CANADIAN LABOUR EDMONTON:

SUPPORT NICK DREIGER:

Nick Dreiger is a shop steward for the Canadian Union Of Postal Workers (CUPW) in Edmonton Alberta and an organizer for the IWW. He was recently fired because of a number of charges related to either his union activities or his show of political support for the Occupy Edmonton encampment. The following is a solidarity campaign message from the Toronto IWW.

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Please support fired CUPW Steward & IWW Organizer
Posted by MoS ⋅ February 13, 2012

Reinstate postal worker shop steward.

Edmonton CUPW Shop Steward and IWW organizer Nick Drieger has been fired after many years of service at Canada Post. He was fired due to honking his horn at an action near Occupy Edmonton, who were not allowed on the university campus at the time.

His termination was based on

1.Attitude towards police.
2.A ticket for stunting (honking his horn).
3.Being out of his delivery area.
4.Activity on a wild cat strike when he was on vacation.
The plan for Tuesday February 14th is to fill their managers emails with letters of outrage over the conduct of firing this worker based on these charges.Thank you, solidarity, and lets fight to win. An injury to one is an injury to all.

Please begin sending emails and letters to the following people in response to Nick Driedger’s termination.

Wesam Haymour
Title:SPT TRANSPORTATION
Location: 9808 103 A AVE, T5J 2T6
Edmonton Alberta
Email: wesam.haymour@canadapost.postescanada.ca

Brenda Young
Title MGR SHIFT
Location:12135 149 ST, T5L 5H2
Edmonton Alberta
Email: brenda.young@canadapst.postescanada.ca

Robert Mccutcheon
Title DIR PLANT OPERATIONS
Location: 12135 149 ST T5L 5H2
Edmonton Alberta
Email: ben.mccutcheon@canadapost.postescanada.ca

Azam Bacchus
Title: OFFICER OF LABOUR RELATIONS
Location: 12135- 149 ST T5L 5H2
Edmonton Alberta
Email: azam.bacchus@canadapost.postescanada.ca

SAMPLE LETTER:

To: ________________

I am writing out of concern over the treatment of Shop Steward Nick Driedger, who has recently been dismissed. It is my understanding that Mr Nick Driedger advances the welfare and safety of his fellow workers in this role. It is hard to believe that someone as honest, positive, and hard working as Nick should be dismissed, especially in light of the charge discussed below.

Mr Nick Driedger has been accused of stunting, a charge of which he has not been found guilty. According to eyewitness testimony, he was merely honking his horn, which could only make him more visible as he drove through an area with many police and protesters. Also, according to eyewitnesses, he ceased after hearing shouting from the officers in question. The eyewitness testimony in his favour is substantial, and it is disturbing that Canada Post Corporation would find Nick Driedger guilty in advance of the verdict of a court of law.

I, ____________________ request that Nick Driedger be reinstated as a full time mail service courier with no harm to his seniority. I also request that any targeting of him due to his activities as a CUPW shop steward come to an immediate end.

ANARCHIST PUBLICATIONS/CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

MAKHNO MEMOIRS VOLUME TWO:

Black Cat Press of Edmonton has brought out Volume Two of a three volume series of the memoirs of Nestor Makhno, the famous anarchist commander in the Russian Revolution. This is the first time the series has appeared in English. Here's the promo and how to order.

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"Under the Blows of the Counterrevolution" by Nestor Makhno

"Under the Blows of the Counterrevolution" is the second volume of Nestor Makhno's memoirs which describes Makhno's odyssey through revolutionary Russia in the spring of 1918. It is the first English translation of this book.
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Under the Blows of the Counterrevolution

by Nestor Ivanovich Makhno

Nestor Makhno (1888-1934) was a peasant anarcho-communist who organized an experiment in anarchist values in practice in southeast Ukraine during the Russian Revolution and Civil War.
This is the second volume of his memoirs, originally published in France in 1936 and published in English here for the first time.

"Under the Blows of the Counterrevolution describes Makhno's odyssey through revolutionary Russia in the spring of 1918. Driven from his Ukrainian village by a German invasion, he wandered through a nation torn by civil war, encountered various remarkable personalities, and survived hair-raising adventures.

This volume has interested historians mainly because of Makhno's account of his interview with Lenin, but it also contains much valuable eye-witness information about a period of Soviet history which was later almost completely rewritten in officially sanctioned accounts.

The book (214 pp.) includes the original preface and notes by Makno's sometime colleague Vsevolod Volin together with photos, maps, glossary, explanatory notes, appendix, etc. English translation and editing by Malcolm Archibald..

ISBN 978-0-9737827-5-2

$22.00 Can or US

Price does not include tax or shipping. Publications may be ordered from:

Black Cat Press, 4508 118 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5W 1A9 Canada

Order by email from orders@blackcatpress.ca

(we can send you an estimate of the cost of your order)

We accept Visa and Mastercard. Inquiries from bookstores/distributors welcome.



Related Link: http://www.blackcatpress.ca

CANADIAN POLITICS:

FOUR STORIES-VERY LITTLE PRESS:

As the Olympic Flame made its way across western Canada in the past two weeks it was met by demonstrations in four prairie cities. The stories of each stop are given below, three from the No2010 website and a fourth from the Regina Leader Post. A few commonalities can be seen. One, the obvious, is that they are all about demonstrations against the upcoming Olympic circus. Another is that all the demonstrations were peaceful. What is most striking, however, is that the demonstrations attracted hardly any mainstream media reportage. This may have been because they were indeed peaceful and therefore "not entertaining". It may also be because they just weren't weird enough. The press seemed to have no hesitation about reporting all of the antics of PETA in each and every stop. PETA, of course, provides the necessary daily dose of weird in a daily newspaper. Something about "seals and the Olympics" I think, however they may connect. Here in Winnipeg the PETA circus was duly reported. The other demo attracted no notice in the Winnipeg Free Press, while the Winnipeg Sun reported that "another demonstration also took place, but nobody was sure what they were demonstrating about". I kid you not. The demonstrations in Regina and Saskatoon attracted the attention of the Regina Leader Post (but not, insofar as I am able to determine the Saskatoon Star Phoenix), and even there the PETA clowns were given more prominence.

So here, as a public service, are the three stories that have only been reported on the No2010 site and in a few internet forums, and the other Regina story that hasn't shown up in such forums.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Winnipeg: Olympic Torch Protested & Briefly Delayed:
January 7, 2010 - 09:04 — no2010
January 5 - The Olympic torch relay was successfully disrupted in Winnipeg this evening. The torch and parade were blockaded for fifteen minutes, after which time the relay was forced to extinguish the torch, and the torch and relay team were transported forward in a truck.

The demonstration began when approximately 50 people assembled at the Forks and handed out literature to people attending the torch event.

The demonstration marched from the Forks down Broadway on the sidewalk, and then on the boulevard, to meet the torch relay from the opposite direction, posting "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land" stickers along the way.

Five people were dressed as Olympic rings and carried torches that were lit as the demonstration approached the official Olympic torchbearer.

Each ring represented an issue associated with the Olympics: Homelessness and the criminalization of the poor, massive police spending and the criminalization of dissent, environmental destruction, missing and murdered women, and the theft of native land.

When the demonstration reached the torchbearer, protesters took the street and blockaded the torch parade for fifteen minutes, chanting slogans and distributing leaflets.

The torch was extinguished and transported forward in a truck. Demonstrators were pushed out of the street by the Winnipeg Police Service.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Saskatoon Protests Olympic Torch Relay:
January 14, 2010 - 01:48 — no2010
Protesters peaceful at rally
By Jeremy Warren, Saskatchewan News Network, January 12, 2010

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/2010wintergames/Protesters+peaceful+rally/2430999/story.html
While thousands of supporters at Kiwanis park waved flags and chanted encouragement for the 2010 Olympics, a small group of protesters had their slogans and flags that denounced the Olympic industry.

About 30 protesters, part of a national movement demonstrating against the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, took their grievances to Saskatoon's Olympic torch relay event Monday.

"True Sport or Corporate Opportunism?" read one protester's sign.

Homelessness in Vancouver has worsened since the city's successful bid, which lead to the elimination of low income housing, and there's been much ecological destruction from construction and renovation of Olympic sites in B.C., said demonstration organizer Ashley Budd.
The corporations -- from Coca-Cola to Royal Bank of Canada, both of which had significant presence at Monday's event with company giveaways and booths -- are using the games to push product, not sport, said Budd.

"They're influencing these kids," said Budd, a University of Saskatchewan student. "This isn't an education. It's a corporate takeover."

Event organizers bused in more than 1,000 students to Kiwanis Park to watch the torch relay and lighting of the Olympic cauldron. Attendance was between 5,000 and 7,000 people, said organizers.

Spectators were handed free bottles of Coke products and flags and RBC tambourines.

Commercials played on a large screen above the performance stage. The entertainment MC spliced in corporate slogans in chants to rouse the crowd.

"Are you happy?" said the MC, to cheers from the crowd. "I can't hear you! Are you happy?"

The crowd cheered again. Then the MC revealed the Happiness is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

"Are you ready to open happiness, Saskatoon?" Then the Coca-Cola-sponsored performers took the stage.

The crowd was urged to cheer to "create a better Canada," (perhaps one without Coco-Cola-Molly ) to which again the crowd responded with cheers.

"Are you ready to create a better Canada? Let's do with RBC," said the MC. ( it obviously got stranger and stranger as the night wore on-Molly )

Saskatoon Olympic Torch Relay Organizing Committee chair Jill Cope said corporate sponsorship is necessary for the event.

"Putting on a torch run of this magnitude, you certainly need corporate sponsorship," said Cope. "(The advertising) wasn't blatant. (cough, cough-Molly ) I think the kids, and adults too, had fun."

While demonstrations disrupted torch relays elsewhere in Canada, the demonstrators in Saskatoon were peaceful. They drummed and stood silently and burned sage. When approached, they answered questions or distributed leaflets.

"We're not trying to stop the Olympics," said Budd. "We're trying to bring education to the Games."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Edmonton Protests Olympic Torch & Tar Sands:
January 15, 2010 - 21:57 — no2010

No Torch, No Tar sands

Edmontonians stand up against capitalism

by Dawn Paley

http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/story/2463
EDMONTON-- Dozens of people protested the official Olympics ceremony in downtown Edmonton this evening, an island of resistance in a sea of people out to see the big show.

Those standing together against the torch drew attention to social and environmental issues that they argue are exacerbated by the Olympics.

"Capitalism just makes me feel gross," said Megan Heather, who was leafletting in the crowd gathered at Churchill Square. "It's sort of at the backbone of what is really fucking humans up," she said. (I'm sorry to criticize my "own side", but I just have to cringe at this sort of thing-Molly )

Activsts chanted slogans including "Homes not Games," and "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land."

They also drew a clear link between the tar sands and the 2010 Olympics, but the connection wasn't clear to bystanders.

"Most Edmontonians don't agree with it, they know where the bread and butter comes from," said Ed Dykstra, referring to a banner reading "No tar sands, No Olympics on Native Land."

As for why activists would be concerned about the tar sands, Dykstra also had no idea. "The tar sands is a very minuscule part of the greenhouse gas problem," he said. "As far as mining the ground is concerned, there is nothing growing there in the first place."

"The greenest games that are supposed to be carbon neutral are heavily sponsored by the companies active in the tar sands, the fastest growing contributor to climate change," said Macdonald Sainsby, who also organizes an an annual conference about the tar sands. This year's conference will focus on the Olympics as well as the tar sands.

Three people were handcuffed and detained on the torch route for allegedly swearing at the torch. They were later released without charge.

Audio from yesterday's actions in Edmonton:

http://www.mediacoop.ca/audio/2464

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Finally, here's the article from the Regina Leader Post about the demonstration in Regina, the one not reported by the No2010 people. Once more, like in Winnipeg, the PETA people get prominence, or in this case equal play. All this for the sake of three paid staffers for the donation sponge that is PETA who travel from town to town following the Olympic Torch. I'd rather not get diverted into a full fledged attack on these people, but I would suggest that they are the lefty equivalent of tele-evangelists, and I'd suggest that nobody give them a penny.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Reginans stage protests before arrival of Olympic torch:
By Josh Campbell, Leader-Post

January 7, 2010
REGINA — Not all Reginans want to hold the Olympic torch high this Saturday evening as it makes its way through the city.

Some would rather not see it at all.

Mere blocks apart in downtown Regina on Wednesday, two rallies took place, organized (by-Molly )groups that support the Olympics as a friendly international competition between athletes, but not as a means for corporations and countries to wash their hands of "dirty oil" and seal blood.

The first rally, outside the downtown Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) building, was spearheaded by the Council of Canadians (COC). It questioned RBC's sponsorship of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, saying this is a "greenwashing" tactic to get the public to believe the bank is environmentally friendly.

"They want to make themselves look better than they really are," said Jim Elliott, head of COC's Regina chapter.

A pamphlet COC distributed Wednesday read: "RBC is providing $15.9 billion in funding to coal and oil companies, including the tar sands. The 'make a pledge, carry the torch' campaign allows RBC to use the 2010 Games to market itself as a 'green' corporation and support tar sands development at the same time."

RBC representatives were contacted, but had not responded by late Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, at the corner of Scarth Street and Victoria Avenue, a giant inflatable seal was providing shelter to three shivering protesters.

One was Norfolk, Virginia, native David Shirk, a full-time employee with PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals). Shirk is travelling ahead of the torch and carrying his 10-foot-high inflatable seal with him to raise awareness about the annual seal hunt off the coast of Newfoundland and P.E.I.

Of the estimated 5.6 million seals off the coast of Atlantic Canada, the government allowed 280,000 to be hunted in the 2009.

According to Shirk, only three per cent of the overall seal kill is for Aboriginals. The rest is done by large corporations.( Love those "large Newfie corporations"-Molly )

"Just as China had a bad human rights record, so, too, should Canada be under scrutiny for the amount of seals they allow to be hunted," said Shirk. "I am horrified that people are still allowed to club baby seals over the head."

Shirk's belief in the cause has enabled him to handle the Canadian cold. "It's pretty cold up here," he said, "but it's nothing like getting skinned alive like baby seals do."

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-EDMONTON:

THE EDMONTON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR:

Less than a week to go until the Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair, beginning Friday, Oct. 2. Here's the promo from their website.

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Welcome to Edmonton!
A city where the most dangerous weapon to those in power is knowledge, ideas and discussion. Anarchism draws on all of these things to advocate that we need not be content with the status quo, that positive change is possible, that we need not be slaves to economic or political masters. From this comes the concept of the Anarchist Bookfair, a place where knowledge and ideas are made available, especially those one might not encounter every day.
Learn, Share, Connect!
Since 2002 the Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair has provided the public with the opportunity to share ideas and connect with others over a free three-day event. Each year upwards of 1000 people are able to access radical books, see independent documentaries and participate in skill-share workshops. The event attracts vendors, speakers and participants from all over Western Canada and USA. We received very positive full-page articles in both of Edmonton's mainstream newspapers, reviews of our feature film presentation in both arts weekly magazines, and multiple interviews on independent radio stations.
Bookfair 2009
This year's Anarchist Bookfair will be taking place October 2-4, 2009 at the Edmonton Ukrainian Center (map and address). We're looking forward to seeing you there!

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This year the keynote speaker will be Victoria law, author of 'Resistance Behind Bars:The Struggles of Incarcerated Women'. Here's the promo. Drop by the website for more news as the time draws even nearer.

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Latest News
The keynote speaker for 2009's Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair is Victoria Law, an activist and author of Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women.

She will be talking about the issues faced by incarcerated women in Canada and the US, as well as women's resistance and organizing in prison. She will also facilitate a discussion on how people on the outside can support women in prison.

She will be speaking Friday October 2nd at 7 pm at the Ukrainian Hall (11018-97 Street, Edmonton).2009-09-07

CANADIAN LABOUR:

ALBERTA SAFEWAY STRIKE ENDS-WITH DEFEAT:

According to the following article from the Edmonton Sun the strike against Safeway in Edmonton has ended after only six days. After rejecting a proposed contract agreed to by their union, the UFCW, by over 70% the workers saw that their strike was going to be a futile gesture as the Alberta Labour Relations Board ruled that vehicles were not to be impeded from entering and exiting Safeway premises, essentially guaranteeing that the scabs that the company had hired would be able to continue "business as usual". No doubt the UFCW staff were busy lecturing the people involved about just how unrealistic their demands were as well.

Whatever the reasons the workers involved, after only six days of a strike marked by some militancy in trying to blockade vehicles voted to accept the contract that they had originally rejected. The strike was, of course, not supported by any attempt on the part of the union nor the general labour movement to build any solidarity amongst other unionists, let alone the general public. What does this say, besides the generally pessimistic conclusion that one should accept the "wisdom" of union staffers ? It first of all says that people who go on strike are deluding themselves if they believe that all they have to do is rely on their union. First and foremost a strike is won or lost by the people who are actually involved, not some bureaucracy that they are presumably represented by.

Second of all it says that, especially in a conservative jurisdiction like Alberta that you might as well "go for the whole hog from the start". The courts and government boards will generally be on the "other side", especially when they are staffed with political appointees from parties that represent business. Rather than picketing and depending upon "traditional" union tactics the people involved should have moved to occupy the distribution centre and the Lucerne plant. Even if the end result would have been the same it would have 1)gained a little more respect from management and 2)led to at least a few days of free ice cream for the occupiers of the one plant. So, as people go back to work they should not just ponder whether the UFCW is the right union for them, but also what they could have done differently, both at the plants and amongst the general public. This is the third, and perhaps most important point. It is not entirely the fault of an union bureaucracy who are dragged into a strike that they didn't want in the first place that no great effort was made to reach out to the general public during the, brief, duration of this strike. To a large degree strikes today, even in the private sector, are won or lost just as much by public perception and support (or lack thereof) as they are by industrial action. Most unions today find this a rather alien concept, and it is up to the ordinary union member to educate their "leaders", not the other way around.

Anyways, here's the story from the Edmonton Sun.

CLCLCLCLCLCLCL

Safeway workers end six-day strike:
By SUN MEDIA
Safeway workers at the company's Edmonton distribution centre returned to work after voting to end the six-day strike yesterday afternoon.

"We have received notification from the UFCW that the membership has voted in favour of the contract offer, so we do have a ratification, which means the strike is officially over," said Safeway spokesman Betty Kellsey.

"We are really pleased with the outcome of the vote."

Around 3 p.m., the workers voted in favour of the contract put forward to them Aug. 26.

Safeway got word after 5 p.m.

About 360 unionized employees from the distribution centre, frozen food warehouse and Lucerne ice-cream plant went on strike Monday.

The strike came after more than 70% of workers rejected the company's offer to increase their pay by about 14% over three years. (Welllllll, not exactly-Molly )

The company had hired about 200 replacement workers to continue operations. They will now be let go, Kellsey said.

At least seven Safeway tractor-trailers and some non-union management staff were blocked from entering the distribution centre and Lucerne ice-cream plant on Monday.

The Alberta Labour Relations Board later ruled picketers must allow vehicles in and out of Safeway's buildings near 143 Street and Yellowhead Trail.

CANADIAN LABOUR-EDMONTON:

LABOUR DAY STRIKE/LOCKOUT BEGINS TODAY AT SAFEWAY WAREHOUSE AND ICECREAM PLANT:

Labour Day wasn't , and not because it is a statutory holiday, for 350 workers employed by Safeway in their Edmonton distribution centre and their ice cream plant. The workers are represented by Local 401 of the UFCW. The interesting thing about the story that follows is that the union brass had come to an agreement on a contract with management, but this proposal was rejected by over 70% of the members. The union brass were then obliged to call a strike they didn't want, Management, in turn, declared a lockout and has begun to hire scabs. Stay tuned to this situation.

Here's the story from the pages of the Edmonton Journal.

CLCLCLCLCLCLCLCL
Labour Day showdown at Safeway
Warehouse workers reject deal agreed to by their union

By Andrea Sands, Edmonton Journal

September 7, 2009

A union leader is expecting chaos to mark Labour Day today as Canada Safeway workers hit the picket lines in west Edmonton in a combined strike and lockout.

The fact that members rejected a deal that was recommended by the union's leaders is indicative of the high level of frustration, said Doug O'Halloran, local president of the United Food and Commercial Workers.

"I think it just shows that the members are upset with their treatment and it's a hard place to work," O'Halloran said Sunday.

A labour expert said the members' decision to strike is rare.

"This is relatively unusual because, most often, the members accept the leaders' recommendations," said labour expert Yonatan Reshef, a business professor at the University of Alberta.

"The economic situation in Alberta right now is not great at all. It's always intriguing as to why union members would go against the leaders, but right now, given the economic situation, it's even more so."

About 350 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 who work at Safeway's Edmonton distribution warehouse, Lucerne ice-cream plant and frozen food warehouse have been without a contract since December 2008.

On Aug. 26, Canada Safeway and union negotiators reached a deal, which the union then recommended to members.

However, in a surprise move, more than 70 per cent of the 350 workers went against their union's advice and voted to reject the deal.

"I've never had it happen before," said O'Halloran. "We have a lot of strikes and we don't go to the membership unless we think we've got every last nickel. When we go there, we go for the right reasons."

Union leaders will support the members' decision to reject the contract, he said.

"The company has served lockout notice and we have served strike notice. Our position will be that we're locked out and there's nothing that goes in and out of the warehouses. We'll see how it plays out," O'Halloran said.

"I think it's going to be a bunch of confusion and chaos. That's usually what happens the first day of a strikelockout when you have 300 people involved."

Safeway is expected to have security workers at the warehouse and ice-cream plant.

The company has been advertising for employees to fill temporary warehouse jobs at $18.41 per hour.

"That disappoints me," O'Halloran said. "I would have thought that we go on strike, and if people don't want to cross the picket line, then the plant doesn't operate. Not only are they advertising right away, but it looks like they're going to try to operate the plant, which will make the members more upset."

The $18.41-an-hour wage being offered to temporary workers will also anger union members, because it is too high, he added.

Part-time employees normally earn between $14 and $18 an hour, and full-time staff earn up to $20 an hour, O'Halloran said.

"If you work part-time and then full-time, it would take you about three or four years to get to the top rate."

Despite the members' anger, O'Halloran said he expects the strike will be a peaceful one "as long as the company doesn't hire a bunch of goon security guards."

Workers were planning to begin picketing at 6 a.m. today outside the distribution centre and ice-cream plant along Yellowhead Trail, between St. Albert Trail and 149th Street.

"I hope cool heads prevail on all sides and we can get a settlement and everybody can get back to work," O'Halloran said.

CANADIAN LABOUR/CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-EDMONTON:

EDMONTON IWW LECTURE NEXT MONTH:

Coming next month, January 23, 2009, a lecture by Roy Adams, sponsored by the Edmonton IWW. Here's the announcement...

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Roy Adams Talk:
The Edmonton General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World is announcing a public talk by Roy J. Adams, Professor of Industrial Relations (Emeritus) at McMaster University. Roy will be speaking at the Ukrainian Centre, 11018 97 Street NW in Edmonton on January 23, 2009 at 7:30 PM.

Professor Adams is the author of over 150 professional publications and numerous popular works as well. A founder and current Steering Committee Chair of the Society for the Promotion of Human Rights in Employment whose mission is to promote awareness, understanding and respect for core labour rights as human rights, his current research focuses largely on the implications for Canada of international human rights developments. His 2006 book, Labour Left Out: Canada's Failure to Protect and Promote Collective Bargaining as a Human Right, presaged the Supreme Court's 2007 Health Services decision constitutionalizing collective bargaining. He is a frequent contributor on labour issues to the online magazine Straight Goods, as well as to Our Times and International Union Rights.

Roy's "passion is workers' rights and in particular the right to organize and bargain collectively and the failure of Canadian governments (including most certainly Alberta) to secure and effectively promote that right. I am keen on talking about that stuff to anyone who'll listen."

For more information please contact Steve Nixon 780.984.9070

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

NEW FROM BLACK CAT PRESS:

Black Cat Press of Edmonton soldiers on, producing fine and inexpensive anarchist literature. Check out their website for their catalogue. Their newest is 'Kontrrazvedka:The Story of the Makhnovist Intelligence Service'. Fine cloak and dagger stuff with an anarchist twist.

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"Kontrrazvedka" by Vyacheslav Azarov:
Kontrrazvedka: The Story of the Makhnovist Intelligence Service
by Vyacheslav Azarov

The Makhnovist movement was an attempt by peasants in southeastern Ukraine to create an anarchist society in 1917-1921. This unique social experiment embraced a substantial territory with a population of millions but has been little studied by historians.

In the years of revolution and civil war, the movement was protected from its numerous enemies by a remarkable military force — the Insurgent Army; and by an intelligence service — the Kontrrazvedka. It is the latter institution which is the subject of this study by Vyacheslav Azarov. He is the author of many essays on the history of Russian/Ukrainian anarchism and the application of anarchist concepts to contemporary politics.

86 pp; includes translator's introduction, footnotes/end notes, glossary, a chronology of the Makhnovist movement, photos, and a full colour map.

$8.50 Can or US

Price does not include tax or shipping. Publications may be ordered from:
Black Cat Press, 4508 118 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5W 1A9 Canada
Order by email from http://www.anarkismo.net/mailto:orders@blackcatpress.ca
(we can send you an estimate of the cost of your order)
We accept Visa and Mastercard. Inquiries from bookstores/distributors welcome.
Related Link: http://www.blackcatpress.ca/

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-EDMONTON:

EDMONTON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR REPORT BACK:

The following report on the recent Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair was published yesterday on the A-Infos website. Yes, I know, it is very sparse and personal and hardly makes an effort to describe what happened there, but the images are great. Check out the links for those if for no other reason.

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Canada, Edmonton Anarchist Book fair 2008 - reportback by Paula:

I spent most of last weekend at the 2008 version of the Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair. Despite the negative associations many people have with anarchism, this event had nothing to do with violence or discord and more to do with organizing, peace, and community. Numerous vendors from across North America had information tables selling books, music, and videos of all kinds. I ended up buying some lapel buttons from ThoughtCrimeInk and a book about making it as an indie musician written by David Rovics [the well known anarchist troubadour], from PM Press. I also bought a graphic novel that was co-written and drawn by a bunch of local artists/activists concerning organizing in the workplace.

The most fun part of the weekend for me was playing my guitar to provide ambient background. I knew in advance I would not have a sound system, so I brought my 12-string which has a very bold sound. Still, when I was on stage at the Ukrainian Centre the sound was not carrying well. When another musician played he carried better, most likely due to a heavier strum and the fact he was using a pick. I tend to go pickless. On Sunday I brought a pick and it made a difference. I also played quite a bit in the front lobby. Since I had no microphone, I did not even bother to try to sing. This was my first all-instrumental performance, and I got good feedback so I will hopefully do it again at some point.

Here are some photos from the weekend at RaiseMyVoice.com http://www.raisemyvoice.com/anarchist08/anarchist08.html (34 images) and Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/raisemyvoice/sets/72157607776336853/ (32 images).

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-EDMONTON:

OLYMPIC 'SPIRIT TRAIN' MET BY PROTESTERS IN EDMONTON:

The 'Olympic Spirit Train' continues its slow chug across the land, hoping to whip up enthusiasm (or is it hysteria ?) for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler BC. But it seems to be met with protests wherever it goes, and two days ago Edmonton was no exception. Here's the story from the No Olympics on Stolen Land website.

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Upcoming events
Disrupt CP's Olympic 'Spirit Train', Sept. 21-Oct. 18, 2008(Now)
Anti-2010 Benefit Concert(25 days)
Why Resist 2010? A Conference on Vancouver Olympic Games(26 days)
2010 Convergence(497 days)

Edmonton Report Back on Spirit Train Action:

Protesters Educate & Agitate; Two Climb on Train to Hang 'Resist 2010' Banner
On September 29, 2008 around 30 protesters greeted the Canadian Pacific Railway “Olympic Spirit Train” as it brought its propaganda machine through Edmonton. Highlighting that the train and the Olympic Games are interlinked with the same corporations carrying out the largest industrial project on earth known as the Tar Sands, protesters disrupted the “spirit train” celebrations with the spirit of resistance. Under the slogan of “No Games, No Tar Sands on Native Land!” demonstrators from the the community of Fort Chipewyan in “Alberta” came in solidarity to act with Native 2010 Resistance, the Olympics Resistance Network, Edmonton Anarchist Black Cross and the Indigenous Environmental Network to let the public know what’s wrong with the Olympics and the Tar Sands. Their message articulated the vast increases in Indigenous land displacement, homelessness and the expansion of environmental destruction brought about by the corporate agenda around the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Tar Sands-- most notably by CP Railways, Petro-Canada and the Royal Bank of Canada.

Protesters distributed flyers, stickers and balloons for children and youth with counter-2010 information on both and used their presence and their voices to confront the “festivities” and alert the larger Edmonton public to the massive destruction being wrought on peoples and the land. Chanting slogans aimed at the event, protesters were met by police who forced them back with bicycles, only to see the crowd regroup and continue to dispel the notion of an “apolitical event”. During the disruption in front of the “spirit” train stage, police cordoned off protesters using force and moved them back, while also putting their hands into the megaphones being used by protesters. The corralling of protesters by police was an attempt to hide and quell protest efforts, however, the ‘safety zone’ protesters were pushed to actually became an area of interest for high school students who showed up in the hundreds to listen to what the demonstrators had to say. Some students became very interested in learning what the protesters had to say and engaged in dialogue on the spot, creating a victory for outreach and education.

During the event, two protesters managed to scale the “Spirit Train” itself and hang a giant banner that read “Resist 2010” containing one of the symbols of the spirit of resistance-- a thunderbird flying off with the five ring symbol of the Games. After affixing the banner to the train the two protesters managed to successfully escape on foot, fleeing the train and eluding police capture. Police climbed aboard the train and removed the banner.

The event marked another victory against the propaganda machine of the 2010 Games and the Tar Sands Gigaproject. Protesters urge continued solidarity with the resistance in Vancouver as the train moves through to Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Mississauga, Smith's Falls and finally Montréal. The largest spectacle in the world of the 2010 Games and the largest industrial project in history of the tar sands continue to displace Indigenous populations, lead to the vast expansion of homelessness and environmental destruction and we will continue to see more and more resistance to their attempts to escalate corporate domination, environmental destruction and massive human rights abuses.

Edmonton organizers strongly encourage people in the cities yet to be visited by the Spirit Train to continue to escalate the campaign to disrupt the propaganda machine and expose the Olympics and the Tar Sands projects as great threats to human and ecological survival with creative and disruptive forms of resistance.
No Games, No Tar Sands on Native Land!

Homes not Games!

Protect the Earth from corporate destruction!
For more information, please check:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://no2010.com%2F

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://oilsandstruth.org%2F

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.ienearth.org%2Fcits.html
contact:
macdonald@oilsandstruth.org (Edmonton)

edmontonabc@riseup.net (Edmonton)

ienoil@igc.org (Ottawa)

Olympics Resistance Network (Vancouver)

--------------------
To reply to this message, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=32361057029

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-BC/EDMONTON:

ACTIVISTS DISRUPT LAUNCH OF 'OLYMPIC SRIRIT TRAIN'-MORE TO COME:

It's two years to go until the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, but already the promo for the event has started...but so have the protests. Just three days ago protestors disrupted the launch of Canadian Pacific's 'Olympic Spirit Train' in Port Moody, BC. This weekend there will be meetings in Edmonton to protest the coming circuses without bread. Here's the story from the No Olympics on Stolen Native Land website.

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OLYMPIC SPIRIT TRAIN SUCCESSFULLY DISRUPTED!:
A more complete reportback is forthcoming, however some basic news,updates, and photos are compiled below.

Olympics Resistance NetworkNews Release to Mainstream Media:

CP-VANOC SPIRIT TRAIN DERAILED WITH ‘SPIRIT OF RESISTANCE’; POLICE MAKE TWO UNPROVOKED ARRESTS
* For photos please visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkflip/sets/72157607424169310/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30781453@N08/
Monday September 22 2008- Amidst pots, pans, sirens, and chants of “No Olympics on Stolen Native Land”, Olympics Resistance Network (ORN) activists- including families with children- successfully shutdown yesterday’s Canadian Pacific’s Olympics Spirit Train launch in Port Moody as intended.

According to Gord Hill, member of the Olympics Resistance Network, “With protesters nearly outnumbering spectators, the most spirited part of today was the spirit of resistance against the Olympics. We are confident that the forced cancellation of the Spirit Train launch ceremonies will inspire others as the train travels across Canada."

The action in Port Moody was the first in a series of actions against the Olympic Spirit Train planned across the country including in Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto over the next month.

Activists further state that they are outraged by the unjustified and unprovoked arrests of two people, including one elderly woman. The two have since been released.

According to protester Peter Haywood “At no point during this protest did we threaten, provoke, or assault anyone. However, some members of the public as well as identified and undercover police officers aggressively shoved and assaulted protesters, escalating the situation.”

For example, a woman with two children entered into the crowd and very aggressively confronted protesters. Although protesters made space for her to leave, she – despite having two young crying children with her – decided to remain and hurl abuses at protesters. During this time, one young male protester was shoved by a photographer into a police officer, who promptly arrested him for no apparent reason. An elderly woman who, along with other concerned people, was following the police to question them about the arrest was violently pushed against the hood of a vehicle and arrested.

“The police refused to read the arrested people their rights or explain their charges. These arbitrary arrests are an expression of police fascism, who make freedom of expression expendable in order to protect Olympic interests”, according to Alissa Westergard-Thorpe, a witness to the arrests.

According to the Olympics Resistance Network, “Far from being simply about ‘sport’, the history of the Olympics is one rooted in displacement, corporate greed, repression, and violence. In Canada, the effects of the upcoming Winter Games are already apparent – expansion of sport tourism on Indigenous lands; increasing homelessness across the province; ballooning public spending; unprecedented destruction of the environment; and unparalleled police and security spending.”

* For more information or if you are interested in actively organizing or coordinating anti-2010 Olympics resistance efforts, please visithttp://www.no2010.com/ or email olympicresistance@riseup.net.

A previous ORN communique is posted at: http://no2010.com/node/295
* Take action against the Spirit Train in your city! For Spirit train schedule and stops, please visit: http://www.no2010.com/node/295
==> COVERAGE OF SPIRIT TRAIN DISRUPTION:
* Dominion article "Protesters Disrupt "Spirit Train" Sendoff":

http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/2103
* CKUT Audio:

http://www.ncra.ca/exchange/dspProgramDetail.cfm?programID=75602
* 24 hours "Train buoys the spirits - of protesters" by Bob Mackin

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2008/09/22/6836936-sun.html
* Additional Mainstream news coverage:
Canadian Press:

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g2sZ79pilyGuihiW34W6BIVrd3yw
Vancouver Sun:

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=22ca5328-e430-4f40-bbd7-151289e57151
Vanocuver Province:

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=e46b84d5-98fe-4c86-ba6d-603db2be7b3a
CTV BC (includes video footage):

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080921/BC_2010_train_protest_080921/20080921?hub=CTVNewsAt11
Resistance and Direct Actions

...........................

Meanwhile, as the promo train arrives in Edmonton this weekend so do the protests.

...........................

Sat Sept 27, 2008:

Free Event at Native Friendship Center in Edmonton (see below)
Anti-Olympic efforts come to Edmonton:
SCOTT HARRIS / scott@vueweekly.com
While it is still 18 months before athletes competing in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games start arriving on Canada’s West Coast, last week’s closing ceremonies to wrap up the Beijing Parolympic Games signalled that the eyes of the Olympic-watching world would now fully shift focus to Canada.

And just as China discovered in the months leading up to the Beijing Olympics, while the Games may bring a flood of corporate sponsorship, new athletic infrastructure and international media attention, they are also inextricably linked with the politics of the host country and rife with controversies about who benefits and who suffers as a result of preparations to host the sporting world.

Since Vancouver first won its host bid in 2003, the Games have drawn the ire of many in British Columbia due to cost overruns—venue costs alone have ballooned 23 per cent above initial estimates to $580 million—and a host of other issues, including the use of a public-private partnership to build a rapid transit link from the airport to downtown Vancouver, concerns about the impact preparations for the Games are having marginalized communities in Vancouver, and issues arising from unresolved land claims and development linked to the Games infringing on unceded First Nations land in the province.

For social justice activists in BC, opposition to the Games has increasingly become a central rallying point.

“Although certainly the issue of Indigenous sovereignty and Indigenous land is foundational to anti-Olympics work, it does provide a space for people to come together from various movements,” explains Harsha Walia, a Vancouver-based organizer with the Olympics Resistance Network, a coalition of groups and individuals opposed to the Games. “The Olympics does affect and impact people from a wide variety of communities—whether that’s poor neighbourhoods and therefore anti-poverty activists, people within the labour movement, especially those working on migrant labour justice issues, people working on the Security and Prosperity Partnership because of security preparations. So it provides a space for activists working on a wide variety of issues to come together and make links.”

She says the social and environmental problems caused by the Olympics are easy to see.

“There’s a huge amount of construction, especially in Vancouver, but certainly in surrounding areas to get to Whistler, where most of the winter games will happen. You can visibly see the destruction of the mountains as you drive out of the city,” she says. “You can see a huge number of condos going up all across Vancouver, construction cranes everywhere. And the starkness, for example, in the Downtown Eastside where you have approximately 3000 people on the street while at the same time approximately 1500 condo units that are slated to go up by 2010.

There’s no way someone in British Columbia—no matter what they say about the Olympics, whether they’re neutral about it, whether they support it—there’s no way one walks into BC and doesn’t clearly see the negative social impacts of the Olympics.”

While such impacts have been coming into sharper focus in BC for years, as the Games draw closer, anti-Olympics activists are stepping up efforts to bring the issues surrounding the Games to national and international attention.

On September 21, protesters in Port Moody disrupted the launch of the “Spirit Train,” the first of a series of events planned by Olympic organizers to “move the Olympic spirit across Canada” (see sidebar). Walia says additional protests are being planned in many cities—including the September 29 stop in Edmonton, although she wouldn’t provide details—as the train makes its way across the country.

And as the train moves through the Rockies, activists here in the city are organizing a tour of their own, bringing together Indigenous activists and allies from BC and Alberta to make the links between preparations for the Olympics and our own oil-driven boom.

“The connections between what’s happening in Edmonton due to the uncontrolled development of the tar sands and the social impacts of uncontrolled developments around the 2010 Games seem, at a distance, to be very different,” concedes Macdonald Stainsby, one of the local organizers of the panel. “But in reality the connections are very clear,especially when one draws in the environmental destruction to unceded Indigenous territories in BC and to traditional territories in Northern Alberta.”

He says that many other problems are being seen in both provinces, including the increased use of temporary foreign workers brought in to ensure Olympic facilities are completed in time for the games, much as they are being brought to Alberta to work on the numerous tar sands developments underway in the province.

Stainsby adds that bringing together activists from both provinces is important in light of the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), which means whatever happens to standards in one province will have a direct impact in the other.

“Ultimately as a result of the 2010 Olympics, the debt will fall on the people of Vancouver and BC,” he says, “but the social debt with the way we interact with labour legislation, environmental legislation, etc will change across the entire country, and in particular in Alberta, with the two provinces being joined at the hip through TILMA.”

But, says Stainsby, the upside is that the shared challenges presented by the Olympics in BC and the tar sands in Alberta means there is a unique opportunity to build ties between social justice activists in the two provinces, a collaboration he hopes the event in Edmonton can kick-start.

“The primary thing is to understand the commonality of these various struggles. When people feel their community is under siege from these giant corporations and giant spectacles, they realize that we’re all in the same boat and can therefore start to address these things together, with the strength of numbers and the strength and confidence of understanding that it’s a larger agenda and not just their own communities that are under siege.”

...........................
No Games on Stolen Native Land!

Sat, Sep 27 (6 pm)

Panel on 2010 & Tar Sands

Edmonton Native Friendship Centre

(11205 - 101 St);

Free

Publish Content
Anti-Copyright @2007 No 2010 Olympics on Stolen Native Land

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-EDMONTON:

SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSUE OF 'THE WOBBLY DISPATCH' NOW ONLINE:

Speaking of Edmonton the Edmonton Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is one of the most dynamic branches in Canada. They publish a newsletter, 'The Wobbly Dispatch' and Volume 6, Issue 3 (September, 2008) is now available in a downloadable pdf format at their site. Stocked full of features and photos, this issue celebrates the 10th anniversary of the latest incarnation of the IWW in Edmonton. Here are some of the contents:

*Looking back and Working Forward: May Day, Edmonton and Struggle.

*Don't Mourn [Learn to] Organize! Recent and Upcoming Workshops.

*Stolen Sisters Walk.

*Ending Systemic Oppression of the Young.

*We Call it Freedom.

*On Leadership.

*Book Review: The Russian Revolution in Ukraine.

*View From the Basket.

Plus many shorts, photos, cartoons and much more. Drop on by for an interesting and inspiring read.

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

EDMONTON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR COMING SOON:

It's almost here, the last Canadian anarchist bookfair of the year, the ever popular Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair, now in its seventh season. last year the event drew over 1000 people, and this years promises to be even better.

When:

Oct. 3 -5

Where:

Ukrainian Centre

11018- 97 St.

Edmonton, Alberta

http://edmontonanarchistbookfair.ca

http://edmontonanarchistbookfair.blogspot.com

Here's a brief announcement from their website. Go there for more details.

.............................

Welcome to Edmonton!
Our annual Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair gives anarchists, allies and other friendly people throughout western Canada and beyond a chance to meet, share stories and ideas, and gather new literature and learn, education being the heart and soul of anarchist projects. We have been putting on the Bookfair annually since 2001.
Learn, Share, Connect!
In 2007, the Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair provided the public with the opportunity to learn, share ideas and connect with others over a free three-day event. Close to 1000 people were able to access radical books, see independent documentaries and participate in skill-share workshops. The event attracted vendors, speakers and participants from all over Western Canada. We received very positive full-page articles in both of Edmonton's mainstream newspapers, reviews of our feature film presentation in both arts weekly magazines, and multiple interviews on independent radio stations.
Bookfair 2008
This year's Anarchist Bookfair will be taking place October 3-5, 2008 at the Edmonton Ukrainian Center (map and address). We're looking forward to seeing you there!

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-EDMONTON:

BLACK CAT PRESS CATALOGUE NOW ONLINE:

For about 30 years now Edmonton's Black Cat Press has been fighting the good fight with weapons mightier than the sword. Now they have a website where you can order their titles. Drop in to the link above to see their wares. The physical location is:

Black Cat Press

4508 118 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta

T5W 1A9

phone # 780-448-0519

fax# 780-424-0796

email, info@blackcatpress.ca

EDMONTON

ANNOUNCING THE EDMONTON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR:

Here's the first announcement of the upcoming Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair. The website referenced is the same as that for the 2007 bookfair, and it will be updated as the event draws near.

...........................................................................................................

Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair 2008

Western Canada's Largest Anarchist Bookfair!

Looks like the 2008 fair will be the first weekend of October, at the Alberta Ave Community Center (same place as last year). We will update this page: http://edmontonanarchistbookfair.blogspot.com/ as we know more details.

Where: Alberta Avenue Hall 9210 - 118 Ave., Edmonton

When: Oct 4th and 5th, 2008

Stay informed Subscribe: edmontonanarchistbookfair-subscribe@yahoogroups.ca

CANADA:

AN AUTUMN OF ANARCHY:

ANARCHIST EVENTS FROM ACROSS CANADA:

The leaves have turned colour and fallen, all of them blowing into Steven Harper's driveway one hopes. Ottawa shivers as the squirrels hasten to stockpile nuts, of which Ottawa has a too goodly supply. Extra guards at the Parliament buildings with orders to shoot to kill at the flash of a bushy tail. The cold showers have begun, soon to turn into the first frigid snows. But things are still hot in the world of Canada's anarchists. Here's a medley of events from across the country, some taking place as we speak and some soon to come. Some have already been announced here at Molly's Blog, but there's no harm in repeating myself, repeating myself. This hardly claims to be a comprehensive list, but the very number of items gives testimony to the breadth of anarchism in Canada today.

MONTREAL:

COMPILATION D'ANARKHIA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH:

Where: 2eme etage (second story) 2035 St-Laurent, Montreal.

When: 8:00 pm Friday, October 26th, 2007.

What: Benefit for Anarkhia. Anarkhia is an online website, news service, discussion board, printed journal and much more. See http://www.anarkhia.org/ to find out all about it. The bands mentioned in the promo to the left will be playing at the benefit.

Also in Montreal

LANCEMENT DU JOURNAL LE FEU AUX POUDRES:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19TH:

Where: Cafe Chaos, 2031 St.-Denis, Montreal

When: 6:00 pm, Friday, October 19th.

What: A party to announce the launch of the fourth edition of Le journal Le Feu aux poudres (loosely translated by Molly as 'A fire/shot of gunpowder'- perhaps better rendered as 'A Whiff of Gunpowder'). Le Feu aux poudres is a "agitational journal of anti-capitalism that opens a debate for a pluralist left". Email contact lefeuauxpoudres@hotmail.com

NORTH AMERICAN DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WAR:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27TH:

Where: Gather for rally at Dorchester Square (the corner of Peel and Rene-Levesque), Montreal.

When: 12:30 pm, Saturday, October 27th.

What: Peace rally, especially directed against Canada's war in Afghanistan. Bring the troops home now ! See http://www.echecalaguerre.org/ for more details. Also, la Coalition Guerre a la Guerre are planning a "surprise action" on the same day. They are calling for people to gather at the amin doors at the Pavillon Charles De Koninck at the Universite Laval at 1:00 pm. This will be the more direct action event.

LONDON, ONTARIO:

LONDON PROJECT FOR A PARTICIPATORY SOCIETY MEETING:

Where: London Central Library, 251 Dundas St., beside the Red Roaster Coffee Shop.

When: 4:00 pm, Friday, October 19th.

What: Meeting of London area people interested in forming an organization to promote the ideas of Parecon, participatory economics. See http://radicalblogs.org/lpps for more details.

SUDBURY, ONTARIO:

SECRET TRIALS DAY OF ACTION:

Where: Sudbury Courthouse, 155 Elm St., Sudbury, Ontario

When: Noon, Saturday, October 20th

What: Media conference and demonstration against the government practice of "security certificates" that allow detention via secret trials. See Sudbury Against War and Occupation for more details or phone 675-8479.

TORONTO:

UPPING THE ANTI ISSUE 5 LAUNCH PARTY:

Where:Smiling Buddha Bar, 961 College St, West of Dovercourt.

When: As we speak, Thursday, October 18th.

What: Launch party for issue #5 of 'Upping the Anti', a libertarian socialist "journal of theory and action". Produced by the libertarian socialist collective 'Autonomy and Solidarity', a great outfit referenced many times on this blog. For more details about the journal see HERE.

SAY NO TO SECRET TRIALS IN CANADA:

Where: In front of CSIS Headquarters, 277 Front St., Toronto.

When: Saturday, October 20th, 2007, Noon.

What: Part of the nationwide Day of Action to Stop Secret Trials. March from CSIS headquarters to the Federal Court of Canada and ending at the Moss Park Armoury. Demands include the end of security certificates, an open trial for the five prisoners presently detained under them, an end to deportation to countries practicing torture and the closure of 'Guantanamo North'.

FILM SCREENING: THREADBARE:

Where: The Brunswick Theatre, 296 Brunswick Ave., Toronto.

When: Saturday, October 20th, 2007, 8:00 pm.

What: Screening of the film 'Threadbare', referring to the case against 5 Muslim men arrested in Canada and deported despite the lack of evidence. Also the long history of Canada's criminalizing immigrants and refugees. See http://www.brunswicktheatre.ca/.brunswicktheatre.ca/ for details.

OTTAWA:

UNSCHOOLING OPPRESSION

Where: Ottawa Public Library Auditorium, University of Ottawa, McDonald Hall Room 146, other locations. Ottawa. See the Road Network for details.

When: Six days from November 5th to November 10th.

What: Six evening presentations and workshops during the day will feature speakers on the historical roots and purposes of traditional schooling, power, authority, oppression, institutional violence, systemic racism, freedom and deschooling, alternative models for learning and much more. Speakers include David Noble, John Taylor Gatto, Cindy Milstein, Tara Guenette, Julie Lalonde, and Matt Hern. All workshops and events are free. the organizers hope for the event to "catalyze a new movement of projects and campaigns here in Ottawa to directly address the issues presented.".

UNREPENTANT: KEVIN ANNETT AND CANADA'S GENOCIDE:

Where: Carlton University, 204 Tory, Ottawa.

When: Tuesday, October 23rd, 6:45 pm.

What: Film showing, talk, discussion revolving around Kevin Annett's film 'Unrepentant', the story of Canada's attempt at genocide of native peoples by the residential school system. Based on Annett's book 'Hidden From History' it tells the story of how the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches, in collusion with Canada's federal government, attempted to destroy native culture. For more information about the film see http://www.hiddenfromhistory.org/ . For more information about the event see http://heritagemoment.ca/

ANARCHISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

Where: Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purtill Lane, Ottawa.

When: Sunday, October 28th, 2007, 1:30 pm.

What : Part of Ottawa's Anarchist Discussion Group's ongoing series. Meets every second Sunday afternoon. This event revolves around the connection of anarchism with the effort to build an ecologically sustainable society where humanity lives in harmony with the natural world rather than dominating it. See link above for more details and other events in the series.

WINNIPEG:

En el centro de Canada donde hay muy frio. Winnipeg.
FALL FUNDRAISING DINNER:

Where: Mondragon coffee house and bookstore. Your anarchist home away from home. 91 Albert St., Winnipeg.

When: Sunday, October 28, 2007. Seating at 5:00 pm. Dinner served at 6:00 pm.

What: Fall fund raising dinner for Winnipeg's A-Zone at 91 Albert St., home of a multitude of fine and worthy projects. Five course meal. Complimetary alcoholic beverage. Live entertainment. Presnetation of the past, present and future of the A-Zone. Tickets available in advance at Mondragon.

LAND AND FREEDOM: SCREENING AND DISCUSSION:

Where: Room TBA, University of Winnipeg.

When: Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 7:00 pm

What: Screening of Ken Loach's masterful film 'Tierra y Libertad'/Land and Freedom, a documentary on the Spanish Revolution. Consultant for the fim was Abel Paz, a participant in the Revolution and author of 'Durruti in the Spanish Revolution'. Followed by a discussion.

Molly has to interject here. The presenters are the 'New Socialist Group'. Who Dey ?? Basically a collection of reformed Trotskyists who have gathered a number of other non-aligned leftists to them, more along the line of "sheltering" them from the disintegration of the New Left than anything else. Previous participants in the mercifully failed 'Rebuilding the Left' initiative. I say "mercifully" because once Dracula is in his grave with a stake through his heart you should leave that grave alone and not pull out the stake. A cynic would look at the way NS presents itself to the public and finding no public evidence of their Trotskyist roots- or at least evidence that is clear to anybody not familiar with left wing sects, Hal Draper is a dead giveaway to the suspicious- would conclude that NS is one more example of the Trotskyist tactic of "deep entrism". Instead of "winning the NDP to socialism" like the LSA used to pretent to do way back when they now want to "win the anarchists to socialism". Hence the strange spectacle of a Trot group presenting an anarchist film.

Now the cynical picture may not be entirely correct. No doubt the NS group contains scheming unreformed Leninists who think that opportunism is a moral obligation and who still masturbate to fantasies of becoming commisars of this, that and the other thing. But a cursory reading of its politics and those of its bigger brother, the Solidarity-USA group, leads one to think that there is a certain amount of sincerity amongst its ranks. Sincerity yes, but also great confusion with a dose of dishonesty. Most of its adherants have probably abandoned the juvenile fantasy of building a "democratic" (SIC!!!) centralist party and have accomodated themselves to the modern world. Molly reminds her readers that many of the BEST libertarian groups have come out of Trotskyism, whether this be the Canadian Autonomy and Solidarity Group, some of the founders of Love and Rage or reaching back further in time, Socialisme ou Barbarie and the Solidarity organization in the UK. People in transit. So perhaps judgement should be suspended.

The most annoying thing that Molly can gather from reading about the politics of these people is that they have a "school-marm" like mantra about the need for organization to achieve socialism. Like school marms their ideas of organization are ill formed and prone to simply following some sort of kindergarden rote. Try the experiment of removing the blah-blah from a platformist program (groups such as NS have conveniently removed their own blah-blah already whether for good or bad reasons) and run it in tandem with the NS program. See any difference ? Few would unless they have Molly's suspicious mind. Quite frankly "organization" is being created by anarchists today, and they hardly need to be lectured at a grade school level by the likes of NS. The two paths diverge when you start to allow the blah-blah back in, particularily when you contrast the child-like faith of groups such as NS in the careerist left that they would like to cozy up to with an anarchism that is organizational, like it usually has been in most of its history. The biggest critics of anarchist disorganization are not vague leftists but anarchists themselves.

But enough of this diversion. back to the listings.

EDMONTON:

EDMONTON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR:

Where: Mostly at the Alberta Avenue Community Centre. (see 'What' for preliminary events), 9210 - 118th Avenue, Edmonton.

When: Saturday, October 27th 11:00 am-7:00 pm; Sunday, October 28th, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

What: Edmonton's most excellent anarchist bookfair, the biggest in western Canada. Books, lectures, events, entertainment and even a Halloween party. See http://edmontonanarchistbookfair.blogspot.com/ for further details. Preliminary even include Norman Nawrocki 'Lessons from a Seven Foot Penis' on Thursday, October 25th at the Jekyll & Hyde Pub, 10610-100th Avenue, Edmonton. Doors open 8:00 pm. Also Ward Churchill "Organizing to Win' on Friday, October 26th at the Myer Horowitz Theatre, Students' Union Building, 8900-114th St., Edmonton. Closing event is the 'Anarchist Folk Show' on Sunday, October 28th, 2007 at 7:00 pm. Event at The Remedy Cafe, 8631- 109th St., Edmonton. Bands include Todi Stronghands (Halifax), Startal Ubiquitous (Halifax), R. Olson (Vancouver), Ben Disaster (Edmonton), Lex Mckie (lamenting folk ????).

Come on out for the best in the west.

VANCOUVER:

OPPOSE NEW SECURITY CERTIFICATES LEGISLATION:

Where: Broadway Skytrain Station, Commercial Drive, Vancouver.

When: Friday, October 19th, 2007, 4:30pm.

What: Leafleting, redaings and creative resistance against the Canadian government's security certificates. part of the National Day of Action of the campaign to Stop Secret Trials in Canada discussed previously. For the most complete backgrounder on this campaign see http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=531 .

BC, ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN:

While you're looking at anarchist events don't forget to check out the appearances of Joey Only, Canada's anarchist/syndicalist/IWW songster and poet. For his appearances through the western rim (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan) in Ocober and November see Joey Only. Much more than you think.

So that's the end of our little tour. As Molly said this list is hardly comprehensive So much happening. What Molly wants to say is that this is further evidence of the maturity of anarchism in Canada today. It is also evidence of a "critical mass" that could do much more if it was organized in an ideological federation. Not that such a federation should be the only organization. The events listed above give proof to the anarchist idea of spontaneous organization around "issues", but they are only around issues and necessarily both temporary and restricted. It is time for a larger organization that will give "body" to these initiatives without dictating to them. Food for thought.