[opirgyork] OPIRG AGM + May Day (+ Free bus from Jane Finch) + MayWorks + Summer jobs + Fundraisers & So much More!

Wed Apr 29 08:59:18 PDT 2015

Hey folks,

So Many Events because spring is here! Hope you can make it out to some of
them! OPIRG York's Annual General Members meeting is tomorrow where you can
hear about what OPIRG has done this past year, vote for our new board of
directors, and eat a free lunch with friends!! As always, 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!

*ALSO TODAY: 4 important events taking place:*
*12pm: Evict Imperial: Stand With Secwepemc Women Warriors Society! (130
King West) - www.facebook.com/events/366904806851416/
<http://www.facebook.com/events/366904806851416/>*
*1:15pm: No More Deaths! Emergency Rally in Support of Migrants Crossing
the Mediterranean (136 Beverley Street) -
www.facebook.com/events/1439999309633118/
<http://www.facebook.com/events/1439999309633118/>*
*5pm: Silkscreen Printing Workshop: Gearing up for the May Day Rally
(Mayworks) (180 Shaw Street)
- https://www.facebook.com/events/380783968773429/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/380783968773429/>*
*7pm: Public Forum With Leaders of Mexican Social Uprising - Ayotzinapa to
Toronto (350 Victoria Street) - www.facebook.com/events/813015278779207/
<http://www.facebook.com/events/813015278779207/>*

-- OPIRG York

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

*//////// OPIRG YORK \\\\\\\\\\\*
1. *April 30th: *OPIRG York AGM
2. *May 13th**: *JFAAP General Meeting
3. *May 4th **(Deadline)**: *OPIRG Toronto Hiring for Summer Positions!
4. *May 5th **(Deadline)**: *OPIRG Peterborough is Hiring!
5. *SERIES: *Tools for Change Spring Schedule!
6. *ONGOING:* Environmental Justice Global Divestment Day

*//////// COMMUNITY \\\\\\\\\\\*
7. *April 25th: *Furniture Drive for Mishkeegogamang
8*. April 30th:* No More Goldcorp, No More Murders: Goldcorp AGM Memorial
March
9. *May 1st**:* May Day 2015: Toronto's 10th Annual May Day of Action
    9.1 *May 1st:* Jane Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP) joins our
community allies across Toronto to commemorate International Workers’ Day
10. *ONGOING: *Fund the Fight Back! OCAP's Spring Fundraising Drive via
Gofundme
11. *May 2nd*: Other Side of the Game: a play reading
12. *ONGOING*: 30th ANNUAL MAYWORKS FESTIVAL!
       11.1 *May 4th: *What Ail's Your Soul?
13. *May 3rd:* Bike repair party & potluck
14. *May 6th (Deadline): *CFS Ontario Skills Development Symposium (May
22-24 at University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Toronto)
15. *May 1st: *AMC Early Registration Deadline!
16. *May 12th:* Migrant sex workers justice and the trouble with
“anti-trafficking":  Research, Activism, Art
17. *May 21st: *Chris Hedges Speaks at The 3rd Annual Tommy Douglas
Institute - Education & Activism: Rethink Resist Reclaim
18. *July 9th-12th: *Cahoots Festival
19. *ONGOING: *OCAP Presents: Raise the Rates Week of Action: May 18th -
25th
20. *OGOING*: Jane Finch Mother's In Motion Fitness FUNDRAISER

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

*1. **OPIRG York AGM:*

*Date*: Thursday, April 30, 2015
*Time*: 1-4pm
*Location*: RM 313 Student Centre
*Offers*: Free lunch and childcare subsidies available

*Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/346680715532606/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/346680715532606/>*

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

*2. **JFAAP General Meeting*

*JFAAP* general meeting will be on *May 13th 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!

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

*3. OPIRG Toronto Hiring for Summer Positions**!*

OPIRG Toronto is hiring for the positions of Summer Events and Programming
Coordinator and Community Research and Engagement Coordinator!

*Deadline for applications:* *Monday, May 4th @ 12:00PM*
*Start Date:* *The week of May 11th, 2015*
*Rate of Pay:* *$12.00/hr @ 30 hrs/week for 8 weeks*

*Note:* These jobs are funded as part of the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)
Program and follow the regulations as set out for those positions. However,
OPIRG Toronto is determined to be flexible, accessible, and equitable
regarding terms and hours of employment.

Details on the job description and how to apply can be found on their
website. <http://opirgtoronto.org/node/235>

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

*4. OPIRG Peterborough Hiring for Full Time Position*

Are you passionate about social and environmental justice? Do you get
excited about working with students? Do you want an engaging and fulfilling
job that let’s you bring those passions together? If so, you’re in luck!
Our current Coordinator is going back to school, so we’re looking for
someone to take his place!

The Coordinator is tasked with supporting OPIRG’s Board of Directors and
many volunteers, administering the office, facilitating programming, and
more. It is a full-time, permanent position, unionized with CUPE 1281. A
full job description is available in the PDF below.

OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized
communities bring to our organization, and invites aboriginal people;
people of colour; poor and working class people and those on social
assistance; women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people;
transgender, transsexual, intersex and two-spirit people; single parents,
members of ethnic minorities, immigrants, people from non-academic
backgrounds and people with disabilities to apply.

Interested applicants should deliver a resume, cover letter, a minimum of
three references and a one-page essay to *opirgptbo at gmail.com
<opirgptbo at gmail.com>* by 5pm, May 5th. No phone calls please. For more
information on the position, please see the job description below.

*http://opirgptbo.ca/2015/were-hiring-a-new-coordinator/*
<http://opirgptbo.ca/2015/were-hiring-a-new-coordinator/>

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

*5. Tools for Change Spring Schedule!*

*Tools for Change <http://www.toolsforchange.net/> *workshops are free for
all OPIRG members, but please remember that *prior registration is required*
.

*Upcoming Spring Workshops: *

*De-escalation and Non-violent Communication*

*Thursday, May 21 | 6:00pm - 9:30pm | University of Toronto campus, exact
location to be emailed to participants | Register here
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/o/tools-for-change-1382386439>*

The purpose of this workshop is to provide techniques for de-escalating
conflicts, and communicating in thoughtful, non-reactive ways, in order to
build healthy organizations and movements.  Topics to be covered include
conflict resolution styles, triggers and grounding techniques, and
de-escalation strategies.

Trainers: Joan Ruzsa is the coordinator of Rittenhouse, an abolitionist
organization that advocates for transformative justice and community
alternatives to incarceration.  She also works for PASAN (Prisoners with
HIV/AIDS Support Action Network) and is studying to become a
psychotherapist.

Cara Fabre also works with Rittenhouse part-time.  Her other projects
include making a documentary about the history of juvenile detention and
current alternatives to incarcerating youth, as well as interviewing
frontline prisoner support workers to find out the effects of Bill C10
(Conservative tough on crime legislation).

*How to build the right info graphic & easy-to-use tools to make your own
sharable images*

*Tuesday, May 26 | 6:00pm - 9:30pm | University of Toronto campus, exact
location to be emailed to participants | Register here
<http://www.eventbrite.ca/o/tools-for-change-1382386439>*

In the first half of this workshop we’ll look at the range of online
infographic and shareable image types that you can use to amplify your
campaign or group's messages. We will also explore which types of
infographics will be the most useful depending on your goals and what
information you want to impart. During the second half of this workshop
we’ll look at 3 easy-to-use online tools that will help the non-graphic
designer create professional shareable images.

Trainers: Riccardo Filippone is currently a Senior Communications Officer
at the national office of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
Riccardo’s training and background in website management, graphic design,
email marketing and social media began as communications assistant in the
office of NDP MP Peggy Nash in 2006. He continued this work in many
electoral campaigns and numerous roles with the New Democratic Party,
including Staff Training Officer, Executive Assistant to Jack Layton,
 Interim Deputy National Director, and Campaign Director of the Peggy Nash
Leadership Campaign (2011-2012). Riccardo also worked at Public Relations
firm Navigator Ltd. in Toronto before joining CUPE.

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

*6. Environmental Justice Global Divestment Day*

In order to avoid dangerous climate change, the world needs to redirect
investment from fossil fuels to alternative forms of energy that are
compatible with climate safety and social justice.

York University is invested in the fossil fuel industry. Governments and
organizations around the world have recognized that we are approaching the
threshold where climate change will become dangerous and irreversible.
Investment in fossil fuel corporations drives the consumption of fossil
fuel reserves, which must remain underground in order to avoid dangerous
climate change. In addition, the detrimental effect that extraction of
fossil fuels takes on the environment and surrounding communities cannot be
ignored. York plays a direct role in facilitating violent and dangerous
extraction techniques by funding
these fossil fuel companies.

York has divested before from companies for supporting investments contrary
to the mission of the University, and must do it again.

The York community plays a crucial role in the fight for fossil fuel
divestment. I call on York University to:
1. Freeze new fossil fuel investments immediately.
2. York University to commit to full fossil fuel divestment within five
years.
*https://divestyorku.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/fossil-free-york-petition*
<https://divestyorku.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/fossil-free-york-petition>

*https://www.facebook.com/fossilfreeyork*
<https://www.facebook.com/fossilfreeyork>

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

*7. Furniture Drive for Mishkeegogamang*

Based on the success, feedback, and lessons learned from our furniture
drive in December 2014, we are launching the initiative again this spring!

We are now launching a Tools, Youth Activities and Furniture Drive for
Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation.

While the initiative in December 2014 was successful, it only reached a
fraction of the community as the need is so significant. Also, the response
in Toronto to the call-out for donations and volunteers was overwhelmingly
well-received, so we know we will be able to bring much more. We are doing
another drive with the same focus onfurniture for sleeping. We are also
responding to the feedback from the last drive inprioritizing youth sports
equipment, tools and building materials.

***Please help outreach and SUPPORT our fundraising to make this drive
possible!:***

*https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tools-and-furniture-drive-for-mishkeegogamang
<https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tools-and-furniture-drive-for-mishkeegogamang>*

*Donation Pick-Ups*
We will be collecting donations and doing pick-ups of useful items in May
2015. For more info: *www.furnituredrivesolidarity.wordpress.com*
<http://www.furnituredrivesolidarity.wordpress.com/>

*Learn More*
Watch this short doc on Colonialism and the Housing Crisis in
Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation:* https://youtu.be/AK-UHoFfNwQ
<https://youtu.be/AK-UHoFfNwQ>*

*Facebook Event*
Here is our facebook event page!:*
https://www.facebook.com/events/1387947244863517/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1387947244863517/>*

Thank you for your heartfelt support.
Laura Lepper
on behalf of CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group

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

*8. No More Goldcorp, No More Murders: Goldcorp AGM Memorial March*

Please join us at Goldcorp headquarters (130 Adelaide Street) for a
memorial march to the Goldcorp Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Please join us on *April 30th at 2:30pm at Goldcorp headquarters (130
Adelaide Street)* for a memorial march to the Goldcorp Annual General
Meeting (AGM).

2015 marks the 10th anniversary of the operation of the Marlin mine in the
Western Highlands of Guatemala where communities surrounding the mine have
experienced ongoing human rights violations and environmental destruction
for the last decade.

The memorial march takes its lead from the 2011 Revolucion de las flores
(the flower revolution) that was organized by Guatemalan community groups
and environmental groups resisting Tahoe's mine in San Rafael Las Flores.
marchers left red carnations outside the company's headquarters in
Guatemala City and then marched to the Canadian embassy where they left
more carnations. On April 30th, we will also march with red carnations to
express our disgust and sadness at the ongoing repression, violence and
environmental destruction that is taking place at the hands of a Canadian
mining company. We hope you can join us in person or in spirit!

*Background:*
Goldcorp, a Canadian company based in Vancouver, is one of the largest gold
mining companies in the world. The company has mines in Canada, US,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Chile. Goldcorp has a long and ongoing
history of human rights violations at their mines and was found guilty at
the 2011 Peoples’ International Health Tribunal for “seriously damaging the
health and the quality of life, the quality of environment, and the right
to self determination of the affected Indigenous and campesino
communities”. Goldcorp is responsible for human rights violations,
environmental devastation, negative health impacts on communities near the
mines, repression, murder, violence, criminalization against communities
resisting their mines.

In 2010, Goldcorp sold its Escobal Silver Mine (in Guatemala) to Tahoe
Resources retaining 40% of shares in the Escobal mine. Tahoe Resources
continues the same violence and destruction as Goldcorp, while communities
surrounding the mine have been peacefully protesting since the exploration
licence was granted. This year, we will march together to hold Goldcorp and
Tahoe Resources accountable for the murder of 16-year-old mining resistance
activist, Merilyn Topacio Reynoso Pacheco who was active in the resistance
against Canadian company Tahoe Resources’ Escobal mine.

Goldcorp has revenues of over $3 billion and has illegally extracted over 1
million ounces of gold from the Marlin Mine in Guatemala. Since the Marlin
mine's inception, community members opposing the mine and defending their
land and rights have become targets of criminalization and intimidation.

Keep checking here for more details on route, times, locations and
estimated times of arrival at locations to come soon. See you there!

*Facebook Event Page: **https://www.facebook.com/events/439473559544423/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/439473559544423/>*

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

*9. *

*May Day 2015: Toronto's 10th Annual May Day of Action*
Join us on May 1, International Workers Day, for our 10th Annual May Day of
Action!

Coordinated by No One Is Illegal-Toronto, the Latin American and Caribbean
Solidarity Network and the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, with the
participation of many of our allies, May Day is an anti-capitalist and
anti-colonial declaration of resistance by communities in this city, with
and without immigration status.

March with us as we celebrate our our collective struggles, and unite with
other movements to create a force that will boost our momentum and make us
stronger!

Every year on May 1st grassroots organizations in Toronto rally and march
to mark International Worker’s Day, for migrant and worker’s rights and in
support of Indigenous people’s struggles. Themed around the most pressing
issues of the day and committed to people’s struggles against oppression
and exploitation, May Day unites people’s struggles for self-determination
and liberation. We continue this tradition in 2015, rallying and marching
against colonial and capitalist attacks on our communities here and
Canadian imperialism’s plunder and attacks on peoples across the world.

Videos from previous years | Updates from past May Days

Specifically, this year, our May Day organizing seeks to highlight
struggles around the following eight themes:
Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination;
Migrant workers' resistance to border imperialism;
Solidarity with working class struggle globally;
Anti-poverty and anti-austerity organizing;
Student strikes and academic labour battles against neoliberalization;
Environmental Justice;
Militant rank and file labour movements;
Gender Justice

*9.1 Jane Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP) joins our community allies
across Toronto to commemorate International Workers’ Day. *

Friday, May 1st, 2015

There is a free school bus leaving from the Jane-Finch community to
downtown to join the May Day of Action. Please contact JFAAP to register
for the bus. (info at jfaap.com)
The bus will be back at 9:00 p.m latest. Refreshments will be provided. A
meal will be offered at the end of the March by the May Day organizing
committee.

PICKUP TIMES/LOCATIONS
Bus will be LEAVING locations by the times indicated! Please be on time!

1. 35 Shorham Drive., North York (Shoreham & Jane St.)
• Leave by: 4:15pm

2. Yorkgate Mall (No Frills Parking Lot) 1 York Gate.
• Leave by: 4:30pm

3. 2195 Jane St. (Jane & Wilson)
• Leave by: 4:45pm

MAY DAY OFFICIAL EVENT PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/events/402544829929205/

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

*10. *

*Fund the Fight Back! OCAP's Spring Fundraising Drive via Gofundme*

http://www.gofundme.com/ocapfightsback *Fund the Fight Back vs Social
Cleansing of Toronto's Homeless* This month, the 124 bed Hope Shelter at
College and McCaul closed its doors, throwing the overcrowded homeless
shelter system even deeper into crisis. The City is planning to move
hundreds more shelter beds out of the central area so as to relocate them
in 'underserved' suburban areas. This developer driven agenda of
gentrification and social cleansing poses a huge threat to homeless people.
There are few services in the outlying areas of the City and the distances
between them would place people in conditions of hardship and danger. OCAP
is taking up a fight to prevent the closing of downtown shelters and ensure
adequate provision to those who must survive on the streets of this City.
We are going to take up a campaign of action to challenge the political
decision makers and mobilize the homeless and their allies. Those in power
see the homeless as a problem they want to get rid of so we'll be acting to
present them with a big problem they can't get rid of. Our fightback will
need some resources and so we have set up a $6,000 fund to enable us to
provide food at our events, supply homeless people with TTC tokens, cover
the cost of printing leaflets and posters, etc. Please click on the link at
the top of the page and support us with any donation you can afford. Big
amounts are not refused but nothing is too small.
http://www.gofundme.com/ocapfightsback
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1580676855513574/>
****************

*11. **Other Side of the Game: a play reading*

York United Black Student Alliance (Y.U.B.S.A) & PIECE OF MINE Festival
present Other Side of the Game, in collaboration with The Ride or Die
Project and the Nia Centre for the Arts. With an incredible mix of
organizations, this event is bound to uplift, unpack, and enrich!

Playwright, actress and educator, Amanda Parris shares her third-draft
reading of Other Side of the Game. The play explores the idea of being
ride-or-die as a phenomenon that has transcended time, where loyalty is not
only devoted to intimate partners but also to families, friends,
communities and even to political movements; recognizing that though the
recipient may change, the patterns of self-effacement are consistently
applied. This new draft will showcase a gifted, all-female cast.

The play will be preceded by Salute to the Soldiers of Love: A Day for the
Ride or Die. This event will feature a series of self-care workshops that
illustrate how to ride for self. All workshops are Pay What You Can.

To see the full line-up, please visit here:
http://therideordieproject.com/2015/04/06/event-salute-to-the-soldiers-of-love-a-day-for-the-ride-or-die/

Opening for the play will be a screening of the trailer From Slaveships to
Relationships by Chevy X, followed by an audience discussion.

*Schedule:*
10am-4pm - Salute to the Soldiers of Love Workshops
5:00 PM - Doors open
5:30 - 6:30 - Screening of From Slaveships to Relationships
7:00-8:30 - Reading of Other Side of the Game

*Tickets:*
Film Screening and Play Reading:
$15, general admission
$10 tickets are available to York University students with valid I.D.
Group rates are available for groups of 3 or more - $10/per person

*The venue is wheelchair accessible
**Limited library parking is available

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

*12. 30th ANNUAL MAYWORKS FESTIVAL*

*MAY 1 - 14, 2015 | TORONTO*
Festival Program: On Website
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zbgrszGWc4Qu_J3bbnEj-zZG0fJ653ME8idqRAT-ugXGFyZ339zFw-J_usGasGXk8vmjCUcPmmb5qiChuyK54-CnKadqIXa38KlxwRLvPo3UTJ9QhTZ57eMjCZ7YWBXqL5ctRFKBqbnKTeMwXgQBDFaxq5_9LSo4F47dTN-QtJOf8sYUY5dP6VDDixazvr_s&c=hzNhb-Gkq4aQe-7qotH25-d9A3GCSUJWkfWR7QjnHZvmneUSjCSX6w==&ch=3PguTHW4kMn0vNZOytnqjO-cbVzuq8QnywkMDMK7XjSzGNv0Riw1wg==>

 Festival Program: On Facebook
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zbgrszGWc4Qu_J3bbnEj-zZG0fJ653ME8idqRAT-ugXGFyZ339zFw-J_usGasGXk_0UMBshcCzU-nmtlgGncvs5jQUBdO4_QjWpScF3FFCzdJNyS-PCKfk6S3Ag0W5dTvDv0m6pcdhnV1JLv6hR_5ekxRupfYUvKHDur0UP8G3R1OBYqZZFzrCpTpfFIhOYxowy7e4emeVbKD2rZZf8G7Zz4cR5BYpZoBdIgk7i5_jlU7J4etmksOZmKiRtOZnExAhtOQ7PkWf9sV1S8qYFnB2sXcf1kmrLnDXblQvLOQyh6WdtUZKRv0ZtuZJWuQuyu&c=hzNhb-Gkq4aQe-7qotH25-d9A3GCSUJWkfWR7QjnHZvmneUSjCSX6w==&ch=3PguTHW4kMn0vNZOytnqjO-cbVzuq8QnywkMDMK7XjSzGNv0Riw1wg==>

The 30th annual Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts will take
place from May 1 – 14, 2015 at various GTA locations.* This year’s
multidisciplinary program features visual arts exhibits, a walking tour, a
film screening, theatre performances, concerts, and interactive community
workshops.
*Some events have earlier start dates, and some events continue past the
end of the festival period.
To view program visit:  *http://mayworks.ca/festival-program/
<http://mayworks.ca/festival-program/>*

*WELCOME TO THE 30th ANNUAL MAYWORKS FESTIVALMAY 1 – 14, 2015 | TORONTO*

Aiming to provide a forum where arts-positive unionists and union-positive
artists can create and dialogue, Toronto’s Mayworks Festival has held its
ground as an independent, grassroots, and community-oriented festival for
thirty years. Mayworks continues to carve out a space for artists, cultural
workers, and trade unionists working in a range of mediums to engage with
the common struggles of artists and labourers.
The 30th annual festival launches with silkscreen printing workshops
facilitated by members of the Justseeds Artists’ Collective. At these
workshops participants are encouraged to print materials for Toronto’s
annual May Day rally. The evening of the rally, we are celebrating with the
United May Day Committee at a concert featuring worker-positive
performances. Later in the festival we are presenting the Toronto premier
of the album Work Songs about an activist and organizer’s struggles to
remain hopeful while attempting to reach personal and political goals.
Closing our festival Mayworks Rising: 30th Birthday Party and Concert is a
musical co-presentation with BOLD As Love, a series dedicated to uniting
racialized and Indigenous artists and communities.

We are featuring three visual arts exhibits exploring a range of themes.
Portrait of Solidarity is showcasing how five artists with a rich history
with Mayworks have taken up the issue of migrant labour; Like Flesh and
Blood draws on the historic figure Joseph Emin to speak to the similarities
of indentured labour in the 18th and 19th century and global migration
patterns of contemporary, and often racialized, labour forces; and the
research-heavy Do what with less? visual arts exhibit highlights challenges
faced by over thirty interviewed workers in the cultural sector.

We are also presenting three theatre performances: including What Ails Your
Soul – a culminated performance of a series of theatre workshops in which
Jane Finch Action Against Poverty members, community artists and residents
share the stories of their lived experience of poverty; the one-woman
multidisciplinary play The Erasable Woman takes up the issue of invisible
labour and transgenerational trauma; and the theatre piece Life on the Line
– recounts the six-month women’s strike at Eatons in the winter of 1984-85.
Along with these theatre works, we are excited to be screening Deux Jours,
Une Nuit (Two Days, One Night) – a 2014 Oscar-nominated film about a female
worker fighting to keep her job.

Our co-presentation with Jane’s Walk, is featuring a walking tour of
downtown Toronto that informs participants about the labour movement’s
anti-war positions against World War I. And our co- presentation with
Turtle House Art and Play Centre, an art-based organization programming
activities primarily for children and families from refugee backgrounds, is
providing a free drumming workshop open for all. Another workshop we are
proud to host is Co-Creating Images For The World We Want To See, teaching
participants how to design images that reflect the significant work of
artists, social justice organizers, and labourers.
Reflecting on the festival’s artistic direction over the years, one can see
that Mayworks’ programming reflects the diversity of our city’s unionized,
migrant, un-waged, and precarious workers while building links between
precarity in the art world and broader patterns of precarious work in the
city, and globally. We hope you enjoy the 30th annual festival!
—————————————————————————————————————-

*#MAYWORKS30 ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN:GIVE $30 FOR 30 YEARS OF ART, LABOUR &
SOCIAL JUSTICE*
As part of the 30th year celebrations, Mayworks has launched its first-ever
crowdfunding campaign.  We are asking Mayworks’ friends and supporters to“*Give
$30 for 30 years of Art, Labour and Social Justice*
<https://fwyc.ca/campaigns/mayworks-festival-working-people-and-arts>
“.
Your crowdfunding donation will help preserve:

A space where artists, workers and community members gather to share
creative labour and struggles
Artists being fairly paid for their work
Opportunities for young, diverse, marginalized and emerging artists
Good wages & benefits for unionized Mayworks staff
Partnerships with unions, community groups & artists’ organizations
A festival where most events are free or pay what you can
Community-based, accessible venues

   How to support the #Mayworks30 anniversary campaign:

   Please visit our crowdfunding site and make a donation to join our 30
   for 30 campaign:
*https://fwyc.ca/campaigns/mayworks-festival-working-people-and-arts
   <https://fwyc.ca/campaigns/mayworks-festival-working-people-and-arts>. *
   Please *share the link*
   <https://fwyc.ca/campaigns/mayworks-festival-working-people-and-arts>
    on social media and over email with friends, family, co-workers and
   encourage them to join the 30 for 30 campaign.

*12.1. What Ails Your Soul?*

What Ails your Soul is the culminating performance of a series of theatre
workshops in which the Jane Finch Action Against Poverty members, community
artists and residents share the stories of their lived experience of
poverty. The storytellers look through the lens of social determinants of
health to unpack the effects of poverty while unveiling how policies
created by the different levels of governments contribute to poverty and
austerity, as deeply felt by low income and racialized communities.

Maryama Ahmed, Sashoya Simpson and Amanda Parris lead the workshops in
storytelling, scriptwriting, theatre production and acting.

The performance is accompanied by a photo exhibition and followed by a
panel discussion.

Food and childcare will be provided.

Co-presented by Jane Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP)
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Finch-Action-Against-Poverty-JFAAP/132701496774939>,
Driftwood Community Center, and Opirg York
<https://www.facebook.com/opirgyork>.

Funded by Toronto Arts Council <https://www.facebook.com/torontoartscouncil>’s
Community Connections.

*Facebook Event Page: **https://www.facebook.com/events/964292100248310/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/964292100248310/>*

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

*13. **Bike repair party & potluck*

Toronto Time Bank

The sun is out and the weather's warming up! Are you ready for biking
season?

Lots of us have little repairs to do, or bike maintenance questions we'd
like some help with, so we thought: why not work on this together?

We'll be having a bike party from 2-4pm in Fred Hamilton Park with tools to
clean and repair your bike, and people who can help you learn about bike
maintenance.

Feel free to bring food or extra tools or materials, but no obligation to
bring anything but yourself!

Come and clean up your bike or just hang out in the park, have some snacks,
and meet some time bankers.

*Sunday May 3, 2:00 - 4:00pm*
*North end of Fred Hamilton Park (155 Roxton Road)*

See you there!

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

*14. **CFS Ontario Skills Development Symposium (May 22-24 at University of
Toronto Scarborough Campus, Toronto)*

The Ontario Skills Development Symposium brings student representatives
together from across the province to build our skill sets to help prepare
us for the day-to-day operations of our students’ unions. From campaigns
organizing to event planning, making a budget to negotiating contracts,
facilitating meetings to conducting a successful media interview, there are
many skills and experiences folks must master in a short amount of time.
Attending Skills will give elected representatives, staff and volunteers a
greater understanding of students’ union roles as well as new ideas and
motivation to take back to our campuses. Skills also provides an
opportunity to meet other representatives from across Ontario as well as
spaces to share experiences and network.

Registration deadline: May 6th
Please note that there are a limited number of spots available. Any
graduate student interested in attending this 3 day event, please contact
the York University Graduate Students' Association (YUGSA) Resource
Coordinator, Kimalee Phillip (rc at yugsa.ca) for more information.

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

*15. AMC Early Registration Ends May 1st!*

We have been busy finalizing sessions for AMC2015
<http://alliedmedia.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ed3193a97f901cbe49364e914&id=7f7b6025d6&e=8d354ca297>,
which we will be announcing in early May! This year the AMC will feature
over 300 hands-on workshops, strategy sessions, panels, performances, film
screenings, and music events.

We offer a sliding scale registration rate of $75 - $500 so that the
conference can be accessible to as many people as possible. We are also
offering some special options for "early unicorns" who register before May
Day (May 1). See the options below.

*Reduced Sliding Scale before May 1*
If you register before May Day you will have the option of registering at a
reduced sliding scale rate of $50 - $500.

*Free AMP Iridescence Logo T-shirt*
The true expense of the AMC is $150 per person. If you register before May
Day at the $150 rate or higher we will gift you a hot-off-the-presses AMP
Iridescence Logo T-shirt
<http://alliedmedia.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ed3193a97f901cbe49364e914&id=3077c57a33&e=8d354ca297>

Learn More + Register
<http://alliedmedia.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ed3193a97f901cbe49364e914&id=ddb93133ec&e=8d354ca297>

Coming in from out of town? Make sure to make your housing arrangements
<http://alliedmedia.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ed3193a97f901cbe49364e914&id=974e7998db&e=8d354ca297>
 for your visit. You can also join the AMC2015 Facebook Event
<http://alliedmedia.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ed3193a97f901cbe49364e914&id=06f24230b6&e=8d354ca297>
 for updates and to post your questions to the larger group.

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

*16. Migrant sex workers justice and the trouble with “anti-trafficking":
 Research, Activism, Art*

Migrant sex workers justice and the trouble with “anti-trafficking:
Research, Activism, Art

Join us for an evening of discussion, story sharing and exhibition on
justice for migrant sex workers.

Presented by the Toronto Migrant Sex Workers Project

*May 12, 2015 *
*Exhibition: 6:30pm *
*Forum: 7:00 pm *
*Jorgenson Hall, Ryerson University, Room 250 *
*(follow the signs from 380 Victoria Street)*

*Speakers* :
● Elene Lam (Butterfly- Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network)
● Kamala Kempadoo (York University)
● Kate Zen (NYC)
● Alison Clancey (SWAN Vancouver )
● Chanelle Gallant (STRUT)
● Facilitator: Jean Macdonald (Maggie’s)

Story sharing and Exhibition: Voices of Migrant Sex Workers by Community
Artist, Alvis Choi

Free
Childcare provided onsite
wheelchair accessible

We are also be hosting a closed meeting earlier in the afternoon for
organizations wishing to connect around building migrant sex worker
justice. Please contact us if you would like information or to register
your organization cswbutterfly at gmail.com

Migrant Sex Workers Project (Butterfly, STRUT, No One Is Illegal--Toronto)
with support from Maggie's and SWAN Vancouver)
Department of Criminology, Ryerson University

*On FB:* https://www.facebook.com/events/1608360672744349/

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

*17. Chris Hedges Speaks at The 3rd Annual Tommy Douglas Institute -
Education & Activism: Rethink Resist Reclaim*

*CHRIS HEDGES*: Activist, writer and public intellectual
featured keynote speaker

*WHEN: Thursday May 21st, 2015, 9:30am – 4:00pm / Anniversary Reception to
follow*
*WHERE: George Brown College (St James Campus) - 290 Adelaide St. E., 4th
Floor*

*FEE: $55 (regular)*  /  $20  (with student/low wage subsidy)* *
**Lunch/refreshments included*
*Online Registration / Detailed
Program:http://georgebrown.ca/TommyDouglasInstitute
<http://georgebrown.ca/TommyDouglasInstitute>*

The 3rd annual Tommy Douglas Institute at George Brown College is pleased
to announce celebrated writer, activist and public intellectual Chris
Hedges as its keynote speaker on Education & Activism: Rethink Resist
Reclaim on *Thursday May 21st, 2015*.

The one-day event of provocative discussions, thematic roundtables,
interactive exhibits and a closing community forum, featuring an
intergenerational panel of activist-educators, will bring together
activists, students, faculty, community organizations, admin., communities,
and the public in looking at the impacts of neoliberalism on post-secondary
education. A special anniversary reception will follow.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts in a range
of roundtable sessions: Aboriginal Perspectives: Decolonizing
Post-Secondary Education; From Access to Inclusion: Rights-Based Approaches
to Post-Secondary Education; Community Partners and Post Secondary
Education: Breaking Down the Walls; Faculty Perspectives on Critical
Pedagogy and Educating for Change; Is There a Better Way? Policy
Alternatives in Post-Secondary Education; Student Perspectives: From
Consumers to Learners - Reversing the Trend; Labour Perspectives: Work with
Dignity in These Times; Beyond Classroom Walls: Popular Education,
Engagement and Activism; The Legacy of Tommy Douglas.
>From its beginnings neoliberalism has entailed the systematic dismantling
of social welfare, leaving more and more communities neglected, excluded
and often devastated.

Our colleges, schools and universities are by no means exempt. In 2015 we
see the frustrated, largely contract faculty of two major Ontario
universities go on strike. A private college abruptly closes its doors
leaving faculty, students and support workers out in the cold. Students in
Montreal have taken to the streets in protest against austerity, in
recognition that the impacts on education is only part of a much greater
problem.

As decreased funding, rising tuitions, disappearing job security, and
regressive policy agendas attempt to transform students into "consumers",
teachers into contract workers and curricula into extensions of competitive
commerce, we ask:

Are we witnessing a tipping point in higher education?
As neoliberal principles burrow into the very heart of our educational
centres, how do we preserve these spaces of public debate, discourse and
dissent that have always been so essential to our democracy?

A more humane and accountable society requires educational institutions
that are ethical, critical, rigorous and robust defenders of social justice.

Join us in discussing EDUCATION AND ACTIVISM as we…
RETHINK the role of education in these times …
RESIST neoliberal incursion into teaching and learning, and…
RECLAIM our educational institutions as vital democratic centres of
thought, inquiry, community-building and advocacy for the common good.

*Contact Us: tdouglasinstitute at georgebrown.ca
<tdouglasinstitute at georgebrown.ca>  /  416-415-5000 ext. 2555
<416-415-5000%20ext.%202555>*
*Facebook: facebook.com/TommyDouglasInstitute
<http://facebook.com/TommyDouglasInstitute>*

*Twitter: @TDIGBC*

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

*18. Cahoots Festival*

Cahoots is a Festival of Faith, Justice and DIY happening July 9 – 12,
2015. There will be workshops, skill sharing, music, art, and more - all
nestled together at Liebenzell Mission in Milton, Ontario. This will be the
second year for Cahoots!

Cahoots will explore how faith communities struggle for justice. How do we
stay resilient and strong to oppose injustice while building a new world?
What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus in this age of injustice, cuts
to essential social services, destruction of our land and the poisoning of
our water by multinationals, deportation of migrants and refugees, and the
further industrialization of our prison system?

At Cahoots, we will ask questions together, listen to unique and remarkable
people, sing freedom songs, practice skills, and create together as a
diverse community of faith.
http://www.cahootsfest.ca/

The Student Christian Movement is offering a subsidy for York University
Students hoping to attend the festival. Students can email
york at scmcanada.org for more information!

Thank you!

<victoria.opirg at gmail.com>
-- 
*STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT*
*AT YORK UNIVERSITY*

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

*19. OCAP Raise the Rates Week of Action: May 18th - 25th*

Raise the Rates Week of Action Against the Liberal Government’s ‘Invisible
Austerity’ War on the Poor

The Raise the Rates Campaign is calling on local communities to challenge
MPPs during the week of May 18. During that week, they will be in their
constituency offices and this is an ideal time to challenge the austerity
and growing poverty that is being imposed in this Province.

The Liberals have long tried to present themselves as a kinder alternative
to the Tories but, in reality, they are imposing a range of cuts on poor
people and communities. In a recent announcement, the Government cynically
presented a reduced commitment to funding anti homelessness initiatives as
an infusion of new cash. This highlights the stealthy and misleading
Liberal approach that can be described as ‘invisible austerity’. We are
putting forward a series of demands that address this:

• Suspend the ODSP medical reviews that are now underway until a properly
functioning computer system is in place and the backlog of people waiting
to be moved from OW to ODSP has been cleared. Make the reviews simpler and
less intrusive and ensure all who face them have been properly notified
and provided with the medical and advocacy services they nee to complete
the process.

• Stop the elimination of the $100 a month work related benefit for people
on ODSP

• Scrap the SAMS computer system as a failure that continues to impose
misery and hardship on people on social assistance and creates intolerable
conditions for ODSP and OW workers.

• Fully restore the Special Diet and Community Start Up (CSUMB) so that
people in poverty can have the chance of eating a healthy diet and
remaining housed

For more information or to sign on to participate in the Week of Action,
contact via the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP):

*E-mail: ocap at tao.ca <ocap at tao.ca>Phone: 416-925-6939
<416-925-6939>Twitter: @ocaptoronto*

---

*Ontario Coalition Against Poverty157 Carlton St #201Toronto, ONM5A
2K3Phone: 416 925 6939 <416%20925%206939>Fax: 1 855 714 0566
<1%20855%20714%200566> (toll free)www.ocap.ca <http://www.ocap.ca/>*

*Twitter: @OCAPtorontoFacebook: facebook.com/OcapToronto
<http://facebook.com/OcapToronto>*

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

*20. **Jane Finch Mother's In Motion Fitness FUNDRAISER*

*FUNDRAISING LINK:*
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jane-finch-mother-s-in-motion-fitness

There are two ways to help:
1. Contribute - $15 is a hour of childcare for the women in the program
2. Share- the more people hear about the campaign, the more we are likely
to meet our target.
3. The first person to donate $100 will receive a free family portrait from
Errol Young - Professional Photographer.
4. the first 2 people to donate $50 will receive 2 free movie tickets.

We are a group of mothers with children of various ages who want to improve
our health and that of our children through increased physical activity and
healthy eating.

The Jane Finch Mother's In Motion (MIM) fitness program was started by
mothers in the Jane Finch Community. It started in 2012 and currently has
over 45 women registered. It runs Tuesdays and Fridays mornings at Oakdale
Community Centre. The program is coordinated by the participants with
support from Black Creek Community Health Centre (in kind staff support)
and City of Toronto Parks and Recreation (space). Initially, The Canadian
Association for the Advancement of Women and Sports and Physical Activity
provided some funding for childcare and instructors.

According to statistics Canada, Jane Finch has one of the highest rates of
diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Many of the women who
participate in the MIM fitness program get access to dieticians,
instructors, free childcare and personal trainers.

Our funding will come to an end and so we are looking for new partners to
assist us in sustaining this program. Your donation to the MIM fitness
program will provide childcare and instructors for the fitness program.

For more information please contact Ama Amponsah at 647-787-7291 or email
at leticia.boahen at yahoo.com

*FUND ONLINE:*
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jane-finch-mother-s-in-motion-fitness

-- 

-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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