[opirgyork] UPCOMING: JFAAP + CWTP Party + Eric Garner + Confronting Apartheids

[OPIRG York]

Hey everyone!

Hope your exams and finals are going well! Remember the holidays are coming
soon! In the meantime check out the details below for the latest events on
and off campus and join us!

If you're interested in volunteering at OPIRG York, or have any questions,
please get in touch with Victoria, at victoria.opirg at gmail.com. We always
need volunteers! And stop by the OPIRG York office anytime -- Room 449C
Student Centre!

-- OPIRG York

****************
*TODAY'S DIGEST:*

*//////// OPIRG YORK \\\\\\\\\\\*
1. *December 11th**: *CWTP Holiday party!
2. *December 17th & ONGOING:* Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty Meetings

*//////// COMMUNITY \\\\\\\\\\\*

3. *December 10th: *Deck the Headquarters: A Holly Jolly Verdict Delivery
4. *December 10th:* Idle No More Toronto Round Dance
5. *December 11th:* The Perception & Reality of "Imported Conflict" in
Canada
6. *December 12th: *Partners In Crime: The Mexican State, North American
Capitalism, and the 43 Missing Students
7. *December 12th:* Poetic Justice: What's Your Creation Story?
8. *December 13th:* We Can't Breathe - Eric Garner Solidarity Action & March
9. *December 14th:* Confronting Apartheids, Challenging Racisms, Building
Solidarity: Palestine, Canada, Ferguson, South Africa
10. *February 5th - March 26th:* 8 Week Mindfulness Based Practices Group
for LGBTQ Communities
11. *ONGOING: * Justice for Deepan

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

*1. **HOLIDAY PARTY: **CWTP staff & Board members presents **Holiday party!*


*December 11th*



*Tuesday, December 2nd2:00 PM - 5:00 PMRM 322, Student Centre, York
University *

The end of Fall Semester is coming and we are going to celebrate by having
an end of year Holiday Party!
There will be boardgames, food, refreshments, music, balloons.
Come by and enjoy a break from your studying for finals!


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


*2. Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty Meetings*

JFAAP meets at 6pm at Seneca College in Yorkgate Mall (North West corner of
Jane and Finch) Room 218/219 (2nd floor of the mall) on the 1st &
3rd Wednesday of every month; new members are always welcome!

*Next Meeting:*
*Wednesday, December 17th @ 6pm*

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

*3. **Deck the Headquarters: A Holly Jolly Verdict Delivery*

*December 10th, Wednesday 12:30pm*

The jury is in, and its official: Canadian mining companies have been way
worse than naughty this year. On December 10, International Human Rights
Day and the day the verdict from the Permanent People's Tribunal Session on
the Canadian Mining Industry will be officially released, come sing classic
carols (with a mining justice twist!) and deliver the verdict and lumps of
coal to Toronto-based companies Goldcorp, Barrick Gold, and Excellon
Resources.

The Permanent People’s Tribunal last May brought people together from
mining-impacted communities across the Americas to give testimony at a
people's court, collectively putting these companies on trial for their
human rights abuses. On December 10th, the verdict's release date, we are
coming together to make some noise and deliver the verdict and a lump of
coal to Goldcorp, Barrick Gold, and Excellon Resources. It's clear: these
companies have been very bad this year.

Help us let them know! Meet members of the Mining Injustice Solidarity
Network (MISN) at *12:30pm on the north-east corner of King and University,
near St Andrew Station (which has elevators)*. Just look for the Santas! We
will walk to Goldcorp’s headquarters (130 Adelaide St W), then Barrick
Gold’s (161 Bay St) finishing at Excellon Resources 20 Victoria St) by 2
pm. The end of the march is near King Station, which does not have
elevators (the closest subway station with elevators is Queen Station).

Bring your singing voice, bells and instruments (if you want), and a
festive spirit of justice!

*https://www.facebook.com/events/760800830676001/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&sid_reminder=4226957429465677824
<https://www.facebook.com/events/760800830676001/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&sid_reminder=4226957429465677824>*


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


*4. Idle No More Toronto Round Dance*

*December 10th Wednesday 1:15pm-1:45pm*

Its Round Dance Time! *Please join us at Yonge & Dundas Square, Toronto at
the blue tree*. Its INM"s 2nd anniversary and lets show this city we're
still here. Calling all hand drummers and those who want to round dance! To
celebrate INM 2nd anniversary we want to remember the homeless who will
struggle to survive through a cold winter. Toronto Grassroots Outreach
activists(GO) will be there to say a few words about their outreach work to
the Toronto homeless. Idle No More Toronto is calling for donations of male
& female items of socks, gloves, hats and scarves that will be handed out
to the homeless this winter by the Grassroots Outreach activists. Thank you
for your thoughtfulness. See you there!

*https://www.facebook.com/events/380497752109325/?fref=ts
<https://www.facebook.com/events/380497752109325/?fref=ts>*



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

*5. The Perception & Reality of "Imported Conflict" in Canada*

*Date: December 11th*
*Time: 7-9pm*
*Where: Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham (Bloor & Bathurst)*

In a time of heightened talk and fears of "home grown terror" in Canada, we
look to the study entitled "The Perception o& Reality of "Imported
Conflict" in Canada" released by the The Mosaic Institute for some insight
and guidance.
$5 entry



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

*6. Partners in Crime: The Mexican State, North American Capitalism, & the
43 Missing Students*


*Date: Friday, December 12th, 7pmWhere: Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St.
(Bathurst & Bloor) *
*Facebook Event
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1524589741151867/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1524589741151867/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming>*

The signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement came with the
promise of prosperity and jobs for all and the extension of human rights.
These are, it needs hardly saying, promises unkept.

On September 26th 2014, over 100 students from a rural teacher’s college
were passing through the nearby town of Iguala in Guerrero en route to a
demonstration in Mexico City. Three were killed along with three bystanders
and 43 are still missing. The families of the students continue to demand
that their children be returned alive.

The search for the students has unearthed a number of mass graves and has
lead to an eruption of protests across the country. The parents of the
missing students have traveled throughout the country meeting with
communities that have also experienced killings and disappearances. The
family insists it was not simply a local occurrence but something that
happens in many places, and that the responsibility lies with the state.

The incident has highlighted this ongoing problem in the country –
exceedingly high rate of disappearances and murders related both to the
drug war and the state’s attempt to suppress opposition to neo-liberal
reforms, reforms which have been intensified under the current Peña Nieto
regime.

Despite the human rights violations and repression by the state, the U.S.
continues to praise the Mexican President and fund the drug war. Canada is
also complicit in backing the state and pushing for business-friendly
policies.

At the end of 2013, reforms were passed to open Mexico's petroleum sector
to foreign investment and to make it easier for mining companies, many of
which are Canadian, to displace local populations for mining projects.

Please join us as our panel explores these and other issues underlying the
recent tragedy.


Speakers:

Anna Zalik, Associate Professor at York University, writes extensively on
the oil sector and capitalist development in Mexico, Nigeria, and Canada.

Richard Roman, co-author of Continental Crucible: Big Business, Workers,
and Unions in the Transformation of North America.

Judith Adler Hellman, Professor of Political Science at York University and
author of The World of Mexican Migrants (2008), Mexican Lives (1999) and
Mexico in Crisis (1988).

Ricardo Bocanegra, student at Seneca at York, activist, and organizer of
Mexico solidarity actions in Toronto

The talk is free.

The space is accessible by ramp with prior notice. The washrooms are
downstairs and unfortunately not accessible.

Sponsored by: Centre for Social Justice, Common Frontiers, Socialist Project


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

*7. Poetic Justice: Whats Your Creation Story?*

*Date: Friday, December 12th*
*Time: 7-10pm*
*Where: St. Simon's Church, 525 Bloor E. (3 minute walk from Sherbourne
Station)*

A night of poetry/spoken word/music/dance/& more, exploring themes of
social and environmental justice. What do you care about? What makes you
come alive? What kind of world do you envision for the future? We invite
you to share your story through this open mic! For all interested artists
and performers, please email Mike @ *ziyuanf at yorku.ca <ziyuanf at yorku.ca>*.
Come by, grab a snack and learn more about Conscious Minds Camp - a camp
for youth who want a resilient, healthy, and equitable future.

Pay what you can.



*****************8. We Can't Breathe: Eric Garner Solidarity
ActionDate: Saturday December 13thTime: 12pmWhere: Nathan Phillips
SquareFacebook Event
Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1405592546398541/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&source=1
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1405592546398541/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&source=1>*

Once again, another black live is taken state-sanctioned violence. Eric
Garner was mercilessly murdered by the NYPD, and a grand jury believes that
his death does not even warrant a trial (even with multiple video footage
as proof). Join a global movement of Black folks & allies rallying for an
end to state-sanctioned violence against Black bodies.

******

*--SHARE YOUR STORIES-* *#AliveWhileBlackTO**--*
A crucial part of this action is centering it on our local stories. So many
stories were lost by the media’s frenzy over our message to allies, that we
want to refocus back on our community. Please share with us your personal
stories/experience with racist policing and state-sanctioned violence at
#AliveWhileBlackTO or blacklivesmatterto at gmail.com

*--PROTEST MATERIAL NEEDS--*
We will need Chalk, Snacks (granola bars, peel-less fruit, juice boxes),
Poster making materials and gloves.

*--TOKENS--*
Looking for any donation of TTC tokens that can be made available for those
who attend the rally and in need of them for participation.

*--LEGAL OBSERVERS--*
Looking for any lawyers or law students who can act as legal observers.
Please email blacklivesmatterto at gmail.com if you are able to volunteer.

*--ACTIVE LISTENERS--*
As well, we are looking for active listeners for those who might be
triggered or need an ear during the action. Preferably those with social
work, community organizing, or past active listening experience. Please
email blacklivesmatterto at gmail.com if you are available to help out.

*--MARSHALS--*
We will also need marshals for this action. Marshals will attend a marshals
training during the week. Please email blacklivesmatterto at gmail.com if you
are available to help out. *Black and non-black folks welcomed.

*--ASL INTERPRETERS--*
We are looking for ASL interpreters, who would be available for the march. *If
you know someone or you are able to help, please contact us at: *
*blacklivesmatterto at gmail.com *

*--NOTE TO NON-BLACK ALLIES--*
Our last action was a successful, much-needed space to highlight the
state-sanctioned violence experienced by the Black community, and to come
together to express rage, our local struggles, and to heal. The media,
however, refused to discuss this and our stories. Instead, they created a
false narrative that non-black folks were being segregated and excluded.
The action is open to everyone. Our allies respected our call to contribute
in a supportive manner, and our unapologetic intention to centre Black
lives was realized in our action.

*BLMTO* recognizes and appreciates the role of consensual allyship in our
organizing. We reiterate our request of allies to hold a supportive (and
not central) role for us during these actions. If you feel that this
request cannot be respected, we ask that you not attend.

*These requests are: *
-Please refrain from taking up physical and digital space (this includes
filling the Facebook event with your feelings, trolling/harassing
organisers/other black folks, etc.). If you see a Black person behind you
unable to see, offer them your spot.
-Please refrain from speaking to the media. There are countless unheard
Black voices in this story, please allow those voices to be highlighted.
-Please don’t make a collective action mourning the loss of Black people
killed by Police into an opportunity for the expression of your individual
feelings as a white person/ally.
-If you see a Black person being harassed by police or the media, please
offer your support.

*--NOTE TO MEDIA--*
Our last action was meant to highlight the state-sanctioned violence
experienced by the Black community, instead, you collectively chose to
focus the story on the feelings of non-black individuals. We welcome the
media and are happy to provide interviews, but will not respond to
questions relating to the false exclusion of non-black folks.


This action is coordinated by the Black Lives Matter Toronto Coalition. For
more info on the action, please email*blacklivesmatterto at gmail.c**om*



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


*9. **Confronting Apartheids, Challenging Racisms, Building
Solidarity: Palestine, Canada, Ferguson, South Africa*

*Sunday, December 14*
*3:00 - 6:00pm*
*Steelworkers Hall*
*25 Cecil Street, Toronto*
*(South of College Street, east of Spadina - Free parking behind the
building)*

As 2014 draws to a close, the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA)
invites you to join us for a public forum to mark annual International
Human Rights Day where we will critically address key issues of injustice
that have prevailed over the past year. Through a film screening and
speakers panel, the year will be examined through the lens of confronting
apartheids and racisms while also connecting across forms of popular
resistance and global solidarity movements. From the Israeli state massacre
in Gaza last summer, to the resurgence of Islamophobia and "anti-terrorism"
laws after the October shooting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, to the
non-indictment of the police officer responsible for the murder of Michael
Brown in Ferguson it is increasingly urgent to share analysis, make
connections across these events, understand the histories they are located
in, and to build effective and collective ties for solidarity and change.

For updates on speakers, film detaiils and more follow the event on our
public Facebook page:
*https://www.facebook.com/events/685801651517137/*
<https://www.facebook.com/events/685801651517137/>

For more information, contact Logan at *justice5 at sympatico.ca*
<justice5 at sympatico.ca>

Event organized by the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA)
*www.caiaweb.org* <http://www.caiaweb.org/>

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

*10. 8 Week Mindfulness Based Practices Group for LGBTQ Communities*

*February 5 – March 26, 2015*

In this group, mindfulness based practices are introduced with the purpose
of increasing self-awareness and self-compassion to the immediate
experience of our thoughts, feelings and sensations.  Consistent evidence
shows how mindfulness based interventions have potential for improving a
wide range of mental and physical health issues.

This group is offered to LGBTQ communities inclusive of the diversity of
our identities.

*Register:*
Contact Service Access Unit at *416-595-9618 <416-595-9618>* to register
for one Information Session to learn more about the group and if it is
right for you.

*Information sessions:*


*Dates: Jan. 15 and Jan. 22, 2015 Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pmLocation:  Family
Service Toronto, 355 Church St.*


*Following registration the group will run weekly for two hours on
Thursdays, February 5 - March 26, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  Fees are
established on a sliding scale.*

*Facilitators:*
Lead Facilitator: Lu Lam, M. Ed (Counselling Psych.)
Lu is a trans-identified, Chinese-Taiwanese counsellor trained in
mindfulness and critical diversity counselling practices.
Co-Facilitators:  David Kelley Services MSW, RSW Staff Counsellors

*Description *
In the Mindfulness Based Practice Group, mindfulness based practices are
introduced with the purpose of increasing self-awareness and
self-compassion to our direct experience.  Often we turn away from our
stress, pain (emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, intergenerational),
fears/anxieties, sorrows/depression, grief, shame, which can be brilliant
action to take at times.  However in the long-run, these habit patterns can
impact our holistic health at great costs.

Introducing skills in mindful awareness can offer a way for us to become
aware of how we relate to our experiences of struggle with kindness toward
ourselves.  Consistent evidence shows how mindfulness based interventions
have potential for improving a wide range of physical and mental health
issues.  This group will be facilitated from a trans-positive approach,
inclusive of people with complex identities of gender / sexual orientation
and who live with the realities of multiple oppressions.

*Who is this group for?*
If you have an interest to touch your own direct experience, whatever that
may be, with facilitative support.

If you have a readiness for practice a little bit every day.  Daily
commitment to practice is the intention – even 1 minute a day; length of
practice is not the focus.

If you are looking for an atmosphere that is inclusive of our many complex
genderqueer, trans*, 2-Spirit, gender non-conforming and LGBQ identities.

*How many people will be in this group?*
Approximately 8-10.

*What happens in this group?*
In the first hour, information will be shared on how mindfulness may
benefit us, and our well-being to frame the mindfulness practice of the
day.  A mindfulness practice will be introduced and we will engage in this
practice.  During the second hour, the facilitator will open the group for
any questions on the mindfulness practice and/or our experience of the
practice.

*What can I expect from attending this group?*
This is a practice based experiential group. You can expect to experience
practices in a supportive environment which encourages you to actively
self-explore your own direct experience to your feelings, thoughts, and
sensations.  You can expect to have time and space to ask any questions
related to your experience of the mindfulness practices.

You can expect to learn how mindfulness based practices and paradigm can
benefit our well-being, including how mindfulness based practices can
support our relationship to anxiety, anger, depression, shame, in an
environment which includes the impacts of  multiple intersecting
oppressions on those who live marginalized realities.

*Can you provide an example of a mindfulness practice?*
Mindfulness of breath, sounds, body scan, walking, standing, are a few
practice examples.  Mindfulness practice is very similar to mindfulness
meditation.  You bring your awareness with kindness to whatever you
experience with an allowance for the experience, with kind acceptance, no
rejection, no changing, no pushing away what is present.

After attending an Information Session, if you  would like to join the
group and depending on the number of people interested, you will be called
back to confirm if DKS is able to offer a spot in the group.  We encourage
you to register early for an Information Session.
Current DKS waitlisted clients and current DKS clients will be given
priority to the group.
This group will be facilitated by Lu Lam, M. Ed (Counselling Psych.), who
is a trans-identified, Chinese-Taiwanese counsellor trained in mindfulness
and critical diversity counselling practices.
DKS staff, Michael Hazelton, MSW, RSW; Jamie Myslik, MSW, RSW; and Roxanna
Vahed, MSW, RSW, will co-facilitate on a rotating basis.

------

Thank you again, for your support in this work.

Many appreciations,

Lu

Lu Lam, M. Ed (Counselling Psych.)
Counsellor and Consultant

tel: 416.876.8135
email: luhylam at gmail.com

*11. Support for **Deepan Budlakoti*

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new fundraising campaign for
Deepan aimed at raising costs for his health insurance. In addition to
having his citizenship taken away, Deepan has been refused health care
coverage and is fighting this cruel and unusual decision. As he goes
through this lengthy process, he has no coverage and no safety net. That is
why we have launched the campaign to *Give the Gift of Health* to Deepan
this holiday season.

As many of you know, Deepan has been rendered stateless by the Canadian
government. As a result, he has no access to substantial health care
coverage. Despite having using Canada's health care system for 23 years of
his life, now, if he becomes sick or is in an accident, he has no safety
net.

We're asking you to give the gift of health by contributing to the purchase
of health insurance for Deepan for one year. Insurance for someone in
Deepan's strange and precarious position costs approx. $2200 per year. But
that doesn't cover things like blood work, prescriptions, and other
services not related to emergency situations. So we are asking for a bit
more, just in case Deepan needs to go and see a doctor within the next
year. In total, we are hoping to raise $3000 (which amounts to
approximately $8.22 per day). Unfortunately, the government has also made
it illegal for Deepan to work so he cannot contribute to these costs
himself.

Giving the gift of health is a great way to commemorate the holiday season.
For every contribution of $25 or more, Deepan will send you (or a person of
your choosing) a personal thank you and holiday greeting card. Making a
donation in someone else's name makes a great and meaningful gift for those
you love. Cards will be sent as soon as possible after your donation is
made.

This holiday season, please give the gift of health to Deepan:
*http://www.gofundme.com/healthfordeepan
<http://www.gofundme.com/healthfordeepan>*, and share this campaign widely!

We thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

In solidarity,

*The Justice for Deepan Support Committee*
*http://www.justicefordeepan.org <http://www.justicefordeepan.org/>*


-- 

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



*There are many ways to get involved at OPIRG. Apply to be a working
group: **http://opirgyork.ca/working-groups
<http://opirgyork.ca/working-groups>*
Contact victoria at opirgyork.ca for further information.

*We also have two collectives: *PrOPIRGanda Radio and the Radical Reading
Room. You can contact us about ways to get involved in these collectives:
opirgyork at gmail.com.

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