CONTENTS
CALLS TO ACTION
Back To School
While students’ needs have increased since the pandemic, the Conservative cuts have resulted in fewer lunchroom supervisors, fewer Educational Assistants and Special Needs Assistants, fewer caretakers, fewer caring adults in schools. As a result, our schools are less clean, less supervised, less safe, and less able to address gaps in student learning, in student socialization, and conflict management. Worst of all, it’s lead to an increase in violence.If all of us take action by sending a message, we can put pressure on the provincial government to stop spending money on ads that speak about how much they spend on education, and instead put real money into publicly-funded education. Send a message to your MPP.
Justice for Grassy Narrows
Grassy Narrows – Asubpeeschoseewagong – First Nation is taking Canada and Ontario to court over the mercury contamination of their life giving river in northern Ontario.Ever since the 1960’s, when the local paper mill dumped 10 tonnes of mercury waste into the river, the poison has claimed the lives and health of generations of community members, and prevented Grassy Narrows from exercising their fishing rights under Treaty 3 safely.
Grassy Narrows is carrying on their inspiring struggle for mercury justice – please donate to support their legal action.
raventrust.com
EVENTS
Workshop: How to Meet with Elected Officials
When: September 19th, 6:30pmElected officials want to hear from you on transit issues affecting your community! Join the first workshop in our transit advocacy workshop series as we gear up for Fall advocacy. This workshop will offer training on how to meet with your local elected officials, and opportunities to do so with TTCriders as we push MPs to invest more resources in the TTC.
This workshop will be hosted with Gideon Foreman, policy analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation.
ttcriders.ca
100% Tariffs on China’s EVs
When: Thursday, September 19th, 7pmThe Liberal government recently imposed a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles. What’s at stake in this move? Is this simply another attempt to cozy up to America’s new cold war against China? Is it an attempt to gain support from autoworkers in the leadup to the next federal election? EVs may not be the only answer to the climate catastrophe we face today, but are they part of the solution? Join us for this special webinar on Canada-China relations and the environment.
zoom.us
Protests Against 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusive School Policies
When: Sept. 20th, 8:30amWhere: Queens Park (next to the boarded-up Statue)
Also: Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church St.
We are ready to say Enough is Enough; there is no space for hate in Ontario.
Here is a list of known and confirmed peaceful rallies in support of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities that we have received for September 20, 2023.
Please join a rally in your area. Important: Once there, please follow the lead and instruction of the community group and local organisers at the event. Please heed all security recommendations and stay safe.
ofl.ca
Book Launch: Shifting Gears
When: September 20th, 7pmWhere: Workers’ Action Centre, 720 Spadina Ave., 2nd floor
In the decades following the Second World War, autoworkers were at the forefront of the labour movement. Their union mobilized members to rally in the streets for social change and make their voices heard at election time. But by the turn of this century, the Canadian Auto Workers union had begun to pursue a more defensive political direction.
Stephanie Ross and Larry Savage in conversation with Luke Savage.
BDS leafleting Dufferin Mall
When: Saturday, September 21st, at 11:30amWhere: Dufferin Mall, 900 Dufferin St (outside south entrance in front of Marshalls)
Davenport for Palestine has been organizing leafletting events in an effort to build a boycott of Israeli products in order to end the war on Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank.
instagram.com
Walking Together For Peace
When: Sept. 21st, at 12pmWhere: Peace Pavilion to Dalhousie University Student Union Building
Notable Participants and Speakers:
– Dorene Bernard: Mi’kmaq grandmother, water protector, and cultural teacher
– Rajagopal PV and Dr. Jill Carr Harris: Gandhian social movement leaders
– Dr.Reva Joshee: Mahatma Gandhi Foundation for World Peace
– Ellen Woodsworth: Co Pres. Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom Canada
– Lyn Adamson: National co-Chair, Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
walk4peace.ca
Rally for Our Martyrs
When: Sept. 21st, 2pmWhere: Front and Bay Streets
Over the last 11 months, the Zionist Occupation has reached new levels of brutality in their efforts to quell Palestinian resistance and defend their genocidal colonial project.
In the last month, the Zionist entity invaded the West Bank and destroyed a majority of the infrastructure in Jenin and Tulkarem, killing and maiming countless civilians in its failed efforts to uproot the resistance fronts of the refugee camps.
instagram.com
Labour History Bike Tour
When: Saturday, September 21st, 2pmWhere: 51 Stuart St, Hamilton
Hamilton has long been a Workers’ City. Join us on a group bike tour to discover Hamilton neighbourhoods and histories. The tour will begin and end at WAHC. Bring your own bike, or borrow a bike for free from our partner at Hamilton Bike Share. Adaptive bikes available upon request.
The Everyone Rides Initiative (ERI) at Hamilton Bike Share is committed to equity in cycling and removes the barriers that prevent people from accessing bikes and cycling as an option for transportation and fun.
wahc-museum.ca
Power Plant – new art season
When: Sept 21st, 3pmWhere: 231 Queen’s Quay West
The Power Plant celebrates the opening of the new art season with two solo presentations of works by Swedish visual artist Lap-See Lam and Canadian multidisciplinary artist Charles Campbell! Through their immersive installations, both artists reflect on concepts relating to memory, movement, and the ocean.
Facebook event
Gaza Square
When: Every Sunday, 11am to 1pmWhere: 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
100,000 Poets for Change
When: Sept 22nd, 4pmWhere: Free Times Cafe, 320 College St
Our collective is putting on their annual event in support of Shannen’s Dream.
Weekly Phone-zap for Palestine
When: Mondays at 12pmWeek 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 6pmJoin 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
South Africa’s 2024 Elections
When: Tuesday, September 24th, at 2:30pmSouth Africa’s 2024 elections, which saw the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lose its governing majority for the first time since independence 30 years ago, represents a milestone in the long trajectory of South Africa’s post-apartheid democratic transition. Yet its implications for popular participation and new paths forward remain contradictory and uncertain.
Dale McKinley assesses the ANC’s political-ideological and electoral journey since 1994, and explores what the results of the 2024 elections and subsequent formation of a ‘Government of National Unity’ tell us about both South Africa and the ANC. Is South Africa at a new point of transition – or are we likely to see more of the same uneven and disappointing liberation movement leadership? McKinley reflects on the new Government of National Unity and identifies emerging challenges for South Africa’s popular sector.
zoom.us
Toronto Palestine Film Festival
When: Sept. 25 to Oct. 2The 17th Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) celebrates Palestinian identity and culture through cinema, music, art and cuisine. The wide range of films showcased at the festival connects audiences to diverse Palestinian narratives. TPFF also includes panels, performances, and workshops – including a concert featuring Nai Barghouti.
tpff.ca | ticketmaster.com
Day of Action against #IndigoBooks
When: Sept. 25thGet ready to show up at Indigo/Chapters/Coles locations across the GTA on the September 25th Day of Action against #IndigoBooks.
#Indigo’s CEO funnels profits into HESEG, a “charity” encouraging enrollment in the foreign Israeli military by rewarding “lone soldiers” with scholarships once they complete their “service.” The IOF has killed nearly 16,500 Gazan children in the last 12 months and is now killing one child in the West Bank every 2 days. It is time to #boycottIndigoBooks and demand the CRA revoke HESEG’s charitable status.
instagram.com
Reclaiming York
When: Sept. 25th, at 11:45amWhere: from William Small to Kaneff Tower, York Univ.
Reclaiming York for Students and Workers rally on September 25th starting at William Small Centre!
x.com
FilmSocial Presents: BURN
When: September 25th, 6:45pmWhere: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St W
The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education and the Socialist Project presents Burn! as the next film in our ongoing FilmSocial series.
Set in the mid 1800s, Marlon Brando plays British mercenary Sir William Walker. He is sent by Britain to the fictional Caribbean island of Queimada. Queimada is a colony of Portugal and Britain is looking to break their control over sugar production on the island. Walker’s mission is to instigate a slave revolt against the Portuguese government under the leadership of dock worker, José Dolores. The uprising is successful, but the rebels reject the new government when it allies itself with the Antilles Royal Sugar Company and Walker must return to put down the rebellion.
tickettailor.com
ARTICLES
Energy Unions in Mexico Welcome Shutdown of Key Neoliberal Institutions
By Trade Unions for Energy DemocracyThe Mexican government administration has proposed a package of 20 reforms, including the dissolution of two energy sector autonomous bodies (the focus of this bulletin) from the power and hydrocarbons sector. In doing so, the government has taken another significant step to roll back the neoliberal reforms that sought to hand over the country’s energy system to private companies.
Source: The Bullet No. 3039
The New European Parliament Confirms Its Militaristic Credentials
By Herman Michiel and Klaus DrägerA new 720-headed European Parliament was elected in June, and it held its first plenary session in Strasbourg from 16 to 19 July. That first session immediately sets the tone we can expect from that parliament over the next five years: the tone of military marching music. The first manifestation of this is the parliamentary approval of Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as head of the European Commission. Her presidency started in 2019 under the banner of the European Green Deal, but as this diluted into little more than a mantra, the former German defence minister emerged as a passionate advocate for the militarisation of the European Union.
Source: The Bullet No. 3040
Toronto March Against Racism and Status for All
At this crucial moment, their voices will be invaluable to our collective call for action and change. Right now, we’re witnessing a disturbing trend in anti-immigrant sentiment. Just this week, provincial politicians across the country have scapegoated refugee claimants to distract from their own failures. Prime Minister Trudeau promised a regularization program for migrants. Instead of ensuring more rights for migrants, the federal government is adding fuel to the fire of growing anti-migrant sentiment with its policies; it has capped study permits, barred most study permit holders from bringing their families, limited permanent residency, slashed work permits, refused to renew permits for graduated international students, imposed visas on Mexico, and increased visa denials. These actions betray the promises made and undermine the rights of migrants across the country.Source: LeftStreamed