–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.”

Read the rest of this entry »

A rally in solidarity with the International Day of Action to Demand An End to the Assult on Gaza and Lebanon was held today in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Click here for articles on the current conflict.

Click here for images and reports of rallies in London.

10,000 to 15,000 protest in Sydney.

Click here for the Canadian Peace Alliance’s call to send a message to Harper.

The latest news is that Israeli forces enter southern Lebanon

Also, there are new reports of major US companies profiting off the killing of civilians (this is not really a new thing):U.S. Arming of Israel:

Click here for the report from CBC of today’s international action. There is basically a corporate media blackout on pictures.

.

Call to Action - Saturday, July 22, 2006
END ISRAEL’S ASSAULT ON GAZA AND LEBANON

FREDERICTON ACTION - Saturday, July 22, 1pm, City Hall
Rally, information, speeches…
…a chance to stand and be counted amongst those opposed to the brutal assault on civilians

STATEMENT FROM CANADIAN PEACE ALLIANCE: Read the rest of this entry »

–CUPE Ontario has released a call to attend an emergency on Saturday to call for a cessation of the attacks.

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick presents…

DR. SEUSS’S THE LORAX

An animated version of Dr. Seuss’s classic book about the environment and capitalistic greed. “Mister! he said with a sawdusty sneeze, I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. And I’m asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs –he was very upset as he shouted and puffed– What’s that THING you’ve made out of my Truffula tuft?” -The Lorax.

7:30pm, Monday, June 26
Underground Cafe, 732 Charlotte

Free film showing for children of all ages. 26 minutes. Open discussion follows video presentation.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” -The Lorax.

Brought to you by the volunteers with the Acadian forest campaign, a campaign of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, and the Underground Cafe.

To find out more, email forest@conservationcouncil.ca or visit http://www.acadianforest.ca

The Labour, Student, Social Activist, Environmental, and Civil Society groups are all united against the Atlantica agenda. The agenda of the proponents of Atlantica is seen as little different than that of NAFTA and other so-called “free trade” agreements. These agreements have not helped, but have hindered, the economic and social situation of the people of the Atlantic region. Together we are bringing the Atlantica agenda into public view to counteract the undemocratic and elitist process going on right now at the Trade and Convention Centre in Saint John, New Brunswick.

There are protesters in the streets and conferences going on addressing why working people across the Atlantic region should be opposed to Atlantica. There is something for everyone looking to send our business elite and politicans a message: NO! To Atlantica!

More pictures here.

Important! the Gothic Arches (95 Wentworth St), a modified cathedral, is the free space to stay + convergence centre (Special Thanks to The Public Service Alliance of Canada for heavily subsidizing this). With kitchen and bathrooms. All welcome to stay Thursday and Friday night (June 8 to 9). Bring a sleeping bag and anything you may need. Information & updates will be available there. Free hot food provided by Food Not Bombs Fredericton.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 9

10 am -Gather at King Square for rally, speeches by Citizens Against
Atlantica, Council of Canadians, and Labour.

11 am –Beehive Design Collective presents picture lectures, Market Square
boardwalk.

12 noon – Gather at the Trade and Convention Centre/Harbour Station for
rally.

6 pm - Regroup at King Square for the Big Clash.

All day –Falls Brook Centre’s Climate Change Bus, Market Sq boardwalk.

*Civil Society Room, Saint John Library open 10am –5pm both Friday and
Saturday. Providing water, films, workshops and educational materials. On
Friday: 11am –Union press conference, 1pm –Beehive Design Collective, 2
pm, Civil disobedience with John Price, 3 pm - A gendered perspective on
economic agreements with Johanne Perron, 4 pm - Essential Elements of a
Civil Society with Janice Harvey. For more info on the Civil Society Room,
call 449-0408.

++++++++++++++++

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

10 am - 12 pm, Multi-purpose room, Saint John Library
The Atlantica Initiative: A Local Piece of the Global Puzzle with Garry
Leech, the Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network and professor at Cape
Breton University, and Dr. Jim Sacouman, professor at Acadia University.

1:30 pm - 3 pm Rally organized by Labour starting at the Lord Beaverbrook
Rink, Main St and marching to boardwalk at the Convention Centre. Hassan
Yusuf (Canadian Labour Congress), Michel Boudreau (NB Federation of
Labour), Wayne Lucas (CUPE Newfoundland), Ron Oldfield (St. John &
District Labour Council) and other speakers will address the crowd. For
more info, call the Labour Council office at (506) 635-1541.

http://www.stopatlantica.com