Centre for Social Justice -» Community

Aug 22, 2017 - Forum: The France of Macron, the ‘New’ Neoliberal Reforms and the Left

When: Tuesday, August 22nd, 7pm
Where: A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, 777 Bathurst St. (South of Bathurst subway stop)

Analyses and Reportbacks from the 2017 Election with Stefan Kipfer and Nathan Rao

The 2017 Presidential and Parliamentary elections produced a paradoxical result: the victory of a youngish Emmanuel Macron who is a pure product of the discredited social democratic François Hollande presidency (as well as the typical institutions of the French ruling class) and a leader of a brand-new political formation (La Republique en Marche) that managed to marginalize the parties (the Republicains and the Parti Socialiste) that have, under different names, governed France since 1958. Macron's victory blocked the advances of the neo-fascist Front National, the President of which, Marine Le Pen, garnered a record 10.5 million votes in the Presidential election. In turn, Macron threatens to deepen the very conditions that have led to the recurrent surge of neo-fascist politics in France. He wants to radicalize the policies of the Hollande government by making the state of emergency a permanent feature of French law, implementing a new set of neoliberal labour reforms, entrenching austerity to shrink public sector employment and deconstructing the French welfare state all the while defending a central and aggressive role for the French military sector Euro-American imperialism. A force of 'continuity-in-discontinuity', Macron's En Marche thus expresses the ongoing crisis of rule in France as well as the wider systemic uncertainties about French capitalism and the future of the European Union. What are the political implications of the French elections for the future of left and popular forces in France?

* Stefan Kipfer just returned from a sabbatical year in France doing research on fascism and anti-fascism. He teaches politics and urban questions at York University.

* Nathan Rao is a writer and political activist living in France.

Sponsored by: Centre for Social Justice, Socialist Project | Facebook event

Aug 20, 2017 - 10th Annual Kurdish Heritage Festival

When: Sunday, August 20th, 4pm
Where: 5100 Yonge St, North York

The Greater Toronto Kurdish House is proud to introduce the 10th Annual Kurdish Heritage Festival. As an organization, we have been hosting this festival for a decade now and it is a perfect opportunity to experience the essence of Kurdish Culture. The past few years the Kurds have gone through such unimaginable pain and suffering, therefore we would like to use this festival to bring unity among the Kurds. Your attendance would be a support to your community, and we look forward to seeing each and every one of you there. This particular celebration is mainly to support the decision of the referendum of an Independent Kurdistan. We hope that next years festival will be themed "The Independence of Kurdistan."

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Aug 20, 2017 - Christie Pits Riot Commemorative BBQ

When: Sunday August 20th, 12pm
Where: Christie Pits, Bloor and Christie

To commemorate the 84th anniversary of the Christie Pits Uprising against racism and fascism, the Toronto IWW General Defence Committee Local 28, in partnership with the United Jewish People's Order, International Socialists and the Organizing Committee Against Islamophobia is hosting a family-friendly community BBQ on Sunday, August 20th, from 12pm to 5pm. Join us in Christie Pits Park - the location of the baseball game where the uprising began - for food, baseball, and solidarity against fascism.

In 1933, six months after Adolf Hitler took power in Germany, the effects of this administration could be felt across the world. In Toronto, Jews were institutionally excluded from summer resorts outside of the city. The Jewish population at the time was predominantly working-class, and would spend their summers making use of the city's various amenities. This sparked a backlash from the more racist and xenophobic residents of Toronto, who formed "Swastika Clubs," whose purpose it was to marginalize Jews and others, and threaten them with violence.

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Aug 20, 2017 - Run for Palestine

When: Sunday August 20th, 9am - 2pm
Where: Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, 2001 Lake Shore Blvd W

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

The event will take place on Sunday Auguest 20, 2017 along the beautiful sceneries of Martin Goodman Trail (Sir Casimir Gzowski Park), located on the Humber River in Toronto. After the run, there will be food trucks available, a bazaar, and entertainment. The trail accomodates wheelchairs and strollers.

www.eventbrite.ca

Aug 19, 2017 - Rally for Justice in Pakistan: Free Zeenat Shahzadi!

When: Saturday, August 19th, 1pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.Zeenat Shahzadi is a 26 year old Pakistani journalist who was kidnapped off the streets of Lahore on August 19th, 2015, and has been missing ever since. The brazen, daylight kidnapping of a young female journalist was the first of its kind in Pakistan.

Join us August 19th in Nathan Phillips Square as we gather on the second anniversary of Zeenat's kidnapping to recognize her bravery and to call on the Canadian government to intervene with the Pakistani government. Canada must urge them to immediately order a full investigation of Zeenat's kidnapping, and to prioritize her safe return home.

Zeenat's family and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan believe Pakistan's Special Forces are responsible, because she fearlessly pursued an explosive story the spy agencies didn't want told.

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Aug 19, 2017 - West Toronto $15 & Fairness Outreach Blitz!

When: Saturday, August 19th, 12:30pm
Where: Northwest corner of Bloor & Dufferin

Are you ready for another fun outreach action to talk to local residents about the urgent need for $15 & Fairness in our communities?

Bill 148, The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 contains significant steps forward on all aspects of our campaign demands: from fairer wages to paid sick days, from decent hours to respect at work, and from rules that better protect us to the right to unionize. Now, we need to continue staying mobilized to make sure that the Bill passes with the strongest possible language despite the big business lobby`s resistance.

Come out on August 19 to talk to our neighbours about what is at stake with Bill 148, and how we can continue putting pressure on our elected representatives to make sure that we win the best possible labour law reforms.

We'll have petitions, leaflets & posters ready to go, and together we'll talk with passersby about the fight for decent work for all. Join us, and feel free to bring a friend!

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Aug 19, 2017 - Communities for ZERO Violence

When: Saturday August 19th, 12noon
Where: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West

If you have been affected by violence in the City of Toronto, whether you are a victim, a witness, a family member, a friend or you are just tired of the violence in your community. Zero Gun Violence Movement along with Kelly Whetter-mother to Gabriel Nikov, Brenda MacIntyre-mother to Quinn Taylor and Evelyn Fox-mother to Kiesingar Gunn invite you to speak up and walk with us to show the powers that be, that don't live in our communities that we want and need change for the safety of our children. We need changes to the Justice System that allows repeat offenders with serious crimes off with a slap on the wrist, we need witnesses to violent crimes to feel safe enough to come forward. We need programs and jobs that our youth can engage in that will promote a better lifestyle choice, we need the accessibility to guns to be dealt with immediately!!!

Please join us Saturday August 19th at City Hall and walk with us to Queens Park. Bring pictures of your loved ones, bring balloons, bring the love of the one you miss to help promote change in their honour.

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Aug 19, 2017 - BBQ & Rally for Shelters & Housing

When: Saturday, August 19th, 12noon
Where: Allan Gardens (Sherbourne and Carlton)
Free Food -- Kids Welcome -- Music

The city tells us that emergency shelters aren't the solution to homelessness and the escalating rates of homeless deaths, housing is. So shelters are kept underfunded and overcrowded. At the same time, the city is boarding up hundreds of public (Toronto Community Housing Corporation) housing units, at a time when the demand for them far outstrips supply. Thousands of families are facing displacement and thousands more languish on the subsidized housing waiting-list with wait-times that now stretch over a decade. Meanwhile market rents continue their upward spiral and upscale redevelopment projects continue pushing poor people out of the downtown core.

We intend to build a formidable fight capable of facing off against these marauding housing profiteers and their lackeys in government.

ocaptoronto.wordpress.com

Aug 18, 2017 - [Sarnia] Aamjiwnaang Water Gathering and Toxic Tour 2017

When: August 18th-20th ** Postponed **
Where: Maawn Doosh Gumig, 1972 Virgil Ave., Sarnia

ATTENTION: To those that are planning on coming to the Aamjiwnaang Water Gathering the weekend of August 18th- 20th we regret to inform you that it is being postponed to the fall due to a loss in the community. Thank you for being understanding and compassionate at this time. We will be in touch about the new date once we have more information.

aamjiwnaangsolidarity.com | Facebook event

Aug 17, 2017 - [Montreal] Turbulent Times

When: August 17-19, 2017
Where: UQAM, Montreal

The People's University is a forum for learning, teaching and debate that is open to people both within and outside the academic world, young and old alike. A wide range of global and local issues of current interest will be discussed in workshops, plenary sessions, movement assemblies and social events, all aimed at building bridges between students, community activists, trade union activists, workers, retirees, artists, and other participants in this stimulating event!

The 2017 program includes two parts:
1. Canada, from yesterday until today: capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism ... will allow us to look at the popular movements and their struggles in this year of the 150th anniversary of the Canada.
2. Digital revolution: the stakes for the 99% ... will help us define an inclusive and progressive program to imagine the use of technology for the 99%.

With the participation of: Kanahus Manuel (Standing Rock and Kinder Morgan), Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Dalie Giroux, Will Prosper, Paul Kellogg, Guillaume Hebert, Rose Brewer (Black Lives Matter), Jonathan Durand Folco, Fanny Theurillat-Cloutier, Alyssa Symons Belanger, Robert Comeau, Cheolki Yoon (CTI), Nora Loreto, Alvin Finkel, Colette St-Hilaire, Frederick Bastien and many more.

www.cahiersdusocialisme.org

Aug 5, 2017 - Conscious Minds Camp

When: August 5th - 19th. Join us for 3 days, one week or the full two weeks.
Where: Cobourg Scout Reserve - Carpooling arranged.
Ages: 13-30 - Young families are welcome.
Apply by July 5th.

Conscious Minds Camp: A cooperative leadership experience created by and for youth and young adults who want to cultivate healthy and resilient communities. CMCamp is a space to ground ourselves in nature and community, visualize the kind of world we want to live in, and strategize how to get there at the individual and collective level. With the guidance of Elders, we play and experiment together, honing in on our individual passions and practicing the skills we need to step more fully into cooperative and respectful living.

www.consciousmindscamp.org