[opirgyork] Visionary Women's Fiction + Scarrry-oke + YU Free Press & Incendies + REBELS & More!!!!!

Wed Oct 29 13:20:32 PDT 2014

Hey everyone!!!
There's so many amazing upcoming York + community events, and callouts this
week - scroll on down and check out the full list below. Don't forget to
submit an article to the YU Free Press--- the deadline is soon! And check
out the lineup for Rebels with a Cause Film Festival which is happening
this week: http://rebelsfilmfest.org/ --- Also check out the Visionary
Women's Fiction Book Launch tomorrow night at York U!

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. *October 30th: *Visionary Women's Fiction Book Launch
2. *October 31rst:* Scarrry-oke Halloween Event with UKPC
3. *ONGOING, UPDATED November 1st Deadline*: YUFreePress “The Projected
Future” Submissions Callout!
4. *November 5th & ONGOING:* Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty Meetings
5. *November 9th: *Incendies Call-out

*//////// COMMUNITY \\\\\\\\\\\*
6. *October 22nd-December 10th*: Mad Selves @ SOY
7. *November 4th**:* Transforming Violent Environments
8. *November 4th:* Cinema Politica Presents "Transgender Parents"
9. *November 8th*: CALM Training
10. *November 14th**: *Shameless Magazine 10th Anniversary Gala
11. *November 21rst: *National Housing Day: Right to Housing Rally
12. *November 25th: *Sistah-fest
13. *ONGOING*: Support for Deepan Budlakoti

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

*1. **Visionary Women's Fiction Book Launch*

*Facebook Event Page*:
*https://www.facebook.com/events/1417886361765219/?fref=ts
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1417886361765219/?fref=ts>*
******************
Host: *OPIRG York*

Co Sponsors: *Chinese Canadian National Council*, *Muskrat Magazine*
<https://www.facebook.com/muskratmagazine>

*THE UNDEAD SORCERESS*
*By:* *J.F. Garrard*

What would you do if your grandmother stole your child’s soul to regain her
youth and is now leading a pack of Jiang Shi army (hopping mindless
vampires) to take over the world?

The world’s first multicultural vampire novel! Vampires have evolved and
suck chi rather than drink blood in this dark fantasy series. Magic also
follows the rules of the Tao.

*Synopsis*
Ever since Tamara became a vampire, things have gone downhill. Her
grandmother runs off with her daughter’s soul and her husband thinks she is
going crazy. Caught in the middle of a war between vampires, sorceresses
and warlocks, she discovers an alternative history to the world she thought
she knew.

Meanwhile, strange jiangshi corpse zombies and other supernatural creatures
start attacking civilians across the globe. Magic appears to be making a
comeback, threatening the modern civilization which the vampires have built
throughout the ages. The timeless battle between good & evil seems to be
beginning once again.

As Tamara gathers her courage to hunt down her grandmother, she isn’t sure
if she can sacrifice one family member over another. Is it so wrong for
grandmother to want to live forever?

This fantasy adventure is a bittersweet tale about dealing with devastating
choices, filial responsibilities, betrayal, redemption and finding the
strength to carry on when it seems like there is no future.

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

*RESISTANCE*
*By:* *Zainab Amadahy*

*Synopsis*
It’s 2036. The world’s economy has collapsed. North American cities are
bankrupt. Still there is hope and RESISTANCE.

Disgraced and drummed out of work because of a bad decision made in her
youth, nanotechnology researcher Inez Xicay responds to an old friend’s
invitation to practice medicine in Toronto. Upon arriving, she finds an
impoverished community living on disputed land coveted by a mining company.
When rejected by her best friend and a new lover, Inez considers a job
offer that would restore the lifestyle she craves but leave her allied with
a corporate giant threatening the lives of good people. Will she choose to
betray her principles again or stay with the community to resist?

If you recognized the image on the book’s cover as the Adinkra symbol
Funtunfunefu-Denkyemfunefu (Siamese Crocodiles) you’re absolutely correct.
Adinkra symbols are artistic, cultural and spiritual symbols from the Akan
people of Ghana. This one symbolizes democracy and unity.

In the words of Chente, one of the characters in Resistance: “The
crocodiles share a stomach, reminding us that, in a way, we all do and it
doesn’t serve anyone to compete and fight.”

Event Sponsors: *Accents Bookstore, Muskrat Magazine, Chinese Canadian
National Council*

Bios

JF Garrard got into writing through reading comic books and watching movies
as an escape from her mundane childhood in Toronto. Writing has always been
something she wanted to do although she was almost tossed out of her
Catholic all girls high school writing club for writing dark and weird
stories. She decided to write a novel after finding out that a friend
self-published a book, so she challenged herself to do the same. She is a
germaphobe with a Nuclear Medicine background and holds a MBA in
Strategy/Marketing. She volunteers annually at different Sci-Fi/Japanese
Animation conventions for fun.

Zainab Amadahy is an author, screenwriter and educator who lives in
peri-apocalyptic Toronto with her black cat Licorice. Among her
publications are speculative fiction novels "Resistance" and "Moons of
Palmares". Zainab is a frequent contributor to Muskrat Magazine and
rabble.ca
. Her non-fiction work, "Wielding the Force: The Science of Social
Justice", explores how emerging science has relevance to social justice,
activism and community organizing. As the mother of three grown sons,
Zainab is currently attempting to minimize unnecessary drama in her elder
years. Maybe she’ll become wise one day. More info: *www.swallowsongs.com*
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.swallowsongs.com%2F&h=ZAQEjUaKJ&enc=AZMKvl3yc3HvDwGExT4TnODVERZaUxxdSWxaH7BhgNn-S5Z0j284FWIJzDUm0Fe4zDU&s=1>

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

*2. Scarrry-oke Halloween *

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

Hey everyone! Come join this years Scarrry-oke! Sing, dance and play games
with us. There's a contest for best costume so come dressed up if you want
to win the prize (wearing a costume is semi-mandatory) . Food and beverages
will be provided. It's an open event so bring your friends along too!

*Where:* *Student Centre Room 307*
*When:* *October 31, 5pm*

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

*3. **YUFreePress “The Projected Future” Submissions Callout! Deadline
Extended Nov 1rst*

YUFreePress’ next volume will be “The Projected Future,” which will include
perspectives on how the world will be, and what the world will look like in
the near and distant future.

What will the world/'Canada' look like in 10 years?
What will the world/'Canada' look like in 20 years?
What will the world/'Canada' look like in 50 years?
Will there be a ‘Canada’?

*Submission Guidelines *

*Accepting*: News, features, artwork, poetry, fiction, editorials, and
reviews.
*Suggested Word Count : *300 - 2000 words
*Submission Deadline : **November 1rst*

*Please email submissions and inquiries to yufreepress at gmail.com
<yufreepress at gmail.com>*

Read *YU Free Press <http://issuu.com/yufreepress> *online!
Find us on *Faceboo <http://www.facebook.com/YUFreePress>k *& *Twitter*
<http://twitter.com/yufreepress>

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

*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, November 5th @ 6pm*

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

*5. **Incendies Call-out for Submissions*

*Incendies, York U's one and only feminist zine is looking for submissions!*

Power and corruption seem to go hand in hand. From Syria to Ferguson, from
your university administrators to… your parents? Corrupted power trickles
into our lives, and limits what we can and cannot do. What are your
experiences, your fears, your breaking points, your dreams related to power
and corruption? No story is too small or too grand. Send us your poetry,
prose, articles, essays, artwork, comics, etc. reflecting this theme
through a feminist POV!

For submissions guidelines check out
*http://incendiesmag.wordpress.com/submit*
<http://incendiesmag.wordpress.com/submit>

All submissions must be sent to *incendies.publication at gmail.com*
<incendies.publication at gmail.com> by November 9th at midnight.
*Incendies is a student and community run magazine, everyone from all
walks of life are welcome to submit. *

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

*6. **October 22nd-December 10th: Mad Selves @ SOY*

*Our Mad Selves: Queer and Trans* Youth Exploring Our Mental Health*

 *Info session Wednesday 8th at SOY 4th floor 6-7pm! *

*An eight week group for youth living with or affected by experiences often
diagnosed and labeled as **psychiatric conditions, including: depression,
anxiety, schizophrenia, bi-polar, OCD, DID etc. *

*This group  **will offer an opportunity to, look at and talk about, the
shame and oppression we have experienced as a result of our
**histories/experiences
and encounters with the mental health system. **The group will celebrating
and holding our ‘mad gifts’ **and acknowledge that as ‘mad people’ we have
unique ways of experiencing the world, making **meaning, developing
community and creating culture. This group will be thinking about** new
ways of talking and viewing about** our actual experiences. We hope to move
forward through linking creativity, **madness, collaboration and care.*

*For more information, including an upcoming Information Session, contact:*

*Agnes Forfa: aforfa at sherbourne.on.ca
<aforfa at sherbourne.on.ca> 416-324-4100 ext.4189 <416-324-4100%20ext.4189>*

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

*7. **Transforming Violent Environments - FES Seminar Series*

Please join us for seven free events over six months, and help us spread
the word!

This series began as a student-led initiative in 2011 in an effort to build
discussion about topics that are underrepresented on the curriculum, as
well as awareness and action around issues of social and environmental
justice at FES and across the broader university. The series has featured
activists, artists, academics and agitators from communities across North
America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, featuring debates and projects
well beyond the university.

This year's theme this year is *Transforming Violent Environments*. We aim
to open conversations and swap analyses, tools and visions on themes such
as urban justice, prisons and environmental justice, healing justice,
disability arts, anti-oppressive pedagogy, and antiracist and anti-colonial
resistance against the neoliberal university.

You can look forward to three incredible events this autumn and winter.
More are to come between January-April 2015. Stay tuned, spread the word,
and RSVP on our facebook links below!
*https://www.facebook.com/events/861834153857557/?fref=ts
<https://www.facebook.com/events/861834153857557/?fref=ts> *

*NOVEMBER 4TH, 2014 12:30- 2PM*
*York University, HNES 140**
*Rethinking the Government of Extraction: Critiquing Global Transparency
Discourse in the Oil Sector*
featuring Dr. Augustina Adusah- Karikari and Dr. Isaac Asume Osuoka

This panel will share research and findings from international conference
held in Abuja, Nigeria in July 2014 examining the implications of global
transparency discourse in the oil sector. The event is supported by a SSHRC
Partnership Development Grant concerning transparency in the oil sector in
Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea held by the organizations Social Action and
the New Centre for Social Research, Nigeria and the Faculty of
Environmental Studies, York University.

* This space is wheelchair accessible *

We regret that we were not able to raise funds for ASL in time for these
three events. However, we are striving to provide ASL for the 2015 events.
Please email us at *fesequity at gmail.com* <fesequity at gmail.com> to let us
know about further access needs.

----
*WATCH THIS SPACE in 2015*
MORE EVENTS ON: Antiracist and Anticolonial Campuses and Classrooms (20
January); Disability Arts (10 February); Activist Burnout (17 March); Prisons
and Environmental Justice (30 April).

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Micha Cardenas, Honor Ford-Smith, Lu Lam, Julia
Chinyere Oparah, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha, Fonna-Tasha Seidu, Jesse
Thistle, Syrus Marcus Ware, and Yin-Luk Renita Wong.

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

*8. **Cinema Politica Presents: Transgender Parents Nov 4th*

*SHORT SYNOPSIS*: *TRANSGENDER PARENTS* is about love, life and kids after
a gender transition. It shares the struggles and strengths of several trans
women and trans men navigating different stages of parenting: from
pregnancy, through raising infants, toddlers and teenagers.

*WHAT:* Toronto premiere screening of *TRANSGENDER PARENT
<https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1413476681-675aefb5a3e42f500439e548ac7d1bc4-b34fe47?pa=25689905281>S
*
& *FATHER
<https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1413476681-d3df5721bb0d66babe4474f03922c22b-b34fe47?pa=25689905281>
w*ith
director and protagonists in attendance
*WHERE:* *Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West*
*WHEN:* *Tuesday, November 4, 6:30 pm*
*COST:* *Suggested donation $5-10*
*INFO:* *cinemapolitica.org/bloor*
<https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1413476681-932773907c0ebfadaca0465709d3c5d9-b34fe47?pa=25689905281>

*SOCIAL MEDIA:*
* Facebook event
<https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1413476681-902fbf901dce6266a6672f007121d54f-b34fe47?pa=25689905281>*

An examination of sex, gender and sexuality, and the ways in which families
and communities build positive futures together.

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

*9. CALM Media Training Conference: November 8th*

CALM's November 8th training conference is filling up fast! The community
member conference rate has been reduced to $100!

Register today

Attend awesome workshops led by leading communications experts. Participate
in discussions and strategizing with your brothers and sisters in the union
movement.  Breakfast and lunch is included. Scroll down to see our entire
workshop schedule with times below.

Standard Rate for CALM members
$150 for unions with less than 1000 members
$200 for unions with a 1000 or more members

Standard Rate for non-CALM members
$275 for unions with less than 1000 members
$325 for unions with more than 1000 members / individuals / other

*Workshop Schedule*
Communication tools for the pre-bargaining stage
9.15am - 11.00am
Sound the alarm! Now is the time to prepare members and activists for the
next round of bargaining, don’t wait until the team is at the table. In
this workshop participants will learn tips and tools to effectively
communicate internally to members and activist months in advance of
bargaining. This ground work is key to sow strong roots in the workplace.
Hear a first hand account of how a three-prong approach focusing on
education, engagement and mobilization in one public sector union made the
difference to fight back and plant the seeds for a different kind of union.
Bring your ideas and a note pad.

Trainer: Denise Hammond is with the Association of Management,
Administrative & Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO) to
develop and oversee strategic communications during the union’s bargaining
mobilization campaign as it attempts to push back against the Ontario
government’s austerity strategy. Prior to this she was the
Anti-Privatization Coordinator for CUPE Ontario, after leaving her position
as the Executive Director of Communications and Outreach with Ryerson
Students’ Union (RSU) for nine years. With over twenty years experience in
organizing, communications and campaigns in the student movement, trade
unions and grassroots social justice coalitions, Denise has helped to
develop several campaigns and anti-oppression initiatives. She lives her
life as a dedicated feminist, activist and community builder.

Making headlines: how to get the media to cover your issue - tips from CBC
reporter Sima Sahar Zerehi
9.15am  - 11.00am
CBC reporter, Sima Sahar Zerehi shares her strategies on how to use the
tools that you have to get the media attention that you need for your
campaigns.

Effective media exposure can lead to excitement, momentum building and
greater campaign involvement.  It can mean the difference between an
organization or campaign that thrives and grows and one that merely
survives.

Good publicity stems from a well-planned and carefully executed media plan
that is tailored to meet your organization’s mission and goals.  Your media
strategy should give your members a voice to communicate the right kind of
information through the right media using the right tools at the right time.

In this workshop we'll discuss reaching out to and building relationships
with mainstream media, ethnic and community media. You’ll leave the
workshop with ideas on how to draft your media plan and a toolbox of tips
that will help you effectively communicate your organization’s news to
others.

Sima Sahar Zerehi is a professor at Humber College, a reporter at CBC, the
director of communications at Shahrvand Publications, and the former
national representative for human rights, equity and diversity at UFCW.

Writing compelling op-eds and articles
9.15am - 11.00am
Back by popular demand, you will learn about the value of opinion articles
submitted by groups and individuals to mainstream media print publications
as part of advocacy campaigns, how to pitch op-ed articles to editors, ways
to “recycle” op-ed articles to increase their value, and hints about how to
edit your own work when you are not a professional writer.

The seminar will also include some thoughts on what to do if things go
terribly wrong and an op-ed article is rewritten in a way that dilutes or
alters its message. In the main portion of the seminar, participants will
learn about the traditional formula for writing opinion articles and
consider how to use it effectively to advance the causes we believe in.

David Climenhaga is an award-winning blogger published on Rabble, and a
former Globe and Mail reporter and editor. He is a communications advisor
to the United Nurses of Alberta. United Nurses of Alberta

How to make a compelling youtube video
9.15am - 1.00pm
The use of video for telling a story has exploded thanks to smart phones
and YouTube. However, creating a good short video for YouTube is much more
than point and shoot. Learn what makes for good video and how proper
preparation, framing, editing, background and sound, can get your video
noticed and watched! A video recorder or video-equipped phone is needed for
this workshop.

Born in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) in 1984, Anna Jover Royo, began her
career as a journalist working as a reporter for the public radio and
television network, Televisió de Catalunya. In August 2012 she became the
first full-time in-house videographer of the Ontario Public Employees Union
(OPSEU). She produces, shoots and edits videos supporting OPSEU’s political
education and organizing campaigns. Most recently she teamed up with former
CBC foreign correspondent Bill Gillespie to produce an acclaimed
documentary on Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak’s plan to import American style
anti-union legislation (so-called Right to Work laws) to Canada.

“I know I’m doing my job well when Sue Ann Levy attacks me”: the media
campaign experience of the Toronto Public Library Workers
11.15am - 1.00pm
The Toronto Public Library Workers ran a successful budget fight back
campaign against the Ford administration in 2011.  This was followed by an
11 day strike by the library workers that was supported by the residents of
Toronto.  The library workers in Toronto continue to maintain a positive
profile.  This workshop will provide a behind the scenes look at the
strategies used by “Mad Mo and Company” and some ideas on how you too can
implement a successful strategy.

Maureen O’Reilly is president of the 2,100 member Toronto Public Library
Workers Union (TPLWU) Local 4948, CUPE. Maureen was elected just two months
before Rob Ford became mayor in 2010 and has lived to tell the tale.  In
2011-2012 Maureen led the successful fight back campaign against a 10% cut
to the library budget that prevented library closures and service hour
cuts.  The campaign touched the hearts of Torontonians which lead to the
derailment of the gravy train mantra.

Stepping up your social media game
11.15am - 1.00pm
Okay, so your union finally has a Facebook page and Twitter account, but
your following is dismal, there is no strategy behind and it now it is all
falling on your shoulders. You tweet … but is anyone listening? This
workshop will focus on how to step up your social media game and get more
bang for your online time. With an emphasis on developing sharper social
media skills, participants will walk away with a stronger strategic
approach, better time management and concrete tips for boosting your
union’s profile, earning online support and assessing your impact. This
workshop is designed to benefit all participants, whether they have only
basic social media awareness or more substantial experience.

Joel Duff is the Communications Director for the Ontario Federation of
Labour.  Before that he spent a decade as the Ontario organizer for the
Canadian Federation of Students, where he mobilized college and university
students.  The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) represents 54 unions and
one million workers. It is Canada's largest provincial labour federation.

How to be a great spokesperson in tough interviews
11.15am - 1.00pm
Delivering clear messages in tough interviews

Are you responsible for media interviews or training spokespersons? Do you
want to sharpen your skills at staying on message?

Some interviews are harder than others. This workshop will help you
strengthen your media skills, and help you help others do the same.

This CLC “crash course” on message delivery will provide the why, what and
how of message delivery with tips and tools to keep interviews within a
pro-worker frame.

Learn about:
What makes a good message
How to deliver your message to your audience
Preparing for an interview
Strategies to stay on message
Trainers: Federico Carvajal is a Regional Representative for the Canadian
Labour Congress in Ontario. He is also the President of Unifor Local
CULR-1. Prior to working for the CLC he worked for the Canadian Federation
of Students helping train and develop student activists.

Jeanne d’Arc Umurungi is the Communications Director for the Canadian Media
Guild. Fully bilingual, Jeanne d’Arc has more than 10 years of
communications experience in the private, public and not-for-profit
sectors, and has spent many years in community radio. She is committed to
social justice and seeks opportunities to collaborate toward advancing
fairness in communities across the country.

Help, I have to redesign my website
2.00pm - 4.00pm
So you are responsible for redesigning the website, but you don't know
code?  Learn the latest in website best practices and trends, and how to
work with designers and tech gurus to make your website attractive, useful,
and easy-to-navigate.

Chris Lawson has been building union websites since 1997 - no, you can't
see the first one. Chris is the president of the Canadian Association of
Labour Media, and a communications officer with PSAC.

Strategize with fellow communicators
2.00pm - 4.00pm
You will have the opportunity to have strategic conversations on topics of
their choosing. Got a topic you want to talk about with fellow conference
attendees? This is your time to talk about it.  This proved to be one of
the most popular events at our conference in May, so we're doing it again.

Jessica Bell is a facilitator, an editor of CALM, the former director and
co-founder of Tools for Change, a board member of TTCriders, and an
instructor in advocacy and government relations at Ryerson University.

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

*10. Shameless Magazine 10th Anniversary*

*Shameless Magazine* <http://shamelessmag.com/>
, a Canadian feminist magazine for teen girls and trans youth, turns 10
years old this year! It's been 10 years of independent feminist publishing
and I've had the privilege to be part of the magazine as arts editor and
now as a blog editor for four years. In my time at Shameless I've seen how
resourceful the magazine is, running everything on a string-shoe budget,
and witnessed how everyone who is part of the magazine passionately
volunteers their time for free.

At Shameless we have big plans. We have plans to grow, expand our
circulation, and most importantly to pay our writers and staff.

This November 14th we are hosting our 10-year anniversary fundraising gala
and awards show, the *Shamies*
<https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shameless-magazines-10th-anniversary-gala-the-shamie-awards-tickets-13402313681>
:

"Shameless is as essential now as it was when we launched ten years ago. To
celebrate our ten years of resistance to oppressive media, the Shamies will
be presented to the worst perpetrators of problematic media - the most
sexist, racist, oppressive advertisements. Not only will these awards raise
critical awareness of the messages that we find around us, they will
inspire us all to renew our commitment to producing and supporting media
that advocates, informs and inspires. The evening will be hosted by
comedian *Catherine McCormick*
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherine-McCormick/131669836922310>
, and our very own editorial and art director Sheila Sampath" (excerpt from
our *blog*
<http://shamelessmag.com/blog/entry/announcing-the-shameless-10th-anniversary-gala-and-launch-of-the-shamie-awa>
)

The gala is $20 and we will have food for our guests courtesy of the Afghan
Women's Catering Group.

The gala takes place on *Friday, November 14th at the Urban Space Gallery
(401 Richmond St W) from 6 to 9 pm*. You can purchase tickets *here*
<https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shameless-magazines-10th-anniversary-gala-the-shamie-awards-tickets-13402313681>
.

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

*11. National Housing Day: Right to Housing Rally*

*Right to Housing Coalition 9* *http://righttohousing.wordpress.com/*
<http://righttohousing.wordpress.com/>

*About the 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 National Housing Day actions 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:
*righttohousingcoalition at gmail.com* <righttohousingcoalition at gmail.com>.

–

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 Inc.*
*Regenesis*
*Young Parents No Fixed Address*
*Toronto ACORN*

*Toronto Alliance to End HomelessnessGrey-Bruce Community Legal ClinicOPIRG
York*

*(This is a growing list! To endorse the rally as a group or
organization: righttohousingcoalition at gmail.com
<http://righttohousing.wordpress.com/righttohousingcoalition@gmail.com%22%3E>*

*)*

*About the Forum & rally:*

Communities across Canada will be marking *National Housing Day* with
events to promote and raise awareness on the right to housing. Join the
Right to Housing Coalition and the *Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
<http://www.acto.ca/> *on November 21, 2014 in Toronto for a National
Housing Day Rally and Right to Housing Forum!

*This event is FREE!*
To register: *https://acto-right2housing-forum2014.eventbrite.ca
<https://acto-right2housing-forum2014.eventbrite.ca/>*

*Rally and Forum Schedule:*

*12:00pm-1:00pm:*
National Housing Day Rally at Yonge-Dundas Square: Housing is a human right!
(See rally event page *here
<https://www.facebook.com/events/353871381446314>*)

*2:00pm-5:00pm:*
Right to Housing Forum at Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square
behind the Eaton Centre (wheelchair accessible) – moderated by: Angela
Robertson, Executive Director, Central Toronto Community Health Centres

*Panel 1 (2:00-3:00): Is Housing First the solution to homelessness in
Canada?*

Some say yes. Some say maybe. And some say we must analyze Housing First
through a gendered, racialized, rights based lens.
Professor Stephen Gaetz, York University/Canadian Homelessness Research
Network, and Professor Janet Mosher, Osgoode Hall Law School, will discuss
and debate the Housing First approach.

*Panel 2 (3:15-5:00): The Right to Housing in Canada*

There are many ways to build the right to housing in Canada. The panelists
will discuss their advocacy work in the courts and in their communities.

• DJ Larkin, *Pivot Legal Society <http://www.pivotlegal.org/>*
 (Vancouver), is counsel on a case concerning access to safe shelter as a
basic human right.

• Phillip Dufresne, member of the *Dream Team* <http://thedreamteam.ca/>
 (Toronto), will discuss how they filed a human rights complaint against
five municipalities in Ontario for their discriminatory by-laws… and won.
• Émilie Joly, Community Organizer at
*FRAPRU <http://www.frapru.qc.ca/>* (Quebec-wide tenant organization), will
talk about FRAPRU’s successes in organizing tenants and how to build this
nationwide.
• Tracy Heffernan,
* Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario <http://www.acto.ca/>*
 and co-counsel on the *Right to Housing Charter challenge*
<http://righttohousing.wordpress.com/about/>

 will discuss next steps in the R2H litigation and campaign.

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

*12. Sistah-fest on November 25th and 28th*

*SISTAHFEST*

In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence
Against Women, Upfront Theatre @ York presents SistahfestTM, a
multi-discipline arts and culture festival showcasing female artists and
educators through the utilization of workshops, theatre production, spoken
word, dance and music. The festival was born out of recognition of the
importance in the celebration and empowerment of women, through
edutainment. We gather as intergenerational women to honor and recognize
our strengths, passion and common struggles. To share stories, to heal, and
to celebrate the power and beauty of women. The festival will be held
on Tuesday, November 25th, 2014at York University with two gender violence
workshops facilitated by J. Nicole Ellis from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in
room 313 of the Student Centre at York University. After the workshops
there will be lunch at the underground followed by live entertainment by
female entertainers including MC, comedian and actress, Maliaka Brice, and
drummer,

Debbie Douglas in the food court. *Admission:* *Free.*

*On Friday, November 28th, 2014* there will be a SistahfestTM Showcase
presented by teacher candidates from the*Faculty of Education, York
University and high school schools at Upfront Studio Theatre, 1290 Finch
Avenue West, Unit 17, (inside the Keele plaza)*. The showcase will consist
of skits on gender violence, dance and poetry. Show time: *6:00 p.m. *
– A CELEBRATION OF THE POWER AND BEAUTY OF WOMEN

*[image: Immagine in linea 4]*

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

*12. Support for **Deepan Budlakoti*

We contact you today to request that your organization endorse and support
the Justice for Deepan campaign whose goal is to support Deepan Budlakoti's
struggle to reclaim his Canadian Citizenship.

In 2010, while Deepan was in jail, the Canadian government decided that he
was not a Canadian citizen despite being born in Canada. In December 2012,
after he had fully served his sentence, they decided to further detain him
in immigration detention for several months while they attempted to deport
him to India where his parents were born. Yet, Deepan has lived in Canada
all his life, was issued a Canadian passport and has no other citizenship.
Deepan is effectively stateless at the moment.

Deepan was later released from immigration detention with strict conditions
after India refused to issue him travel documents. Since then, he has been
fighting to regain his Canadian citizenship. Most recently Deepan has
brought his struggle to Federal Court where he has launched a charter
challenge to reclaim his citizenship. A decision is due on this matter in
the fall of 2014.

Currently the Justice for Deepan committee is trying to amass political
support from as many community groups as possible and fundraise for his
legal defense fund.

So, the reason we are contacting your group today is to request your
support for the following three things:

1) That your group endorse the  sign-on statement to denounce double
punishment and to demand that his citizenship be immediately restored (To
confirm an endorsement, please send a confirmation email to
*justicefordeepan at gmail.com* <justicefordeepan at gmail.com>)
2) That your organization share information about Deepan’s case over email
lists and social media (like this article, or this article, or this flyer;
Or simply share/like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter)
3) That you donate to the legal defense fund within your means. $100-$1000
would be very much appreciated as we have upwards of $40,000 to raise in
the coming months to pay for legal expenses related to the charter
challenge in federal court. Organizational contributions vary from $200 to
$2000 thus far. (Contact us for mailing address for cheques)

If you have any questions, we will also be happy to answer them. If you
have suggestions of other groups we should reach out to, please help us by
passing the word and forwarding information to us.

Thank you for your time,

*www.justicefordeepan.org <http://www.justicefordeepan.org/>   *
*facebook.com/JusticeForDeepanBudlakoti*
<http://facebook.com/JusticeForDeepanBudlakoti>

-- 

-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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