[opirgyork] Undergrads for 3903 + Eliminate Racist Policing + Stop Bill C-51 & End Deportation + OCAP Success'

Tue Mar 17 05:00:58 PDT 2015

Hey everyone!!!

This week we have a special digest with all the latest news and info on how
to get involved with supporting the strikers and the amazing group of
undergrads organizing in support of them!

*YorkU Undergrads for CUPE 3903:*
*Web*: https://undergradsfor3903.wordpress.com/
*Email*: undergrads4cupe at gmail.com
*Facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/groups/342473285945776

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. *March 18**th: *JFAAP
2. *March 21rst:* JFAAP Presents: From Sharpeville to Ferguson to
Toronto...Eliminate Racist Policing!
3. *ONGOING:* Environmental Justice Global Divestment Day

*//////// COMMUNITY \\\\\\\\\\\*
4. *March 18th*: Education & Mobilization in Contested Mexico Situating
Ayotzinapa
5. *March 19th**:* Sit-In at UTSC
6. *March 21rst*: Socialism and Social Movements
7. *March 21rst: *Solidarity Rally with York and U of T Workers!
8. *March 29th:* Cross Canada Day of Action: No 4 and 4! Immigration Not
Deportation!
9. *March 30th*: Public Forum: C-51 Can't Stop Us!
*10. UPDATE:* Charges Against Nov 25 Arrestees Withdrawn! OCAP Wins 24 Hour
Women and Trans* Drop-In Spaces!
****************

*1. *
*JFAAP General Meeting*

*JFAAP* general meeting will be on *March 18th 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!

*2. JFAAP Presents: From Sharpeville to Ferguson to Toronto... Eliminate
Racist Policing!*

In commemoration of The International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination

*WHERE:* *31 Division, 40 Norfinch Drive (3 blocks west of Jane Street, 2
blocks north of Finch Ave)*
*WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2015*
*TIME: 12:00pm*

Join the *Jane Finch Action Against Poverty & the Network for the
Elimination of Police Violence* for a protest action against police
violence, intimidation and repression in the Jane-Finch community.

Police violence against our community will stop when we organize and
declare that “we are sick and tired of being sick and tired” of police
brutality and violation of our rights!

In November 2014, the Toronto Police Services Board-commissioned Community
Assessment of Police Practices research project shared its findings on
Jane-Finch residents’ experience with the police from 31 Division:

"Through our research, we learned that very few members of the public are
aware of the new policy or the formal procedures involved in ‘carding’. We
also learned that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the way that
police interact with members of the community. In general, the level of
trust in the police is low and many participants expressed negative views
regarding the police. For example, a large number of respondents believe
that police regularly abuse their power. In addition, there is a view that
police racially profile members of the community. Compellingly, this belief
was identified among both racialized and non-racialized groups."

Come out and defend your right to live without police racial profiling and
brutality!

Drop the charges against Michael Duru and jail the cop!

Get rid of TAVIS!

TAVIS is an occupation army in Jane-Finch!

No justice, no peace! No racist police!

Bring your whistles, shakers, pot covers and drums and chase police
violence out of town!

For further information, contact us at: *janefinchactionagainstpove*

*rty at gmail.com <rty at gmail.com>*

*Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1386190615032682/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1386190615032682/>*

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

*3. Environmental Justice: Global Fossil Fuel 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>

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

*4. *

*Education & Mobilization in Contested Mexico Situating Ayotzinapa*
*In Solidarity with teaching assistants and contract professors we are
moving the event to Toronto YWCA, (Nancy's Auditorium). *

*The Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC)
presents: The 2015 Michael Baptista Lecture "Education and Mobilization in
Contested Mexico Situating Ayotzinapa"*

On September 26, 2014, students from the Ayotzinapa Teachers' College were
attacked by police and gunmen in the town of Iguala. Three were killed,
dozens injured and 43 student-teachers were taken away, never to be seen
again. This atrocity is part of a landscape of violence and impunity
carried out through alliances among elements of the Mexican state and
organized crime. In response, a national movement of resistance has
emerged. This panel of experts on contemporary Mexico explores the context
surrounding these events including the rise of drug violence, long standing
popular movements among teachers and students, meaningful democracy, and
the links between powerful interests in licit and illicit industries.

*Panel:*
*Luis Hernandez (Journalist, La Jornada) Maria Luz Arriaga (Economist,
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) Jo Tuckman (Journalist, The
Guardian) Hepzibah Muñoz (Political Scientist, University of New
Brunswick) *

Reception to follow - Food and refreshments will be served

*Sponsored by CERLAC, York University, Common Frontiers, Amnesty
International and CUPE 3903 Free School*

*Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/368969026638924/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/368969026638924/>*

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

*5. *
*Sit - In at UTSC*

*Dear U of T: we are students. #NotYourBasicIncomeUnit. *

*Thursday, March 19, beginning at 1 PM*, we are doing a sit-in at the
Registrar's Office protesting severe financial insecurity and unfair
treatment of our TAs, the increase in tuition fees for domestic students,
the unregulated tuition fees for international students, and the
University's investments in weapon manufacturers and fossil fuels.

Student money is the University's largest source of revenue. Our voices
should be as integral to the University's decisions as our money is to its
preservation.

The University of Toronto has a yearly operating budget of almost $2
billion (with a profit of $200 million for 2015). This budget comes from
mainly STUDENT MONEY. Why does it spend only 3.5% of its $2 billion annual
budget on the educational workers responsible for 60% of all teaching on
our campuses?

Meanwhile... tuition has increased 75% over the past 15 years for
undergrads while international student fees are completely unregulated.
This is "canada's" richest university (thanks to us) yet our TAs are living
35% under the poverty line with increasing financial insecurity.

The University of Toronto invests in problematic companies Northrop Grumman
and Lockheed Martin, and fossil fuel companies including the University's
$9.84million investment in Shell.

Join us in taking a stand to let the University know that enough is enough.
We're students, *#NotYourBasicIncomeUnit*. It's time to be treated that way.

*Facebook Event Page:* *https://www.facebook.com/events/1401273253521030/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1401273253521030/>*

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

*6. *
*Socialism & Social Movements*

WE NEED YOU TO REGISTER ASAP!!!

Conference fees are $25, with a sliding scale to $5, payable in cash or
cheque at the door (solidarity donations to Ideas Left Out are always
appreciated). These fees cover the cost of a middle eastern vegetarian
lunch with gluten free options that will be served on site.

TO REGISTER: please send an email to *ideasleftout at gmail.com
<ideasleftout at gmail.com>* with answers to the following three queries:

1. Your name:

2. Your email so we can send you any new information on this event:
(Please also indicate whether you would like your email to be added to the
ideas left out email list)

3. Do you have any dietary restrictions we should know about regarding the
lunch?

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on March 21.

*10:00 - 10:30am *

*Registration*
*10:30 - noon*

*Race, Gender and Lessons for the LeftNigel Barriffe, Grace-Edward
Galabuzi, and Punam Khosla*

*noon - 1:00pm Lunch*

*1:00 -2:30pm*

*Anti-war, Anti-imperialism:Historical Lessons and Perspectives*

*Abbie Bakan, Niloofar Golkar, and John Riddell2:30 – 3:00pm*
*Break*

*3:00 - 4:30pm*

*Roundtable on Lessons of Organizing:Parties, Movements, Unions and
CoalitionsPaul Kellogg, Lee Maracle, Ajamu Nangwaya, Magaly San Martin, and
Alan Sears*

*Wynchevsky Centre585 Cranbrooke Ave.*

*TTC:*

*From Bathurst station on Bloor subway line: take Bus 7 north to Woburn Ave
stop. Walk north one street. Turn right (east) on Cranbrooke.From Lawrence
West station on University subway line: take Bus 52 east to Bathurst. Walk
north 5 streets. Turn right (east) on Cranbrooke.From Lawrence station on
Yonge subway line: take Bus 52 west to Bathurst. Walk north 5 streets. Turn
right (east) on Cranbrooke.*

*Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/767488626672806/
<https://www.facebook.com/events/767488626672806/>*

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

*7. Solidarity Rally With York and U of T Workers*
*Demand a quality education for all!*

*Why: Better public funding for an accessible education and good working
conditions in universities*

*Where: Dundas Square (TTC: Dundas)*

*When: Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. (march will begin at 1:30 p.m.)*

All undergraduates and Toronto residents are invited to march in solidarity
with teaching assistants (TAs), research assistants (RAs) and graduate
assistants (GAs) from York University and the University of Toronto.

TAs, RAs and GAs are not only workers, but also graduate students. There
are several demands being made by unions in both universities, and they all
come down to providing an equitable, accessible and affordable learning and
working experience.

This solidarity rally aims to defend the accessibility of graduate studies,
but also to demand better public funding of universities for all students.
York University strikers are demanding tuition indexation (an effective
long-term tuition fee freeze) for future graduate students - but tuition
fees should be lower for all students, including for undergraduates.

Please spread the word!

For more information, please email *CUPE3903strikecommittee at gm*

*ail.com <http://ail.com/>*
Facebook Event Page: *https://www.facebook.com/events/912967292067896/*
<https://www.facebook.com/events/912967292067896/>

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

*8. *
*Cross Canada Day of Action: No 4 on 4! Immigration Not Deportation!*

*Cross-Canada Day of Action: No 4 and 4! Immigration Not Deportation!*
The Harper Cons plan to uproot migrant workers that have lived, worked and
formed relationships in Canada for over four years. So, on March 29th, join
at Citizenship and Immigration Canada headquarters to seed justice. We will
be planting small seedlings that you will be able to take home. Bring your
friends and family for this community action to seed justice.

Between *March 29 and April 1, 2015* take actions to oppose the 4 and 4
rule against low-waged Temporary Foreign Workers and Live-In Caregivers
expected to come in to effect on April 1st. Refuse a revolving door
immigration system and call for full immigration status for all.

* *Toronto: March 29, 2pm at Citizenship and Immigration Canada
headquarters*
*(**55 St. Clair E. St. Clair and Yonge – St. Clair subway station)* /
*RSVP *on*facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/919143408106323/>.*
* *Actions are also planned in Edmonton, Guelph, Hamilton and Okanagan
valley and Peterborough*. Details at* www.no4and4.tumblr.com
<http://www.no4and4.tumblr.com/>*

As of April 1, 2015, all migrant workers in Canada in low-waged jobs and on
Temporary Foreign Worker or Live-In Caregiver permits will be barred from
working in the country for more than four years. All those that have been
in Canada more than that time will face mass deportation. They will also be
banned from returning to work in Canada for four years. Those that choose
to stay will become undocumented.

These changes are effectively a mass deportation. These rules will tear
apart families, friends and communities across the country. Migrant workers
pay tens of thousands of dollars to come to Canada and work at minimum wage
jobs to provide an opportunity for their family; so that their children can
go to school; and to have a better life. The 4 & 4 rule strips away migrant
workers’ dignity, forces workers already in precarity into further
uncertainty, and imposes discriminatory and arbitrary barriers on how long
workers can stay here.

That these migrants have worked in Canada for four years proves that their
jobs are permanent, not temporary. These friends and community members
deserve permanent residence, not deportation. This 4 and 4 rule entrenches
a revolving door immigration policy, employers can simply replace current
with new workers.

Please sign and share this petition:
*www.change.org/p/stop-the-mass-deportation-of-thousands-of-immigrants-on-april-1st
<http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.change.org%2Fp%2Fstop-the-mass-deportation-of-thousands-of-immigrants-on-april-1st&h=hAQF3OLmo&enc=AZNDUy29mKdwGFkpbVXuMyoaAPahK7D3sanNykMFkpy00V2teDt72o8wRCS_1l1ahZs&s=1>*
Campaign Against 4 Year Limit on Migrant Workers

*www.no4and4.tumblr.com <http://www.no4and4.tumblr.com/>no4and4 at gmail.com
<no4and4 at gmail.com>*

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

*9. C - 51 Can't Stop Us*

*Townhall: C-51 can't stop us! Fighting Colonialism, Islamophobia and
Surveillance*
with security certificate detainees, indigenous blockaders, and others
currently targeted by the national-security regime.

*March 30th, 6pm - 8:30pm*
*United Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street. *
*share through facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/events/792155747498451/> & web
<http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/938>*

As we resist the passing of Bill C-51, join us to hear from some of those
most impacted by anti-‘terror’ laws, surveillance, and state violence.
Discussions at this event may violate multiple Bill C-51 provisions – join
us to insist that we will continue to act irrespective of laws that target
dissent.

*Speakers:*
- Anishinaabe Woman Activist (Blockader) and mother who has been at the
front-lines of land defense for decades.
- Mohammad Mahjoub is an Egyptian refugee in Canada who has been detained
in Canada without charges or trial on a security certificate by CSIS and
CBSA for nearly 13 years.
- Syed Hussan is a migrant justice and solidarity activist in Toronto who
has faced police surveillance in Canada for his organizing. Since at least
2008, Hussan has been placed on the national security related lists in the
United States.

More speakers to be announced.

We are actively seeking public endorsements from organization that have in
the past, and will continue to take confrontational actions for justice
regardless of unjust policies. A sign-on letter for individuals will be
floated shortly. Email* nooneisillegal at riseup.net
<nooneisillegal at riseup.net>*to endorse.

*Coordinated by: No One Is Illegal - Toronto, Justice for Mahjoub | End
Security Certificate Trials and Earth Justice Action.*

*10. UPDATE: Charges Against Nov 25 Arrestees Withdrawn! OCAP Wins 24 Hour
Women and Trans* Drop-In Spaces!*

Dear friends and allies,

Today we are happy to announce two important updates on the fight for 24
hour women and trans* drop-ins in Toronto:

1) Most importantly, we have WON 24 hour drop-ins in Toronto! Funds for
the women & trans* drop-ins were passed during this year’s budget process.
The 2015 Operating Budget for shelter, housing and support, as approved by
City Council last week, includes new funding of $2,250,000 in 2015 for new
24 hour drop-in services for women and trans* people, increasing to
$3,000,000 in 2016 and beyond. Spaces are confirmed and it is only a
matter of weeks before we will see the drop-ins opened (more info on
specific opening dates and locations to be sent out soon). We are proud of
the work we have done and what we accomplished together with our allies
during this collective struggle. We have drawn attention to the violence
that street involved women face and the need for increased services for
people who are homeless in Toronto. This is an important victory -
services like these save lives.

2) This morning all charges were withdrawn against all 5 OCAP women who
took part in the action on November 25th.  In return the women agreed to
provide 30 hours of community service.

Many people faced arrests during the long and hard fight for Warming
Centres and 24 hour drop-ins. On November 25th, the International Day for
the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Toronto Police used violence
and misogynistic language during the arrest of 5 OCAP women. The officer
in charge that day was notorious Toronto cop, Charles Stern. Stern has
previously been accused of violence, especially against sex working women.
In 1997 OCAP had a poster campaign about Stern
(http://update.ocap.ca/node/115). It was no mistake that he was brought in
to arrest the OCAP women and that he was the most violent of them all.

The fight for safety and shelter is not over. In a city where wealth is
abundant, it is unacceptable that we must fight for bare minimum
necessities like 24 hour drop-ins, Warming Centres and Emergency Shelters.
While the city is quick to approve millions of dollars to host the Pan Am
Games, including $3.8 million just to light up the Bloor Viaduct, we must
fight tooth and nail for essential services. Once again the lives of poor
people, especially women and trans folks, are not seen as important. We
must continue our fight to ensure that the drop-ins remain adequately
funded, sex-work positive, harm reduction focused, trans*-inclusive and
welcoming to all.

Poverty, homelessness and the chronic lack of safe, affordable and
accessible housing is at a state of crisis and, in many ways, perpetuates
violence against women. Sex-workers and women of colour are facing major
attacks under the Harper government and systemic violence against
Indigenous women, girls and two-spirits is on-going. We must continue to
fight back as feminists and allies.

We will once again co-host Reclaim the Streets in Summer  2015 – a march
that began after the murder of an indigenous woman at Sherbourne and
Shuter, Carolyn Connolly. This will be the 7th year of the women-led
march.

We’d like to thank everyone for their support - for joining rallies,
delegations, actions and deputations and for making donations for legal
defence. Money raised will be also be used for legal defence and future
organizing in the Downtown East, including Reclaim the Streets.

See you on the streets - smash patriarchy.

-OCAP women

-- 

-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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