Where: Alden Nowlan House (The Grad House), 676 Windsor St., UNB Fredericton.

When: Saturday, June 21.

7:00 pm - Food and speeches on the political and human rights situation in Colombia by Maikel and Leyda Rodriguez, James Brittain, sociology professor at Acadia University, and others.
8:00 pm - Salsa Crash Course with Hernando and Sandra Gonzalez.
9:00pm - Latin Dancing.

Tickets: $10/person or $20/family. Tickets sold at the door or in advance at the Multicultural Association, Doodles Cafe or True Foods.

Funds raised go to the family of the late Adolfo Montes Gonzales. On March 22, 2008, Adolfo Montes Gonzales, a union leader at the Cerrejon coal mine, where NB Power sources its coal to generate approximately 16% of electricity in New Brunswick, was murdered at his residence, leaving behind his wife and four small children. Sponsors include the Fredericton Peace Coalition, Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network, the Canadian Labour Congress, the NB Federation of Labour, the NB Union and Project Ploughshares Fredericton. More sponsors and volunteers are welcome. To co-sponsor or volunteer, email info@frederictonpeace.org

For more info: info@frederictonpeace.org

Fredericton Peace Coalition presents 2 films this Monday

Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends

The subjects are young Americans who experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities. The terrible conflict in Iraq, depicted with
ferocious honesty in the film, is a prelude for the even more challenging battles fought by the soldiers returning home with “personal demons, an uncomprehending public, and an indifferent government.” As these battles take shape, each soldier becomes a new kind of hero, bearing witness and giving support to other veterans, and learning to fearlessly wield the most powerful weapon of all - the truth.

Let Them Stay

“Let Them Stay” features exclusive one-on-one interviews with U.S. war resisters in Canada, documenting their life-changing experiences in Iraq and the hidden realities of U.S. military recruitment and warfare. It also documents the War Resisters Support Campaign, a pan-Canadian coalition of labour, faith and peace groups, Vietnam war resisters, and individuals who are working with these war resisters to put pressure on the current federal government to let them stay.

7:00 PM, Monday, June 16
Conserver House, 180 St. John St.

Films to be followed by discussion and letter writing to Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley. The Canadian Parliament passed an historic motion on June 3, 2008, that calls on the Canadian government to make a program to allow US war resisters to apply for permanent resident status in Canada and to cease all deportation and removal proceedings against US war
resisters. The next step is to write to the Prime Minister and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to ensure that they that the will of Parliament is implemented.

For more info:
info@frederictonpeace.org

Fredericton Peace Coalition presents 2 films this Monday

Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends

The subjects are young Americans who experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities. The terrible conflict in Iraq, depicted with
ferocious honesty in the film, is a prelude for the even more challenging battles fought by the soldiers returning home “ with personal demons, an uncomprehending public, and an indifferent government. As these battles take shape, each soldier becomes a new kind of hero, bearing witness and giving support to other veterans, and learning to fearlessly wield the most powerful weapon of all - the truth.

Let Them Stay

“Let Them Stay” features exclusive one-on-one interviews with U.S. war resisters in Canada, documenting their life-changing experiences in Iraq and the hidden realities of U.S. military recruitment and warfare. It also documents the War Resisters Support Campaign, a pan-Canadian coalition of labour, faith and peace groups, Vietnam war resisters, and individuals who are working with these war resisters to put pressure on the current federal government to let them stay.

7:00 PM, Monday, June 16
Conserver House, 180 St. John St.

Films to be followed by discussion and letter writing to Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley. The Canadian Parliament passed an historic motion on June 3, 2008, that calls on the Canadian government to make a program to allow US war resisters to apply for permanent resident status in Canada and to cease all deportation and removal proceedings against US war resisters. The next step is to write to the Prime Minister and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to ensure that they that the will of Parliament is implemented.

For more info: info@frederictonpeace.org

* Two New Brunswick municipalities, Tracadie-Sheila and Memramcook, are implementing pay equity, and they have asked candidates if they will “spread the word” to Fredericton City Council to advocate for legislation and also to become another municipality that is implementing pay equity.

*In Moncton, municipal candidates were asked the following : If elected, are you prepared to implement a Pay Equity policy for all city and contractual employees? For more information: http://www.equite-equity.com/frameen.htm

A resolution was adopted unanimously at Moncton City council to motivate the provincial government to implement pay equity. We would like our Fredericton City council to make similar moves; implementing pay equity and passing resolutions to motivate the provincial government to implement pay equity.

All are invited to a theatre production (in French) happening in Fredericton on Friday, May 9th at 12 noon.

Théâtre: On ne travaille pas pour des pinottes
Le vendredi 9 mai 2008,

À 12h, les sandwichs sont servis ; à 12h15, la pièce de théâtre débute !

Legion Hall, rue Queen, Fredericton

La troupe de théâtre Moncton Sable

en collaboration avec la Coalition pour l’équité salariale et le Conseil consultatif sur la condition de la femme au N.-B.

vous invite à une représentation de cette pièce de théâtre.

Le jeu est joué dans un monde « fictif » où les perroquettes sont moins bien payées que les perroquets - en « pinottes » plutôt qu’en cacahouètes - et où les métiers traditionnellement féminins sont perçus comme moins importants et moins exigeants.

Un léger repas est servi.

GRATUIT mais il faut s’inscrire à l’avance : acswcccf@gnb.ca ou 1 800 332-3087.

Une activité rendue possible grâce à ArtsNB et Condition féminine Canada.

Fundy Royal NDP candidate and economist Rob Moir was among the keynote speakers at Moncton’s Public Awareness meeting to discuss the effects of test drilling and uranium mining on our health and ecosystem. Dr. Moir’s presentation outlined the overall effects that uranium exploration and mining has on the economy.

Moir toasted the crowd with a glass of Moncton city water, and commenced by saying, “Thank you Moncton for keeping water public, and here’s to keeping it free of radioactivity.”

Here’s a list of events taking place throughout the country today.

–Wednesday, January 23 at noon there will be a rally of labour and students in support of the Faculty Association of St. Thomas University. The rally will be hold across the street from the NRC building.

NOTE NEW TIME!

All are invited to rally in support of the Faculty Association of the University of St. Thomas University (FAUST) in their struggle to achieve a fair negotiated settlement with St. Thomas University.

When: 1 pm, Monday, January 14
Where: Main entrance of St. Thomas University (across from Ludlow Hall Law Building).

Central issues for STU faculty include:

* office space, a basic health plan, and improved job security for part-time faculty

* workload, compensation, academic rights, and transparency in university governance for full-time faculty

The purpose of the rally is to express solidarity with professors who are locked out, on strike and currently on the picket line. The rally is being sponsored by Mobilization, a student and community social justice group.

“As students, we recognized that fair and equitable working conditions for our professors are key to a quality education,” stated Carolyn Shapiro, a Mobilization member and STU first year student, “we reject the characterization of our professors as greedy, and commend the solidarity of the full-time faculty with the part-time faculty who have clearly been taken advantage of in their place of work. The real reason for the delay in class commencement is the administration’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith or at all.”

-30-

Contact: Carolyn Shapiro, Mobilization and a STU student, carolyn_shapiro@hotmail.com, 454-4814.

For more information, please visit www.caut.ca/faust/

Vous pouvez aller voir un vidéo de notre marche de solidarité d¹hier à Dalhousie sur YOUTUBE.

You can go and check a video about yesterday’s march solidarity on the following YOUTUBE address.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9cNRt5z7oQ

An example of public sector professionals fighting back. They deserve our support!

The Canadian-Palestinian Educational Exchange (CEPAL) and Rabble.ca are hosting Norman Finkelstein at the University of Toronto - OISE on November 29th. Finkelstein is a dynamic speaker.

Cinema Politica Fredericton presents the documentary
ARISTIDE AND THE ENDLESS REVOLUTION
at 7pm, discussion at approx. 8pm. Friday, Oct 5. Conserver House, 180 St. John St.
Free film & popcorn! Donations are encouraged. All welcome.
Contact: fredericton@cinemapolitica.org

A complex historical truth emerges in Nicolas Rossier’s intelligent examination revealing the oft-supressed story of the 2004 coup d’etat in Haiti, as well as the systemic violence and human rights violations that erupted under the interim government. An interview with the deposed president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Pretoria, South Africa, is juxtaposed with the views of a wide range of supporters and critics, including US Assistant Secretary of State Roger Noriega. It is not Aristide and the Lavalas supporters who emerge looking like thugs but international interests concerned with suppressing popular democracy and ending the reforms Aristide was capable of making - despite embargoes and the need to service a debt for loans Haiti never received. 2005. 84 min. Directed by Nicolas Rossier. Film to be followed by a discussion with Haiti Action Fredericton.

Cinema Politica Fredericton presents the documentary WORKING MAN’S DEATH. 7pm. Discussion at approx. 8pm. Friday, Sept 21. Conserver House, 180 St. John St. Is heavy manual labor disappearing or is it just becoming invisible? Where can we still find it in the 21st century? Workingman’s Death follows the trail of the HEROES in the illegal mines of the Ukraine, sniffs out GHOST among the sulfur workers in Indonesia, finds itself face to face with LIONS at a slaughterhouse in Nigeria, mingles with BROTHERS as they cut a huge oil tanker into pieces in Pakistan, and joins Chinese steel workers in hoping for a glorious FUTURE. 2005. 122 min. Directed by Michael Glawogger. Free film & popcorn! Donations are encouraged. Discussion following the film. All welcome. Contact: fredericton@cinemapolitica.org

–NDP Hosts a public discussion on the `Security and Prosperity Partnership’ in Fredericton, NB.

Following the August 20 Leaders’ Summit in Montebello Quebec concerning the so-called Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), the Fredericton NDP is hosting a gathering for discussion.

Please join Peter Julian, Member of Parliament, NDP International Trade Critic, and Kelly Comer, Fredericton NDP candidate to learn more about the SPP agenda.

Ted Daigle Auditorium, Edmund Casey Hall, Saint Thomas University
August 29, 7:00 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

NDP Hosts a public discussion on the `Security and Prosperity Partnership’ in Fredericton, NB.

Following the August 20 Leaders’ Summit in Montebello Quebec concerning the so-called Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), the Fredericton NDP is hosting a gathering for discussion.
Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, August 20
7pm, Renaissance College, 811 Charlotte St.
Fredericton, NB

A panel discussion with:

* Roland Chrisjohn, professor, Department of Native Studies, St. Thomas
University, on First Nations and the SPP.

* Judy Loo, Breaking the Silence Network, on how SPP threatens immigrants,
refugees, and non-status individuals.

* Charles Fournier, Fredericton Peace Coalition, on how SPP commits Canada
to increased militarization.

* Graham Cox, Canadian Federation of Students, on how SPP accelerates
privatization of public services such as education and health care, and how
SPP threatens workers.

* Tracy Glynn, Conservation Council of New Brunswick, on how SPP is pushing
for deregulation in areas of environmental protection, pesticides use, food
safety and water exports.

* Kelly Comer, NDP federal candidate in Fredericton, on the NDP’s concerns
and actions taken in parliament over the lack of transparency and
democratic oversight around SPP.

* Marylou Babineau, Green Party federal candidate in Fredericton, on the
Green Party’s concerns with SPP.

* Alex Corey, UNB student on the multiple ways to get involved in the
resistance.
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Three well known mining activists will be speaking in Fredericton on Tuesday, May 22 at 7pm at the UNB Art Centre, Memorial Hall. They are Joan Newman Kuyek, National Coordinator of Mining Watch Canada, Aviva Chomsky, Professor of History and Coordinator of Latin American Studies at Salem State College in Massachusetts, and Inka Milewski of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.

Join others who care about the future of the Woodlot and want to show their public opposition to the proposed development of this treasured unique green space in our city. Bring your kids, dog, friends, and a picnic lunch.

1:30pm, Sunday, April 22. Gather at entrance across Regent St from Regent Mall, next to the Forestry Complex.

*A facebook group (www.facebook.com) called “I don’t want the UNB woodlot turned into Big-Box strip malls” has also been created. Key words: UNB Woodlot. Membership currently stands at over 1500.

*There will be an info session with Michael Baldwin, Manager, Real Estate & Planning for UNB on Wednesday, April 25, 7pm, at Conserver House, 180 St. John St. All are welcome.

*Email forest@conservationcouncil.ca to join the Woodlot Watch group.

–An interesting conference for people who are wondering what we can do about the current state of propaganda in our media.

–Shiva will be speaking in Toronto on the environment and projects around the world that people are engaged in to help any way they can.

Montreal: 9 March, 2007
Police Assault women at International Women’s Day March

Yesterday, as Montrealers, along with many around the world celebrated International Women’s Day - the event was marred by police brutality in which three young women were assaulted, injured and traumatized. Among the issues that were brought up during the speeches at Montreal’s women’s day march was that in Iran women were prevented from celebrating international women’s day. And women in Pakistan were also attacked yesterday in a women’s day event. Yesterday’s events make ensure Montreal shares this distinction!
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Tired of paying way too much for your education?

Come join us on FEB 7th, 2007 on a national day of action to lower tuition. All students, professors and other supporters are welcome!

There is a great need for mass action & a student movement in general in New Brunswick. In the last 15 years, tuition in NB has increased BY OVER 175%!!! NB has the 2nd highest tuition in the country! These trends will only continue to worsen if nothing is done to stop them…

DETAILS:
Meet in front of the Student Union Building (SUB) on the UNB Campus in Fredericton @ 1pm on Wednesday Feb 7th. A crowd of supporters from Fredericton High School will converge onto campus to hear speeches and share in the excitement of that day when student voices come together.

The gathering will go to the offices of the presidents of St. Thomas and University of New Brunswick (making visits to each), and leave the 10% off coupons and any other personalized requests. The rally will finish by marching downtown to the Legislature to deliver the Reduce the Fees message.

**People are encouraged to bring their own noisemakers and drums!

Consider class to be dismissed for that afternoon as the lessons of what an effective student movement can accompolish will be learned amidst the action.

For more details, see
http://www.cfs-fcee.ca/html/english/home/index.php

Also check out the Canadian Federation of Students website
(http://www.cfs-fcee.ca/html/english/home/index.php) for lots of background on problems with tuition and student debt.

If you have any questions, you can email jordan.house@unb.ca.

–This is not for the people in New Brunswick but for those readers in Ontario you might want to check this forum out that is being put on by the Centre for Social Justice in Toronto. Looks like it will be good.

–Some news from the World Social Forum from the people of the SWP. Some interesting video interviews.

–Nice to see the organisation that is going on in the US over this. Troops Out Now.

–The World Social Forum is in Nairobi this year and it begins today. I am sorry that I will have to miss this one. The New Brunswick Social Forum will be coming this summer. The NBSF will be organised by the Fredericton Social Network of which the Citizens’ Press is a member of. Leftnews.org is a project of the Citizens’ Press.

–A rather nice title coming from a TA union in Ontario.

“BUILDING A WORKING CLASS CULTURE”

LABOUR CONFERENCE

The CUPE 4207 Conference Committee invites papers that focus on how the working class is represented in popular culture; the ways in which workers contribute to the creation of culture; the potential the creation of a working-class culture holds for building working-class consciousness; and whether culture constrains, or helps facilitate, organized working-class action. Proposals for papers can be sent by email to cupe4207@brocku.ca, or by inter-office mail to the union office (TARO 448) by January 31, 2007.

The conference will be held in the Alumni Lounge on March 23, 2007. Times and itinerary will be announced at a later date. Watch our bulletin boards, email us, or call us at ext. 4766 for further information. After the conference, the local will be hosting a social at the Merchant Ale House on St. Paul St., St. Catharines, beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. Bands playing are Ron Hawkins, NQ Arbuckle and Nich Warby. There are a limited number of tickets available, so members interested in attending the social should email the union office at cupe4207@brocku.ca with requests for tickets.

–The police have issued a warning of a racist rally upcoming in Caledonia. Anti-Racist-Action members in the area need to be notified to aid in protection from racist violence.

–This entire lawsuit is outrageous. The government makes it hard for the poor to get access to legal advice and attacks those that would help the poor navigate the legal system. It is a sham system that we have here in New Brunswick. Support Vaughn, support real justice, demand equality of representation for all.

*Event in Fredericton*

All are invited, and highly encouraged, to help our friend and dedicated social justice activist and non-lawyer advocate for the poor, Vaughn Barnett, as he prepares to enter precarious territory on this January 11th. On that date, Vaughn will be in court to defend himself against the Law Society of New Brunswick. They will be attempting to have him charged with contempt of court for allegedly providing services that only lawyers are allowed to.

***This is a call to all supporters to show the massive solidarity we can muster in defense of a deeply dedicated, local social justice activist; all we need to do is attend his trial to show moral support and present to the judge and prosecuting lawyer(s) that Vaughn is not fighting his struggle alone, and will not be pushed around in silence. Anyone is allowed to attend the trial and be part of the audience; no special permission required***

If Vaughn loses, he can end up in jail, or with fines or some other financial punishment for doing nothing more than trying to help poor people defend themselves. It should be noted that Vaughn lives on social assistance, so he can ill afford fines, thus would likely be forced to go to jail if fines are overly burdensome. Additionally, a loss for Vaughn would set a dangerous precedent that could make it very difficult for grassroots groups in Fredericton, and possibly throughout the province, to provide any sort of legalistic services in the future without challenges.

If you can make it, please arrive at the courthouse in downtown Fredericton (“Justice” building on the corner of Queen and Carlton) at:

***9:00AM ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 11TH***

A group will be waiting at the entrance to the courthouse, and we shall go in together to show a collective solidarity with Vaughn. WE NEED AS LARGE AN ATTENDANCE AS POSSIBLE. Even attending for 30 minutes - 1 hour helps. Courtroom solidarity is effective if enough people show up to demonstrate a collective strength that will continue to show resilience.
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A presentation and discussion with Journalists Stefan Christoff and Dru Oja Jay

“For the first week of the violence, I remained in Beirut as a witness to vast human suffering imposed on the nation. From… Central Beirut , explosions could be heard throughout the night” – Stefan Christoff, July 20th

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New to the Citizens’ Press, Chris Keefer writes about the story of an El Salvadorean radio legend known as ‘Marisopa’. This important article follows up with an urgent request for direct action, please have a read!

–The most recent rally in Fredericton to oppose the war in Lebanon and to put public pressure on the Harper government to call for a ceasefire in the conflict had a good turnout with over 100 people at the rally here in Fredericton. This rally is in solidarity with rallies around Canada and the world in support of a ceasefire.

Information about the rally in the article linked above as well as another article about The Israeli invasion of Lebanon: Seeing through some media myths also published on The Citizens’ Press.

Click on the picture to see more from the rally.

–Some myths and facts about the current media coverage of the conflict in Lebanon from The Citizens’ Press. It is important to look past the official propaganda and start asking questions about what impression the media is giving people about this conflict. More information will be availible from people with family and friends in Lebanon and Gaza at the rally at 1pm on Saturday, August 12, here in Fredericton at City Hall.

August 8, 2006

Fredericton - As the Canadian government continues to condone the attacks on the defenceless Lebanese and Palestinian people, citizens across the country including Fredericton will be rallying on Saturday, August 12 to demand that the Harper government take every effort to achieve a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and Gaza. The Fredericton rally will commence at 1:00pm at City Hall, 397 Queen Street.

“Harper said he supports a ‘measured’ response by Israel in its attack on Lebanon. This has outraged many Canadians who want to see Canada intervene to help stop the attacks on Lebanon’s neighborhoods and vital infrastructure,” stated Tracy Glynn, a rally organizer. “By voting against key UN humanitarian resolutions and putting sanctions on the Palestinian Authority after the Hamas victory, the Harper administration has clearly joined the U.S. and Israel in its aggressive, violent and unjust wars in the Middle East.”

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