[van-announce] Community Events Digest

[SFPIRG]

COMMUNITY EVENTS DIGEST 
    == Social justice events happening on and off campus == 


*** Events at SFU Burnaby *** 

1) Pride Discussion Group (Jul 27) 
2) Pride March Info Session (Jul 28) 
3) SFU Sustainability Festival (Sep 29) 


*** Events Off Campus *** 

4) Vancouver rally against death penalty (Jul 24) 
5) People’s March Against Jason Kenney (Jul 24) 
6) Saving Our Ancient Forests Slideshow (Jul 29) 
7) El Contrato Film Screening about Migrant Workers (Jul 29) 
8) Out on Campus at the Vancouver Pride Parade (Aug 1) 
9) Word Is Out Benefit (Aug 6) 
10) Prison Justice Day Memorial Rally (Aug 10) 
11) SFU Dzaleka Project African Refugee Fund-Raising Concert (Aug 14) 


**compiled by SFPIRG, SFU's student-based social justice resource centre.
http://www.sfpirg.ca. To have your event included in the next digest, send a
text-based email announcement to sfpirg (at) sfu.ca. **



*** Events at SFU Burnaby *** 


1) 
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PRIDE DISCUSSION GROUP 

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010, 6-9pm 
Out On Campus Lounge (TC 314N), SFU Burnaby 

What does it mean to be proud? Why do we show our pride? What is there to be proud about? A great way to kick start your Vancouver Pride weekend! 

Come join Out On Campus as we talk about Pride - right in time for theVancouver Pride Parade! It's free to attend, fun and confidentia...l, and as always, there'll be light snacks and refreshments provided! 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134044239969015 
http://www.sfu.ca/out-on-campus/ 



2) 
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PRIDE MARCH INFO SESSIO N 

Wednesday, July 28th,2010, 4:30-5pm 
Out On Campus Lounge (TC 314N), SFU Burnaby 

Email: Emma ( emn1 at sfu.ca ) or Sam ( swa68 at sfu.ca ) 

Find out all the details about marching with Out On Campus in this year's Pride Parade! We'll be giving you all the info regarding meeting times, locations, procedures, etc. Can't make it to the info session? Contact Emma ( emn1 at sfu.ca ) or Sam ( swa68 at sfu.ca ) for the details! 

http://www.sfu.ca/out-on-campus/ 



3) 
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SFU SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL 

September 29th, 2010 
SFU Burnaby Campus 

Email: sustainabilityfestival at sfu.ca 
Website: www.sfu.ca/sustainabilityfestival 

The SFU Sustainability Festival is a collaborative event organized by the Faculty of Environment, SFU Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC)/Facilities Services and Sustainable SFU. The festival is intended to raise awareness of sustainability issues to celebrate sustainability solutions that individuals can immediately apply to their daily lives. 

==Reserve a booth==

In past years booths have gone fast. Reserve your spot by emailing sustainabilityfestival at sfu.ca with the following information and we'll email you the participant contract and put a placeholder on your spot awaiting payment. 

Subject heading : Sustainability Festival booth reservation 
Body: Include which type of booth you would like (marketplace, education, business expo) and include your contact information 

==Volunteer ==

Vounteers are needed prior to the event and on the day of the event. Help is needed in many areas, from advertising to traffic direction to modeling to staffing the information booth and all parts in between.Please see the website http://websurvey.sfu.ca/survey/60299825 where you can view all of the different jobs and you can list your preferences and availability, as well. Further questions can be directed to Leigh McGregor, Faculty of Environment, leighm [at] sfu [dot] ca. 



*** Events Off Campus *** 


4) 
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RALLY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY 

Saturday July 24th, 5 pm 
Vancouver Art Gallery - Robson side

Iransolidarity-Vancouver in support of International Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani Day - Citizens of the World against Stoning invites you to a rally at Art Gallery in Downtown Vancouver: 

The following is for your information about the call for support: 
24 July 2010 - International Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani Day Citizens of the World against Stoning 

We are extremely concerned about the fate of 43 year old Sakine Mohamadi Ashtiani and fear she may be executed in Iran at any time for ‘having an illicit relationship.’ 

We call on people everywhere to intensify their protests by marking Saturday 24 July as the International Sakine Mohamadi Ashtiani Day. On the Saturday, we ask you to come out on to the streets and in city centres across the globe at 2pm local time bringing photos of Sakine and messages in her defence and against stoning and execution. Other measures that can be taken include highlighting her case wherever possible, signing petitions 

http://stopstonningnow.com/sakine/sakin284.php?nr=50326944&lang=en , 
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_stoning/?cl=651962225&v=6766 
and http://freesakineh.org , joining rallies, and keeping pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran. 



5) 
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PEOPLE’S MARCH AGAINST JASON KENNEY 

Saturday, July 24th at 2 pm, 2010 
Central Park, right outside Patterson Skytrain Station, Burnaby 
Email: noii-van at resist.ca 
Website: http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=2034 
RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128201047199876 

“I plead guilty. I am a racist” - Jason Kenney, Montreal 2009. 

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney is known as the Minister of Censorship and Deportation because of his record as one of the most repressive immigration ministers in Canadian history. Deportations have increased, while the number of people accepted as refugees and sponsored family members have drastically dropped. Instead, Kenney has increased the number of temporary workers who are constantly exploited for their labour. His new refugee bill creates a racist two tier system based on nationality, and he has called a wide range of migrants -from Mexicans to the War Resisters “bogus”. Under his regime, an Eritrean refugee committed suicide from fear of a pending deportation, and a young woman was murdered upon her deportation to Mexico. 

Kenney is also a staunch supporter of imperialism, stifling anti war voices such as George Galloway and the Canadian Arab Federation. Kenney’s neoconservative values are obvious in his comments and actions: pulling Canada out of the Durban World Conference Against Racism; introducing a citizenship guide that omits the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) communities; defending Quebec Bill C-94 that discriminates against women who wear the niqab; and stating that immigrants are not integrating well into (colonial) Canada. 

Join the People's March Against Jason Kenney on July 24th to demand an END to censorship of dissenting voices. An END to detentions and deportations. An END to the exploitation of temporary migrant workers. An END to military occupations from Afghanistan to Palestine. An END to discrimination against women, LGBTQ communities, immigrants, and racialized people. 

We are rising out of schools, neighbourhoods, and workplaces to reject Kenney's agenda; join this grassroots movement and rise up with us! 

* TAKE ACTION! 

1) Participate in the People’s March Against Kenney by organizing a marchn in your city on July 24 and always confront Kenney if he rolls into yourn town. 
2) Download leaflets and multilingual pamphlets from http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=2034 and spread the word. 
3) Plan a community forum to raise awareness about the escalating attacks by Jason Kenney. 
4) Comment on online news stories, send a letter to the Editor, or write your local MP regarding Kenney. Keep it short: “Minister Kenney is a racist, anti-immigrant, war-mongering Conservative. The Minister of Censorship and Deportation has got to go!” 
5) Write Kenney at kennej at parl.gc.ca and bmq at cic.gc.ca and tell him what you think! 

* Read more about the People v. Jason Kenney Campaign: http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=1027 



6) 
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SAVING OUR ANCIENT FORESTS 

Slideshow and Talk by the Ancient Forest Alliance 

Thursday July 29 th , 7pm-8:30pm 
McGill Branch of Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert St. (near Hastings and Willingdon) 

ancientforestalliance.org 
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132321323469968&ref=ts 
Email: contact hannah(at)ancientforestalliance.org 

Come out and get involved in the campaign to save BC’s ancient forests and forestry jobs! See new spectacular images of BC’s endangered ancient forests, photographed by TJ Watt. Learn about the ecology and politics of old-growth forests in BC. Most importantly, find out how YOU can get involved in upcoming hikes, campouts, potlucks, rallies, protests and other activities to help change the tide and save our endangered ancient forests in BC! 

With TJ Watt, Hannah Carpendale, and Michelle Connolly of the Ancient Forest Alliance. 



7) 
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EL Contrato FILM SCREENING 

"El Contrato" ( The Contract ) 
A screening of the NFB documentary (English w/ Spanish subtitles) 

Thursday July 29, 2010 , Doors at 6:30pm , Screening starts at 7:00pm 
Chilean Housing Co-op - Common Room 
3390 School Avenue, Vancouver [map: http://bit.ly/ 9q5hFR] 
Suggested donation of $5 (no one will be turned away for lack of funds) 
Email : raices2009 at live.com 

The acclaimed National Film Board documentary that traces the lives of migrant Mexican farm workers in Ontario and their quest for dignity and respect amidst poor working conditions. 

Child care available 
Come early for some light snacks and drinks! 

Followed by a discussion featuring Evelyn Encalada Grez, organizer and co-founder of Justicia for Migrant Workers Ontario, who will share insights from her experience as community organizer during the making of El Contrato. 

El Contrato (The Contract) follows Teodoro Bello Martinez, a father of four living in Central Mexico, and several of his countrymen as they make an annual migration to southern Ontario. For eight months of the year the town's population absorbs 4000 migrant labourers who pick tomatoes for conditions and wages no local will accept. Under a government program that allows growers to monitor themselves, the opportunity to exploit workers is as ripe as the fruit they pick. Only men with families to support and no more than an elementary school education need apply. Grievances - among them abusive bosses, unhealthy conditions and paying for benefits they don't receive - are deflected by a long line of others "back home" who are willing to take their place. 

Despite a fear of repercussions, the workers voice their desire for dignity and respect, as much as for better working conditions. El Contrato ends as winter closes in and the Mexicans return home. Back in the embrace of their families some pledge, not for the first time and possibly not the last, that it's their final season in the north. 



8) 
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OUT ON CAMPUS AT THE VANCOUVER PRIDE PARADE 

Sunday, August 1st, Parade starts at 12pm (Meeting time TBA) 
Location: Vancouver (Meeting location TBA) 

Website: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105743639476538 
Email: Emma ( emn1 at sfu.ca ) or Sam ( swa68 at sfu.ca ) 

Show your pride! Out On Campus is marching in this year's Pride Parade and wants YOU to join us in showing off your colours! Be loud, be proud and join us marching through the streets of Vancouver, all the way to the Pride Festival at Sunset Beach! Posters and banners will be provided for you tocarry - you just have to be there! RSVP on Facebook, attend the info session, or contact Emma or Sam (see emails above) if you plan to be there! 



9) 
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WORD IS OUT BENEFIT 

Friday, Aug 6th, 7:00PM 
Rhizome Cafe, 317 E Broadway 
Sliding scale $10-15 in support of The Word is Out : a woman in prison news service 

Performances by Elizabeth Fischer, Lora Mcelhinney, Velvis and Terra Poirier 
Speaker: Justice for Girls 
Film: Girl Trouble (girls in the juvenile system in San Fransisco) 

Event organized by the Prison Justice Day Committee. 

Prison Justice Day is a day to remember those who have died behind bars. 
More info: http://www.prisonjustice.ca 


10) 
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PRISON JUSTICE DAY MEMORIAL RALLY 

Tuesday, Aug 10 th , 6:00PM 

Claire Culhane Memorial Bench, Trout Lake Park, East Vancouver 

Southeast corner of the lake by the playground and snack bar. Rain or shine. Everyone is welcome. 
Speakers includes ex-prisoners and prisoners’ right activists. 

Event organized by the Prison Justice Day Committee. 

Prison Justice Day is a day to remember those who have died behind bars. 
More info: http://www.prisonjustice.ca 




11) 
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AFRICAN REFUGEE FUND-RAISING CONCERT 

August 14th, 2010, 6pm-10pm 
Russian Hall , 600 Campbell Avenue, Vancouver (at East Georgia St) 
Tickets: $15. 
To purchase a ticket email : info at dzaleka.org or 

Phone 604-728-5313 

Organized by: SFU Dzaleka Project 

www.dzaleka.org 


SFU DZALEKA PROJECT: 
committed to changing the lives of refugees in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, South East Africa through sponsorship. Currently partnering with other nonprofit organizations and working towards raising $20,000 needed to sponsor a 9 member refugee family from Dzaleka Refugee Camp. 

ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 
African traditional Dance 
African music 
Fashion show 
Individual performance 
Secular music 
Food: African, Indian and North American 
Prizes: Wide variety of items to win in a live auction 
Keynote Speaker: Floribert Kamabu 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER BIO: 
Floribert Kamabu is a former refugee from Congo and a recipient of the World University Service of Canada's (WUSC) sponsorship under the Student Refugee Program (SRP) in 1999 at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. While pursuing his studies in various universities, he also took steps to help those he left behind. Floribert's passion and desire to see his family out of a rough and insecure situation as refugees in Ugandan inspired efforts to sponsor them to start a new life in Canada. He managed to sponsor his 3 brothers, one sister, and 3 cousins. Floribert has saved numerous lives through his career as a nurse and through his humanitarian work campaigning to support student refugees. Through the SRP, which provides refugee students with the opportunity for an education, he has participated in various campaigns to raise funds for the SRP at Simon Fraser University in 2000, and at the University of Calgary in May 2010 that has allowed this institution to sponsor more students per year. Floribert is an active member of the Umoja Operation Compassion Society of BC, a non-profit organization that supports new immigrants, where he brings expertise in refugee settlement through his own personal experience. 

Proceeds will go to the Dzaleka Project's initiative to sponsor a 9 member family from Dzaleka refugee camp to start a new life in Canada. 

Donations are accepted and appreciated! A tax deductible receipt will be issued for donations of $ 20 or more. 

With the help of SFPIRG, child care will be available! Please let us know in advance if you require child care.