[opirgyork] Trans Day of Remembrance (Thurs.) + Sistafest + Huicholes Film Screening + JFAAP

Wed Nov 19 18:48:23 PST 2014

Hey ya'll!!!

There's a gajillion amazing upcoming York + community events, and callouts
this week - scroll on down and check out the full list below.
ALSO we're having a HOLIDAY PARTY on December 2nd. You can check out the
details here, and we'll email more info soon:

*Tuesday, December 2nd*
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
RM 307, Student Centre, York University
https://www.facebook.com/events/1508040742810201/
*EVERYONE'S INVITED!!*

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. *November 20th: *Trans* day of Remembrance
2. *November 25th:* Sistahfest
3. *November 27th*: Huicholes Film Screening - Presented by Cinema Politica
4. *December 3rd & ONGOING:* Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty Meetings

*//////// COMMUNITY \\\\\\\\\\\*
5. *November 21rst*: National Housing
6. *November 21rst**:* Disability Incarcerated - Disability Justice is
Prison Justice
7. *November 22nd:* Help Us Save the Holidays - Support Sprint Senior Care
Workers
8. *November 22nd:* Justice for Caregivers
9. *November 23rd**: *United Against Raids & Detentions - Rally in
Solidarity with Migrant Detainee's
10. *November 24th: *Chevron's Dirty Hand Workshop
11. *November 29th: *Min Sook Lee Awards Gala Fundrasier
12. *December 3rd: *Talk With AJ Withers @ York University
13. *ONGOING: * Justice for Deepan

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

*1. *
*Trans* Day of Remembrance  *

*Facebook Event Page*:
*https://www.facebook.com/events/520913828045727/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_user_invited
<https://www.facebook.com/events/520913828045727/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_user_invited>*
******************

Host: *OPIRG York*
Trans* Day of Remembrance at York University is our attempt to honour the
struggles and celebrate the lives of trans* people while remaining aware of
interlocking oppressions and the targeting of BIPOC, poor, sex work,
disabled lives and communities. This year we will speak to some of the
specific experiences that we as trans* people experience on our campus.

This event is the result of collaborative organizing by people from The
Centre for Women and Trans People (CWTP), The Trans Feminist Action
Coalition (TFAC), the Trans Collective, and the Trans Caucus.

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

*2. Sistahfest*

*Facebook Page:* *https://www.facebook.com/events/1386022178355194/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1386022178355194/>
<https://www.facebook.com/events/596687047103352/?fref=ts>*

In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence
Against Women

*Tuesday, November 25th, 2014*

Location: *York University*

*9 am – 11:00 am* – Gender violence workshop #1 - student centre, room 313

*11:00 am – 11:30 am *– break

*11:30 am – 1:30 pm* – Gender violence workshop #2 - student centre, room
313

*1:30 pm – 3:00 pm* – Lunch in the underground

*3:00 pm – 5:00 pm *– Entertainment in the food court

*The two gender violence workshops will be facilitated by writer and poet,
J. Nichole Noel. The

MC for the live entertainment is actress and comedian, Maliaka Bryce.

For more information contact: Jonnel Briscoe Marketing Coordinator
647-341-9031
*upfrontfoundation at yahoo.co.uk <upfrontfoundation at yahoo.co.uk>*

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

*3. Huicholes: the Last Peyote Guardians*

Thurs. Nov. 27th @ 7:00 pm *Accolade East Building 004*

Join Cinema Politica York (@CinemaPoliticaY) for a screening of "Huicholes:
the Last Peyote Guardians", part of a North American-wide film tour.

*https://www.facebook.com/events/904184312944769/?fref=ts
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1491357387810247/>*

Join us for the Toronto premiere of “Huicholes: the Last Peyote Guardians,”
a new film chronicling the Wixarika people’s struggle against the Mexican
government and Canadian mining companies to preserve Wirikuta, their most
sacred territory and the land where the peyote grows.

The film's director, Hernan Vilchez, as well as father-son marakame shaman
team José Luis "Katira" and Enrique Ramirez (community resistance leaders
and the film's protagonists) are touring with this film across the Americas
and will be presenting our Toronto screening. The night will be opened by
the Aztec Dance Group of Toronto.

Check out the tour's teaser here: *http://vimeo.com/110093081
<http://vimeo.com/110093081>*

Watch the film trailer here: *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_umAUErxN8
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_umAUErxN8>*

York U on Nov. 27th at 7pm hosted by Cinema Politica @ York –
*https://www.facebook.com/events/904184312944769/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/904184312944769/>*

Interested in volunteering with promo or at the event? Contact us at
*mininginjustice at gmail.com
<mininginjustice at gmail.com>* with “Volunteer” in the subject line.

More info: *mininginjustice.org <http://mininginjustice.org/>*

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

*4. 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 3rd @ 6pm*

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

*5. *
*National Housing Day Rally*

We have a housing and homelessness crisis in Canada.

*November 21st:* We will be heard.

*HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT!*
Speak up for an end to the housing crisis!
Speak out for an end to homelessness!

The Toronto rally is part of a National Day of Action taking place across
Canada to send a message to the Federal government that we are calling for
a national housing strategy and a stop to the cuts now!

For more information or to endorse the rally as a group or organization
(see list of endorsers below): righttohousingcoalition at gmail.com

For flyers you can download and print, visit our website:
*http://www.righttohousing.wordpress.com/
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.righttohousing.wordpress.com%2F&h=0AQEbrsTl&enc=AZMCP-bCVdmX2dm1XMvHSe7wQhLBcoGf0rFnBMmCwA9PivUg-veDa4tWmq48y3H4Nx8&s=1>*

Join our social media campaign:
*http://thndr.it/1q3zgza
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthndr.it%2F1q3zgza&h=gAQEtknc5&enc=AZNmG6dQAecN3iKl-wrjrcEMK-9F35u0995OIFVUgnuT9F829392iVU5D3Obt054PZw&s=1>*

--

In Canada, we have 150,000 to 300,000 people who are visibly homeless, plus
450,000 to 900,000 people who are among the “hidden homeless.”

The homelessness crisis may soon get even worse.

In Canada, 365,000 low income households are at risk of losing their homes
because the Federal government refuses to renew subsidies for social
housing. Meanwhile, the waiting list for social housing continues to grow:
there are over 165,000 households on the waiting list in Ontario alone.

In 2009, Miloon Kothari, the UN Special Rapporteur on Housing, called the
housing and homelessness crisis in Canada a “national emergency.” Yet,
Canada remains the only G8 nation in the world without a national housing
strategy, and our government continues to cut funding to housing and
homelessness programs.

Join us on November 21st as we raise our voices collectively to say enough
is enough!
Stop the cuts!
We need a national housing strategy now!

** Toronto rally endorsed by: **
Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
Street Health
Federation of Metro Tenants Association
Toronto Drop-in Network
Houselink Community Homes
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group
Oak Street Housing Co-operative
Regenesis
Young Parents No Fixed Address
Toronto ACORN
The Dream Team
Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness
Grey-Bruce Community Legal Clinic
Women Speak Out
Voices from the Street
Working for Change
OPIRG York
Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
ODSP Action Coalition
Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change
Ve’ahavta:The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee
Parkdale Community Legal Services
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Ontario Regional Council
Children's Aid Society of Toronto
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto
Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto
Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre
The Centre for Research on Inner City Health
MultiFaith Alliance to End Homelessness
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
TCHC Hydro Block Tenants
Covenant House Toronto
SharED
Canadian Unitarian Council

(This is a growing list! To endorse the rally as a group or organization:
*righttohousingcoalition at gm**ail.com <http://ail.com/>* )

--

Sources:

*1. http://blog.legalaid.on.ca/2014/08/14/tracy-heffernan-a-constitutional-right-to-housing
<http://blog.legalaid.on.ca/2014/08/14/tracy-heffernan-a-constitutional-right-to-housing>2.
http://housing4all.ca/the-details
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhousing4all.ca%2Fthe-details&h=XAQFwXhD1&enc=AZPUgh-Mq3CXnPIQVCroN5O8DQFQ6zIyTOaPCuksKCE4JEP-cVMLvuvxirZxIH-0q_g&s=1>3.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/09/09/ontarios_affordable_housing_wait_list_climbs_to_record_165000_households.html
<http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/09/09/ontarios_affordable_housing_wait_list_climbs_to_record_165000_households.html>*

--

See also the event page for the Right to Housing Forum:
*https://www.facebook.com/events/340129336160461/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/340129336160461/>*

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

*6. *
*Disability Incarcerated - Disability Justice is Prison Justice*

The New College Disability Studies Speaker Series,
in partnership with York University's School of Social Work

DISABILITY INCARCERATED: Disability Justice is Prison Justice

*NOVEMBER 21ST, 6-8 P.M.OISE LIBRARY, 252 BLOOR ST. WEST*

A series of talks in celebration of the launch of Disability Incarcerated:
Imprisonment and Disability in
the United States and Canada (2014, Palgrave MacMillan).

Featuring talks by the book's co-editors
*Liat Ben-Moshe (University of Toledo),
*Allison Carey (Shippensburg University) and
*Chris Chapman (York University)
followed by a round table discussion with local contributors.

**ASL provided* *
**Wheelchair accessible venue**

For accessibility or additional information please contact
*uoftdisabilitylistserve at gm**ail.com <http://ail.com/>*
****************

*7. *
*Help Us Save the Holidays - Support SPRINT Senior Care Workers*

Join workers from SPRINT Senior Care to help them save the holidays with
flyering and outreach to build awareness of the issues facing them.

Workers at *SPRINT Senior Care
<https://www.facebook.com/SPRINT.Senior.Care> *are facing the very real
possibility they will be forced out on strike for a fair wage increase and
a basic pension on December 8.

Workers do not want to put the holidays in turmoil for their clients and
families or themselves but they need to address the reality that many of
them will retire into poverty.

Facebook event:
*https://www.facebook.com/events/708382145924164/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/708382145924164/>*

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

*8. **Justice for Care Workers*

The recent government changes to the caregiver program would bar many
migrant workers in the Caregiver Program from accessing permanent
residency. Not only is this unjust, it will also make caregivers more prone
to workplace abuse.
*150 King Street West (Federal Ministers' Offices)* *Saturday November 22nd*

Facebook page: *https://www.facebook.com/events/722226737873673
<https://www.facebook.com/events/722226737873673>*

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

*9. United Against Raids & Detentions - Rally in Solidarity with Migrant
Detainee's*

A day of joyful protest in solidarity with migrants jailed at the Toronto
Immigration Holding Centre, demanding justice for migrants, refugees, and
migrant workers.

November 23, 2014. 3:30 pm. 385 Rexdale Boulevard.
Buses leave at 2:30pm from Christie Pits Park.
RSVP here: *http://bit.ly/Nov23Rally
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FNov23Rally&h=uAQFXi26T&enc=AZN1Q6S3o49hHzuGzadAG2uU8wa3fUpGhzUX7t5033T0Kdid7aYORBYPDDx5yJ5cFrw&s=1>*

The Canadian immigration system is a pipeline of exclusion. Many are forced
to leave their homes around the world, then are denied permanent residency
and dignity here. Those of us who stay without papers are denied services.
Our families are racially profiled, as we saw in the August raids enabled
by the Ontario government -- adding to the 100,000 people who have been
deported by this government. Fearing their deportations, some like Lucia
Jimenez Vega, are forced to their deaths. A report launched in June
revealed that in 2013, thousands of detainees were locked up in 146 prisons
across the country with no end in sight, and every year they have fewer
chances of getting released (*www.truthaboutdetention.com
<http://www.truthaboutdetention.com/>*). One of the biggest detention
prisons in the country is right here in Toronto.

So on November 23rd, we gather to show our solidarity with people
imprisoned and deported, with their families and our communities. We raise
our voices and fists as one: No One Is Illegal! Dignity over Deportation!
Worker Control Not Immigration Controls! Access Without Fear! Status for
All! Struggle and Solidarity Not War and Austerity!

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

*10. Chevron's Dirty Hand Workshop*

Join us on Monday November 24th, 5pm-6:30pm at 45 St. George St., Room 101
(University of Toronto, Physical Geography Building) to hear from members
of the Anti-Chevron Solidarity Committee - Camila Uribe and Raluca Bejan -
about the injustices Chevron has committed, Indigenous peoples' resistance,
and how you can take action. The presenters will also share a video and
photo exhibit.

Chevron contaminated the Ecuadorian Amazon rain forest for over 20 years
(1964 to 1990) leaving pollution 30 times greater than the Exxon Valdez
disaster in Alaska, the largest known oil-related environmental catastrophe
in the world. The Unist’ot’en Camp in British Columbia is currently under
attack and successfully resisting Chevron's campaign to pass a pipeline
across their territory.

Come learn about Indigenous peoples’ struggles against Chevron and how you
can take action to make Chevron accountable. This is especially important
now since Indigenous communities in Ecuador are taking Chevron to the
Supreme Court of Canada this December for the damages they have caused.

This event is hosted by the Graduate Geography and Planning Students
Society (GGAPSS) at the University of Toronto.

For more information see:

Facebook: Chevron’s Dirty Hand
Twitter: *https://twitter.com/chevronsdirty
<https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fchevronsdirty&h=CAQETRHdD&enc=AZPTnvFKkkIZVHVp200Z4PPCYfAIw_sk46C-zWcDoKOW0rTpCfo7dIsTNvlk5Uziodc&s=1>*
Website: *http://www.antichevron.ca/
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.antichevron.ca%2F&h=RAQEtwmVX&enc=AZOLiFnuRrZPQFhtqAUMXc7YDeUWy6mxpEYCLJDGArmET8eHk2IgmcvkqxFw3ur0BI4&s=1>*

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

*11. 3rd Annual Min Sook Lee Labour Arts Awards - Fundraising Gala*

Facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/events/1523020921272988/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1523020921272988/>*

Please join us in congratulating the Min Sook Lee Award Winners for 2014 at
this year’s fundraising Awards Gala.

*DETAILS OF GALA:Saturday, November 29, 2014Doors open at 6:00
pmSteelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St., TorontoVenue and washrooms are
wheelchair accessible*

In addition to the awards ceremony, the gala will include a four course
dinner by the East African Community Association, an exciting Silent
Auction, and music by The Special Interest Group.

TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets: $50 each; $25 for students, unemployed / underemployed. For more
information and to purchase tickets go to*mayworks.ca
<http://mayworks.ca/>* (click
Donate button to purchase through PayPal) or email *minsookleeawards at gmail.com
<minsookleeawards at gmail.com>*.

ABOUT MIN SOOK LEE AWARDS:
The Min Sook Lee Labour Arts Awards are named after Min Sook Lee, an
activist-artist whose own contributions moved Mayworks Festival toward its
current artistic vision: to actively seek representation of equity groups
as audiences and artists. Lee also helped Mayworks focus on programming
that engages new, non-arts audiences, and that challenges Euro-centric
notions of art.

2014 MIN SOOK LEE AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts is pleased to announce the
winners of the 2014 Min Sook Lee Labour Arts Awards:

* For Labour Activists who have used the arts to promote the values of the
labour and social justice movements: Faith Nolan. For more information on
Faith Nolan, please visit: *http://www.faithnolan.org/
<http://www.faithnolan.org/>*

* For Artists who have captured the values of labour and social justice in
their art: Kwentong Bayan – Labour of Love creators Althea Balmes and Jo
SiMalaya Alcampo. For more information on Kwentong Bayan, please visit:
*http://www.lcpcomicbook.com/ <http://www.lcpcomicbook.com/>*
* For Labour Unions who have used the arts to engage their membership in
different ways, for example in strike prep, or for picket lines or
campaigns: CUPE Local 4948, Toronto Public Library Workers Union. For more
information on CUPE 4948, please visit:
*http://ourpubliclibrary.to/ <http://ourpubliclibrary.to/>*
* For Outstanding Contribution to the Labour Movement: Margie Adam.

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

*12. A Talk With AJ Withers @ York University*

The Critical Disability Studies Student Association Presents

A Talk with AJ Withers:

INVISIBLE AUSTERITY, NEO-LIBERALISM AND DISABILITY

Wednesday December 3rd @ 3pm
in 1156 Vari
http://cdssa.wordpress.com/

*Snacks and refreshments will be served*
Vegan and gluten-free options will be available

1156 VARI IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
Please contact Natalie for ASL interpretation and other accommodations :
nspagnuo at yorku.ca

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

*13. 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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