC) – an initiative of CASSA
(Council of Agencies Serving South Asians –*www.cassa.on.ca*) is looking
for 5 to 10 committed youth (between the ages of 16 and 30) interested in
social and economic justice to become Directors of BYAC.



Please contact Raji: raji at cassa.on.ca with the subject line BYAC if you are
interested in joining.

In total, there are 10 positions available and all of them are volunteer
positions.

 BYAC will be made up of Bangladeshi youth who wish to actively participate
in social and economic justice related initiatives. BYAC will be involved
in many roles, including but not limited to, media relations, community
development, conferences, community events, public awareness campaigns,
government relations and youth engagement. BYAC will also work with various
stakeholders, including school boards, colleges/universities, parks and
recreation departments, public health, arts sector, environmental NGOs and
health service providers.

Directors of BYAC are required to commit to attending at least one meeting
per month. Anti-racism and anti-oppression training is a requirement for
all directors and the training will be provided by CASSA free of charge.

All interested youth are asked to contact Raji: raji at cassa.on.ca

If you are interested in being involved in BYAC in a capacity other than as
a director, please get in touch with us as well at: cassa at cassa.on.ca.


 *
*
*==============================
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==============================*
 *The project for an activist tool kit on Iraq: 10 years later*

A decade has passed since America launched a major military campaign
against a beleaguered civilian population to occupy Iraq, and
installed a subservient and sectarian regime to satisfy its imperial
greed in the Arab world. Since then, more than a million Iraqis have
died and billions of dollars of Iraqi national wealth has been
siphoned off into the pockets of war profiteers around the world. To
this day, ten years after American jet fighters ripped through night
sky of Iraq, the majority of the country is without electricity, clean
water, adequate health care, and meaningful educational institutions.
Residents of the country are continuously living in fear of
assassinations, arrests, and car bombings being carried out by armed
militias operating under the guidance of political parties, some of
which form the government itself. Most recently, the American and
Iraqi governments launched a public relations campaign to mark the end
of the occupation; a scenario that is not representative of the
political and military might that America exercises over the country
and every facet of its operations.

For many organizers, 2003 marked a critical period in their
radicalization and political organizing. Millions took to the streets
of major cities all across the world to demonstrate against the
impending massacre of Iraqis. Actions and campaigns set a radical tone
for many organizations, who usually would express their discontent
through safer and more liberal approaches. Artists, writers, and
musicians would see their talents explode from the intensifying heat
of civil disobedience and resistance that took many forms across the
world.

We now know that the occupation of Iraq was a critical point in the
expansion of American imperialism in the world. The last ten years
have been characterized by a greater level of violence and repression
being carried out against Indigenous communities on Turtle Island,
people in Afghanistan, and those living under the rifle barrels of
Israeli Apartheid. Since 2003, neoliberal capitalism has also expanded
its attack on working class communities throughout the world, leading
to the greatest economic crisis in history.

In the last ten years, however, the Iraqis have remained resilient and
brilliant in their determination to live and organize against the
complete annihilation of their homes and identity. Their spirits have
been bolstered by the revolutionary fire sweeping through the region,
and throughout the global South. To commemorate these ten years, and
to reinvigorate knowledge and consciousness about the role that
Western governments and institutions, such as corporations and
universities, play in the destruction of Iraq, a collective of
individuals is aiming to put together an activist pack that will be
made available for free to organizers and community members worldwide
to share with others in an effort to Remember Iraq.

This is a callout to writers, artists, researchers and graphic
designers who are willing to contribute their energies towards
creating resources such as: a Dummy’s Guide to Iraq, infographics,
leaflets, factsheets, posters, and other printed material that can be
used to decorate our cities, schools, and homes.

As well, we are working on creating radio programming that will
capture the essence of resistance and resilience from the last ten
years through the sounds and music of activists, writers, and artists
from around the world. The content will be made readily available,
free of charge, to community radio stations to infuse as part of their
programming around the 10th anniversary of the War on Iraq.

The project is being coordinated by shakomako(dot)NET, an independent
online magazine dedicated to everything Iraqi. By creating a space for
critical, relevant, and engaging content, shakomakoNET looks at Iraq
through the lens of: Art: celebrating the creativity and brilliance
inspired by the magic of Iraq; Culture: looking at how Iraq lives in
the everyday lives of Iraqis; Football: capturing the spirit of
resilience in Iraqis in the face of tremendous obstacles; Diaries:
empowering memories of Iraq to triumph over attempts to destroy them;
Politics: providing analysis of Iraq through a critical and
progressive lens. Named after Iraqi slang meaning “what’s up?”
shakomakoNET is a non-profit project that sustains itself through the
energies of Iraqi youth from around the world.

For those who are interested, please get in touch with Ahmed Habib
through shakomako(at)gmail(dot)com


*==============================**==============================*
*==============================**==============================*
*==============================**==============================**
*

-OPIRG York
--
www.opirgyork.ca
416-736-5724
opirg at yorku.ca


*There are many ways to get involved at OPIRG. We currently have 8 OPIRG
York working groups:*
Art For Justice, Justice is Not Colour Blind, Students for a Free Tibet, YU
Free Press, Environmental Justice York, Progressive Filipino Canadians for
Community Empowerment and Development (PFCCED), Students Against Israeli
Apartheid, and the Vanier Prison Support Line working group. You can contact
Victoria Barnett, our volunteer coordinator, about ways to get involved in
these working groups: victoria at opirgyork.ca.

*We also have three different collectives: *PrOPIRGanda Radio, Radical
Reading Room and PrOPIRGanda Zine- see the callouts below. You can contact
us about ways to get involved in these collectives: opirg at yorku.ca.
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