[opirgyork] Digest of Upcoming Events + Job Postings + OPIRG office cleaning!

[OPIRG York]

Hey Everyone!

Next week we are hosting an open house, to eat, talk, play games and relax,
in the hopes that you can relax a bit before/during your exams and end of
term work! It will be held on Tuesday, March 25th from 12-4pm in the OPIRG
office, so please stop by anytime. Also, the book launch that was schedule
for March 12th, has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 25th at 2:30pm
- details below-- hope to see you there! This weekend is the OCAP demo for
Raise the Rates- it starts at 1pm at Metro Hall, and we also have some job
postings listed in this email, and a few other upcoming events- so please
come out and support!

*Note*: For volunteers and members, OPIRG is doing an *office cleaning on
Monday, March 24th*- if you have any items left in the OPIRG York office,
please come and pick them up by Monday end of office day (5pm), or we will
be leaving them in boxes outside of the office.

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

-- OPIRG York


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

1. *March 25: *Come Chill With OPIRG York and De-Stress before your exams!
2. *March 25: *Book Launch - Confronting Injustice: Social Activism in the
Age of Individualism (Hosted by OPIRG York)
3. *JOB POSTING: *Part-time Palestine booklet project coordinator- Deadline
April 7th
4. *March 22*: Stop the Liberal War on the Poor: Raise the Rates March to
the Ontario Liberal Party Convention
5. *March 26:* End Immigration Detention Public Forum
6. *March 22*: Toronto launch party for The Peoples' Social Forum!
7. *TONIGHT*: On the Road for Justice: Guatemalan Community Resistance to
Tahoe Mine
8. *March 28*: Summer Job Opportunity at CWTPYork Campus Equity, Education
and Accountability Researcher- Deadline March 28th (see attached)
9. *ONGOING*: APPEAL for SUPPORT - Grassy Narrows Youth Group
10. *ONGOING*: SEX WORKERS! Maggie's is coming to York!

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

*1. **Come Chill With OPIRG York and De-Stress before your exams!*


*Date*: TUESDAY MARCH 25th 2014
*Time*: 12-4:00pm
*Location*: the OPIRG office (Student Centre Rm. 449 C)

...for free food, games and meeting amazing fellow social justice thinkers
on campus!

We're having an open house to relax and hangout with friends of OPIRG York,
to thank our amazing volunteers, working groups and community members, and
just hangout with OPIRG York Board and Staff members!

- Meet the staff, board members and volunteers
- Listen to some awesome music!!!
- Enjoy great food
- Play Games

Of Course you can ALSO:

- Come and find out about OPIRG resources
- Sign up to become a volunteer
- Learn about what OPIRG does
- Learn about our exciting working groups:

So Come and hang out, relax, eat and have fun with other social justice
thinkers on campus!
See you there!


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

*2. **Book Launch - Confronting Injustice: Social Activism in the Age of
Individualism (Hosted by OPIRG York)*

*Date*: Wednesday, March 12, 2014
*Time*: 6pm
*Location*: York U Student Centre, Room 313

According to recent estimates 400,000 people die every year as a result of
human-made global warming. The UN projects that 3 billion additional people
may be pushed into extreme poverty by 2050 because of environmental
destruction. The scale of the problems we face should make it clear that
individualist, lifestyle-centric approaches to activism will not suffice.
We need to change the structures of our social system, not our light bulbs.
"Confronting Injustice" seeks to expose the structural roots of the
injustices we must confront, and outlines an approach to activism which
transcends the hopeless individualism of our time.

--

Umair Muhammad has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering
from the University of Waterloo. He is currently pursuing an MA in
Political Science at York University. His research focuses on the political
economy of climate change. Umair has been involved in anti-poverty and
environmental activism for six years. He is currently a member of Jane and
Finch Action Against Poverty, where he is helping to organize against the
proposed reversal of Enbridge's Line 9.

--

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) at York University is a
student funded, student-run, nonpartisan organization on campus that
conducts research, advocacy, organizing, lobbying, as well as educational
and media campaigns. Over the years OPIRG York has stood at the forefront
of social justice mobilization at York University, operating a dynamic
space that acts as one of the main activist hubs on campus. OPIRG York is a
bastion of creativity, passion and idealism.

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

*3. **JOB POSTING: Part-time Palestine booklet project coordinator*


The Palestine booklet is a joint initiative between the Toronto Public
Interest Research Group, York Public Interest Research Group, Peterborough
Public Interest Research Group and the Graduate Students' Union at the
University of Toronto. This booklet is meant to assist those engaged in
Palestine solidarity organizing by sharing strategies for organizing campus
based divestment campaigns, resisting backlash, building cross-movement
collaboration and learning lessons from past campaigns.

We are looking to hire an individual to coordinate the production of this
booklet, including interviewing organizers, researching the history and
tactics of Palestine solidarity work, writing and editing content, and
bottom-lining layout and distribution of the booklet.

This is a part-time, temporary, three-month position. More details on the
employment terms are available below.

*QUALIFICATIONS*:
A strong background in writing and editing publications. Experience with
alternative publications and alternative media is considered an asset.
A strong background in research, especially related to social movement
organizing
Experience with graphic design software, including Adobe Indesign and
Photoshop.
An explicit, integral and dedicated commitment to anti-racism and
anti-oppression
Familiarity and experience with Palestine solidarity organizing in North
America, and knowledge of the history and tactics of this movement
Ability to prioritize work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously
Self-directed and able to take initiative and meet deadlines in a dynamic
work environment
Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Strong organizational and time management skills
OTHER ASSETS:
Capacity for basic website maintenance or HTML skills.
Knowledge of the PIRG network and its structure
Experience coordinating projects, campaigns and events
Familiarity with other divestment campaigns

*RESPONSIBILITIES*:
With the support of the participating organizations, this position would be
responsible for:
Talking to organizations and individuals involved in campus Palestine
solidarity organizing throughout Canada and the U.S.
Researching the history, strategies and tactics of different Palestinian
solidarity groups, including how groups have dealt with backlash, and
prioritizing information beneficial to current organizing.
Compiling all information and writing booklet chapters
Editing and layout of the booklet
Distributing the booklet to all relevant organizations and creating a
website for the material to be available online
Coordinating a launch for the booklet for Summer/Fall 2014

*Employment Terms:*
This is a part-time temporary staff position with 20 hours per week at a
rate of$15/hour, for a period of three months. The applicant would
preferably be living in either Toronto or Peterborough, but accommodations
can be made for applicants living in other cities. This work environment
will have little day-to-day supervision.

*How to Apply:*
Applicants must provide a resume, cover letter and three references (with
phone numbers). As this job requires writing and design experience, all
applicants are asked to submit a writing sample and a sample of their
design work, if applicable. We welcome the contributions that individuals
from marginalized communities bring to our organizations, and invites
aboriginal people, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals,
trans* people, queer people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities,
immigrants and disabled people to apply. We encourage applicants to
describe the contributions and experience that they, as individuals who
identify with marginalized communities, would bring to this position in
their cover letter. Applications that do not include all the above
requirements will not be considered.

*Deadline for Submissions: *Monday April 7, 2014, 5PM
*Position Start Date:* Monday April 28, 2014

Please e-mail all applications to: palestinesolidaritybooklet at gmail.com

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls
please.
Please direct any questions about the application process
topalestinesolidaritybooklet at gmail.com.


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

*4. **Stop the Liberal War on the Poor: Raise the Rates March to the
Ontario Liberal Party Convention*

*Date*: Saturday, March 22nd, 2014
*Time*: 1:00 PM
*Location*: Assemble at Metro Hall, King and John, Toronto
Meal, Rally and March
*On Facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/events/203243863219675/

"Our pots and pans are empty, bring yours to bang!!!!!"

Accessibility Info:
*ASL Interpretation available
*Closest wheelchair accessible subway station: St.Andrew Station (approx
2mins away)
*Transportation from out of town: accessible transport available
(alternative to buses), contact each city for more info.

Out-of-Town Bus Info:

*OTTAWA: Bus leaving from Bronson Centre ( 211 Bronson Avenue ) at 8am,
contact to pre-register: forspecialdiet at gmail.com
*KINGSTON: Bus leaving Kingslake Plaza at 10am, contact to register:
613-328-9401 OR aimee_vanvlack at hotmail.com
*WATERLOO REGION: Bus leaving from Kitchener City Hall (Duke & College) at
11am, contact to pre-register: forspecialdiet at gmail.com
*SUDBURY: contact to reserve a spot: annaharbulik at gmail.com
*HAMILTON: contact soilworks at bell.net about transportation

Meet-up Locations & Contingents in Toronto:

*Jane and Finch with Jane-Finch Action Jane Finch Action Against Poverty:
12noon, at Yorkgate mall, BUS to downtown
*Weston-King: 10am snacks, 12:15pm departure to downtown 2017 Weston Rd
(just north of Lawrence)
*Bloor and Dovercourt with Sistering: 789 Dovercourt Rd, 12pm
*Downtown East with OCAP: Moss Park (Queen/Sherbourne) 12:15pm
*South Riverdale Community Health Centre with Health and Strength Action
Group: 12pm @ 955 Queen St. East
*Migrant Justice Contingent - Raise the Rates, Justice for Rogerio, Status
for All! Meeting at 12:30pm at David Pecault Sq. More Info here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/271764716321913/
*Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage: joining under the banner of $14 Now!

Kathleen Wynne talks about poverty reduction while imposing deeper poverty
on our communities. She has been a leading member of the Government all
while social assistance (OW and ODSP) rates have lost even more of their
spending power. She was a cabinet minister while the minimum wage was
frozen, while the Special Diet was slashed and while the Community Start Up
and Maintenance Benefit was being eliminated. There is no question that the
Liberals added their own misery to the brutal cuts that the Harris Tories
imposed in 1995. Today a single person on Ontario Works is expected to
survive on just $626 a month, while rent and cost of living continues to
rise beyond reach.

As we potentially head into another round of provincial elections in the
spring, we will not be swayed by fake gestures and empty rhetoric from any
politicians. We are marching on the Convention to demand from all parties
that enough is enough:

* Raise social assistance (OW and ODSP) rates 55% Now! Restore the spending
power lost since 1995!
* Raise the minimum wage to $14/hour Now!
* Restore the Special Diet and Community Start Up Benefits!
* No merger of OW and ODSP, stop the attack on Disability benefits!


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

*5. **End Immigration Detention Public Forum*

*Date*: Wednesday March 26th
*Time*: 6:30 PM
*Location*: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education,  Room 2-212, 252
Bloor Street West
*On Facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/events/603219526433510/

* MARTIN SISAY, released after 32 months in immigration detention, on
organizing the historical and ongoing migrant strike in a max-security
prison in Lindsay, ON.
* MARU MORA, Latino Advocacy in Seattle Washington, on 1,200 migrants on
hunger strike in Tacoma Detention Centre in the United States since March
7th.
* TINGS CHAK, organizer No One Is Illegal - Toronto and the End Immigration
Detention Network
* More to be announced

Got time after the panel? We will be letter-writing to detainees, and
making art for a creative action.

Wheelchair accessible, snacks, tokens and child-minding provided, we're
unfortunately not able to provide ASL interpretation.

More info: www.toronto.nooneisillegal.org andwww.endimmigrationdetention.com
TAKE ACTION: http://endimmigrationdetention.com/take-action/

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

*6. **Toronto launch party for The Peoples' Social Forum!*

*When*: Saturday, March 22
*Time*: 6pm-12am
*Where*: 1482 Bathurst St, 4th floor
*On facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/events/537345893047927

This August 21st to 24th, a convergence unlike any other will descend upon
the capital of the territory known as Canada. Activists, Students,
Indigenous peoples, Unions, Youth, Environmentalists, and thousands of
ordinary fed-up individuals from across this land will gather to oppose the
current political and economic order and propose a plurality of alternative
paths towards a better world.

Join us in Toronto to celebrate the ongoing efforts to build this historic
event, connect with people active in the organizing process, register for
the forum, share your visions for what will be the largest social movement
gathering in recent 'Canadian' history.

Oh and dance the night away to some incredible live music and DJ sets
including:

-Ruben Pereira, from Venezuela - Coordinator of Social Movements of the
Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - (ALBA -TCP)
-Luis Grubert, From Colombia - president of the teachers' union
-Lee Reed, rebel hip-hop pioneer from the Rhymethink Collective
-Rosina Kazi, of experimental global justice electro-soul group LAL
-Tyler Shipley, of the political folk-rock band The Consumer Goods
-Jay Robi, of indigenous underground Hiphop group INDAGENIUS
-Faith Nolan, heading singalongs of social justice songs
-SPIN el Poeta, Revolutionary Guatemalan Poetry & hip-hop
-Moyo Mutamba, sharing mbira music
-Mohammad Ali, with his new political rap album
 -Zum One, renown Toronto DJ bringing you bass, dub, and dub step
-Eagle Woman Singerz   + more to be announced

Accessibility: level floor at entrance, elevators allow for wheelchair
access.

Looking forward to partying with you!

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

*7. **On the Road for Justice: Guatemalan Community Resistance to Tahoe
Mine*

*Date*: Thursday March 20
*Time*: 7pm
*Location*: Koffler House, 569 Spadina Crescent, room 108, University of
Toronto
FREE

More details:
Tens of thousands of people living near the Canadian-owned Escobal mine
project have participated in 14 referenda and voted against mining. More
than half of the communities in the municipality of San Rafael Las Flores,
where the project is located, have also declared their opposition.
Meanwhile, the company's former head of security is under arrest awaiting
trial for allegedly having ordered security guards to fire on protesters,
while many community members and leaders have faced unfounded criminal
charges.

As part of a cross-Canada speaking tour, community leaders from Guatemala
will provide a first-hand account of the situation around Tahoe's Escobal
mine, located in southeastern Guatemala.

Endorsed by: MiningWatch Canada, Mining Injustice Solidarity Network

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

*8. **Summer Job Opportunity at CWTPYork Campus Equity, Education and
Accountability Researcher*

***Deadline* to apply is March 28th (see attached document, in this email)


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

*9. **APPEAL for SUPPORT - Grassy Narrows Youth Group*


March 9, 2014

Dear Friends,

This is an appeal for support for the Grassy Narrows Youth Group, who is
organizing to fight a new round of clearcut logging slated to begin this
spring.

As you may be aware, I've been in Grassy Narrows for the past two months. I
have been coming here for long visits for nearly a decade now. When I'm
here, I usually stay with Chrissy Swain, who as you may know is one of the
women who initiated the Grassy Narrows Blockade in 2002. Chrissy continues
to be one of the most dedicated and inspiring figures out there in 'the
movement.'

The Grassy Narrows Blockade has kept industrial scale clearcut logging
operations out of the heart of their Territory for more than a decade,
while hunting, trapping and fishing, as well as other traditional
activities have seen somewhat of a resurgence in the time, as has political
engagement in the community. (
http://freegrassy.net/2012/12/03/longest-running-first-nations-blockade-continues/
)

Sadly, the Ontario Government is about to commence a new 10 year "forest
management plan" that will gut Grassy Narrows Territory. It will take over
50 000 hectares out of a forest that has already been more than 50% logged
over the past fourty years.  (
http://freegrassy.net/2013/12/23/wynne-ruins-xmas-in-grassy-narrows-logging-plan-approved/
)

You may also remember that Grassy Narrows is a community dealing with yet
new cases of mercury poisoning, still resulting from industrial dumping at
the Dryden Pulp and Paper Mill in the 60's. (
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mercury-poisoning-effects-continue-at-grassy-narrows-1.1132578
)

I am here working as the 'administrative coordinator' for a new Grassy
Narrows Youth Group that is dedicated to pursuing "cultural resurgence and
land protection as a single inseparable process." The founding members of
the group are Chrissy's eldest son Edmond, and Judy Da Silva's eldest
daughter Taina, both of whom I've known since before they were teenagers.
They are now being positioned as the forefront of a new generation of
grassroots leadership in the community and I am tremendously honoured to be
able to work with and support them. (
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2014/03/04/grassy-narrows-youth-promise-direct-action-to-stop-logging-inside-whiskey-jack
)

The new Youth Group, which formed out of last year's annual Grassy Narrows
Youth Gathering, is currently organizing in the community as well as
building skills and capacity. They are preparing for the spring when the
logging is scheduled to recommence.

Not only is the Youth Group fronting the fight against the logging plan and
getting youth out on to the land, they are also strategizing long term to
take on mining expansion in their territory  and the Energy East tarsands
pipeline project. This is a group making long term commitments and
strategizing accordingly.

Thus far the Group's funding has come almost exclusively from grants,
primarily from the Indigenous Environmental Network and Western Mining
Action Network. We are expecting more grant money to come in and hoping
that can be relatively sustainable in the long term. Unfortunately, that
money moves slowly and some funding we were counting on fell through; yet
the commencement date for the logging plan--April 1--is quickly approaching.

This is an urgent appeal for some direct funding support.

This request is only going out, privately, to a small handful of people
whom I am hoping can find a way to make a donation quickly. We are seeking
donations in the range of a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars,
seeking to raise a total of five or six thousand dollars through this means
by the end of the month.

Right now our bank account is almost empty while we wait for grant money to
come in.

To put this funding request in perspective, our full monthly budget is less
than $2,000 per month, which is about the same as two persons' round trip
flight across the country. (And for the record, I am not getting paid for
my role in the group).

Over the spring and summer we are going to be building a permanent camp on
the trapline of one of the Group's core members' family--a site directly
threatened by a scheduled clearcut logging block.

This is an appeal for money, something that the Grassy Narrows Youth Group
actually needs somewhat urgently at the moment--I regret waiting till this
point to write this letter; it is something I've been considering for a
while. If a donation, even a small one, is something you can help with,
please contact me as soon as you can, either be phone or email, or feel
free to just send money via interac.

Eventually, we will have some form of sustainable funding option for people
who are interested and/or the option of offering charitable tax receipts,
but again, this appeal comes in lieu of some funding that we were counting
on having fallen through, and had to be sent before we were fully prepared
to do general public outreach. We apologize, but also hope you will receive
and consider this letter in that spirit.

Sincerely,

Alex Hundert.

Alex.hundert at gmail.com
GrassyNarrows.YouthGroup at gmail.com

807 407 0886

ps. If you received this letter but are not in a financial position to
contribute at this time, but likely know someone would be, please feel
encouraged to approach them on our behalf. Thank you.

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

*10. **SEX WORKERS! Maggie's is coming to York!*

You are invited to a bi-weekly group for current and former sex worker.
Join us for discussions, skill share and community building.

*When*: Every Wednesday at 4pm in March 2014
*Where*: We will be meeting at York, but the location is confidential. If
you wish to attend please email Lux @  outreach at maggiestoronto.ca

Snacks & TTC tokens will be provided

The group will build on and develop narrative and story telling skills in
order to create public education resources, zines, and short stories as
well, participants will have opportunity to create film and other visual
arts.

Maggie's:
Toronto Sex Workers
Action Project
298A Gerrard St E 2nd Fl
www.maggiestoronto.ca
416-964-0150


-- 

-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.

*Unsubscribe*: https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/opirgyork
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