Sunday, January 17, 2010


CANADIAN POLITICS:
ANTI-OLYMPIC EVENTS:
The 2010 Winter games draw nearer, though it's hard to say if Mother Nature will cooperate and provide not just snow but even the conditions necessary to produce artificial snow. One can only imagine the scramble if this doesn't happen. In the meantime the protests against the Olympics continue, tapping into a Canadian sentiment encompassing almost 50% of the population-more in BC where the public cost will be higher- that too much has been invested in the Games at a time of economic downturn. Here, from the Olympics Resistance Network, is the latest on the upcoming events. I have deleted everything that has already happened; yeah, I've been late on this one.
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Meetings, Events, Convergence Information:‏
* Check out new promotional video:


* ORN General Meeting (open to all!) will now be every Sunday, beginning in January 2010, 6pm @ Spartacus Books, 684 E. Hastings

* 2010 Welcoming Committee: Thursdays at 7:00 pm at 1707 Charles Street (off Commercial Drive). Meeting to plan a broad-based mobilization on Feb12, 2010, the day of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

1) Updated: Anti Olympic Speaking Tour in BC and US West Coast!

2) Jan 16: Flyering and Skate-in Against Corporate Sponsors (deleted)

3) Updated: Jan 20 - 21: Dave Zirin in Vancouver

4) Jan 22: Solidarity in the Face of Police Repression

5) Updated: Feb 2010: Anti Olympic Convergence

6) Indigenous Peoples Assembly and financial support (Eng/Fr)

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-- please forward to contacts in BC and US West Coast -

Why Oppose the 2010 Olympic Games

As part of a provincial and west coast speaking tour, join us in a series of events to learn more about the Olympic industry and its impacts, why opposition to the Games is growing, and how you can participate in and support the resistance. We will also hear about plans for a global Feb10-15 anti-colonial and anti-capitalist convergence against the Games.

No Olympics on Stolen Native Land!

Watch: Eight Reasons to Oppose the 2010 Winter Olympics:


DATES! Check back on Facebook for updates:


Or subscribe to our low traffic list to receive updates:



* Tues Jan 19 - OAKLAND at 7 pm, Eastside Arts Alliance, 2277 International Blvd.

Suggested donation: $5-10 sliding scale (no one will be turned away for lack of funds) Co hosted by: Chiapas Support Committee,East Side Arts Alliance, and others.

* Wed Jan 20 - SAN FRANCISCO at 7 p.m. Station 40, 3030B 16th Street (at Mission Street BART). Hosted by the Institute for Anarchist Studies

Suggested donation: $5-10 sliding scale, to support tour (no one will be turned away for lack of funds)

* Thurs Jan 21 - DAVIS at 7 pm. East Conference Room, Bottom Floor of the Memorial Union, UC Davis campus. Contact: Alapay Flores, alapayflores@gmail.com or 408-886-1524.

* Fri Jan 22 - ORANGE COUNTY at 6 pm. Women's Civic Club, 9501 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove. Contact: jhaghor@yahoo.com or 714-478-3155

2) BC:

* Mon Jan 18th - GOLDEN at 7pm. Jita's Cafe. B-1007 11th Ave South.

Organized by Council of Canadians-Golden Chapter.

* Tues Jan 19th - KELOWNA at 7 pm. Okanagan College 1000 K.L.O. Rd Kelowna.

This presentation is sponsored by Kelowna Chapter of the Council of Canadians. For information, please contact Tisha@250-806-8034

* Fri Jan 22nd - NANAIMO at 7pm. VIU, bldg 355, room 203.

* Sat Jan 23rd - COMOX VALLEY at 7pm. BCGEU meeting room, 2nd Floor, 910 Fitzgerald Ave, Courtenay. Contact Ernie at 250 338 3504 orernieyacub@gmail.com .

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"POLITICS IN THE RING: DAVE ZIRIN IN VANCOUVER!"

Award-winning sports writer Dave Zirin will be speaking in Vancouver on the politics of sport and mega sporting events on January 20 and January 21, 2010. You will not want to miss him!

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Wed Jan 20 @ 2:30-4:30

MBC 2290, SFU Burnaby campus

Organized by Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU),


Wed Jan 20 @ 6:30 pm.

Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street (corner Victoria Drive).

Suggested donation $10, no one turned away.

* Dave will be available for a book signing, People’s Co-op Books will have his books for purchase.
Organized by Olympic Resistance Network, olympicresistance@riseup.net
Endorsed by: Vancouver Action, Submedia, No One Is Illegal, Anti Poverty Committee, Council of Canadians, Warrior Publications, Stopwar.ca, Impact on Communities Coalition, Streams of Justice, Student Christian Movement -UBC, 2010 Watch, 2010 Corporate Campaign.
Thursday, Jan. 21, 4pm
UBC - Student Union Building,
Room 205
Organized by UBC Social Justice Centre.
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Named one of the UTNE Reader's "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Our World", Dave Zirin writes about the politics of sports and resistance ins ports. His writings appear in the Nation Magazine, SLAM Magazine, the Progressive, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Daily News, and Los Angeles Times. Zirin is also the host of XM satellite's popular weekly show, Edge of Sports Radio. He has brought his blend of sports and politics to other television and radio programs including ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, Al-Jazeera, C-SPAN, Democracy Now, National Public Radio, Air America, and Pacifica.
Author of several books, his new book is "A People's History of Sports in the United States," part of Howard Zinn's People's History series for the New Press.
* Some recent articles:
Amy Goodman and Canada's Olympic Paranoia
Message to Obama: You Can't Have Muhammad Ali
Tiger Woods Falls from Grace
Obama's Olympic error:
Gaza anger overwhelms hoops contest
* More about Dave and his writings:
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Solidarity in the Face of Police Repression
Mass Demonstration
Friday, January 22nd, 1:00 pm
Anyone posing even a potential threat to Olympic Security is being subjected to police “friendly visits” and blatant harassment, from active organizers and their families to people who attend events or write critical letters. These visits have escalated and are likely to continue escalating as we near the February games.
Some have faced the sharper swords of prosecution, imprisonment, deportation, and even death in the case of Harriet Nahanee. We see the clear connection between Olympic repression and ongoing police intimidation & brutality, the mounting deaths in police custody, the gross negligence in missing women cases, the social cleansing in the Downtown Eastside, and all the other symptoms of this unjust system. We call for a mass public outcry and for increased resistance amidst this climate of increasing social control. To show we do not fear their tactics when we rise together.
Tell your friends and family, co-workers and classmates. Let's show that our solidarity can be stronger than their repression.
Intentions:
We are planning on this march being a family friendly demonstration of our solidarity against police repression. We intend to create a festive atmosphere that is safe and inviting for a wide range of people. Our goal is to spread information and to strengthen our will to band together and support each other in the face of ongoing police repression. We ask that people not attempt to provoke the cops. This said, we are not responsible nor can we control attempts by authorities to suppress our solidarity, and therefore, we stress the importance of supporting those who choose to defend themselves and others against police abuse.
We invite everyone to bring their friends and family, as well as banners, chants, noise makers, flags, torches and, most importantly, lots of energy! Let’s bring the celebration of our resistance into the streets! If you have any questions, please leave us a comment and we will respond ASAP. If you do not wish to make your comment public, please let us know and we will act accordingly.
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CONVERGENCE FEB 2010
- please forward widely -
ALL OUT AGAINST THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES!
* New promo video!
The 2010 Winter Olympics will take place in Vancouver & Whistler, on unceded Indigenous land, from February 12-28 2010. We call on all anti-capitalist, Indigenous, housing rights, labour, migrant justice, environmental, anti-war, community-loving, anti-poverty, civil libertarian, and anti colonial activists to come together to confront this two-week circus and the oppression it represents. We are organizing towards a global anti-capitalist and anti-colonial convergence against the 2010 Olympic Games.
* BASIC SCHEDULE:
The Convergence is called for Feb 10-15:
- Wed Feb 10- Thurs Feb 11:
Conference and People's Summit - Fri Feb 12: Take Back Our City! “Welcome” the 2010 Olympic Torch with Free Games, Free Speech, and Free Food!
Beginning with a festival at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 3 pm, followed by a parade and protest to BC Place Stadium. Details, including childcare, at:
Sat Feb 13 and Mon Feb 15:
Autonomous days of action including anti-corporate actions, rallies to oppose militarization, and more.
- On Sun Feb 14th, we will be standing with the 19th Annual Women's Memorial March to honour all the missing and murdered and women in the DTES (this is not an anti-Olympic protest).
Details at:
ADDITIONAL EVENTS:
We will also be updating our Facebook group
and our websites
with additional anti-Olympic events occurring during the entire month of February:
- Friday Feb 5 till Monday Feb 8:
Indigenous Peoples Assembly in Secwepemc Territories. For Indigenous people only. For information email nymcommunications@gmail.com .
Full callout posted at:
- Saturday Feb 6. Squelcher Parade at Vanier Park, 1100 Chestnut Street,from 1-4 pm.
Join us to welcome the Olympic Torch to Vancouver with a giant symbolic fire extinguisher. This will be a fun, non confrontational event with bands, jugglers, mobile DJ's and more.
Organized by Workless Party.
- Sunday Feb 7. 3rd Annual Poverty Olympics in the DTES.
Relay starts at12:30 at VANDU (380 East Hastings St.),
1-3 pm at Japanese Hall (487Alexander St) Free, family event.
- Saturday, Feb 20. Rally for a National Housing Program from noon-2 pm, north Side of Vancouver Art Gallery.
The UN now calls Canada's housing crisis, 'a national emergency.' Come join this rally to pressure the federal government to once again re-establish a national housing program in Canada. Organized by Impact on Communities Coalition.
* LOGISTICAL INFORMATION:
We are working to coordinate the logistics to host this convergence. For information on billeting (whether you are in need of billeting or can provide billeting), travel and border information, legal updates, food and childcare arrangements, community spaces, welcome package, and more,please check http://olympicresistance.net/ frequently for updates.
* SUPPORT THE CONVERGENCE AND GET INVOLVED!
1) Sign-up for our low-traffic list (1-2 emails per week) to stay updated on upcoming events, meetings, and actions. Please email olympicresistance@riseup.net and ask to be added to our announcement list or subscribe directly at https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/orn-announce.
2) If you are part of another group (artist, activist, community, union, campus etc) and are planning any kind of activity or event to oppose the Games during Feb 2010, please do let us know and stay in touch.
3) Host an anti-Olympic educational on your campus or at your next conference. Or invite a speaker to your next meeting to discuss what your group can do. We are able to provide educational materials including films, tshirts, comics, buttons, stickers and more!
4) Get involved in the Olympic Resistance Network or other anti-Olympic groups in your neighbourhood or campus. The ORN has regular General Meetings on Sundays as well as many committees.
5) Spread the word about the convergence! Forward this notice to your contacts, download posters and flyers about the convergence from our website and pass them on!
6) Please donate! Hosting this convergence requires significant funds, including legal defence funds. You can donate securely through PayPal on our website: http://olympicresistance.net/content/send-us-money
or cheques can be made out to Olympic Resistance Network and mailed to
ORN,
6 - 1857 Kitchener St,
Vancouver, BC, V5L 2W5.
Email ornfundraise@riseup.net to arrange direct deposits or other queries.
* WHY OPPOSE THE GAMES:
The 2010 Winter Olympics will take place on unceded Indigenous land. Far from being simply about sport, the history of the Olympics is one rooted in displacement, corporate greed, and repression. As Olympic promoters and sponsors seek to present their sanitized corporate brand image to the world, the real impacts of the Games are apparent to everyone:
* Expansion of sport tourism on Indigenous lands
* Increasing homelessness across the province and especially in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside
* Misdirected public spending and debt totaling $6 billion while funding for the arts, educations, and health care are suffering cutbacks
* Corporate bailouts and profits for companies with some of the worst social and environmental records.
* Threats to basic civil liberties and free speech
* Union-busting and vulnerable working conditions for migrant labour
* Unprecedented destruction of the environment
* Unparalleled $1 billion police and security spending that is turning our city into a militarized zone.
Watch:
Eight Reasons to Oppose the 2010 Winter Olympics:
* ABOUT US:
The ORN supports the international resolution passed by over 1500 Indigenous delegates at the Intercontinental Indigenous Peoples Gathering in Sonora, Mexico to “boycott the 2010 Olympic Games” based on Resolution #2 of the Gathering which states “We reject the 2010 Winter Olympics on sacred and stolen territory of Turtle Island–Vancouver, Canada”.
Based on this call, our organizing as natives and non-natives alike is largely being done under the slogan of "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land".
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WEBSITE:
EMAIL:
FACEBOOK:
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INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ASSEMBLY 2010
Friday, February 5 - Monday, February 8, 2010
Neskonlith, un-surrendered Secwepemc Nation (so-called Chase, British Columbia, Canada) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Weytk Xwexweytp.
Greetings to the World. The Secwepemc Peoples and the Native Youth Movement are inviting Indigenous Peoples throughout the Western Hemisphere and the World to come and join with us at an Indigenous Peoples Assembly at Neskonlith, un-surrendered Secwepemc Territory from Friday, February 5th to Monday, February 8th, 2010.
Considering that we, as Indigenous Peoples, have continued to resist the invasion and destruction of our Water and Territories for 518 years. That the last of our remaining Lands, Water and Territories are being plundered and raped and that it is our duty and responsibility to defend Life by any means.
We understand that our common oppressor has used all tactics to try to exterminate our Indigenous Peoples and Ways and by doing this they are waging War on the Earth itself. All Indigenous Peoples are encouraged to come and share their history, stories and struggles of Resistance, so we may begin to know each other and build our alliance and unity of Resisting Red Nations.
At the time of this Indigenous Peoples Assembly, so-called British Columbia and Canada will be in the global spotlight, with the 2010 Winter Olympic Games taking place just days away in the neighboring Indigenous Nations of un-surrendered Coast Salish and St’at’imc Territories. It will be an opportunity for Us, as Indigenous Peoples, to come together to send a clear and unified message and let our Struggles be known Worldwide. We also call on all Indigenous Peoples and Peoples of the World to attend the 2010 Convergence, the mobilization against the 2010 Winter Olympic Games from February 10-15, 2010 in Vancouver, un-surrendered Coast Salish Territories.
All Indigenous Peoples, Communities and Nations are invited to demonstrate their clothing, songs, dances, and other traditional forms of expression, both at the Indigenous Peoples Assembly and the 2010 Convergence. To get directions, discuss travel information and confirm attendance contact: nymcommunications@gmail.com . To make a donation to the Indigenous Assembly contact: Secwepemc Nation Youth Network: snyouthnetwork@hotmail.com To get more information about the 2010 Convergence contact: olympicresistance@riseup.net ******************************
Sovereign Nations Alliance
Sovereign Mohawk Territory, "Montreal QC"
contact: Billie Pierre, 514.618.2299
Request to Supporters for $20 donations.
Sovereign Nations Alliance Mission Statement:
Sovereign Nations Alliance is committed to assessing Issues and Concerns for the Montreal Native community and actively work to bring about positive change. We are also committed to Work to Strengthen unity between the Montreal native community and other native communities and actively support their campaigns to defend their people and Mother Earth.
I'm Billie Pierre and I am writing a letter on behalf of a newly formed local group called the Sovereign Nations Alliance. We've been actively involved in promoting the anti-2010 Campaign from BC and helped organize the anti Olympic Torch rally last month.
For the past month, we've been working to fundraise our flights to BC so that we could attend the 2010 Convergence. So far, myself, and my young daughter have our way covered to Edmonton, one way, where I am scheduled to speak about the impacts of the Olympics on Native Land at the Everyone's Downstream conference on the Tar Sands.
We are looking to secure funding to cover the rest of our travel costs, and also the costs to fly 2 other people, as we've been invited to a gathering at a Secwepemc community thats on the forefront of anti Olympics organizing.
Contributions Sovereign Nations Alliance has made in Montreal to this date.
This past December, people who'd eventually form SNA worked with Montreal Indigenous Solidarity organizers to bring Miranda Dick, a representative of the Secwepemc Nation who was recently in the city during the time the 2010 Olympic Torch was in Kahnawake Reserve and Montreal. The torch went through Montreal on December 10, United Nations' International Human Rights Day.
This was the 8 year anniversary of when Sun Peaks Ski Resort corporation, with the support of the RCMP and provincial government, bulldozed 2 Secwepemc Sweatlodges, and 2 traditional Secwepemc homes that had been built on land where Sun Peaks wanted to build ski trails, and a Delta Hotel on. This desecration of sacred homes reveals the real relationship that corporations, and the provincial government have with sovereign nations in BC.
The Olympics is an event, that gives the BC, and Canadian governments an excuse to dump government funding into development projects that rape and pillage native land, and into the law enforcement agencies that attempt to repress any indigenous resistance to encroachment and unwanted development.
Miranda Dick, our visitor from the Secwepemc Nation also informed natives, and non-native supporters about the Superhighway project that is being built from the Alberta Tar Sands to the Vancouver Port. This destructive expansion has unearthed a 7000 year old Ancestor in Secwepemc territory last spring, and Secwepemc People have re-buried her in a proper manner and are actively protecting her from the possibility of being re-dug up by the Ministry of Highways for this road expansion.
We stand strong in Solidarity with the Sovereign Nations in the west that are being negatively impacted by the 2010 Winter Olympics that is displacing natives from their traditional land, and from their homes in the city of Vancouver. We also stand in Solidarity with the Secwpemc and Cree nations, and all the nations that this Super Highway is threatening to cut through.
Down with the Olympics,
Down with the Alberta Tar Sands!
Donations can be made to: Caisse Populaire Desjardins (Desjardins Bank) 077 30284 815 0209395.
This is a chequing account.
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