[Stopwar-l] StopWar.ca - News and Events

[StopWar]

StopWar.ca E-Newsletter August 27 2010

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Email: stopwar at resist.ca
Web: http://stopwar.ca
Blog: http://stopwarblog.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/StopWarCa

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In this week's e-newsletter:

1) Upcoming Meetings and Events
2) Save the date: Malalai Joya returns to Vancouver Oct. 12
3) Get on board the Canadian Boat to Gaza
4) Important news articles
5) Appeal for action: Free Shiva Nazar Ahari
6) Canadian Peace Alliance statement: Let the Tamil migrants stay

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1)  Upcoming Meetings and Events


Saturday, August 28, at 1.30 pm

Forum and fundraiser for victims of flooding in Pakistan

Strawberry Hill. Library 7399 - 122nd Street Surrey, BC V3W 5J2



"The calamity is merciless and could have hit anyone, anywhere! We know
that the amount that we collected is just like a drop in an ocean but we
believe that every drop counts and the important thing however is that
something is done and that it involves more than giving money.  Please
don’t forget that our fellow human beings are in great need and the
opportunities to help are endless."

More information: Shahzad Nazir Khan. 604-613-0735. Fraser Valley Peace
Council  (FVPC) &
Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadians (CPPC)

*

StopWar.ca General Meeting
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 5:30pm
at the Maritime Labour Centre (111 Victoria Dr.)

You're invited to join to hear an update on Pakistan disaster relief, and
to join us in planning fall
events and actions against the war.

*

Thursday, Sept. 2
Support action for Mapuche hunger strikers

The Mapuche Solidarity Collective – Unceded Coast Salish Territory:

In a declaration of solidarity with 33 detained Mapuche hunger strikers
whose current medical status is of grave concern, the Mapuche Solidarity
Collective – Unceded Coast Salish Territory has joined the International
Campaign in Support of Mapuche Political Prisoners  and, we are inviting
community activist from the Vancouver and surrounding areas of the Lower
Mainland and all those concerned with the rights of indigenous people ,  to
attend a demonstration in front of the Chilean Consulate (located at 1185
West Georgia St., Suite 1610 – Vancouver, BC) to formally declare our
opposition to the Chilean government's continued application of Pinochet-era
anti-terrorism legislation against Mapuche democratic protest. The event,
which will involve the presentation of a letter to the Chilean Consul in
Vancouver, will take place on Thursday, September the 2nd at 12:00 (Noon).
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/whatsup/protest-solidarity-mapuche-people

*

Thursday, Sept. 9
Information Session: Canadian Boat to Gaza
5:30pm at the Maritime Labour Centre (111 Victoria Dr)

-Interesting in supporting the Canadian Boat to Gaza? Want to learn more
about this challenge to the Israeli siege of Gaza? Join us for an
information session and discussion. More information about the project
here: http://canadaboatgaza.org/

*

Sunday, Sept. 26
Film showing: Rethink Afghanistan (http://rethinkafghanistan.com/)
6:30pm at Rhizome Cafe (317 E. Broadway, at Kingsway,
http://www.rhizomecafe.ca/)

Join us for a showing of Brave New Films' 'Rethink Afghanistan' and a
discussion of the latest developments in the war. Admission by donation.
Organized by StopWar.ca.


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2) Save the date: Malalai Joya returns to Vancouver Oct. 12

Real Aid, True Solidarity

An Anti-War Benefit Evening for Afghanistan and Palestine Featuring
Malalai Joya


Tuesday, Oct. 12
7pm
at W2 Storyeum
151 W. Cordova (Between Cambie and Abbott)

-Plus other guest speakers on Palestine and Pakistan, musical performances
and more... Additional event details coming soon!

Information

Malalai Joya was the youngest woman elected to Afghanistan’s parliament in
2005, but was expelled from her position and has faced five assassination
attempts because of her opposition to the warlords in the Karzai regime
and her fearless advocacy of women’s rights. She has emerged as one of the
most prominent voices against NATO’s war, with TIME magazine recently
naming her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

With the Canadian government threatening to extend Canada’s support of the
occupation of Afghanistan beyond 2011, this special evening is an
important chance to hear directly from an Afghan women’s leader about the
war.

In addition, your contributions will go towards bringing genuine aid to
the people directly affected by Canadian foreign policy in both
Afghanistan and Palestine. Money raised will be go to support two very
worthy causes:

-The Canadian Boat to Gaza, a civil society initiative to challenge the
siege of Gaza and bring urgently needed humanitarian aid. (See
http://canadaboatgaza.org/)

-Malalai Joya’s Defense Committee, which provides much needed financial
support to a free medical clinic in Farah Province, and works to support
other grassroots health and education projects throughout Afghanistan.
(See http://afghanwomensmission.org/awmnews/index.php?articleID=55)

Organized by StopWar.ca. For more information, email stopwar at resist.ca.


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3) Important news articles

-New Internationalist special issue on Iraq:
http://www.newint.org/issues/2010/05/01/

-The post-war war in Iraq:
http://socialistworker.org/2010/08/24/the-postwar-war-in-iraq

-The crisis deepens in Afghanistan: http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1304

-Negative perceptions hampering Pakistan aid efforts:
http://www.straight.com/article-339558/vancouver/british-columbians-donating-pakistan-flood-releif-efforts-hampered-negative-perceptions


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4) Get on board the Canadian Boat to Gaza

StopWar.ca is participating in the effort to send a Canadian Boat to Gaza.
We encourage you to get on board - add your individual or organzational
endorsement today! Your are welcome to attend an information session Wed,
Sept. 9, 5:30pm at the Maritime Labour Centre, or email
CanadaBoatGaza_BC at yahoo.ca for more information. Here is the letter
announcing the Boat to Gaza.

Support the Canadian Boat to Gaza

The time has come to send a Canadian Boat to Gaza
(http://www.canadaboatgaza.org) this fall, along with other ships heading
to the besieged strip from all around the world. But we need your support
to make it happen.

The tragic May attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla has only strengthened
the resolve of  people from many nations to put together another flotilla
to challenge the years-long illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza.  This
blockade is enforced by Israel's unlawful attacks on humanitarian aid
ships in international waters. The blockade is also sustained by the
Canadian government's unconditional support for Israel. It falls upon us,
the Canadian people and our schools, unions, community and faith
organizations to change this unjust status quo.

Your help is needed now to send humanitarian aid from the people of Canada
to the people Gaza in a bold and direct effort to end Israel's blockade.

This Canadian Boat to Gaza project has two objectives. First, it will
inform Canadians about what Israel is doing to the people of Gaza and to
all of the Palestinian people.  With your support, this awareness campaign
will be achieved through outreach, organizing and media work that
encourages Canadians and their organizations to support the Canadian Boat
to Gaza's mission.

Second, the Canadian Boat to Gaza will undermine the blockade by shipping
vital supplies into Gaza and returning with exports made in Gaza - thus
asserting the right of Palestinians in Gaza to trade with the world,
rather than be at the mercy of international aid. We will carry
humanitarian aid that Canadians donate.  The boat will also carry 
Canadian public figures and activists trained in non-violence, who are
committed to breaking the siege of Gaza, as well as journalists and
reporters.

Our mission is part of the next Gaza boat flotilla, working in cooperation
with the Free Gaza Movement (http://www.freegaza.org) which has sent and
coordinated many boats to break the siege of Gaza over the past years.

The Canadian Boat to Gaza is a peaceful mission -- a people-to-people
non-violent direct-action We sail with the spirit of promoting human
rights for all and the conviction that there can be no peace without
justice. Today, Palestinian people are counting on us to help them realize
their rights we take for granted - to live in peace, make a living, enjoy
free movement, and control their own boarders.  We do not represent any
government and our relationship with any state or government will not go
beyond what is mandated by maritime law.

The estimated cost of this mission is $300,000. Raising this sum will
depend on the generosity of those of us who can afford to make large
donations as well as substantial ones such as $1,000 or $100 dollars. But
every dollar counts and so we ask you to give what you can.

Help us end the blockade of Gaza by supporting the Canadian Boat to Gaza.
Spread the word. We sail soon - in October! So please join others across
Canada and make your support for the Canadian Boat to Gaza a priority now.

Your endorsement is much needed and your financial support is much
appreciated.  Please make your checks payable to:

Alternatives (please write: "Canadian Boat to Gaza" in the memo field)
and mail it to

Canadian Boat to Gaza
C.P. 92087, Portobello
Brossard, Quebec
J4W 3K8


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5) IRAN - GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO FREE SHIVA NAZAR AHARI

August 26, 2010 - Shiva Nazar Ahari, a 26-year-old Iranian citizen and
human rights defender is illegally detained in one of the world's most
notorious prisons for defending the rights of others. Her trial is set for
September 4, 2010. She is charged with conspiracy, collusion and most
worryingly the charge of Moharebeh (waging war against God), an offence
with the maximum penalty of death.

Since 2004 she has been sent to Tehran's Evin prison on three separate
occasions and spent long periods of her detention in solitary confinement.
Her last arrest was on December 20, 2009 and Shiva has lived in a state of
limbo for most of her long detention because until June 2010 the Judiciary
failed to provide any answers or specifics on her charges.

A group of activists and human rights defenders have united to launch a
global campaign that focuses on shedding light on the illegal detention of
Shiva Nazar Ahari. The main message of the Campaign is simple: Release
Shiva from prison immediately and unconditionally. The Campaign utilizes
various communication methods to take Shiva's story on an international
level. Thousands of supporters have already sent letters to the United
Nations, Iranian embassies, and the media to urge all organizations to
take action for Shiva Nazar Ahari. As a next step supporters around the
world are urged to participate in the campaign from their home or office
by submitting a video message or picture of support. Also, world renowned
human rights and non-partisan organizations like Amnesty International,
Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders have taken a firm stance
against Shiva's imprisonment and demanded her immediate release.

The Campaign views any charges against Shiva's humanitarian activities as
false. Shiva is a freedom-loving person whose activism work has always
consisted of defending the rights of forgotten or abused Iranian citizens.
On August 2 and 3, 2010 human rights supporters will gather outside
Islamic Republic Embassies and wear Shiva Nazar Ahari face masks to
demonstrate their solidarity with her.

Confirmed Cities so far: London, Paris, Berlin, Washington, Toronto

Other locations and times will be updated on the Campaign's website
http://www.chrr.biz/shiva/index-en.php

Further information (English)

USA: Parvaneh parvaneh.vahidmanesh at gmail.com

Canada: Maryam maryam.nayebyazdi at gmail.com

Europe: Roya royakashefi at gmail.com


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6) Canadian Peace Alliance statement: Let the Tamil migrants stay

The Canadian Peace Alliance, Canada's largest peace network, urges the
government of Canada to respect the human rights of the Tamil refugees
arriving in British Colombia. The Tamil people have already endured
decades of repression at the hands of the Sri Lankan government,
culminating in a war in 2009 which resulted in thousands of civilian
deaths and the illegal use of detention camps for the Tamil minority. The
Harper government failed to strongly condemn this ethnic cleansing. Canada
must not further contribute to these ongoing abuses of human rights in Sri
Lanka by denying sanctuary to these refugees.

We are alarmed that Public Safety Minister Vic Toews would publicly accuse
many of the migrants of being “terrorists”. This statement has the effect
of branding all migrants as potential threats thus increasing racism and
xenophobia. Worse, these remarks will result in increasing racism against
Tamil communities in Canada. The minister has produced no evidence of
these claims and he must rescind the remarks.

Further, the assertion from Toews that these migrants are not engaging in
proper procedures for refugee claims misrepresents the situation of Tamils
in Sri Lanka. The Tamil minority suffers from severe curtailing of their
rights and have few options for fleeing to find safety.

The people on the MV Sun Sea are in need of safe haven. Especially given
the Canadian government's recent failure to condemn Sri Lankan war crimes,
there is a strong moral imperative to give refuge to these people seeking
safety, security and a better life. The current government must treat all
migrants with respect and compassion, particularly those that are fleeing
state sponsored violence.