CSJ Newsletter

July 25, 2024

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CALLS TO ACTION

Tell Trudeau and Ford to support child care

Ontario’s early learning and child care system is in crisis. Across Ontario, the impacts of insufficient funding are being felt by educators, parents and providers. At a time when growth and stability have felt more possible than ever, many challenges continue to deeply impact the well-being of children, families, and child care professionals.

We are asking you to stand up with ECEs, child care workers, families and children by sending a message to your MP, MPP, Premier Doug Ford, Ontario’s Minister of Education Todd Smith and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Federal Minister of Children, Families and Social Development Jenna Sudds telling them to work together to ensure that the early learning and child care workforce have decent work and pay and that the non-profit and public child care sectors are stable, thriving and expanding.

childcareontario.org

Frances Nunziata must Resign

To Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Frances Nunziata,

The Integrity Commissioner of the City of Toronto just released a report that concludes that Councillor Frances Nunziata’s campaign cheated in the 2022 election – an election that she won by only 94 votes. Given how close the election was, this is a serious attack on our democracy and why Frances Nunziata must resign.

change.org

EVENTS

Learn about the power of collective action!

When: Wednesdays @ 8pm and Sundays @ 5pm (July 24 – August 25)

The Unite the Swifties contest invites you to take part in a series of challenges, starting online and then moving offline, to speak now on RBC’s funding of fossil fuel projects and companies violating Indigenous rights. Acting together is the only way to show RBC that we are more powerful than their dirty money. That’s why we’ve put together this five-part training program for you to learn how social movements build power through art, storytelling, leadership, solidarity, and collective action!

In this training program you’ll hear from Indigenous Land Defenders about what is happening in their community and what you can do to be in solidarity with them. You’ll also learn about the power of social movements, the role that artists like Taylor Swift can play, and the role that you can play, to challenge RBC – Canada’s largest corporation and top financier of climate chaos!

unitetheswifties.ca

Know Your Rights Workshop

When: July 25th, 6pm

Can you be paid in cash? Can your boss ask for a doctor’s note if you take a sick day? How far in advance must your boss give you your schedule? Learn about this and more at our upcoming Know your Rights at Work workshop taking place Thursday, July 25th, via Zoom! Together, we’ll discuss what our rights are, how we can protect ourselves at work, and what we can do to push for more in our workplaces and across Ontario.

workersactioncentre.org

Film screening: Where Olive Trees Weep

When: Thursday, July 25th, Doors open at 6:30 pm. Film starts at 7 pm.
Where: The Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard St E.
Tickets: $15

“Where Olive Trees Weep” offers a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. It explores themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice.

We follow, among others, Palestinian journalist and therapist Ashira Darwish, grassroots activist Ahed Tamimi, and Israeli journalist Amira Hass. We witness Dr. Gabor Maté offering trauma-healing work for a group of women who have been tortured in Israeli prisons.

torontoeventsforpalestine.net

Celebration Of Cuba’s Rebellion Day

When: July 26th, 7pm
Where: Trinity St. Paul Church, 427 Bloor St W

On July 26, 1953, a group of brave young Cubans led by Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes garrisons, symbols of the tyranny and occupation of Cuba under the U.S. puppet regime of Batista. Although the attack was militarily defeated it raised the banner of struggle which led to the victory of the Cuba Revolution on Jan. 1, 1959.

This year’s anniversary celebration coincides with the ever-tightening genocidal economic, financial and trade blockade of Cuba, combined with the arbitrary naming of Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism” which aims to “suffocate the Cuban people into submission to no avail! The resistance of the Cuban people to defend the conquests of their revolution today is only matched with the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people against the ongoing genocide in Gaza and their thirst for liberation from occupation. Let’s celebrate our victories and resistance!

forumoncuba.com

Run For Palestine

When: Sunday, July 28th, 9am – 5pm
Where: Budapest Park, 1575 Lake Shore Boulevard W

All proceeds will be donated to Islamic Relief Canada to support the Provision of Emergency Food and Health Services in the Gaza Strip.

Run for Palestine (RfP) is a family-oriented, fun-filled day that welcomes all members of the community where participants can walk or run 5 Km to raise funds for much needed humanitarian projects helping the Palestinian people.

eventbrite.ca

Gaza Square

When: Every Sunday, 11am to 1pm
Where: 371 Wallace Ave

We’ll be at Gaza square once again this Sunday morning with hot chocolate and coffee, buttons and posters, lawn signs and colourful chalk! Come say hi and meet your fellow neighbours/organizers as we make our presence known and continue to build safety in our community!

Instagram poster

Weekly Phone-zap for Palestine

When: Mondays at 12pm

Week after week, we’re keeping the momentum going with our Monday lunchtime zaps.

Our collective action is making waves, but we need to ensure our elected officials continue to feel the pressure until real change happens.

Instagram poster | Register at zoom

Canadian Foreign Policy Hour with Yves Engler

When: Mondays at 6pm

Join author Yves Engler on Mondays for a weekly news roundup and interactive discussion about Canada’s role abroad. This weekly session will delve into the latest developments on subjects ranging from military affairs and Canada’s role in Ukraine to its contribution to Palestinian dispossession, and the exploitation of African resources. Join Yves for a critical take on Canada’s foreign policy. Questions, comments, and criticisms are all welcome.

zoom.us

Underground Freedom Train

When: July 31st, 10pm sharp
Where: Union Station (skating rink)

The Emancipation Day “Underground Freedom” Train Ride is symbolic of the role of the Underground Railroad within Canada’s history. This train ride is a recognition of the historic date of Emancipation Day on August 1st when slavery was abolished in the British Empire.

Founded by the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, in 2013, the organization has partnered with the TTC to provide an actual underground experience via its subway system to represent the underground railroad journey.

blackhurstcc.org

Fighting to Win

When: September 9 to November 25
No course fees; donations gratefully accepted.

Facilitated by John Clarke, former organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)

Drawing on the examples provided by a wide range of struggles, the course will look at how working class and popular struggles have won important victories. It will also consider, however, the strategies that have been used by those in power to contain and demobilize social resistance. Finally, it will explore the approaches that are needed today to fight back effectively in these volatile and uncertain times.

Registration required

ARTICLES

The Menace of Hindutva

Achin Vanaik interviewed by Abhish K Bose

Renowned political scientist, academic, and writer, Achin Vanaik (b.1947) is a well-known scholar and commentator on global politics and international relations. He graduated in economics and statistics from the University of Bristol, England, in 1970. Subsequently, he became actively involved (1971-1974) with the Free University of Black Studies for promoting political awareness of non-white immigrant communities in Britain.

Source: The Bullet No. 3018

Sharifeh Mohammadi: Iranian Labour, Civil Rights Activist, Sentenced To Death

By Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company

Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labour and civil rights activist, was put on trial by the first branch of the Rasht Revolutionary Court and sentenced to death without going through any transparent or legal procedures. This verdict was issued on July 4, 2024 based on the false and baseless charge of “Baghi” (Rebellion) and on the pretext of Mrs. Sharifeh Mohammadi’s past membership in the “Coordinating Committee to Help Form Workers Organizations” a decade ago, which is an independent and legitimate labour organization. This cruel sentence does not have the slightest human or legal basis and must be nullified immediately.

Source: The Bullet No. 3019

Feeling the Heat: Capitalism and Global Warming

By Marty Hart-Landsberg

We are in real trouble. Global carbon dioxide emissions (the main cause of global warming) continue to rise, hitting a new high in 2023. Last year was also the hottest in recorded history and, year by year, more Americans are feeling the consequences. Yet, we have seen only modest attempts to bring emissions down. Unfortunately, the US government continues to believe, despite evidence to the contrary, that market forces will encourage a speedy transition away from fossil fuels.

Source: The Bullet No. 3020
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