MONTREAL:

STATEMENT ON THE MAYDAY "POLICE RIOT":

The following is a translation of a public statement by the Liaison Committee of the Autonomous and Revolutionary Mayday Demonstration. It concerns the events on May 1, when the police attacked demonstrators in downtown Montréal. The French original is on the Montréal platformist site La Commune.

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Communique of the liaison committee of the independent and revolutionary demonstration of May 1

Here is a press release of the liaison committee of the independent and revolutionary demonstration of 1 May. (Montreal, May 2 2008) In an intervention as brutal as it was unjustified, police in Montreal last night attacked the anticapitalist demonstration of May 1, International Workers Day. Organised at the initiative of twenty social , community and political groups (see list below), the event brought together about 800 people in the district of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve - one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada, where exploitation is experienced at its worst.

Throughout the day, Place Valois at the corner Ontario and Valois, was animated by activists of the committee BAILS, who denounced the gentrification of the neighborhood, rent increases and increasingly difficult conditions facing the people of neighbourhood. Towards 17h(5:00 pm-Molly), the Plaza has been prepared for a community meal, activity and a few speeches. The atmosphere was a celebratory mood, with the presence of many people in the neighborhood, workers of all ages, whole families with their children. The contrast was striking between the atmosphere and the already very aggressive presence of the Police Service of the city of Montreal (SPVM), which seemed to be already looking for a pretext to ban the event, at least two senior officers of the SPVM were already present with their megaphone, ready to declare it was an "illegal assembly", while nothing illegal was happening and the participants wanted only to exercise the right to demonstrate, officially recognized by Canadian law.

Around 18:30(6:30pm-Molly), the demonstration began to march on Ontario Street heading West. The demonstration was animated, the crowd shouted slogans and many onlookers were approached to join and learn about the rationale behind the event.

Suddenly, two people notoriously known in the district as neo-Nazi activists held, disguised with all their gear, occurred at an intersection detour to taunt the demonstrators, in what appeared to be a real provocation. Rapidly, vigilant demonstrators approached them to make them understand that their presence was at least inappropriate and it was probably better for them to move away quickly. A dozen bicycle patrol SPVM were present alongside the two provocateurs when they were pointed out and they did nothing to separate the demonstrators.

After this incident, it took only a few minutes for hordes of the police anti-riot squad to come from all directions and start abruptly and without warning beating demonstrators with batons and using pepper spray. Recall that the crowd included many families, children and the elderly, which the SPVM officers attending the gathering had themselves seen. The demonstrators then tried to regroup to defend the gathering. A number managed to continue the event on surrounding streets and to go to the Papineau metro station, where the demonstration ended.

The liaison committee of the anticapitalist May 1 event vigorously denounces this new blunder of the SPVM and the attack on democratic freedoms . We wish to particularly refute the pretense of the SPVM who claim they intervened because "fights broke out between demonstrators." The truth is that there never was any "fight" inside the event. On the contrary, the atmosphere was especially festive and in solidarity in the spirit of May 1st. As we reported, the incident that occurred was the result of two provocateurs totally unrelated to the event. That the police have preferred to use this incident to attack and disperse a legitimate demonstration rather than simply neutralize these provocateurs says a lot about the fact that their plan was made in advance: for them, anticapitalist demonstrations have no right to exist in the city and it is their right to decide whether the political orientation of a particular event is to be what they are willing to hear. Obviously, the proponents of the state police who run the SPVM are more concerned to "neutralize" the anti capitalists than to deal with neo-Nazis who sow trouble in our neighbourhoods.

We also denounce the fact that the police have conducted at least three arrests, one of those arrested will appear this afternoon (Friday) to respond to accusations whose content we have not yet known. We demand his complete and immediate release .

Despite the illegal, unjustified and brutal intervention of the SPVM, the anticapitalist May 1 demonstration 1 May will be a great success. The enthusiasm of some 800 participants has made it one of the largest gatherings of anticapitalists in last five years in Montreal. Contrary to the will of the SPVM, there will be other anticapitalist events in the weeks and months ahead. For the anticapitalist activists will join them all those who defend the right to demonstrate, democratic freedoms and who refuse to live in a state where the cops make their own law.

Meanwhile, we appeal to your solidarity. Please send all information pertaining to the SPVM intervention , arrests, people with injuries (including photos and videos): 1erMai2008@gmail.com.

ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

VANCOUVER-SPARTACUS BOOKS IS MOVING:

Since 1972 (or is it 1973?) Vancouver's Spartacus Books has been fighting the good fight, bring radical literature to the lower mainland community. Rebuilding after a fire a few years ago they have come back strong. Now, just like Exile Books in Ottawa, they are moving once more to what one hopes are even bigger and better premises. The present address is 319 West Hastings, and in mid-May they will be moving on to 684 East Hastings, with a grand re-opening in mid-June. Big bargains now on sale to clear the shelves for the move. Drop on down if you live in Vancouver. Stay tuned to their website for more details.

ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

ANARCHIST MAYDAY ACROSS THE WORLD- A PHOTO COLLECTION:

This last Mayday anarchists across the world demonstrated as never before as an identifiable current. Over at the Anarchist Black Cat site there is a collection of photos of these anarchist events from here, there and everywhere. Just drop into the ABC, go to the News Kiosk and look for the Mayday Roundup. The photo on the left is from the CNT demonstration in Madrid.

POLAND:

NO BORDERS POLAND: CALL FOR PROTEST AGAINST FRONTEX:

The following is a call for a protest in Warsaw Poland this coming June. It was originally published in the No Borders Network site and has been propagating through the internet. This is Molly's little contribution to this meme. You can read more at the No Borders site.

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No Borders Poland: call for Protest against Frontex

6 June we will show our opposition to the border regime with a demonstration in front of Frontex headquarters in Warsaw. ---- War, economic imperialism, civil conflict, environmental degradation and a host of other factors, combined with the increased technological monitoring and militarization of the borders, means that people will take even great risks to exercise the freedom of movement and settlement, to find safe homes or jobs with even a bit of economic perspective if they otherwise have none. The European Union has made itself a fortress and seeks to control immigration to fit its demands and the demands of world capital. It is, after all, in the interest of business to have captive labour markets in countries with poor wages and no labour organizing, to allow their capital and movement of goods to be mobile but to keep people immobile. In order to better control the flow of immigration, the European Union created Frontex.

What is Frontex?

Frontex is an EU agency with coordinates the activity, training and operations of the EU's border control. It also coordinates this activity with police, the military and secret services.

The Frontex-run RABITs (rapid border intervention teams) carry out military-like exercises with weaponry in preparation for operations against groups of migrants. There is growing likelihood that somebody will be shot dead for trying to cross the border.

Murder by Accident

As migrants are forced into more and more dangerous ways of crossing borders, the people smugglers and mafias are making good business. But the price for migrants is often death in the back of an overloaded truck or at sea. The latter is becoming more and more frequent thanks to the work of Frontex sea patrols. Instead of taking the shorter routes, migrants are choosing longer routes at sea and more are dying.

At the same time that dozens of dead bodies of prospective immigrants are washing up on beaches, many of the countries of the European Union complain that there are not enough workers and are busy trying to recruit people from Asia to come to work. By criminalizing migration, the authorities treat these deaths as the responsibility of the people themselves, those who chose to put themselves in danger and who broke the law. But it is the system itself which is murderous.

No One is Illegal

We maintain the idea that the resources of the earth belong to humanity collectively and that people must be free to live, work and to divide the products of their labour, as well as natural resources which must be used, in an egalitarian manner. The borders drawn on the earth to artificially divide us most often serve to protect the interests of those in power, not normal people. People must be free to go where they wish, or to stay home, free from the invasive and predatory policies of the state and businesses which drive people from their land and try to monopolize natural resources for their profits. For hundreds of years, business has gone everywhere, setting up plantations, sweatshops and mines, destroying communities, upsetting local economies, using people for slave or cheap labour. All of these things, and to a lesser extent, natural factors (sometimes caused by excessive use of natural resources), has created a world order with billions of the worlds population inhabiting places of exploitation-induced poverty. Nobody can wonder why anybody would like to leave these places.

We mustn't allow people to bear the brunt of all of these problems, we must not allow the continual criminalization, repression and deportation of migrants. What needs to be changed is the root of the problem.

We will go to the Frontex office with the slogans "No one is Illegal" and "No Borders, No Nations" to confront the migrant hunters with the consequences of their policies and show what it is that this institution is really protecting: misery, poverty, exploitation, racism, imperialism and global capitalism.

SHUT DOWN FRONTEX!

No Borders Poland

Protest Friday June 6 at 2PM

Frontex Headquarters in Warsaw

Rondo Onz 1 (corner of Swietokrzyska and Jana Pawla streets)

Contact: bezgranic@bzzz.net

AMERICAN LABOUR:

NO MORE KILLER COKE AT SUNY ALBANY!:

In the classical era of the American Empire the brand of Coca-Cola stood along with GM and IBM as worldwide symbols of "what America stood for". The classical era has now passed, and new commodity fetishes have come to stand ahead of the rather antique Coke brand. Still, Coke wields significant power yet, enough to persuade the American government, for instance, to exempt it from trade sanctions against Sudan because it is an "essential foodstuff" (this is true, honest). Everywhere where Coke has spread devastation of local cultures, workers and environments has followed, and despite the fact that Coke has receded in the public imagination-and the financial standings- it is still a powerful transnational. But it is not without its opposition.

The following is an appeal from students at SUNY Albany demanding that their University sever ties with Coke because of the human rights record of said corporation. You can read more and join this campaign by going to THIS LINK.

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No More Killer Coke At SUNY Albany!


Students at SUNY Albany have demanded that the university cut all ties with Coca-Cola until they address their role in the murder of union leaders in Colombia. Call and email President Philip today to demand that SUNY Albany cut all ties with Killer Coke!
President George Philip: 518-956-8010
Hi my name is _____________ from ___________. I know that SUNY Albany's current contract with Coca-Cola expires at the end of this semester. I urge you not to renew the contract with the Coca-Cola Company in light of its terrible human, environmental, and workers' rights record. The abuses committed by Coca-Cola throughout the world taints the reputation of SUNY Albany. I hope you take this issue seriously by choosing not to renew the contract with Coca-Cola in 2008.

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):

SUNY Albany President George Philip
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Cut all ties with killer coke
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
University at Albany's current contract with Coca-Cola expires at the end of this semester. I urge you not to renew the contract with the Coca-Cola Company. The human rights abuses committed by Coca-Cola throughout the world taints the reputation of our University.

The murder of union members in Colombia, the monopolization of water supplies in India, Mexico, and El Salvador, and the operation of a Coca-Cola plant in Darfur (despite international sanctions) are only a few examples of human rights violations committed by Coca-Cola. Former President Kermit Hall set a precedent for ethical contracting by agreeing to sign on to the Designated Supplier Program. University at Albany should continue to make social justice issues a top priority when deciding who to contract with.

NYU, Rutgers, Hofstra and Bard College are just a few of the over 40 Colleges and Universities who have severed major contracts with the Coca-Cola Company. We are now asking you to listen to the over 1,200 other students who've signed our petition, not to mention student and faculty support, who are asking you to help restore UAlbany's image and reputation by clearing our complicity and association with such a disreputable corporation. As a member of the progressive community who takes this issue seriously, I hope that you do the same by not renewing the contract with Coca-Cola in 2008.
Sincerely,

Once more: Go to the link above to send this letter-Molly

CANADIAN POLITICS:

JOIN THE CARAVAN TO END CANADIAN INVOLVEMENT IN TORTURE:

As we speak the Caravan to End Canadian Involvement in Torture is wending its way through Ontario on its way to Ottawa. This project of the Peacemakers Trust aims to expose and demand an end to Canadian complicity in torture in many countries across the world. here's the story.

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THE CARAVAN TO END CANADIAN INVOLVEMENT IN TORTURE:
Join a nonviolent community on wheels for part or all of [the] journey... through dozens of communities between Toronto and Ottawa (May 1-9) and expose and challenge the many ways in which the Canadian government is increasingly involved, both directly and indirectly, in policies and practices that result in the torture of human beings. This [notice] has details on getting involved with the caravan, why it is taking place, a city-by-city schedule, details on providing financial support for the caravan, and a list of demands. If you plan on joining [the caravan] please [contact (416) 651-5800, or tasc@web.ca] as soon as possible so that [organizers] can cover the necessary logistics...

Thursday, 1 May 2008 to Friday, 9 May 2008
On the moral and legal level torture is democracy’s ultimate antithesis. We simply cannot torture and preserve our democratic values at the same time.” — Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture
“Not our job to show [Afghan] jails free of torture, Ottawa will argue” — Toronto Star headline, March 6, 2008
Although Canada has traditionally been no wallflower when it comes to supporting regimes that engage in the most brutal of human rights violations (whether politically or economically), its complicity in the torture of human beings has come into sharper focus in the years following 9/11/2001. The Canadian government is openly flouting its international and domestic legal obligations NEVER to be involved directly or indirectly in acts of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Some of the world’s most vulnerable people are being abandoned in the name of “national security.”

Canada has consistently been criticized by the likes of the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other groups for the government’s refusal to respect international laws governing the absolute prohibition on complicity in torture. And yet whenever there are efforts to determine the full extent of Canada’s involvement — with the intent of ending such behaviour — they are generally shut down or held in secret.

As Manfred Nowak says, torture is democracy’s antithesis. Whether it is the federal government’s refusal to release documents about the torture of Canadian-captured detainees in Afghanistan; the holding of completely unaccountable secret inquiries into the torture of Canadian citizens; or the use of secret hearings and the lowest available standards of justice to deport people to torture, we see that the government’s efforts to protect institutions involved in such heinous practices are actually undermining the principles of openness, fairness, and equality that are supposed to be hallmarks of democracy.

The Caravan To End Canadian Involvement in Torture follows in the path of long-distance journeys throughout history have played a key role in social justice struggles. In Canada, there have been cross-country caravans in solidarity with First Nations struggles, long-distance walks for refugee rights, freedom rides, the 2006 Freedom Caravan to End Secret Trials, and treks by train, such as the 1930s “On to Ottawa”anti-poverty mobilization.

Such journeys are both political and spiritual pilgrimages, opportunities to get beyond the world of sound-bite politics and engage in dialogue at a slower pace.
WHAT WILL THE CARAVAN LOOK LIKE?

There will be lots to do each day. After breakfast, we will pack and head out to the next town, where we will disembark, pull out banners, placards, and flyers, and blanket the community with information and discussion, whether in town squares or shopping malls, at high schools, in front of MPs’ offices. We will then travel to the next town, stop for lunch, and continue throughout the day with rest spots along the way. Following dinner, there will usually be an evening procession or public event. All meals will be provided for during the caravan. We do need to know as far in advance as possible of any special dietary needs/food allergies.

Each night we will sleep in specially arranged billets and/or churches or community halls and will attempt to arrange alternative billeting for anyone with special needs (please let us know about these far in advance!). We will also attempt to accommodate religious needs (such as Halal food, prayer time). We’ll attempt to arrange showers where available.
DETAILS ON GETTING INVOLVED

What to Bring:

Sleeping bag, floor mat, pillow, change of clothes, medications, good walking shoes, re-usable water bottle, sunscreen, sun glasses, a hat to protect against the sun, pocket money for snacks. Pack for the varying conditions of spring, warm and cold, wet and dry! A sense of humour will help too!
SPIRIT OF THE CARAVAN

This is very much a project in the spirit of the civil rights movement.We ask those who join us to abide by a spirit of openness to all we meet, nonviolence in word and deed, and respect for each other and our opponents, some of whom we are likely to meet on the way. This is very much a community effort: we all share in the tasks of food preparation, clean-up, taking care of one another, and leaving our host spaces in mint condition!
DO YOU HAVE A VEHICLE?

For those who own vehicles, we hope you can contact us and let us know how many people you can take and how much trunk space you have.
CAN’T SPEND THE WHOLE TIME ON THE CARAVAN?

You can join the caravan for a couple of days anywhere along the route.It is up to you. If you plan to join us in Belleville, for example, let us know and we’ll arrange to meet you at the bus or train station.
SUPPORTING THE CARAVAN

If you can’t join the caravan, please consider making a financial contribution towards our costs. Cheques can be made out to Homes not Bombs (earmarked “caravan”) and sent to PO Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto, ON M6C 1C0.
WHAT NEXT?

If you’d like to join the Caravan, please contact us as soon as possible with information on how long you can join us, if you have a vehicle, and if you will be on certain parts of the caravan and/or the whole project. We can be reached at (416) 651-5800, or tasc [at] web.ca
More info: Stop Canadian Involvement in Torture (a subsidiary of the Campaign to Stop Secret Trials in Canada and Homes not Bombs)
CARAVAN SCHEDULE

(some cities subject to change, so stay in touch if you are joining midway through!)
Thurs., May 1: Torture Tour of Toronto: Sites of Complicity (Government, corporate) Fri. May 2: North York, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Bradford, Barrie Sat., May 3: Orillia, Lindsay, Peterborough Sun., May 4: Port Hope, Cobourg, Colborne, Brighton Mon., May 5: Trenton, Picton, Belleville Tues., May 6: Napanee, Bath (Millhaven), Kingston Wed., May 7: Gananoque Brockville, Prescott, Cornwall Thurs., May 8: Alexandria, Casselman, Manotick, Nepean, CSIS National Headquarters Friday May 9: “Sites of Complicity in Torture Tour,” Ottawa
LEVELS OF COMPLICITY IN TORTURE

We see this complicity on a number of levels (by no means a complete list):
*The role of the RCMP and CSIS in sending questions to the Syrian and Egyptian torturers of three Canadian citizens, knowing such actions could result in torture. A secret inquiry into such actions is ongoing in Ottawa but the three men, their lawyers, and the public are not allowed to attend. Since they are not allowed to be at the inquiry that is held under their names, the men — Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El-Maati, and Muayyed Nureddin — will share their experiences, their questions, and their concerns directly with the public during the Caravan.
*Ongoing efforts by the federal government to deport the Secret Trial Five (five men subject to secret hearing security certificates) to torture in Egypt, Syria, Algeria, and Morocco.
*The RCMP’s use of "evidence" obtained by the Syrian torture of a Canadian citizen for an Ontario court application.
*The finding by the Security Intelligence Review Committee that Canada’s spy agency, CSIS, “uses information obtained by torture.”
*Efforts to fast-track free trade deals with (and ignoring or downplaying the horrific human rights records of) countries such as Colombia.
*The federal government’s refusal to speak out against torture and other inhuman abuses at the Guantanamo Bay gulag as well as at assorted “black sites” around the globe to which countless “ghost detainees”have been disappeared.
*Continued Canadian working relationship (teaching, training) with the U.S.-based "School of the Assassins," which has trained tens of thousands of military officials who have gone on to commit horrific human rights abuses throughout the hemisphere.
*Hosting CIA rendition-to-torture flights, allowing Canadian air space and refueling.
*Transferring detainees in Afghanistan into the hands of forces (U.S.,Afghan) known to engage in torture and murder of those in custody.
*Covering up the Canadian role in the rendition of refugees such as the man sent to the U.S. on September 12, 2001, who spent the next five years under conditions tantamount to torture. There has yet to be a public review in his case.
*Deportation of thousands of women, children, and men every year to situations of potentially serious risk, and insisting that ³diplomatic assurances² from torturers will be enough for protection.
CARAVAN DEMANDS

1. A full public inquiry regarding the role of Canadian officials in the torture of Canadians Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Elmaati, and Muayyed Nureddin.

2. An immediate and permanent halt to all secret hearing “security certificate” proceedings, an end to all deportations to torture, and the closure of Canada’s Guantanamo Bay

3. Immediate implementation of all the recommendations of the inquiry into the role of Canadian officials in the torture of Maher Arar, Arar Inquiry, with emphasis on the need for a strong, independent, civilian oversight body regarding all “national security” agencies including the RCMP and CSIS.

4. End all cooperation (landing rights, refuelling) with rendition to torture flights, and institution of a full, mandatory inspection regime of all foreign aircraft landing in Canada to ensure this country is not even unwittingly an accessory to kidnapping and forced removal to torture.

5. Canada must immediately condemn the illegal detention and torture centre at Guanatanamo Bay, declare itself in opposition to the U.S.-led program of extraordinary rendition to torture and use of black sites for ghost detainees, and take such necessary steps to remove itself from international relationships (civil, military, and economic) that implicate Canada in torture.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. A right delayed is a right denied. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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CAN'T MAKE IT ? LIVE NOWHERE NEAR THE CARAVAN? DESPAIR NOT ! THERE'S AN ONLINE PETITION THAT YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK. HERE'S THE NEWS...

Sign the Petition Against Torture

The Caravan to End Canadian Involvement in Torture continues its way to Ottawa today after a successful Torture Tour of Toronto attended by over 50 people on May 1. Today, and once a week between now and the late June anniversary of the passage of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, we will be calling on folks to participate in solidarity actions to end Canadian Involvement in Torture.

This week's solidarity action #1

While Canada is a signatory to that Convention, it regularly violates its obligations as a signatory nation, and the many ways in which that occurs are a focus of the Caravan. A major focus of this week's Caravan to Ottawa will be the cases of three Canadian torture survivors, who will take their renewed call to open up the secret Iacobucci Inquiry into their cases on Thursday, May 8 in Ottawa.

Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati, and Muayyed Nureddin were all tortured overseas with Canadian government complicity (see details at www.abdullahalmalki.com) Throughout this week they will be calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to change the terms of reference for the inquiry so that they, their lawyers, and the public can attend and get answers as to the role of Canadian officials in their overseas detention, interrogation, and torture.

To date, neither the men, their lawyers, nor the public have seen a single document or been allowed to hear a single witness in the completely secret process.

Please sign the online petition demanding an open inquiry at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/729860832

Thanks!

Stop Canadian Involvement in Torture

PS: Please share this as widely as possible!

ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

THE POLITICS OF HIP-HOP:

The libertarian socialist group Autonomy and Solidarity are bringing out issue # 6 of their journal 'Upping the Anti', and they are planning various launch activities across the province of Ontario. One will be in Sudbury on May 14, and it will focus on "the politics of hip-hop". here's their announcement.

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The Politics of Hip Hop: A Sudbury Launch Event for Upping the Anti # 6.
Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm sharp.

Laurentian University, Class Room Building (between the Library and the Arts Building), Room C-304. This is a wheel-chair accessible location.
A discussion of hip hop sparked by the "It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop" interview with Mutula Olugbala ( M-1) from the revolutionary hip hop duo Dead Prez in Upping the Anti 6. This event will include speakers, discussion, and music videos. Copies of Upping the Anti 6 will be available for $5 each.
Speakers:
*Shana Calixte -- "Your Revolution Will not Happen Between these Thighs": Forwarding a Hip Hop Feminist Pedagogy.Shana, queer mom/black feminist/academic is a lecturer in the Women's Studies department at Laurentian University. She has recently reconnected with her love of Hip Hop music, and currently teaches a course entitled: Theorizing Hip Hop Feminisms: Race, Gender and Sexuality at York University. She lives with her partner and son Dré in Sudbury.
*Kaili Beck -- Music and the Movement: Using music as pedagogy for social change.Kaili is a professor of Sociology and Labour Studies at Laurentian University and a consummate music fan. She volunteered for many years in Campus and Community Radio and the Northern Lights Festival Boreal, along with being a part of presenting many of the early all-ages shows of underground music in Sudbury through the early to mid 1990's. Kaili has spent much of her spare time actively participating in cultural events in the community, ranging from presenting underground concerts to organizing the Sudbury chapter of the Radical Cheerleaders, to bring entertainment and social activism together.
*Robin Desmeules -- Who May Play? Investigating Hip Hop and Identity Robin is a musician from the Sudbury area with a passionate interest in the ways that music and politics intersect. She will complete her undergraduate degree in Music and Political Science at Laurentian University this spring, and begins graduate studies in Music and Culture at Carleton University in the fall.
*Alex-Rev -- Visions of Hip Hop: Striking a Balance Facilitated discussion of the complexities and contradictions of native hip hop produced in Canada. Looking at both the revolutionary potential and the oppressive aspects of the music. Alex-Rev is an original guerrilla - with Common Cause, Sudbury Against War and Occupation. Fan of RGB Hip-Hop. Helping Hand with Indigenous Rebellion.
For travel and childcare subsidization, of if you need a ride from downtown to the event and back, call Gary at 523-2205 or email gkinsman@laurentian.ca
Upping the Anti is a radical journal of theory and action which provides a space to address and discuss unresolved questions and dynamics within the anti-capitalist, anti-oppression, and anti-imperialist politics of today’s radical left in Canada. For more information on Upping the Anti go to http://uppingtheanti.org/

AMERICAN LABOUR:


WORKERS AGAINST WAR- ILWU STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ WAR:


The following is a news item from LibCom, a British libertarian socialist website. One of the most inspiring things about yesterday's Mayday was a one day strike on the part of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) that shut down 29 ports on the west coast of the USA. The object of the strike was to protest the US war in Iraq, and the strike was organized by the rank and file, against the advise of the labour arbitrator and 'somewhat" (according to an interview with Jack Heyman of the ILWU) against the union bureaucracy. See THIS LINK to the radio show Democracy Now for more details on this. As Heyman says in the interview, "I hope this will be an example to other workers that we have the power, and we've got to use it. And that's how we can bring this war to a halt." Infinitely true.


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Dockworkers strike against war in America and Iraq

25,000 dock workers in 29 ports across the US went on strike today, to protest the war in Iraq. Meanwhile, in Iraq, dockers stopped work for an hour in a show of international solidarity.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union declared the day as "a day for union business" for workers at all 29 ports on the west coast. This may be the beginning of a record setting anti-war action, since the vast majority of supplies and munitions for the American government's current wars are shipped from the 29 ports on the West Coast. All 29 were closed today.





The decision to strike on May 1st against the war was taken democratically by the rank and file of the ILWU. Employers had been notified of the strike in advance, but refused to accommodate the union’s request, instead trying to get court backing for a ban.





Truckers in Washington, DC were also on strike today, protesting both fuel prices and continued American involvement in Iraq. They rallied today calling for the soldiers to be bought home immediately.





This is not the first time American dockers have walked off the job for political reasons, previously taking action in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Liverpool Dockers.




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While actions were taken by American workers, workers in Iraq also stopped work today in the ports of Umm Qasr and Khor Al Zubair as part of their protest against both the war and attacks on union rights in Iraq. The General Union of Port Workers in Iraq issued a statement on the 29th saying:
Quote:
Dear Brothers and Sisters of ILWU in California
The courageous decision you made to carry out a strike on May Day to protest against the war and occupation of Iraq advances our struggle against occupation to bring a better future for us and for the rest of the world as well.

We are certain that a better world will only be created by the workers and what you are doing is an example and proof of what we say. The labor movement is the only element in the society that is able to change the political equations for the benefit of mankind. We in Iraq are looking up to you and support you until the victory over the US administration's barbarism is achieved.

Over the past five years the sectarian gangs who are the product of the occupation, have been trying to transfer their conflicts into our ranks. Targeting workers, including their residential and shopping areas, indiscriminately using all sorts of explosive devices, mortar shells, and random shooting, were part of a bigger scheme that was aiming to tear up the society but they miserably failed to achieve their hellish goal. We are struggling today to defeat both the occupation and sectarian militias' agenda.

The pro-occupation government has been attempting to intervene into the workers affairs by imposing a single government-certified labor union. Furthermore it has been promoting privatization and an oil and gas law to use the occupation against the interests of the workers.
We the port workers view that our interests are inseparable from the interests of workers in Iraq and the world; therefore we are determined to continue our struggle to improve the living conditions of the workers and overpower all plots of the occupation, its economic and political projects.
Let us hold hands for the victory of our struggle.
Long live the port workers in California!
Long live May Day!
Long live International solidarity!

BLOGGING:

WELCOME BACK EUGENE !:

The bloggers' blogger, Eugene Plawiuk of La Revue Gauche, is back on line after a month of vacation from blogging. For over four years Plawiuk has amused, educated and inspired the blogosphere with his prodigious output. La Revue Gauche is one of the most popular blogging sites around, and Eugene is back at it now. So look out ruling class and state La Revue Gauche rides again. be sure to check it out. His latest includes items of Mayday, Walpurgis Night and the death of Abraham Hoffer. Much more to follow for sure.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

STUDENTS SITTING-IN AT UNC ARRESTED:

Molly has blogged previously on the sit-in at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. On day 16 of this protest to pressure the University Administration to sign the Designated Suppliers Program, the administration has chosen to call in the police and have the students arrested. This is the appeal from these students for solidarity.

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UNC Arrests Student Protestors! Demand That Charges Be Dropped!

After a 16 day sit-in, the University of North Carolina has chosen to arrest students rather than adopt the Designated Suppliers Program. Call, email, and fax Chancellor Moeser today demanding that UNC drop all charges and adopt the DSP! Chancellor Moeser: (919) 962-1365: Hello, my name is _______ and I am a _______ from _____. I am shocked that, instead of listening to students demands, you have chosen instead to have them arrested. UNC needs to act as a leader on this issue by adopting the DSP and dropping all charges against students. Thank you.

To read more, join this campaign and send the following letter go to THIS LINK:
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s): Chancellor, UNC-Chapel Hill James Moeser UNC Chancellor James Moeser
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Adopt the DSP and drop all charges
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I am extremely disappointed to hear that your administration has resorted to arresting students for standing up for the rights of workers. UNC Chapel Hill, as one of the leading institutions of higher education in the world, has an obligation to set an example for the rest of the university community to follow. By choosing to arrest students for taking a principled stand on an issue that, to be quite honest, the university ought to have resolved long ago, UNC Chapel Hill is sending the message that they will stop at nothing, even if it means resorting to police intimidation, to silence the voices of its students.

I would strongly urge you, for your own sake, to ensure that all charges are dropped, and that there is no further action taken against any of the students in question. The community at large takes these actions to be a direct assault on our most basic right to free speech, and will not stand idly by while the university punishes students for doing what is right.

In addition, I would urge your university to take its own students seriously. Their demand that UNC Chapel support workers' rights and sign on to the Designated Suppliers Program, has a wide range of support throughout the entire university community. Your university has an obligation not just to these students but, more importantly, to the workers producing your university apparel, to support those who are struggling to better their own working conditions. Your students have presented you with an opportunity to be a leader in the struggle for workers' rights, and I would urge you to take it.
Sincerely,

ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

HAMILTON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR-MORE NEWS:

Molly has blogged previously about the upcoming anarchist bookfair in Hamilton Ontario. There is now more news about this event on the Linchpin/Common Cause website, including the poster to the left. It can be downloaded as a pdf file. Here is the update. Stay tuned to Linchpin for further news.

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Hamilton 2008 anarchist bookfair

Hamilton's Anarchist Bookfair
Fellow underdogs unite in underdog city for a day of workshops, discussion, networking and of course literature!
Date: June 14, 2008

Time: 10am - 4pm
Place: Westdale Highschool

700 Main Street West,

Hamilton, Ontario

L8S1A5
More info coming soon.
Contact: hamiltonanarchistbookfair@gmail.com
Download a PDF file of the poster from http://www.linchpin.ca/files/bookfair1poster.pdf

MONTREAL:

MAYDAY MARCH MARRED BY POLICE VIOLENCE:

The following is a translation of an article published yesterday night on the Québec City platformist blog Voix de Faits. The original in French is at that site.

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The event held this evening in Montreal as part of the Mayday/the Workers' Festival was violently repressed by the cops. About 500 people had gathered in the Quartier Hochelaga Maisonneuve and were heading towards the city centre. Apart from a confrontation with three neo-Nazi insulting the demonstrators, nothing had occurred when anti-riot savagely attacked. Between 100 and 200 cops trapped the demonstrators on the corner of Ontario and Parthenais, charging from the front and the rear. They were beaten and peppered at random. Among the demonstrators were children in strollers, who were fortunately evacuated. After ten minutes of encirclement and violence, the demonstrators managed to flee through street Parthenais Street, chased by cops. Several people were arrested, including some people who did not participate in the event. We saw an itinerant getting beaten, an independent cameraman was snatched and his camera was destroyed by kicks.Also other police dirty tricks. More details and a photo report coming soon. NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!

TORONTO:

STATUS FOR ALL MARCH THIS SATURDAY:

Just a little reminder about the 'Status for All' demonstration happening tomorrow, Saturday May 3, down Toronto way. If you live down that way why not join in with the OCAP contingent as they ask ?

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[ocap] Reminder: Status for All march SATURDAY at NOON‏
Join the OCAP contingent. Meet under the OCAP "Good Enough to Stay.Period." banner at Christie Pitts.

MAY DAY OF ACTION: STATUS FOR ALL!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Christie Pits Park (at Christie subway station)

12 Noon

*This is a child-friendly demonstration.

Food and drinks will be available.

There will be vehicles on-hand for those with reduced mobility. This including an accessible vehicle shuttling between Bathurst Station and Christie Pitts beginning at 11:30am. Please call 416-604-5765 if you have accessibility concerns.*

Millions across North America have taken to the streets in the last two years demanding Status for All! In Toronto, workers, students, trade unionists, activists and community members have led passionate demonstrations calling for justice and dignity for immigrants and refugees.

The last year has seen unprecedented targeting of refugees in Sanctuary.Asylum seekers have been arrested from schools, workplaces and even hospital beds. Families have been torn apart. Over 12,000 friends, family,and community members have been deported.

On March 14th 2008, the Conservative government introduced a series of amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), buried in Bill c-50, a 136-page "budget implementation bill". If passed, the Minister will have the discretion to refuse applications even where the applicants meet the elitist and racist criteria for permanent residence,to refuse to even examine humanitarian applications filed from abroad, and to arbitrarily set quotas on the "category" of person that can enter Canada – including quotas based on country of origin.

In the face of this intimidation and fear, our communities have refused to be silenced. Together, we have forced immigration enforcement out of Toronto District schools. Inspired frontline community workers have taken up the struggle for Access Without Fear. We have fought against, and stopped the deportations of allies and friends.

But the fight is not over. There are over 500,000 undocumented people living and working across Canada, over 200,000 in Toronto alone. They are forced to live in daily fear of jailing and deportation, without access to essential services. Bill C-50 would create even more categories of"temporary foreign workers" without full status and without rights. These workers will be exploited as cheap labour, as mere commodities, used and then removed. We will not stand for this.

On May 3rd, as part of the National Days of Action for Status for All, we will take to the streets. We demand an end to detentions and deportations.We demand access without fear to essential services. We demand an end to security certificates and secret trials. We demand a full and inclusive regularization program. We demand justice, dignity and respect!

JOIN US!

The March will be followed by a community fair featuring music,performers, food, children's activities and visual art displays.

WAYS TO SUPPORT:

1) Organize a loud contingent to come out on May 3rd.

2) Endorse the May Day of Action by emailing NOII a short statement of support.

3) Financial and in-kind (photocopying, translation) donations.

4) Organize a NOII workshop/presentation at your school, union local,agency, community centre or workplace.

5) Help out with postering and outreach

For more information about how you support the march or get involved:

Email: nooneisillegal@riseup.net

Website: www.nooneisillegal.org

Phone: 416 604-5765

-- No Borders No Nations! Stop the Deportations!

visit http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/ or www.ocap.ca to get involved!

**

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty

10 Britain St.

Toronto, ON

M5A 1R6416-925-6939

ocap@tao.ca

www.ocap.ca **

ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

MAYDAY IN WARSAW:

Here, there and everywhere throughout the world anarchists celebrated and protested on Mayday. Here's one example, reported on the Anarkismo site, of Mayday actions in Warsaw Poland. The Centrum Informacji Anarchistcznej is a daily online Polish anarchist news service that is quite valuable for keeping up with events in Poland. They also have a small section in English translation. Their web address is also at the end of this item.

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Warsaw May Day

by Laure Akai - ,

On May 1 an anarchist demonstration took place in Warsaw. A couple of hundred people came from all the different anarchist groups. The demo went to the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, to the State Labour Inspectorate, a temp agency and a pro-business lobby's headquarters.

Many topics were raised, including the amendment of the Labour Code, discrimination in the workplace, the topic of casual work, firing of unionists and capitalist brainwashing.

A happening about discrimination in the workplace was organized by anarchafeminists from A-Fe. Other groups that took part in the demo included the Anarchist Federation, Left Alternative, Workers' Initiative, Union of Syndicalists, Freedom, Equality and Solidarity and Green Collective.

A pathetic counter demonstration was organized by fascists. The night before, a talk organized by Freedom, Equality and Solidarity was attacked by fascists who through some incendiary devices into the meeting place. Nobody was hurt.

Some pictures from May Day can be found here:

http://cia.bzzz.net/zdjecia_z_manifestacji_pierwszomajowej

http://cia.bzzz.net/zdjecie_z_1_maja
http://www.cia.bzzz.net

CANADIAN LABOUR:

SOLIDARITY WITH MONTREAL EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS:

The following is an appeal for online solidarity with emergency dispatchers in Montreal who have been without a contract since 2003. it was sent by the CUPE Action Network.

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[cupeaction]

Montréal emergency dispatchers seek parity

Les répondants médicaux d'urgence de Montréal demandent la parité‏
(le français suit l'anglais)

Please take a minute to send a note of support for Montréal's emergency dispatchers. Without a contract since 2003, they're seeking wage parity with their colleagues at 911.

To send your message, go to:

http://www.appuyonslesrmu.com/

The dispatchers, members of CUPE 3642 staged a one day strike April 15, but because they're considered essential, each member of the local was only allowed to withdraw their labour for an hour a day.

Here's a translation of the message the union is asking people to send to Québec health minister Philippe Couillard:

I am asking you today to perform a simple act: Recognize the value of the work of Urgences-santé emergency medical responders (EMRs).Without a contract since 2003, these employees deserve parity with City of Montreal 9-1-1 workers. The current salary of EMRs is obviously inadequate and does not reflect the demands of the job, the level of training, and the vital role they play in road accidents and various dramas. A significant equalization increase is in order. The commitment of these men and women is unflagging, and they deserve our respect and consideration. Parity for the EMRs!

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Veuillez prendre une minute pour envoyer un mot d'appui aux répondants médicaux d'urgence de Montréal. Sans contrat de travail depuis 2003, ils demandent la parité salariale avec leurs collègues du 9-1-1.

Pour envoyer votre message, cliquez sur :

http://www.appuyonslesrmu.com/

Les répondants, membres de la section locale 3642 du SCFP ont organisé une grève d'un jour le 15 avril, mais parce que leur travail est jugé essentiel, chaque membre de la section locale n'a le droit de refuser de travailer qu'une heure par jour seulement.

ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

MAYDAY 2008: AN ANARCHIST COMMUNIST STATEMENT:

The following is a joint statement on the part of three platformist organizations, the Italian Federazione dei Comunisti Anarchici, the Irish Workers' Solidarity Movement, and the South African Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front on the occasion of Mayday 2008.

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May Day 2008
Towards a new international movement of the exploited,

Against neo-liberalism, against war, against hunger and poverty,

For peace, food and housing for all, for safe and secure jobs,

Towards the libertarian alternative!

A harsh reaction has been unleashed by States around the world against the cycle of social, labour and political struggles which have been carried on by the movements of opposition to neo-liberalism since the late 20th century, with a consequent general worsening of living conditions for millions of proletarians who are increasingly enslaved by capitalist exploitation.

In every country, the primacy of finance as the motor of the economy, with its lethal rules based on interest rate increases, credit clampdowns and social dumping, is provoking a grave crisis. Its results can be seen in millions of families falling further into debt and impoverishment and losing their homes and their economic security. The workforce is being concentrated into more intensive and highly flexibilized units of exploitation in order to strengthen supply and competition in macro-economic areas (EU enlargement, the re-launch of Mercosur and ASEAN, the WTO crisis, etc.). The concentration of production into monopolies on an international basis (motor industry, energy, telecommunications, agro-chemical/pharmaceuticals, etc.) is destroying social wealth and jobs and producing a food crisis without precedent. Economic development is tending to create a neuron-like network of privileged sites and related corridors of capital and raw materials around which public and private investment can coagulate, thereby impoverishing the large areas in between. And the background to all this is the state of endemic war generated by the USA for control over the system of imperialist dependencies, the increasing use of militarism and nationalism (and all its religious and ethnic varieties) in order to control/de-stabilize an area which goes from the Middle East throughout Asia and Africa and to destroy the autonomy of the exploited classes by forcing them to side with a particular State, religion or elite to whom they entrust their present and future destiny of exploitation.

In this difficult situation, the social, labour and political struggles of the proletariat in every country are seeking to resist the various forms of capitalist exploitation and the harsh repression that the States have unleashed, making it increasingly evident that today we need to:
*ensure the total independence of all mass struggles and movements from all political and economic institutions (no State, government or market has any interest in fighting neo-liberalism);
*demand peace, so that it can the cradle for the re-emergence of civil society and allow the development of struggles for the emancipation of today's downtrodden classes;
*work to rebuild the autonomy and the role of the exploited classes, the defence and reconstruction of their free and independent organizations, as a condition and indispensable factor in the struggles against neo-liberalism and war in every country of the world.

Anarchist Communist and Libertarian Communist organizations support, promote and assist every initiative aimed at rebuilding a large international movement
*against neo-liberalism, denouncing the crimes of exploitation and bringing solidarity to proletarian organizations and local movements fighting against local or foreign bourgeois aggression;
*against war, demanding ceasefires, demilitarization and disarming by every State and ethnic or religious elite, who are united in their contempt for the lives of proletarians;

a great international movement whose heart and whose base lie in the grassroots social, labour, cultural, political and anti-militarist organizations, and also in their ability to federalize the struggles that develop, on a national and international level.
To that end, we support:
*the horizontal creation of networks, coalitions and forums inspired by the practice of self-organization, self-management and direct action, which represent the collective capacity for acting against the contradictions and violence of neo-liberalism and develop the greatest possible international solidarity;
*all efforts to contribute to the development of the international class-struggle anarchist movement, by supporting its political networks and its capacity for social insertion in the struggles and struggle fronts in support of popular power, so that we can spread the anarchist communist project and put the libertarian alternative into practice.
Federazione dei Comunisti Anarchici (Italy)

Workers Solidarity Movement (Ireland)

Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front (South Africa)

AMERICAN LABOUR:

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SIT-IN ENTERS THIRD WEEK:

The United Students Against Sweatshops continue with their various campaigns to pressure university and college administrations to adopt the 'Designated Suppliers Program'. This is a code of ethics for such institutions that would bind them to purchase supplies only from businesses that uphold ethical labour practices. To read more about the DSP see the website highlighted above.

In the course of one of their campaigns, at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, students have now been sitting-in at administration offices for over 14 days now. The following is an appeal from these students for support in pressuring their administration to sign up to the DSP.

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UNC Sit-In Enters Third Week: Tell President Bowles to Adopt the DSP!

Students at the Unviersity of North Carolina are starting the 15th day of their sit-in to demand a sweatshop-free UNC. Students are putting their lives on hold, community members are camping on the steps of South Building, and senators are telling the UNC administration to sign on. However, despite this massive outpouring of public support, the university refuses to join the 42 major universities who have already adopted the DSP. Email and fax President Bowles today to demand that UNC become the 43rd school to commit to the DSP!

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):

President Erskine Bowles UNC President Erskine Bowles
Below is the sample letter:
Subject:
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I write to you about a pressing human rights issue concerning the integrity of the University of North Carolina system and the broader Carolina community.

For the past fourteen days, dozens of UNC-Chapel Hill students have been occupying South Building as part of a three-year campaign to get UNC to adopt the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP). This program was presented to the UNC-CH administration in 2005 by Student Action with Workers, an affiliate of United Students Against Sweatshops. The DSP is a comprehensive program under which University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill apparel will be produced in designated sweatfree factories that abide by the labor codes of conduct that UNC-CH adopted in 1999, after a four-day sit-in in South Building.

Due to the pressure of the current sit-in, Chancellor James Moeser has called an emergency meeting of his Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee to be held this Friday, May 2, 2008. Though he has reopened the topic for discussion to charge the new Chancellor with these concerns, I believe that after so many years the time to act is now.

This is not an isolated effort at one UNC system school. In addition to the forty-two universities who have already adopted the program, dozens of other universities are considering the program for adoption. Students, faculty, and workers at Appalachian State University have been asking their administration to adopt the DSP since 2006. Six ASU students engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience urging adoption of the DSP were arrested April 11, 2008 at the urging of the ASU administration. This is unacceptable. Two years ago, after sit-ins at the University of California-Riverside and the University of California-Berkeley, the President of the UC system took moral leadership on the issue and signed the entire UC system onto the DSP.

I would like to see your university system act as a leader in the struggle to ensure that the rights of workers producing apparel for your university are respected. Your position as a top seller of collegiate apparel means that you should be setting ethical standards. I would urge you to show leadership on this issue and join the 42 universities who have already adopted the DSP!
Sincerely,

To read more and join this campaign go to THIS LINK.