[Org4j-announce] OPIRGs, Capital Pride, and Run4Palestine

[Organizing For Justice]

Three items in this email - two of which have events today, plus one on
Sept 14.

*---*

*1) Local OPIRGs in trouble*

The OPIRG (GRIPO) at uOttawa was defunded in a student referendum earlier
this year - a redo of a referendum last year that they also lost. The
campus radio station CHUO 89.1 FM also lost their student fee in those
referendums. Both organizations relied on those fees for the vast majority
of their annual budget.

It is unclear what OPIRG/GRIPO-Ottawa will be doing this fall, when the
loss of student fees will be implemented.

OPIRG-Carleton, while not having lost any referendums, is apparently also
in financial trouble, having laid off all their staff and potentially not
being able to afford rent starting next month. The situation is unclear and
there hasn't been any official statements about what is going on.

These represent huge losses for local activism, not only on campus but in
the community as well. Both organizations have long histories of supporting
and enabling a wide range of events and initiatives for organizing on many
different fronts.

O4J note: The two OPIRGs were the primary organizational partners/sponsors
for our Organizing For Justice conference events between 2018-2012, and we
likely wouldn't have put those on without them :(

---

*2) Capital Pride - and their statement in solidarity with Palestine*

First, a bit last minute, but if you're going to the parade (Today 1pm) and
didn't already know, note there is an altered route:
https://capitalpride.ca/events/capital-pride-parade/

You probably heard about the statement they released and the responses,
especially the organizations, institutions, and politicians boycotting
Capital Pride.

The statement itself is here:
https://capitalpride.ca/capital-pride-statement-in-solidarity-with-palestine/

Two notable statements in support:
:
* Stand with Pride: Businesses, unions, and queer organizations support
Capital Pride’s solidarity with Palestine
https://www.communitysolidarityottawa.ca/stand-with-pride

* OPEN LETTER: Concerning CHEO and TOH Withdrawal from Capital City Pride
https://mediacoop.ca/node/119242

Plus - a crowdsourced database of all responses, both for and against:
https://equitableeducation.ca/2024/list-of-responses-capital-pride

---

*3) Ottawa Run For Palestine: Aug 25 Charity BBQ & Sept 14 Run*

The 9th annual Ottawa Run For Palestine takes place Saturday September 14,
with a 2km walk and runs of 5km or 10km.

Find more info, and register, at:
https://ottawarunforpalestine.com/

And today is their annual Charity BBQ - rescheduled from August 17 due to
rain:

"Join us on August 25, 2024, from 1-8 PM at Vincent Massey Park (Sections C
and D) for our Annual Charity BBQ, where all proceeds go towards helping
Gaza.

Enjoy BBQ (Mashawi) by Sultan Supermarket and Meatshop, a refreshment
station, coffee and tea, a knafeh station, facepainting and Henna and kids’
activities.. Bring your friends and family for a day of delicious food and
community spirit.

*Please note that due to the genocidal war on our people in Gaza, we will
not be holding our yearly dessert competition, any Palestinian
entertainment, or bouncy castles for our kids. We will provide sports
activities and coloring stations with a message of hope to the people of
Gaza, in particular to children.
It will be an opportunity for our community to spend some time in
solidarity, gather, heal, bond, and reflect.*

Let’s make a difference together!"
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/org4j-announce/attachments/20240825/bdffb33c/attachment-0001.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: aug25-run4palestine-bbq.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 86158 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/org4j-announce/attachments/20240825/bdffb33c/attachment-0001.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Responses-to-CapitalPride-at-www.EquitableEducation.ca.jpeg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 167934 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/org4j-announce/attachments/20240825/bdffb33c/attachment-0001.jpeg>