[opirgyork] TODAY: Rally for Divestment + Mishkeegogamang Event & Tomorrow Anti-O training!

[OPIRG York]

Hi Everyone,

**With outstanding support from 3 unions on campus (including YFS, GSU and
CUPE 3903), come out *TODAY* and demand that York University DIVEST from
Israeli Apartheid! ** *Demonstration is at 1pm in Vari
Hall!*<https://www.facebook.com/events/475800525808958/>

Also *TODAY at 3pm, **Building Grassroots Community Power in
Mishkeegogamang and Savant
Lake<https://www.facebook.com/events/454928971251177>
*will be hosted in room 311B Student Cetre. Please come over to this event
after the SAIA rally!*
*
Also check out the upcoming events - both at York and in Toronto- our
regular digest news is below.

 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) TODAY**: SAIA Rally for Divestment and Change!**
(2) TODAY: **Building Grassroots Community Power in Mishkeegogamang and
Savant Lake*
*(3) Mar 28: **Oppression Awareness Training (Anti-Oppression)
(4) Mar 28: **Clearing Misconceptions: Who's Right? (Syrian Revolution Club
at York)

COMMUNITY NEWS
****
*
 *(1) Mar 28 (+ April 3): City Must Open Shelter for the Homeless Now!*
*(2) Mar 28: **Action Alert: Thursday March 28, 2013, 8:30AM RBC
headquarters*


 *OPIRG YORK NEWS*


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*SAIA Rally for Divestment and Change!*

*Date*: Wednesday, March 27th
*Time*: 1pm
*Location*: Vari Hall, York University
*Facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/events/475800525808958/

Join Students Against Israeli Apartheid as we protest York’s investments in
weapons manufacturing companies!

Students Against Israeli Apartheid invites all students, faculty,
alumni, and York University community members to Vari Hall on Wednesday,
March 27 at 1:00 PM to send a message to the York University Administration
that enough is enough!

We are also calling on all of our allies across the GTA to join us as
we celebrate the passing of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions resolutions
by student unions across Ontario.

York University is currently investing large sums of money in
military corporations, weapons manufacturers, and other companies that are
involved in the violation human rights and the destruction of the
environment around the world. Weapons have been sold to the Israeli Defense
Forces and used against civilian populations in the Gaza Strip as recently
as last fall.

The Endowment Fund, which raises money for student scholarships
and bursaries, has been invested in these weapons manufacturers. *York
students:* if you are on scholarship, a portion of the money used to fund
your scholarship was made through the murder and subjugation of your fellow
students' families!

The York University Faculty Association has rightfully been pressing
the York Administration to practice responsible investment for several
years. Faculty pensions come out of the Pension Fund, which have been
invested in these weapons companies. SAIA has been raising awareness of
this issue across campus by lobbying our student unions to pass Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctions resolutions, which commits them to support us in
our demands. The time has come for students and community members to stand
up and make our demands for responsible investment heard by the York
Administration!

We are calling on the York University Administration to divest from
all companies implicated in the violation of international law and
human rights.
We are demanding that York University implement a Socially Responsible
Investment
policy.
And we further demand that the York Administration relinquish its control over
Vari Hall so that our freedom of speech and assembly be respected and restored
in this once politically vibrant space!

*Join us!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – Vari Hall!*
*saiayork at riseup.net*

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*Building Grassroots Community Power in Mishkeegogamang and Savant Lake*
Reportback, Discussion and Fundraising Event
*
*
*Date*: Wednesday March 27th
*Time*: 3-5pm
*Location*: York University, Student Centre Rm 311B
*On facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/events/454928971251177

Join us for a discussion with delegates from the ILPS Commission on
Indigenous People’s Struggles and a report back on the Commission’s recent
trip to Savant Lake, Ojibwe Nation of Saugeen and Mishkeegogamang, Ojibwe
First Nation.

*Speakers:*
*
*
*Darlene Necan,* an Indigenous delegate to the Commission from Savant Lake,
Ojibwe Nation of Saugeen, is on the frontline of anti-colonial struggle in
her community. Mining, clearcutting and herbicide spraying is destroying
the ability for her people to live off the land.  She is working tirelessly
to build grassroots power and resist the destruction of her sovereign
territory. Darlene is facing repression from the Band Council and Ministry
of Natural Resources for speaking out against the poisoning of traditional
food sources and lack of adequate housing.
Darlene and her supporters plan to build independent instutitions to meet
the needs of her people. She has already built a cabin for an elder in
need, despite precious little resources. She is driving for 22 hours, in
order to come share her story with us.

*Gary Wasaakeysic, *an Indigenous delegate to the Commission from
Mishkeegogamang, Ojibwe First Nation, is a grassroots activist speaking out
against issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women, police brutality,
housing crises and mining on his people’s territory.
Highway 599 runs right through Mishkeegogamang and is a key artery for
allowing the million dollar ventures of mining companies in Northern
Ontario. Yet, his community faces severe overcrowding and poverty. Gary is
on the frontlines of resisting this oppressive contradiction.

*Indigenous and non-Indigenous Commission delegates* recently returned from
a trip to both communities which served to build the Commission, strengthen
relationships and learn more about the struggles. They will speak to the
reasons why and the ways in which people in Southern Ontario can support in
order to build a strong united front against Canadian colonialism and its
destruction of Mother Earth.

**** Call for support ****
*
*
These organizers struggle for resources to have basic necessities for life,
let alone to further their organizing.
The event is FREE but generous donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
Darlene,Gary and the organizers they work with, also need the following
materials as soon as possible. If you can spare any of these items, please
do so to directly help indigenous delegates of the ILPS Commission build
grassroots power in their community:
- Computer of any kind (or monitor, keyboards, etc)
- Printer
- Camping supplies

Join us in supporting this inspiring struggle for the Land, and all Life.


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*Oppression Awareness Training **(Anti-Oppression)
*

*Date*: Thursday, March 28th
*Time*: 1-3pm
*Location*: 311B Student Centre, York University
*Facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/events/505245056199003

Many people believe that we live in a world where everyone is treated
equally– whether that be within institutions (like the University) and/or
within our interactions with others (friendships, relationships etc.) However,
that is not the case. Many of us experience benefits, advantages, freedoms
and “privileges”– usually at the cost of others being discriminated against
and/or denied these same benefits. The interesting thing about privilege is
that we have it whether we want it or not. Because of this, we can end up
hurting and oppressing others regardless of our intentions - and not even
be aware of it.

How then can we begin to start becoming aware of privilege/oppression and
to resist, heal, challenge and hold ourselves accountable within these
systems?

This workshop will explore how privilege and oppression work through an
intersectional approach (acknowledging our differences); what systems of
privilege/ oppression look, sound, taste and feel like; and how they
manifest subtly/obviously in our everyday lives. Through collective
dialogue and discussion we will create our own strategies for resistance,
healing, support and accountability that we as individuals and community
members can apply in our daily lives.

*About the facilitator:*
Ray Garcia is a Queer Filipino writer, performer and community organizer
based in Toronto. Ray strives to create spaces where important dialogue and
discussion can take place. He strongly believes in the sharing of stories
and
knowledge (instead of talking at people lecture-style) as a way of
awareness and education; as well as sharing tools and strategies that
everyone can make use of in their daily lives. Ray facilitates a lot of
workshops and discussions because he shines bright like a diamond and
encourages people to find their light and to “shine bright” as well. Ray is
a part-time vegetarian who enjoys free food and dislikes awkward prolonged
eye contact and revolving doors.


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*
*Clearing Misconceptions: Who's Right? (Syrian Revolution Club at York)*

*Date*: Thursday, March 28th
*Time*: 5pm
*Location*: The Underground, Student Centre, York University

It has been two years since the Syrian revolution began. Many commentators
argue that the situation has escalated into a violent war. Whether you are
with the revolution or not, one thing is clear and that is that people are
suffering. We can all agree that we want this to end and that we want a
free and peaceful future for Syria.
This event serves two purposes:
1. A space for those who would like to come out to discuss and debate
differing opinions.
2. And a space for those not aware of the conditions there to come out and
ask question and learn a little more about the history and the current
situation in Syria.
We are pleased to announce two special guest speakers:

Mr. Zuhair AlKhatib (Member of SNC)
Dr. Ahmed Al Sabbagh

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

Buy your tickets in advance from the Syrian Revolution Club at York
University in Central Square from Friday 22- Thursday 28, from 10am- 4pm,
$2 a ticket.
Tickets go up to $5 at the door on March 28th 5pm


*COMMUNITY NEWS*
 *

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*City Must Open Shelter for the Homeless Now!*

Two Important upcoming events in the fight for decent shelter space in the
City of Toronto:

1) Rally and Outdoor Meal
Thursday, March 28
6.00 PM
Metro Hall, King and John

2) All Out to City Council
Wednesday, April 3rd
9:30 am
Toronto City Hall

After weeks of determined community action to force the City to respond to
the crisis of overcrowding in its shelter system, the Community
Development and Recreation Committee met on March 18. Dozens of powerful
deputations were presented by those with experience of homelessness, front
line workers and advocates. Despite a staff report still trying to suggest
that the shelters were adequate, the myth of a system that is coping with
the needs of those on the streets died on the floor of that committee
room. Its members called on Council to return to a policy of opening more
shelter spaces when the system reached 90% capacity but, astoundingly,
recommended only that 172 'flex beds' be opened. This means putting down
mats on the floor of already overcrowded shelters and pushing capacity
well beyond 96%. At the same time, the church run Out-of-the-Cold program
is set to close at the end of March meaning more people will be looking
for a bed in even fewer spaces.

There is no getting around it - we need new shelter space opened up
immediately. When this issue comes back to City Council on April 3rd, that
is the decision that needs to be made by councillors. So, we are holding a
rally and community meal for the homeless and all supporters on March 28
at Metro Hall - a building that was opened to the homeless in 1999 and
could be open again. And we are going back to City Council on April 3rd to
show that we are not backing down.

It has been suggested that we must move away from shelters and create
housing - and we agree that we have to build a movement that fights for
the right of everyone to have a home. But a City that lets people die on
the streets for lack of shelter beds has no intention of housing them. And
a City that has 90 000 households on the waiting list for social housing
and skyrocketing rents cannot deny the necessity of shelters.

We must force those in power to deal with the immediate crisis on the
streets and open new shelter space without further excuses or delays. Join
us March 28th at Metro Hall and again April 3rd at City Council - No More
Homeless Deaths!

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
www.ocap.ca
416-925-6939
Join the event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/423764317713625/permalink/423764591046931/?notif_t=like
@OCAPtoronto
#TakeShelter
#NoHomelessDeaths

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*
Action Alert: Thursday March 28, 2013, 8:30AM RBC headquarters*
*Stop Financing Destruction: Rising Tide Toronto answers the Unist'ot'en’s
call for solidarity actions against Chevron and those that finance their
fracking projects.*

Friends and Allies -

The last time a call out from the Unist’ot’en action camp was circulated,
19 cities across Canada and the U.S took action that resulted in the
divestment of EOG and Encana from the Pacific Trail Pipeline project, a
destructive pipeline attempting to span 500 kilometers of unceded
indigenous territory to carry fracked gas to the coast, and export climate
change to the world.

American oil giant Chevron is the new corporate face of the Pacific Trail
Pipeline, having recently become 50/50 partners with Apache. Everywhere
they operate, Chevron exploits land and people for money, often through the
use of force and without taking responsibility for the consequences.

The Unist’ot’en say NO. We say NO. We do not need fracked gas, we do not
want another pipeline and we will not stand by as colonial governments and
greedy corporations push us over the climate catastrophe cliff edge. We
will amplify resistance by uniting our struggles against environmental
racism, illegal oil wars, and attacks against migrant workers and
indigenous sovereignty.

On Thursday March 28th we will take to the streets in the heart of
Toronto’s financial district and deliver messages to the top investors of
Chevron, in solidarity with worldwide actions taking place on Saturday
March 30th. As politicians and industry put economic growth ahead of common
sense and indigenous rights, it is up to us to take direct action to raise
the cost of pushing ahead with the project, and raise the stakes in the PR
battle.

The Pacific Trail pipeline can still be stopped. There is a huge
groundswell of public opinion against BC’s carbon corridor, the Unis’tot’en
are mounting a determined resistance against incursions onto their
territory, and a space is being carved out where we can change the course
of Canada’s energy future. We know that dismantling the fossil fuel empire
is a colossal task, but every action we do takes its toll. Chevron, this is
just the start… your time has come, your days are numbered!

No consent? No fracking pipelines, no climate crimes!

See you in the streets!

8:30am: Gathering in front of RBC

9:00am The Financial Walk of Shame. Like a bad reality t.v show, come see
the worst of the worst.

email us at risingtidetoronto at gmail.com

Find more information and resources, about the 30th, spread the word, share
action pics and reports and find out what others are planning online at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/137069669801177/
Twitter: #nopipelines


-- 

-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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