CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-KITCHENER WATERLOO:

AGAINST THE OLYMPICS IN ONTARIO:

As the Olympic flame continues to sputter its way across Canada it is net with protests in every region. When it comes to Kitchener on Dec. 27 it will be no exception. The following is originally from the Anti War at Laurier group. It came to Molly's attention via the Common Cause/Linchpin site.

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A public mobilization against the Olympic Torch Relay:
Kitchener-Waterloo Rally, Dec 27th 2009.
Please forward widely!
“No Olympics on Stolen Native Land”
A public mobilization against the Olympic Torch Relay
AW@L and friends from across the region are sending an open invitation for a participatory public event to coincide with the arrival of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in Kitchener on Sunday, December 27.
WHAT:
A family friendly rally, march and demonstration against the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. We intend to create a festive atmosphere that is safe and inviting for activists as well as families. Our goal is to educate and to deliver a message. We will start with interactive events, free hot coffee and food at a rally at the entrance to Victoria Park in downtown Kitchener featuring speakers from the Olympic Resistance Network-Ontario (ORNO) as well as prominent Six Nations youth activists. Then we will all march to City Hall for a public demonstration during the Olympic Torch Celebration.
WHEN:
Sunday December 27, 4-8pm.
WHERE:
Rally at the Victoria Park Clock Tower, downtown Kitchener, off Gaukel Street.
WHY:
In response to callouts from the Olympic Resistance Network (ORN) and the Native Youth Movement (NYM), AW@L—a community-based direct action group, along with some of our allies are teaming up to co-host a peaceful rally during the Olympic Torch Celebration. We invite all of our friends and allies from across the region to converge in Kitchener in order to send the message to VANOC and to Canada that they can neither whitewash the ongoing colonization of First Nations, nor can they greenwash this country’s abysmal environmental record. We will use their Olympic circus as an opportunity to shine the international spotlight where it belongs, on the truth.





We are calling for this gathering because VANOC, Canada and the Olympics’ sponsors are trying to use the Olympics and the world media spotlight they bring to cast Canada’s international image in a certain light; as a “post-apology” country where the State’s relationship with First Nations is positive and progressive. But this official presentation is a tragic farce. The truth is that this country’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples is shameful. Canada is one of only three countries that has not signed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission collapsed. Our land claims process is so backed up that at the current rate active claims will not be solved for more than another two centuries. Canada and the provinces have repeatedly and endemically violated treaty after treaty. The Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Winter Olympic Games are taking place on unceded Territories of the Coast Salish people. Kitchener is on the Haldimand Tract, which is part of the Grand River Territory, which is Six Nations Land. Kitchener-Waterloo, like Vancouver-Whistler, is stolen land.





VANOC, Canada and Olympics’ sponsors are trying to use the Olympics to cast themselves as “green” global citizens, when in fact that is a sham. Canada as well as the Royal Bank of Canada (one of the Olympics’ and the Torch Relay’s primary sponsors) have been identified by major Environmental NGO’s as among the world’s worst climate change offenders. Canada has made the least progress of all developed countries on our Kyoto Protocol commitments, and Canada has been one of the most disruptive and uncooperative countries when it comes to international climate change talks. Canada’s Tar Sands collectively comprise one of the most environmentally destructive projects on earth, and RBC is the leading financier of Tar Sands projects, which like many environmentally destructive projects has a disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities. In the Vancouver-Whistler corridor, the environmental impact of the 2010 Games is incalculable.





VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Torch Relay host cities and Olympic sponsors are trying to use the Olympics to make themselves appear socially responsible to their constituent communities. This is yet another lie. In Vancouver, in preparation for the 2010 Games, neighbourhoods have been brutally gentrified, drastically increasing homelessness and the marginalization of the urban poor. And to make matters worse, new bylaws have been passed in Vancouver that essentially criminalize homelessness and poverty. In Torch Relay host cities, as on the West Coast, public funds are being diverted to pay for a corporate party; while in Kitchener the City’s New Years eve budget is being redirected to pay for VANOC’s Torch Celebration at City Hall, in Vancouver over six billion dollars of tax payer money is being used to pay for the 2010 Corporate Circus.





The 2010 Olympics are ushering in a new era of militarization and police repression. Activists across the country have been routinely harassed by CSIS and the RCMP in the lead up to the Olympic Games. During the games, new high-tech weaponry has been purchased for use against protesters and American military personnel are being brought in to help police the crowds. The security budget for the games is going to total over 1 billion dollars — during a financial crisis, no less.





So, as long as you are willing to abide by reasonable standards of “family friendly” behaviour, we urge everyone to attend this educational and festive public rally, march and demonstration against the 2010 Olympics. Bring warm clothes and things like banners, placards, costumes, noise makers, and oh yeah... lots of energy.





This event is less than a month a way, so there is much to do. If you would like to help out in any way, please contact No2010@peaceculture.org. That’s the same email to query if you want more info. We will have point people in Six Nations, Hamilton, Brantford, Guelph, Stratford, Toronto and London to coordinate carpooling, so if you need a ride, or have room for people in one, please let us know.
See you in the streets!
AW@L Olympic Resistance Committee
AW@L’s website is http://peaceculture.org
Contact for more info: No2010@peaceculture.org
For more info on the Olympics visit
No2010.com
OlympicResistance.net
No2010Victoria.net
Peaceculture.org

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-ONTARIO:

UPCOMING ANARCHO-EVENTS IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO:

Here's a potpourri of events coming up soon in the southern Ontario region. All are from the Common Cause/Linchpin website.

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HAMILTON:

Hamilton - For a world without bosses: The Industrial Workers of the World:
-Start: 10/25/2008 - 14:00
-End: 10/25/2008 - 16:00
For a world without bosses...

The Industrial Workers of the World is a militant grassroots democratic union open to all workers (including unemployed and students). On Saturday October 25, members from the IWW Toronto branch will be in Hamilton to discuss what the union is about and what the fast-growing Toronto branch is up to. Members from a number of different industries will be present, most notably education. There will be a brief presentation from experienced organizers, followed by discussion about how the IWW can support Hamilton workers. We encourage all interested workers to attend and look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have.

We will be at the Skydragon Centre(27 King William St) from 2-4pm.

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TORONTO:

Toronto: Media Democracy Day Oct23:
Start: 10/23/2008 - 00:00
Link: http://missinginthemedia.ca/

Thursday October 23
9am-5pm

Media fair and skill building workshops

International Student Centre

33 St. George St.,

University of Toronto

List of workshops and schedule
5:30-7:00pm: Action!

Speaker’s Corner, University & College
8:00pm: Rabble.ca relaunch party

Steamwhistle Roundhouse 255 Bremner Avenue

Panel & music afterwards

Details

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HAMILTON:

Kevin Annett at the Skydragon Centre in Hamilton:
Start: 10/28/2008 - 00:00 ("00:00" ?????-Molly)
Activist, author and film maker Kevin Annett will be speaking at the Skydragon Centre on October 28. Kevin Annett has worked tirelessly for the past 15 years to expose Canada's genocidal residential school system. He is the author of two books, Love and Death in the Valley and Hidden from History: The Canadian Holocaust. In 2006, Kevin produced a documentary Unrepentant: Kevin Annett and Canada's Genocide which won the 2006 award for 'Best Director' at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.

“Kevin is more deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize than many who have received it in the past.”

- Dr. Noam Chomsky
Date: October 28, 2008

Location: 27 King William St, Hamilton, ON.

Time: TBA (!!!!-Molly)
http://www.hiddenfromhistory.org/

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SOUTH WESTERN ONTARIO:

Day of Action Against the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP):
Start: 11/03/2008 - 00:00 (Once more-Molly)
A call out by Anti-War at Laurier (AWOL):

Stop the SPP. Challenge Corporate Power.Target NACC Corporations and Federal (Mis)representatives.
WHAT: A regional Day of Action (DOA) in South-West Ontario to challenge the Security and Prosperity

Partnership (SPP) and to target corporations on the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) and Federal Ministers responsible for implementing SPP policies. Organize your own action, pick your own specific target, and address your concerns with the SPP.
WHEN: Monday, November 3, 2008.
WHERE: Anywhere in the South-West Ontario region, at an appropriate location of your choosing.
WHY: The Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) is an agreement which aims to achieve alarmingly deep integration between the governments and economies of Canada, America, and Mexico.

The SPP puts control of resources, security policy, trade, food, health, labour and immigration regulation into the hands of major corporations and puts the welfare of big business over that of communities and citizens.

The North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) serves as the primary oversight body for the SPP. The NACC is comprised of 30 CEOs, representing 10 corporations from each country. See below for a full list of NACC corporations.

The Canadian Federal Ministers responsible for carrying SPP directives are the Ministers of Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Public Safety. These posts are currently occupied by Jim Prentice, Peter MacKay, and Stockwell Day respectively.

The final round of SPP meetings are scheduled to be in Canada in 2010 at a currently undisclosed location. 2010 will also bring the Olympics to Vancouver and the G8 meetings to Huntsville, Ontario. 2010 Resistance has already begun.

For more info on the SPP visit integratethis.ca . For more info on 2010 resistance visit no2010.com. Also visit peaceculture.org

*AW@L peaceculture.org is going to devote web space on peaceculture.org to promoting and publicizing the regional DOA. We are hoping that people will let us know that they are planning an action and will send us whatever info you feel is appropriate. We are planning a region-wide media strategy for this event, and are hoping other groups' actions can be a part of that strategy. We invite you to communicate with us through this organizing and mobilization process, and in whatever ways that you feel appropriate.
email: spp@peaceculture.org

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-MISSISSAUGA/SMITH FALLS/MONTRÉAL:

OLYMPIC SPIRIT TRAIN TEMPORARILY BLOCKED ON WAY TO MISSISSUAGA:

The Olympic Spirit Train aka the Cheesy ChooChoo continues to stumble its way across the country, to be met by protesters at pretty well all its stops. But yesterday they had an unexpected stop as they were nearing the Ontario community of Mississauga. Here's the story, as told by postings on the Anti-War at Laurier blog who were involved in the blockade.

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Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Rail Blockade Disrupts CP Rail’s Olympic Spirit Train:

by Olympics Resistance Network

“Six Nations and solidarity activists resist Olympic theft of Indigenous land, ecological destruction, and attacks on the poor”

---- Toronto, Ontario –

Moments ago(actually yesterday, October 12-Molly), a group of activists occupied Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway’s train tracks by locking themselves down to the tracks and hanging banners off of the rail overpass on highway 27 near Elder Mills. The protest was organized in solidarity with the Olympics Resistance Network (ORN) and their call to disrupt CP’s “Spirit Train” that is traveling across Canada. Directions to the blockade site can be found at the bottom of this release.

---- “We are here today to show the world what the Olympics really stands for; capitalist greed and colonialist theft of Indigenous lands” said Winnie Small. They continued, “In stark contrast to Canada’s cherished reputation as a human rights advocate, our First Nations live in abject poverty; casualties of Canada’s apartheid policy refusal to respect Indigenous rights to their own land.”

The “Spirit Train” was launched Sunday Sept. 21, 2008, in Port Moody, B.C. where activists from the ORN, Anti-Poverty Committee, and the Native Youth Movement successfully disrupted it. To the embarrassment of its corporate sponsors, the Spirit Train, still rolling across the country, has been disrupted at several locations with protesters often outnumbering supporters.

“The 2010 Winter Olympics are occurring on unceded First Nations land in British Columbia where they are causing widespread environmental damage, and are resulting in a massive uprooting of homeless and poor people in Vancouver” said Dan Kellar, a spokesperson from AW@L, one of the activist groups involved in the rail blockade. “The Canadian Pacific Railway's (CP) "Spirit Train" is an Olympic propaganda machine spreading the ideals of capitalist colonialism across Turtle Island.”

What: Blockade lock down on train tracks to stop Olympic ‘Spirit Train.’

Where: CP rail overpass on highway 27, just south of highway 73 (Rutherford Rd.).

Visuals: Activists locked down to CP rail tracks, two large banners over highway 27 reading “No Olympics on Stolen Native Land,” and “Resistance 2010 Stop the Corporate Circus,” and Native Unity flags flying high.

Driving Directions: Take 401 to highway 400 North. Take exit 33 off highway 400 onto highway 73 West (Rutherford Rd.). After approximately 6 km, turn South on highway 27. The blockade is on the CP rail overpass on highway 27 approximately 500m South of highway 73.

For more information contact:

Dan Kellar 519 616 4462

Chris Buck 416 708 0834

For more information about Olympic Resistance

http://www.No2010.com

http://peaceculture.org

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Here, also from the Anti War at Laurier blog is the statement the activists gave upon lifting the blockade.

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Activists from AW@L, Six Nations and across SW-Ontario Blockade CP Rail Tracks Successfully Disrupting Olympic Spirit Train :
Rail blockade backs up trains across the country in an escalation of resistance to the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Olympic games

Toronto, Ontario – Moments ago a group of activists from Toronto, Waterloo, London, Kitchener, Guelph, and 6 Nations ended a blockade on Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway’s train tracks in opposition to the Spirit Train.

Activist locked themselves down to the tracks at 5:00pm and hung banners off of the rail overpass on highway 27 near Elder Mills. The protest was organized in solidarity with the Olympics Resistance Network (ORN) and their call to disrupt CP’s “Spirit Train” that is traveling across Canada.

“Today we shed light on what the Olympics really stands for; capitalist greed and colonialist theft of Indigenous lands” said Winnie Small. She continued, “In stark contrast to Canada’s cherished reputation as a human rights advocate, our First Nations live in abject poverty; casualties of Canada’s apartheid policies, and its refusal to respect Indigenous rights to their own land.”

The activists successfully negotiated a peaceful dispersal after more than three hours. No arrests were made and the activists were able to leave the area without incident. CP Police Officer told the activists’ liaison that trains had been backed up “across the country” and that the delay cost the company “millions of dollars.”

The “Spirit Train” was launched Sunday Sept. 21, 2008, in Port Moody, B.C. where activists from the ORN, Anti-Poverty Committee, and the Native Youth Movement successfully disrupted it. To the embarrassment of its corporate sponsors, the Spirit Train, still rolling across the country, has been disrupted at several locations with protesters often outnumbering supporters.
For interviews, photo images and B-roll please contact:

Dan Kellar 519 616 4462

Chris Buck 416 708 0834
For more information about Olympic Resistance

http://www.No2010.com

http://peaceculture.org

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Finally, once again from the Anti-War at Laurier blog , here is the final report on the activity down Ontario way.

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Report Back - Activists from AW@L, Six Nations and across SW Ontario Block the Olympic Spirit Train:
It has just all set in. The non violent action to block The Spirit Train was a resounding success as our goal to have national media coverage that actually speak about the true issues surrounding the Olympics were met. Hopefully we have inspired others to take action as well. More and more people are gaining an understanding that the Olympics in general, and more specifically the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, are no longer about sports and culture, they are about profit for a small elite and wide scale environmental destruction through development of Stolen First Nations Land.

On Sunday October 12th, Activists from AW@L, Six Nations, Guelph, London, Kitchener, Toronto, Waterloo and Hamilton Blocked the Olympic Spirit Train on the tracks as it approached Toronto, by locking down on the tracks and occupying a railway bridge. This highly co-ordinated and well executed non-violent action was taken in solidarity with the Olympic Resistance Network of British Columbia, Native Youth Movement of the Coast Salish People, and The Anti-Poverty Committee of Vancouver, who have called for actions against the Spirit Train and all 2010 Olympic related activities.

Canadian Pacific have called the action a "serious safety risk", though no train was within 5 kilometres of the the blockade as scouts were tracking the progression of the train from Sudbury. Also, the lock down team had full safety control of the situation by using a self-release device. CP followed their pre-set safety precautions and no one was ever put in danger.

The situation was tense at times as the activist liaison negotiated with the police (first Peel Police then CP police), but after a three and a half hour blockade, and the arrival of independent media from the Real News Network, and corporate media journalists, a peaceful deescalation was completed and no one was arrested.

The 2010 Winter Olympics are being held on unceded Coast Salish First Nations land and are causing environmental destruction through venue, road and real-estate development. The Games are also leading to a massive expropriation of social housing units in once of Canada's most at risk communities - the downtown east side of Vancouver.

Further, these games are diverting tax money from social and environmental programs so the small elite of land developers that have permeated through the Vancouver Organizing Committee may pad their bank accounts.

Additionally, the 2010 Winter Olympics are being used as a catalyst to expand the police state in Canada. Those made homeless because of the gentrification of Vancouver's downtown east side, and those already living on the streets are being criminalized by the implementation of 'no sit, no lie, laws. Also, Security costs for the Olympics are likely to exceed 1 billion dollars as a planned force of more than 12,500 police, mounties, and army will converge on Vancouver. It is quite likely that we will also see American troops on our soil resulting from the February 2008 signing of the Civil Assistance Plan by the Harper Government.

Broad Coalitions are forming and the resistance to the 2010 Olympics is growing. This action is an escalation of the protest rallies that have met the Spirit train at many of its stops including, Port Moody, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Sudbury. The spirit train itself is an escalation of the dissemination of Olympic propaganda and with each new escalation initiated by Olympic organizers and sponsors, there will be an escalation in the non-violent resistance to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
For more information about the 2010 Olympics and the resistance visit:

http://peaceculture.org/drupal/olympics

-and-

http://www.no2010.com

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The poor little train that couldn't has two more stops to go before CP goes home to count their profits. These are

*Smith Falls, Ontario

Thursday, October 16

1:00 pm-8:00 pm

CP lot on Rideau Ave. North and Ella St.

*Montréal, Québec

Saturday, October 18

Place des Vestiges on the Quays of the Old Port-Across from the Jacques-Cartier Pier

Expect more demonstrations there and more news from Mollymew as it develops.