ANARCHIST THEORY:

ANARCHISM AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS:

The following article has been published today on both the Anarkismo and A-Infos websites. It addresses the perennial question of 'What Is To Be Done', and the author, Larry Gambone, poses at least one answer to the question. Anarchism can become a living reality in the organizations known as "community associations". Something to do when losing street fights against the police is finally seen as the futility it is. Something to do when you get a little bit older and feel the need to both connect to ordinary people and actually accomplishes something. Something that builds a society that is a bit more libertarian. Read on to see Gambone's description and proposal.

To read more by Larry Gambone see his Porkupine Blog and also the Red Lion Press website. See also his historical site on Vancouver Yippie and ATN Magazine of which he is an editor.

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Anarchism And Neighborhood Associations:
by Larry Gambone

redlionpress at hotmail dot com
Experiences with my neighborhood association and the anarchist potential for these organizations
Anarchism And Neighborhood Associations

by Larry Gambone
Background

My neighborhood has a working class tradition, dating back to the coal miners who settled here 120 years ago. The mines are long gone, and the work has changed from blue collar to white collar, yet the area is still inhabited by working people and proud to be so. Most people live in small to moderate size single family dwellings that were built before the First World War.
Problems

We face three major inter-linked problems. There has been an influx of drug addicts from the down town core. The development of shopping malls on the outskirts killed the old city, which was then taken over by the destitute and troubled. Real estate speculation and the refusal to build affordable housing, drove up the cost of rent, which created homelessness. After wrecking the city, the business interests decided to revitalize the down town as a tourist attraction. The drug addicts and homeless were then driven out, ending up in our neighborhood, the one nearest the old city centre. Conflict arose between the addicts and families with small children who feared an increasingly seedy, petty crime and needle-laden environment.

The second problem is the potential for greedy developers to take advantage of our lower priced real estate, move in and turn our neighborhood into yuppie heaven. The third problem is a noisy, invasive glass recycling plant which threatens to drive out the people unfortunate enough to live near it. The city does nothing about this problem, yet they are quick as thieves to react to other situations. Ultimately, the three problems stem from being a working class neighborhood, if this was upper class area, none of these problems would be allowed to exist, but as workers, both at work and in our homes, we are expendable.
Our Neighborhood Association

Attempting to deal with these problems is our neighborhood association, a group that has been around for close to thirty years and had its ups and downs in terms of support and influence. We are not the only group in the neighborhood, but are the best organized and most respected. A vocal minority demand a vindictive, confrontational approach to the addiction problem. We do not, favoring a positive approach, one that emphasizes an active, clean neighborhood with public art and public activities. We have gotten absentee landlords to clean out their crack houses, favor support for the addicts and public housing for the homeless.

As to real estate development, we have made it clear the kind of multi-family dwellings we want – affordable ones – and with one exception, potential construction has been kept within our guidelines. We will also be working on a Neighborhood (development) Plan which will specify exactly the direction we wish our neighborhood to take. We keep up the pressure on the city about the glass plant, but so far not much progress.

This is not all we do. Part of the neighborhood is a river delta. The Association worked and encouraged the development of an Estuary Park to preserve this area for the wildlife. Each June we put on Miners Heritage Day, to remember and celebrate the coal miners who built this town. About 600 people usually attend and enjoy a large number of activities such as live music, barbeque, pancake breakfast, speeches, photo displays, rides for the children and a neighborhood heritage walk. We also do tree planting and annual neighborhood clean-ups. Several of our members are artists, so we have public art displayed on the chain link fence surrounding our neighborhood park. Since the city refuses to install street trash bins, we have provided our own, and painted them in bright colors and designs, under the guidance of our artist members.

Our association has about 25 core members, but many other people help at events. From 100- 450 people, depending on the issue at hand, attend our public meetings. The association newsletter goes out to at least 200 families. Most core members are supporters/members of the social democratic New Democratic Party or the Green Party, but there are also Liberals and Communist Party people. Among those 25 people is a wealth of trade union, community and environmental activism, not to mention local history and culture. I am the only anarchist in the "core group", though several other anarchists are there to help out. Here is something interesting and important. Regardless of ideology, when dealing with neighborhood, or even city issues, we all tend to see eye-to eye. The real division is between the Association and the reactionary/developer crowd. This is something I have also seen in trade union work, practical, local issues unite people. No matter what our other beliefs, we all desire more control of the neighborhood by the people living there. We all want a humane and democratic process. We all want the protection/restoration of the environment. We all oppose NIMBYism and welcome social housing and social services in our neighborhood.
The Potential of Neighborhood Associations

City government, like all levels of government is centralized, hierarchical and in the hands of capitalists and their friends. At best, it poorly expresses the wishes of the working class majority. Neighborhood associations in working class areas are, on the other hand, grass roots expressions of that class. Furthermore, such associations attract the most advanced militants – the natural leadership of the neighborhood. We are not the only association in the city and a Neighborhood Association Network exists, but to date, not much is happening with it. We do, however, work very closely with the association of the neighborhood next to ours. The idea of a network (or federation) is a good one and has great potential. But here is where the real future lies: Should dissatisfaction continue to grow against authoritarian forms of governance, the possibility exists that these associations form the nucleus of Neighborhood Assemblies which could then supplant city council.

Anarchists ought to consider joining their neighborhood association, and if one does not exist, forming one. These associations are an excellent way of getting involved in the community, meeting other militants and laying the groundwork for genuine self-government through a federation of neighborhood assemblies.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS/CANADIAN LABOUR:

"TOXIC AIRLINES" CANADIAN PREMIERE:

Here's something to consider the next time you fly. Airline employees have been struggling around this issue for years, and now there's a film about it. for almost 50 years airline passengers and crew have been breathing unfiltered air taken directly from aircraft engines. Here's the story about the Canadian premiere of 'Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines' by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). To learn more about the film or to order it see 'Toxic Airlines' and 'DFT Enterprises'.

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CUPE Flight Attendants: “Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines” a must see:
TORONTO – The Air Canada Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is inviting its members, air travellers and concerned citizens to the North American premiere of “Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines,” a ground-breaking documentary on aircraft contaminated air. The event will take place on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 1 p.m., at the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival in Toronto.

The film tells the story of what some airline crews call the biggest cover up in aviation history. Passengers and crews have been breathing unfiltered air taken directly from aircraft engines for nearly 50 years, this despite the fact that the air is believed to be contaminated with engine oil containing neurotoxins, carcinogens and other hazardous chemicals.

“This is a very powerful documentary, which addresses serious concerns about the health and safety of airline crews and passengers. CUPE is studying the issue and developing information for its members and health and safety representatives,” said Brian Buchanan, flight attendant and health and safety representative with CUPE 4090.

WHAT:

North American premiere of documentary film

“Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines”
WHO:

Brian Buchanan, health and safety chair, CUPE 4090

(Air Canada Halifax flight attendants) will be present and available for comments
WHEN:

Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 1 p.m.
WHERE:

Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival

Royal Ontario Museum

100 Queen’s Park

Toronto
Information: Humberto da Silva, CUPE National Representative – 416-839-9550

Sébastien Goulet, CUPE Communications – 613-808-0675

http://cupe.ca/airlines

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-INDIA:

THE STRUGGLE AT SINGUR CONTINUES:

The farmers in Sighur India whose lands were expropriated for the development of a plant to produce the Nana motor car have won a partial victory. The developers, Tata Motors, have pulled out of the project to set up a plant elsewhere. Yet the Marxist led local state government of West Bengal continues to deny the farmers return of their land. The people involved are appealing to the federal Indian government for redress. here is the story and appeal for solidarity from the website of the IUF.

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Tata Pulls out of Singur but Struggle Continues for Rural Poor:

Share this article.

Sustained protests by agricultural workers, sharecroppers and small farmers have forced Tata Motors to abandon planned production of its low-cost Nano automobile on prime farmland seized by the state government over 2 years ago in Singur, West Bengal, near Kolkota (click here for background). With the still unfinished Singur site under seige and over a dozen states competing for the project, Tata Motors on October 7 signed an agreement with the state government of Gujarat to locate production on land near Ahmedabad.

To read the press reports (Indian and international), the mass protests were hastily organized by the Trinamool Congress Party, opportunistically riding a wave of primitive anti-industrialism as the plant neared completion. But since May 2006, agricultural workers, sharecroppers and small farmers have resisted the state "Left Front" government's project to evict some 6,000 poor families from 420 hectares of farmland to make way for the ultra-cheap "people's car". The government, for its part, has not hesitated to label the grassroots leaders - including the IUF-affiliated agricultural workers' union PBKMS - as agents of US imperialism, becoming more strident in its calumnies as the movement showed its staying power and capacity for mobilization in the face of massive repression.

Tata has finally abandoned Nano production in West Bengal, but it hasn't abandoned Singur. The struggle continues, and it is important to set the record straight.

Neither PBKMS nor its trade union allies, nor the broad based (and rigorously non-party) Save Farmlands Committee which grouped the mass resistance are opposed to industry. All recognize the vital need for industrialization and job creation in manufacturing. The issues at the heart of the struggle have rather concerned democracy, transparency and the defense of agriculture and rural livelihoods. Once Tata Motors definitively declared that it was pulling out of Singur, the abundance of offers it received from rival state governments proved what the citizens of Singur have maintained from the outset: that it was easily possible to find a site for motor production which would not destroy productive agricultural land and the livelihoods of tens of thousands. Tata demanded and received 420 hectares, though only a tenth of that was required for the factory. The factory would have employed 2,000 workers, while many thousands of Singur residents still stand to lose their land and livelihood, including agricultural labourers, marginal peasants, sharecroppers, cottage industry and other rural workers.

Tata still holds the land, which was leased for a pittance, a fraction of what Tata is paying in Gujarat. The West Bengal government is insisting that the land must be used for industry, justifying their plans by the fact that a number of farmers have received financial compensation.

Singur's rural poor therefore continue their struggle for justice.

Farmers owning some 40% of the land seized for Tata have continued to reject conversion to industry and are refusing compensation. The proposed compensation schemes for sharecroppers and landless agricultural workers, the majority of whom are women, are ridiculously inadequate. And land on which industrial construction has already taken place must be restored for agricultural production. Safeguarding farmland from industrial pollution is also an urgent priority.

The Singur struggle offers a unique opportunity for democratic negotiation to determine the conditions under which farmland is utilized - as a public good, in defense of rights (including the right to food), or in defense of profit for the few. Historically, small producers and the landless have been ruthlessly eliminated, enclosed and expropriated using violence, physical and economic, to make way for industry and agribusiness. Singur now offers the possibility of a democratic alternative.

On October 14-15, a delegation from Singur including PBKMS will be meeting with the President and Prime Minister of India to present the case for government support for that alternative. PBKMS and the Save Farmlands Committee are demanding:
*the return to farmers who have rejected compensation of all land and its restoration to fertile condition
*decent compensation for the loss of land and livelihood to sharecroppers and landless rural workers
*safeguards to protect fertile agricultural land in Singur and its surrounding areas

You can support their struggle - now and in the days to follow - by clicking here to send a message of support to the federal government of India. Copies will automatically be sent to the government of West Bengal and to Tata Motors.

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This campaign is STILL active. Go to the link above to send a letter of support for the farmers of Singur to the Indian government.

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CONSUMER AFFAIRS:

HALLOWEEN CANDY ALERT:


It seems that the melamine/milk scandal isn't quite over. The following product has been flagged by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on October 8 as being possibly contaminated by melamine:
SHERWOOD BRAND PIRATES GOLD MILK CHOCOLATE COINS




These treats have been sold across Canada at Costco stores and may also have been on the shelves at various dollar and bulk stores. If you have purchased such items prior to Halloween or if you are a parent with children who may be trick or treating be advised to discard any of this product.




Sort of sad actually. The fake gold coins were always one of Molly's favourite junk foods. Even more amazing to find out that they are made with product imported from China. You don't have to go very far to find the nearest cow around here in Winnipeg. One wonders how the Chinese product could be competitive with all the transport costs included. Maybe sweatshop wages have something to do with it.



Here are two more products that the CFIA has flagged for melamine content in the month of October:
*Mengniu Strawberry Flavour Sour Milk (Oct 15)
*OK OK Kaiser Pretzels (Oct 1)



Looks bad ? It's nothing compared to the ongoing listeriosis saga. The new Conservative government may proceed with its plans to privatize food inspection, plans that led to the present listeria contamination problem. Here's another list, this time for products flagged in the month of October-so far- for containing listeria. think about this, and the deaths that have resulted so far from listeria when you hear about how much more "efficient" industry self-regulation is.
*Dunn's Famous brand smoked meat (Oct 7)
*Plaisirs Gastronomiques brand sandwiches (Oct 20)
*Roast beef sold at certain deli counters in Ontario (Oct 21)
*SAVCOM brand sandwiches (Oct 22)
*Roast beef sold at certain deli counters in Ontario (Oct 22)
*Oickles Tasty Bite sandwiches (Oct 23)
*Deli roast beef sold at certain stores in Atlantic Canada (Oct 24)
*William Davis roast beef sandwiches (Oct 24)

Molly has a little bone to pick on this matter personally as she has a standing promise to reply to a comment on this blog made by either a manager or owner of Beef Northwest in the USA, where they claim that they are oh-so-good because they conform to the "standards", as they are, of an industry set up regulatory body down America way. But more on this later.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THE PHILIPPINES:

HELP FREE JAILED LABOUR LAWYER:

The following appeal comes from the International Labor Rights Forum, a project of the Union Voice website.this concerns the arrest of labour lawyer Remigio Saladero in the Philippines. read on.

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Demand the Release of Labor Lawyer in the Philippines:
ILRF has just learned that on Wednesday Remigio Saladero, the chief legal counsel for the KMU (an independent labor federation in the Philippines) and the union representing Dole Philippines's workers, was illegally arrested by the Philippine government. Mr. Saladero is a close ally of ILRF and we are deeply concerned about his detention by the Philippine government.

Please take action now to tell the U.S and Philippine governments that the world is watching. We are asking the Philippines government to release Atty. Remigio Saladero, drop the charges levied against him as a pretext for his detention, AND create an independent investigating team to investigate the threats and intimidation to the Pro-labor Legal Assistance Center.

Mr. Saladero is being charged with conspiracy to commit rebellion and murder for allegedly participating in an undisclosed murder in Mindoro; charges such as these are becoming increasingly more common tactic used by the governments as it steps up its legal attacks against civil society organization in the Philippines, politicians, church leaders and labor activists, who speak out against the policies of President Arroyo.

ILRF is deeply troubled by Atty. Saladero’s detention because it further restricts the ability of both labor organizations, like the KMU, and the legal profession in the Philippines to exercise their rights and vigorously defend themselves and others against the Government of the Philippines, who is responsible for promoting a climate of violence and impunity, and companies like Dole Foods, who thrive in an environment where violence against trade unions is common and justice is rarely pursued.

About Remigio Saladero:
Atty. Remigio Saladero is a labor lawyer at the public interest law firm Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center (PLACE) in the Philippines. Saladero is a graduate of the San Beda College of Law and was a law professor at the Lyceum and the Dominican College in the Philippines. He is a columnist for Pinoyweekly, a weekly newspaper based in Quezon City and he writes essays on various labor cases.

Tell me more

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Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to the authorities in the Philippines.

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Dear [ Decision Maker ],
(Edit Letter Below)

Given the recent arrest of Remigio Saladero, I am deeply concerned by the actions of the Philippine government in its choice to prosecute a labor lawyer that has defended the rights of workers for many years. I am troubled by the notion that this arrest is part of a broader effort by the Philippine government to silence those seeking justice for workers.

As you know labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, the chief legal counsel for the KMU (an independent labor federation in the Philippines) and the union representing Dole Philippine's workers, was taken into police custody on October 22 for charges that are considered completely false by labor advocates.

I am asking that you do everything in your power to:
- Release Atty. Remigio Saladero from custody.
- Drop the cases of arson, destruction of property, conspiracy to commit rebellion and frustrated and multiple charges filed against him.
- Create an independent investigating team to investigate the series of surveillances on PLACE law center.
Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your address]

INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-RUSSIA:

ANTI-FASCIST ACTIVIST MURDERED IN MOSCOW:

The following story is from the 'The Other Russia' website, a news service for the opposition in the increasingly authoritarian Russian state. As the story makes plain there is a growing neo-fascist movement in Russia that the authorities are quite tolerant of.

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Anti-fascist Activist Killed in Moscow:
A young activist involved with a Russian anti-fascist movement has been killed in the country’s capital, the Interfax news agency reports (RUS). 26-year-old Fedor Filatov died in an area hospital on October 10th from multiple knife wounds sustained early that morning.

A representative of the Antifa movement said Filatov, known in the movement as “Nok,” was jumped by a group of assailants near him home as he went to work. “According to our information, four to eight people armed with knives were waiting for him in his courtyard,” he said.

The source said that a Russian neo-nazi group had already claimed responsibility for the murder on an internet forum as recently as October 12th. While a murder investigation has been launched, law enforcement officials had yet to verify that information.

The Antifa source said the movement considers Filatov’s murder a “planned action” by extremists. “There is not a shadow of a doubt that he died for his beliefs,” the group’s members wrote in a statement.

Russia has seen a growing presence of neo-nazi and extreme nationalist organizations in recent years, and attacks on immigrants and non-ethnically Russian people have become more common. Immigrant community leaders have meanwhile accused authorities and law enforcement of being too lenient in pursuing ethnically motivated crimes.

Groups like Antifa have stepped in to try to counter the growing influence of neo-nazis and denounce their racist and violent activities. Filatov himself helped to found the Moscow Trojan Skinheads, a group described as “a community of anti-political, anti-racist skinheads from Moscow and the Moscow Oblast.”

Filatov was not the first anti-fascist activist to be attacked and killed in recent years.

In November 2005, vocal activist and musician Timur Kacharava, 20, died from knife wounds in St. Petersburg. In April 2006, 19-year-old Alexander Ryukhin was killed by six neo-nazis outside a punk-rock concert. In January 2007, Ivan Yelin was stabbed 20 times by unidentified attackers on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. In March of this year, 16-year-old Alexei Krylov died in Moscow after a group of 15 neo-nazis armed with knives attacked 7 young people near the Kitai Gorod metro station.

Each young man had taken part in the Russian anti-fascist movement.
–
Watch “From Russia With Hate,” a short documentary on neo-nazism in Russia, from Current-TV.

CANADIAN LABOUR:

ROCK FOR PUBLIC SERVICES:

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is holding a series of rock concerts across the province of Ontario to publicize the importance of public services. The latest one is coming up on November 1 in Ottawa. Here's the skivvy. Catch this free event if you live down Ottawa way.

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Ottawa to ‘Rock for Public Services’ with Trooper, Cooper Brothers on November 1:
Legendary rockers Trooper, along with The Cooper Brothers and comedians Bowser and Blue, will headline a free concert presented on Saturday, November 1 at the Ottawa Civic Centre by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The evening is a community fundraiser for the Ottawa Humane Society and family-friendly.

Called ‘Rock for Public Services,’ the event is one of a series of rock concerts that CUPE Ontario is holding in cities across the province to celebrate and bring home the importance of public services. The Ottawa event is being co-hosted by CUPE 503 municipal workers, and front line Ottawa hospital workers represented by CUPE 4000.

“This is our way of thanking people in Ottawa for their ongoing support and dedication to preserving public services that are the bedrock of strong communities,” says CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan.

People don’t always know what role public services play in their lives, says Brian Madden, CUPE 503 President. “We’re there from cradle to grave for people. Public services deliver when you send your children to public day care, the library, to school or university; need a paramedic, turn on your tap, switch on the lights, and drive to work behind the snow plow. Or when you visit loved ones in the hospital, your local nursing home or supportive housing.”

The concert starts at 7:00 p.m. sharp and is being held at the Ottawa Civic Centre. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

In the last four months, over 20,000 people have attended Rock for Public Services concerts in Sturgeon Falls, Kenora, Thorold, Ajax, Kingston and Lindsay featuring groups like Trooper, April Wine and Kim Mitchell.

For more information, contact:
Karen Rainboth CUPE 503 613-266-2130

Valerie Dugale CUPE Communications 647-225-3685

AMERICAN LABOUR:

TELL 'THE GAP' TO STOP BUYING FROM ANTI-UNION SOURCE:

The following is an appeal from the United Students Against Sweatshops.

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Tell the Gap: Don't Harbor Worker Abuses!:
Don't let Gap Inc. support worker and retiree abuses! Oak Harbor Freight Lines workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho were forced to strike on Sept. 22 in protest of the freight company's violations of U.S. labor laws, as well as hostile efforts by the company to intimidate workers. A day later, Oak Harbor took the outrageous step of cutting off health care benefits to its workers and retirees. Instead of negotiating with striking workers in good faith, Oak Harbor has imported teams of professional strikebreakers to coerce and scare loyal long-time employees. Oak Harbor's biggest freight customer, Gap Inc., has supported the move to replace striking workers and cut off health care benefits to retirees. REI, Urban Outfitters, and other companies have elected to suspend their relationship with Oak Harbor until the company finds a just and lasting resolution to the ongoing labor dispute. Several organizations, including, Sweatfree Communities, the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation, the International Transport Workers' Federation, Students & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior, and the International Labor Rights Forum have called on Gap Inc. to suspend its relationship with Oak Harbor. Unfortunately, the Gap continues to ignore workers' rights abuses and use Oak Harbor to transport merchandise. Tell the Gap to stop harboring worker abuses! Tell me more

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Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to 'The Gap' management. If you find that the recipient is blocking your email copy and paste the letter into your own email and send it that way.

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THE LETTER:

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding one of the companies in GAP's supply chain that transports merchandise: Oak Harbor Freight Lines of Auburn, Washington.

On Monday September 22, 2008 Oak Harbor Freight Lines workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho were forced to strike in protest of Oak Harbor's violations of America's labor laws, as well as hostile efforts by company representatives to intimidate workers.




Rather than correcting these violations by negotiating with its employees in good faith, Oak Harbor's owners have hired a notorious strike breaking consulting firm, imported teams of professional strikebreakers and attempted to permanently replace workers in an effort to coerce and scare loyal long-time employees. In the last week striking employees have been bumped and hit by vehicles driven by strikebreakers and management, assaulted with flying objects, and verbally abused by company officials.




Even more troubling, Oak Harbor Freight Lines elected to cut off health care benefits to its employees and retirees on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. If Oak Harbor is permitted to abandon its moral obligation to its employees, many Oak Harbor retirees with serious preexisting medical conditions will be left to fend for themselves and their spouses.




Several socially responsible companies, including Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) and Urban Outfitters, have already elected to suspend their relationship with Oak Harbor until the company finds a just and lasting resolution to the ongoing labor dispute. Unfortunately, according to reports from workers, the GAP is continuing to use Oak Harbor to transport merchandise.




Considering these troubling facts, we urgently request that the GAP join with other socially responsible companies by letting Oak Harbor know that it should resolve its labor dispute and treat its employees fairly.

CANADIAN LABOUR:

FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY-THE SPRINGHILL MINING DISASTER:

The town of Springhill, Nova Scotia had long made its living from coal mining, and the community was no stranger to tregedy. The first small mine was opened in 1834, and by 1872 larger scale mining was underway. In 1884 the Cumberland Coal & Railway Company merged with the Springhill & Parrsboro Coal and Railway Company to form the Cumberland Railway &Coal Company Ltd.. This was later bought out by the Dominion Coal Company in 1910.

Over the reign of King Coal there were three major disasters, but even "normal" times could be hazardous. The town lost 182 men in over 125 accidents between the first great disaster of 1891 and the second in 1956. The first large scale tragedy happened on February 21, 1891 when 125 miners were killed in an underground fire. The second occurred on November 1, 1956 when 39 miners were killed by a methane gas explosion.

What grabbed the world's attention, however, was what happened on October 23, 1958. On that date the Springhill mine was the site of the largest underground "bump" in North American history. A "bump" is a mining term for what is basically an earthquake caused by removal of supporting coal strata, leading to a collapse of surrounding bedrock. The first bump occurred at 7:00 pm, but it was ignored. At 8:06 pm the major collapse occurred, producing an earthquake that immediately alerted people on the surface to the problems below. "Draeger teams" (rescue miners) were sent in immediately. By 4:00 am the next day 75 survivors had been brought to the surface, but the amount of rockfall slowed progress. By dawn a total of 81 men had been brought up. rescue efforts went on, and on October 29 a voice from one of a group of 12 miners still trapped. Small "bumps" continued as the rescuers laboured on, and a final seven men were brought to safety at 9;15 am November 1. Despite all efforts 74 miners had died in the event.

The Springhill disaster gripped the world's attention because it was the first international event to be broadcast live on television. The miners who participated in the rescue were awarded the Royal Canadian Humane Association Gold Medal for bravery, the first time the medal had ever been awarded to a group. The town of Springhill was awarded the 'Carnegie Hero Medal' for its efforts in the rescue.

One of the surviving miners, Maurice Ruddick, was chosen as Canada's 'Citizen of the Year' as his role in keeping his fellows alive was recognized. this had interesting repercussions as the Governor of the US State of Georgia offered the survivors free vacations to Jekyll Island in that State. One problem, however, when the group stepped off the plane- Ruddick was Black. The Governor was not pleased.

Following the disaster the now Dominion Steel & Coal Corporation Ltd. closed the mine, and it was never re-opened. Today the abandoned mine is still amongst the deepest in the world, and its galleries, now filled with water, provide geothermal heat to Springhill's industrial park.

The Springhill disaster has passed into popular culture, especially labour songs. The original "The Ballad of Springhill"(see below) was composed by Peggy Seeger with help from Ewan MacColl. It was taken up as part of the repertoire of Peter, Paul and Mary and later by the Irish band U2. To hear it sung today go to Brian Vardigans website. For further information on the Springhill disaster see the Wikepedia article on same and also the Town of Springhill website. The two sites are quite complementary.

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Ballad of Spring Hill (Spring Hill Disaster):

By Peggy Seeger

In the town of Spring Hill, Nova Scotia,
Down in the heart of the Cumberland Mine,
There's blood on the coal and miners lie
In the roads that never saw sun or sky.
Roads that never saw sun or sky.

Down at the coal face the miner's workin'
Rattle of the belt and the cutter's blade
Crumble of rock and the walls close round
Living and the dead men two miles down
Living and the dead men two miles down.

Twelve men lay two miles from the pitshaft
Listen for the drillin' of a rescue team
Six hundred feet of coal and slag
Hope imprisoned in a three-foot seam
Hope imprisoned in a three-foot seam.

Eight days passed and some were rescued
Leaving the dead to lie alone
All their lives they dug their graves
Two miles of earth for a markin' stone
Two miles of earth for a markin' stone.

In the town of Spring Hill you don't sleep easy
Often the Earth will tremble and groan
When the Earth is restless, miners die
Bone and blood is the price of coal
Bone and blood is the price of coal
-- Peggy Seeger

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-TORONTO:

UPCOMING EVENTS IN TORONTO:

Courtesy of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) here are announcements for two events coming up in the next few days down Toronto way.

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This Week: Friday - Reclaim The Streets, Saturday - Palestine Film Festival Begins:‏
Downtown East End

RECLAIM THE STREETS!

Rally and March

To Stop Violence Against Women

On August 2, 2008, Carolyn Connolly was found murdered in an alleyway off Seaton St. in the Dundas/Sherbourne area. Over the years many women in our community have been murdered,raped and assaulted.

Friday October 24, 2008

Regent Park Community Health Centre

465 Dundas St. E (Parliament/Dundas)

6pm – Community Meal

7pm – Rally and March

Everyone is welcome, men are respectfully asked to show solidarity by marching behind women as we take to the streets.

Sponsored by : Street Health, Bad Date Coalition, Regent Park Community Health Centre,Manitou Kwe Singers, CUPE 4308, 416 Women’s Drop-In, Central Neighbourhood House, PASAN, Voices of Positive Women, TRCCMWAR, Sherbourne Health Centre.... ****************

For full film festival information, go to:

http://www.tpff.ca/program-by-date.htm

Saturday, October 25 - 6:30 pm - Opening Night at the Bloor Cinema

Mother of Palestine

Amani Omar, Osama Hasa, Ahmad Hassan, Anas Ahmad, Ra’d Fathi, Mouwia Mohammed

2007

5:39

Short

Palestine

Canadian Premiere

Synopsis:

Presenting a fictional Palestinian family as a microcosm of the nation, this tale illuminates both the destructive inter factional strife of recent years and the crucial, yet undervalued role of Palestinian women in holding together families and society under unprecedented strain. This film was made at the Jenin Freedom Theatre as part of the Voices Beyond Walls workshops where children from refugee communities in Palestine learn how to make films.

Salt of This Sea

Annemarie Jacir

2008

105:00(???-Molly 1 hour, 45 min. ???)

Fiction

Palestine/France

Canadian Premiere Still: Salt of This Sea

Synopsis:

Soraya, born in Brooklyn in a working class community of Palestinian refugees, discovers that her grandfather’s savings were frozen in a bank account in Jaffa when he was exiled in 1948. Stubborn, passionate and determined to reclaim what is hers, she fulfills her life-long dream of“returning” to Palestine. Slowly she is taken apart by the reality around her and is forced to confront her own anger. She meets Emad, a young Palestinian whose ambition, contrary to hers, is to leave forever. Tired of the constraints that dictate their lives, they know in order to be free, they must take things into their own hands, even if it’s illegal. In Palestine's first feature by a female director, we follow two refugees in search of their own freedom through the traces of a lost Palestine.

Official Selection, Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2008

Salt of This Sea Video Clip

**

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty

10 Britain St.

Toronto, ON

M5A 1R6

416-925-6939

ocap@tao.ca

www.ocap.ca

**

BLOGGING:

NEW GROUPS ON FACEBOOK:

Molly is not a great fan of the social networking site Facebook, but she is signed up and duly wastes some of her time there. Every once in awhile some true gems comes via this portal. Here's a couple of new groups that Molly has discovered during her latest prowl. The serious one first.

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Boycott BMI airlines:

Global
Description:
We call for a boycott BMI airlines for aiding the deportation of people from the UK that are at risk of persecution.This weekend (20th September) Babakhan Badalov, (Babi) the openly gay, internationally renowned radical artist and poet from Azerbaijan has been deported from the UK - aided by BMI.Please write to BMI stating that you will ensure none of your friends and family travel with them in the future, that you will campaign ceaselessly against them, for they have acted selfishly, with no regard to an individual’s health and mental well-being.

See http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35422317493

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And the just for fun.

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Joe the Plumber sucks:

Global
Description:
Are you sick of Joe the Plumber? Do you seriously want to throw up in your mouth anytime his name is mentioned? Are you wondering, "What the Hell?" anytime McCain or Palin mentions him? Then you must think that Joe the Plumber sucks.

See: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36748475068&ref=nf

INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-JORDAN:

MORE FROM ANARCHISTS IN JORDAN:

The following is really quite heartening. Molly has reported on the development of an anarchist movement in the country of Jordan before, and the following article from the Anarkismo website gives an update on their development. There are undoubtedly many reasons behind the fact that anarchism is now growing in many countries of the world in which it hasn't had an historical presense before. One can only hope that this growth continues as it both adds effect to the movement and enriches it as well with new perspectives. It's also interesting to note how the broad left, unconnected to Leninist parties, comes more and moree to accept anarchist ideas about organization (and probably goals as well) even if they don't accept the "official" tag of "anarchist".

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Update on anarchism in Jordan :
by Jordanian Anarchists

anarchism_jordan at hotmail dot com

Update on anarchism in Jordan

We have joined a larger group of leftists in a movement called "the social left" which includes some Marxists, anarchists, post-left activists and others. The movement gave us a great offer: legal protection (in Jordan, 3 years in prison for non-authorized movements), and a seat in the highest committee.

The social left movement have definitely raised the bar in Jordan and it is gaining more momentum, the numbers are still vague. Somewhere between the 1000-2500. Anarchists are only 16 but we play important role inside the movement. When old traditional Marxists criticize the movement they sometimes say: "It is an anarchic movement!!"

For the first time in the history of Jordan a leftist movement is willing to adopt a non-hierarchal structure. We Anarchists have proposed a paper and it was accepted by the youth and students sector inside the social left moment. For the past 2 months the youth and students sector has been working by the structure suggested by the anarchists and if it kept doing well, we will propose it to the whole movement. By establishing our non-hierarchical way in organization through our sector in the movement is leading others to start understanding anarchist thoughts through practical examples.

We are also experimenting every day through organization and figuring out more old mistakes and innovation is apparent in every meeting we hold.

Two comrades were arrested then freed by pressure from the movement. 3 Marxist comrades spend in prison 6 days before being freed also by pressure from the social left.

We formed a band that sings in our events. We distributed thousands of fliers by hand in the streets of poor neighborhoods and refugee camps. We appeared on al-Jazeera. al-Jazeera talked about one of our activities for half an hour which was a general strike in Jordan. There are 2 pages about us in an important magazine in Jordan. The leader of the writers' union and the second most important novelist in the history of Jordan dedicated his weekly article in the most popular newspaper to talk about Jordanian anarchists.

More and more Graffiti.

We have been visited by anarchists from Australia and Austria!

We helped organizing a ceremony of music and poetry to celebrate Jordanian prisoners being freed from Israeli prisons and the visit of a communist Lebanese "Anwar Yaseen" who was imprisoned for 13 years because of killing Israeli soldiers during his participants in the armed resistance in south of Lebanon.

There is a union for the "daily workers" (13,000 workers who work as full time but treated as part-time workers) struggle for better conditions health care and minimum wage. We joined a number of their protests. Until they announced a hunger strike that finally lead to their triumph.

There is a huge festival in Jordan called "Jordan festival". It cost the government $30 million. Firstly the festival is organized by a French guy who is the same person who organized Israel's 60th anniversary!!! Secondly, there are more than 20,000 kids in Jordan who suffer from poor nutrition because of poverty. Thirdly, this festival canceled the Jerash festival which had theatre and poetry and contemporary dance on the other hand this one only contains pop singers... so, we started a campaign and there was a protest that we took part in along with the anti-Zionism committee and a PFLP-related party in Jordan.

The first picture is of a protest [see our site].

Other pictures were taken when we joined a strike in solidarity with 200 workers who will lose their jobs because of the new Canadian company which bought a public mining company that was owned by the government.

Those are two of our blogs

:http://anarchism-jordan.blogspot.com/

http://1ofamany.wordpress.com/

This is the social left official website - Arabic only

http://www.joleft.net/

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MOLLY NOTE:

I believe that the Jordanian comrades are talking about the acquisition of the 'Arab Potash Company' by the Canadian 'Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan' when they speak about the layoffs in the mining sector in their country. I hope to get more information about this.

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

AMERICAN LABOUR:

BEEF NORTHWEST-THE UNITED FARM WORKERS RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM ON HIGH:

The saga, oft repeated on this blog amongst many others, of the workers at Beef Northwest who wish to be represented by the United Farm Workers continues. Now the UFW has a pinch hitter in their corner, one who might be described as "heavy artillery". one wonders who the bosses at Beef Northwest will be voting for this November. Here's the story from the UFW.

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Join Senator Obama in supporting the Beef Northwest workers :
Presidential candidate Barack Obama knows the truth about the situation at Beef Northwest, which has industrial feedlots in Eastern Oregon and Washington. He recognizes that a majority of workers have already voted for the union. He urged Beef Northwest to begin negotiations with the UFW, which is the representative the workers voted for.

In a letter sent to Beef Northwest owner John Wilson, Senator Obama wrote, "I encourage you to recognize the card check election of June 13, and to negotiate with your employees' chosen bargaining agent, the United Farm Workers." (Click here to read Senator Obama's letter.)

For more than a year, workers employed at this industrial feedlot have been demanding that their desire to have the UFW represent them be recognized by Beef Northwest. Instead, the company has resorted to anti-union tactics of threats, intimidation and retaliation against workers who support the union. The company is also being sued by three women who maintain that Beef Northwest discriminates against women of color in its hiring practices.

Equally disturbing, Whole Foods, the company that prides itself on being "socially responsible", is one of the largest sellers of Country Natural Beef, whose cows are fattened at Beef Northwest's feedlots. Workers met with Whole Foods executives in Austin TX to personally explain their situation. Yet, Whole Foods chose to ignore the workers. Instead it choose to believe the company consultants' "facts".
Are these the actions of a socially responsible company?
Please join Senator Obama in adding your voice to the workers' struggle. Demand that Whole Foods recognize that a majority of workers want a union. It’s time for Whole Foods to join Senator Obama and thousands of others in adding their influence to help these workers, instead of fighting workers who simply want a better life.

http://www.ufwaction.org/ct/M7zuCuF1TqYY/takeaction
Tell-A-Friend:

Please encourage everyone you know to sign the petition .
* If you want more background information on the Beef Northwest campaign go to: www.ufw.org/bnw

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THE PETITION:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following petition to Edmund La Maccia, Vice President of Whole Foods.

To:
Whole Foods Vice President Edmund La Macchia
I strongly support Senator Barack Obama's call for Beef Northwest to recognize that a majority of workers have already voted for the United Farm Workers to be their union. It is incomprehensible why Whole Foods would not add its voice to this issue, instead siding with an employer who has repeatedly threatened and intimidated workers. Senator Obama has called for Beef Northwest to negotiate with the UFW. Whole Foods should live up to their claims of social responsibility.
Sincerely:

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-MONTRÉAL/CANADA:
FINAL STOP OF OLYMPIC SPIRIT TRAIN GREETED WITH MORE PROTESTS:

The Cheesy Choo Choo aka the Olympic Spirit Train has made its final stop in Montréal on its tax financed failed tour of the country, and there, as elsewhere it was met with protests. First of all here's the story from the A-Infos website about the final stop.

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Canada, Shame Train ends in Montreal with successful disruption:
October 20, 2008
Over 100 protesters gathered in Montreal's Old Port this past Saturday to disrupt the CP Spirit Train's final stop. After successful protests and disruptions throughout it's route from the West Coast to Montreal, the Spirit Train – dubbed the "Shame Train" -- was again met with protesters, and had to cancel or alter large parts of their Montreal program. Photos from the Montreal CP Spirit Train disruption are linked here:
http://www.mediacoop.ca/photo/138



Among the protesters from the "Shame Train Welcoming Committee" was a large delegation from the Kahnawake Mohawk community, including Stuart Myiow Senior from the Mohawk Traditional Council, and Carol McGregor who spoke about continued resistance to the Highway 30 expansion south of Montreal [A protest report from a resident of Kahnawake is included below].



Protesters were also joined by Norman Matchewan of the Lac Barrière Algonquin Community who addressed the crowd about the current struggle at Lac Barrière, four hours north of Montreal (more information about the struggle at Lac Barrière linked here: www.solidaritelacbarriere.blogspot.com ).



Demonstrators also denounced the recent racist comments by Richard Pound, Canada's representative on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Chancellor of McGill University, who referred to 17th century Canada as "a land of savages".



The Shame Train Welcoming Committee – accompanied by a portable sound system, the Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble (Montreal's Anarchist Marching Band) and various noisemakers -- was easily able to access the main Spirit Train site. CP Rail Police, Montreal Police and security staff of the Spirit Train made feeble attempts to block access for the protesters, but the demonstrators manouvered their way around the "security". For a large part of the day the protesters outnumbered actual Spirit Train participants. None of the scheduled speakers or Olympic athletes took the stage, and both the CP Spirit Train Band and the "Québecois de service" band Bottine Souriante were disrupted (or had their tunes turned into anti-Olympics chants). The Olympic mascots systematically were escorted away each time protesters approached. The live media broadcasts by Spirit Train corporate media sponsors – including Q92 and Team990 – were also disrupted.



At least a thousand "No Olympics on Stolen Land" stickers were plastered all over the CP Spirit Train site, and hundreds of flyers outlining "10 Reasons to Oppose the 2010 Olympics" were distributed (but mainly to passers-by, since so few people actually attended the Spirit Train event itself).



In a Canadian Press report, CP claimed that 1500 people attended the Spirit Train event in Montreal, and 35,000 people attended in total at all the stops across the country; but it's evident that those numbers are wildly exagerrated. In fact, the whole Spirit Train spectacle was a grand failure, from the moment the opening ceremony was disrupted in Port Moody, BC, to activists courageously blockading the rail lines in Southern Ontario,to scheduling a Mississauga stop on Thanksgiving Monday (which resulted in a dismally low turnout) right through to the disruption at the last stop in Montreal. All-in-all, networks of grassroots indigenous solidarity activists across the country were able to effectively disrupt and expose the shame of the Spirit Train.



This weekend's Spirit Train mobilization builds on recent awareness raising events in Montreal about anti-Olympics resistance:
-> A video (in five-parts) from the visit of anti-Olympics Indigenous organizers Gord Hill and Angela Sterritt (May 2008) is linked here:
http://www.isuma.tv/?site/displayFilm/id/521/webcam//thumbpage/1
-> A photo-report from the visit of anti-Olympics Indigenous organizers Kanahus Pellkey and Dustin Johnson (January 2008) is linked here:
http://photos.cmaq.net/v/no2010/
-> Audio and news reports from Kanahus and Dustin's visit are linked here: http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2008/02/2010media.html
-> Previous reports and information in French are linked here: http://contrelesolympiquesde2010.anarkhia.org/
-> The 10 Reasons to Oppose the 2010 Olympics are linked here:
http://www.amp-montreal.net/?q=fr/node/28 (click on page 54 of the Montreal PGA-Bloc Zine)



Indigenous solidarity activists in Montreal, working with their Indigenous allies, will continue to raise awareness about resistance to the 2010 Olympics as part of "Resistance 2010".-- Report by members of the Shame Train Welcoming Committee.
indigenoussolidaritymontreal@gmail.com
- www.amp-montreal.net
- 514-848-7583
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Report from a resident of Kahnawake at the Shame Train Protest:
From: hillofpeace@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 08:52:04 -0600
Kwé, Gway, Salut, Hello!
Anti 2010 (no2010.com) Vancouver Olympic protesters including Mohawk Traditional Council of Kahnawake elder Stuart Myiow Sr and woman speaker Carol Mc Gregor made their opposition known yesterday as the train was parked in Old Montreal. It was an animated but very peaceful demonstration gathering 150 protesters whereas very few visitors to Old Montreal - Old Port were interested in the Spirit of Olympic Train, PR kiosks, rock bands, etc.. Stuart Sr spoke of the tradition of peaceful protest and dialog always displayed by the people of the Longhouse and Great Peace even though the Canadian government and politico-economic system has always provoked, stolen and trampled on on native lands and rights. He mentioned how a couple of hundred years ago chiefs travelling to this site in Montreal (Bonsecour Market) for a negotiation with colonial peoples had been betrayed and torn apart by oxen. He called for all peoples to oppose the current politico-economic system and unite in coalitions respecting peaceful, non destructive developments and inter-people dialog.



Carol McGregor spoke of the women's right and responsibility to protect the earth from destruction in all situations for the planet is a living mother for all peoples. Both she and Myiow said that development projects like the Vancouver Olympics or the Montreal area Highway 30 south (sud est) extension project are destroying living space for ordinary folk and important agricultural - natural habitat areas. Highway 30 is being pushed quickly through the traditional Mohawk land claim area of Seigneurie Salut St. Louis by Transport Québec without all the necessary expropriation or archaeological works completed. Very many non native people and communities such as Candiac, groups from St. Constant, etc. are very disturbed by a southern, agricultural route for Highway 30 because for decades they have been told the existing urban 30 route would be upgraded and made safer. The Mohawk community of Kahnawake is very opposed to its development even though its band council is neither publicly speaking clearly for or against. Mc Gregor called on the women especially to keep all men on the good track of peace and sustainable development for only the women have the ability and true power to do so. In the traditional Mohawk clan system it is them who name and can also depose the chiefs.



For further info please consult via Google (My Space and Mohawk Traditional Council), www.anti2010.cpm , www.sos30.com .
Nia:wen, Merci, Thanks!
In Peace and Friendship,
Stone Iwaasa
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And here from the website of the No2010 Network is a reprint about actions across the country.
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Spirit Train Ends in Montreal: Update & News :
An unofficial report back from Montreal informs us that approx. 100 persons attended the anti-Olympic protest to greet the CP 'Spirit Train' when it arrived in that city on Saturday, Oct. 18. They were able to disrupt the event using a PA system. Among those participating were members of the Mohawk Traditional Council of Kahnawake, and delegates from Barriere Lake (where last week Quebec riot police assaulted a peaceful road block).




The following corporate media account summarizes the 'Spirit Train' tour and the various protests that occurred. The numbers that Vanoc/CP claim (35,000 participants) is a huge exaggeration; at most stops only a few hundred showed up for the free evening concert.
Winter Olympic supporters and opponents both claim success from Spirit Train
CTV News/Canadian Press, Oct.18, 2008
VANCOUVER — Organizers and opponents of the 2010 Winter Olympics have both declared victory after duelling campaigns to raise awareness about the Games over the course of a promotional train journey from Vancouver to Montreal.




The Canadian Pacific Spirit Train wrapped up its 10-city tour in Montreal on Saturday, with an estimated 35,000 people across the country having taken part in activities highlighting Olympic sport.




"It is making a positive impact in communities," said Breanne Feigel, a spokesperson for the railway.




Protesters who organized activities to highlight social issues connected to the Games also were pleased, although the crowds that protested were generally much smaller than those in support of the Olympics.




"I don't know if it could have gone any better," said Dan Keller, one of the organizers of a protest rally that took place near Toronto.




The Spirit Train delivered the message that while the Games are being held in Vancouver and nearby Whistler, they belong to all of Canada, said Dave Cobb, vice-president of marketing for the Olympic organizing committee.




"They had great enthusiastic crowds with children and family, which was our priority - and to start to remind Canadians about what having an Olympic Games in your country is like," he said.




"Having the Olympians there and inspiring children is really what it's all about . . ."




Activists say there are drawbacks to the Olympics that make national protest important.
In B.C., protests centre around the impact the Games are having on marginalized communities and a belief the event is happening on stolen native land, even though the First Nations bands whose traditional lands are home to the Olympics have publicly pledged their support.




"I just keep going across the province, across the country, one after another and the issues that are affecting (aboriginal people) are affecting me," said Will Morin, a resident of Sudbury, Ont., who was involved in the Spirit Train protest in that city.




While the train's itinerary of promotional activity was similar at every stop, the activist response varied along the route.




The biggest crowd was at the kickoff last month in Port Moody, outside Vancouver, where about 75 protesters repeatedly yelled though bullhorns and banged pots, forcing musicians to turn up their own volume to match the demonstrators' noise level.




Scuffles erupted that day as police officers tried to hold back protesters. One man was arrested and carried away.




Some of the demonstrations attempted to link local issues to the Games.




In Edmonton, the protest that met the train was under the banner of No Tar Sands, No Olympics on Native Land.




A group of about 30 people protested there, handing out balloons and flyers. At one point two people scaled the side of the train to drape a Resist 2010 banner over top.




"The development of the tar sands are led by the same corporations that are funding and promoting the Olympics, so it was very important to make those connections and help people understand," said Macdonald Stainsby, one of the organizers of the Edmonton protest.




"We're looking at the same kind of indigenous land loss, we're looking at the same kind of displacement, the same kind of housing problems in Alberta that exist in B.C."




Protests were sparsely attended in Calgary, Winnipeg and Sudbury. In Saskatoon and Thunder Bay, Ont., police said no one turned up to demonstrate.




A group of activists from various causes blockaded the train tracks between Sudbury and Toronto, with police reporting that one woman was tied to the tracks. The fracas lasted about an hour.




The next day a demonstration at the train's stop in Mississauga, outside Toronto, drew about 30 protesters.




The second-to-last stop was in Smiths Falls, Ont., where police reported no protest.




In Montreal on Saturday, about 50 protesters turned out compared to a crowd of more than 1,500 people there to enjoy the event, said Feigel.




"We did have a pretty strong presence here in terms of individuals choosing to make their statement, but it didn't dampen the spirits," she said in a phone interview.




Though the turnout was uneven along the way, Keller said he believes the Spirit Train protests are a sign of a growing national mobilization against the Games.




"The growing movement, the resistance to the Olympics especially through these protests, it's motivating people, it's encouraging them," he said. "And hopefully the word is getting out that the Olympics isn't about sports or culture any more.




"It's about development, it's about profit, at the expense of the public at large. We are putting billions of dollars into the Games and the people that are profiting are a small elite of people and we're losing a lot."




Making the Games truly belong to all Canadians is a difficult proposition, said Ann Travers, a Simon Fraser University sociology professor.




"If we were going to hold a massive sporting event that would really be the people's, that would really be Canada's games, what would that mean?"
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