Showing posts with label solidarity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solidarity. Show all posts

Monday, February 18, 2013

On the union and the NL spring

The stage is set for a bitter round of union-government negotiations in the coming months. All the signs are suggesting government wants to play hardball -- for example, shuffling Kennedy in for negotiations. It is clear he intends to use the tactics of the economic hit-man in the form of a narrative of fiscal crisis and deficit. The crisis is, by association, to be blamed on public sector employees. This is a tired old tactic that seeks to sap the people's support for unions and the labour movement.

The problem with the narrative of crisis is that it is out of context. If there is a crisis it is not because of average people working and paying into pension funds (it always sounds so silly when they say it). The crisis NL faces is the result of decisions that were made, decisions that very often favored those few with the most wealth and influence. Decisions were made to allow multinational corporations to operate in NL and haul away the natural resources while contributing only a pittance to the public purse. Decisions were made to hastily sanction the biggest expenditure of public funds in the province's history just as the crisis became clear. This is something of what it means to speak of the 1% that disproportionately benefits, while everybody else is left to foot the bill.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

#IdleNoMore province-wide solidarity actions Jan 27 -- St. John's

Idle No More solidarity actions are taking place today (Jan 27th) across Newfoundland and Labrador. Demonstrations are happening in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Bay St. George, and in St. John's (see our previous post for more info). Below are photos and videos from the St. John's event. Please copy, download, share and help spread the solidarity around!
***Updated*** Here's a link to photos from the rally in Corner Brook via Cornerbrooker.com
***Updated*** Here's a link to a photo album from the St. John's rally by Jenne Nolan
***Updated*** Here's a link to photos from the Happy Valley-Goose Bay march by Denise Cole













Monday, January 21, 2013

#IdleNoMore actions planned province-wide for Jan 27th

Idle No More activists in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Stephenville, and St. John's are organizing rallies and protests for Sunday, January 27th.

--Solidarity March in Happy Valley-Goose Bay (with Friends of the Grand River/Mistashipu)

--Facebook event for Corner Brook organized by 4 O'Clock Whistle (read press release here)

--Facebook event for St. John's organized by Idle No More St. John's

--Stephenville event Sacred Fire hosted by Bay St. George Cultural Circle,

Idle No More protests have been taking place in NL since early December 2012. The timeline below highlights a few of the many actions in solidarity with the INM movement. This post is intended to promote solidarity as well as to consolidate information, so please help us add to/make corrections to this list by leaving a comment or sending us an email.


Dec 10th —  Idle No More solidarity protest in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. Video here.

Dec 11th --- NunatuKavut elders arrested for trespassing

Dec 18th --- Dennis Burden arrested

Dec 21st --- Stephenville Idle No More protest

Dec 21st --- St. John's Idle No More solidarity rally

Jan 4, 2013 —The Idle No More campaign held protests in Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor. 

Jan 11, 2013 — NunaTuKavut Community Council Idle No More solidarity protest

Jan 12, 2013 — Idle No More St. John's Round Dance at Avalon Mall

Sunday, November 18, 2012

People's Assembly demos, Nov 18, 2012

Check out some of the images and video from the coordinated demonstrations earlier today. Big thanks to all the people that came out and showed solidarity! Please send us your images/videos to post!

Here's a link to some great pictures from the Rally for Democracy in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador this afternoon, organized by Friends of the Grand River/Mistashipu and Grand Riverkeepers. Here's their rally handout.

Solidarity with demonstrators in Labrador. More pics here.
More video here.



There was coverage of the People's Assembly St. John's protests of the undemocractic handling of the proposed Muskrat Falls mega-project in the CBC, the Telegram, and even coverage in the Vancouver Sun!




Where's the power? People power!


Special report from Z News and NL's favorite tiny reporter, Zoe. (Thanks Gordon!)

UPDATED YET AGAIN... Photos coming in from friends we met at Confederation Building and another demonstration in solidarity, Boil Up For The Big Land! Solidarity across Newfoundland and Labrador. Keep the pics coming folks




Thursday, October 4, 2012

Protest at Happy Valley-Goose Bay's Town Office



Press release via Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu Concerned about Mayor Abbass’s Potential Conflict of Interest

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu (FOGR/M) have requested that Mayor Abbass and the Town Council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay hold a public meeting to explain to its residents how there is no conflict of interest in relation to the mayor’s various positions. In addition to Mayor Abbass’s appointment to Nalcor’s Board, he has also publicly taken the stand with Peter Woodward’s pro Muskrat Falls business group.

We at FOGR/M are concerned about the adjacency principle and lack of consultation since the mayor’s appointment to these groups. We are further concerned about how all residents are being represented as plans move forward. Many of us in FOGR/M are residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and do not feel represented, consulted, or considered as he takes such a vocal public stand for the project.

FOGR/M will be continuing protests at the town office until we feel these concerns are being publicly addressed. A letter will also be presented to the Town Council on October 12, 2012 requesting the same. It is our position that a well-advertised public meeting called by the town council would give ample opportunity for all residents to come and understand how these various positions do not put the mayor and town council in a conflict of interest in representing all of the electorate.

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu believe in a common mission, to protect and preserve all Labrador Rivers, including our efforts to Save Muskrat Falls! FOGR/M believe this government proposed megaproject to create a hydroelectric dam at Muskrat Falls that will eventually lead to potentially damming of other Labrador rivers is wrong, our reasons are varied, still the end decision the same - it is not a healthy project for anyone involved. FOGR/M are committed to stopping it! Search us on Facebook for more information.


PAST PROTESTS


via Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu would like to invite you to

Happy Valley-Goose Bay's Town Office
Friday, October 5 at 12pm

to join us in protest of the Muskrat Falls Hydro Project.

We are all aware that Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor Leo Abbass is now a NALCOR Board Member, and we'd like to hear from him and how Labrador and his community is going to benefit from this project in the long run? How is he looking out for the interests of the Labradorians and residents who elected him? And why has he made no public presentations to inform us of why he's on this board, what this project will mean to all of us, and will he allow us any input at all as this moves forward!? 

Read more at the Facebook Event Page

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Protesters speak up against Muskrat Falls


A group called the Friends of Grand River has staged a protest against the Muskrat Falls development.


You can read more about the group Friends of the Grand River here. And check out these images taken of the development already happening, before the project has even been sanctioned. It makes a farce out of the upcoming debate in the House of Assembly.

 Read the CBC article here.



Monday, June 18, 2012

Mega Casseroles Night - Friday June 22nd

Video: Highlights from June 22 Casseroles in Montreal (at the end, promising to come back July 22 for an even bigger show of solidarity!)


Monday, June 11, 2012

More Casseroles Nights in Canada

Since the epic concert de Casseroles video that went viral on May 24, the rest of Canada has stepped up to show solidarity with the students in Quebec (and a broader popular movement of citizens concerned about the draconian and far-reaching "loi special" Law 78).

View the June 13th Facebook event page here.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Casseroles Night in Canada, round 2, June 6th, 8 PM at Harbourside Park

UPDATED POST:

So-so-so-Solidarité!

St. John's citizens gather at Harbourside Park before the march.
Casseroles solidarity marching up George Street:



Solidarity march making it's way to the banks...




EARLIER POST:

St. John's citizens made themselves heard on the first Casseroles Night in Canada on May 30, and are invited to meet up at Harbourside Park for round two on Wednesday June 6th around 8 PM.

St. John's Casseroles Facebook event page

National Casseroles Event event page

People of all ages are welcome!

Bring your pots and pans, and something to hit them with! If anyone has any suggestions as to how to make this event bigger and better, please share in comments.

Leave your house at 8pm and clang your way down to Harbourside Park. Hopefully the noise will attract others to join in! When we get to the park, keep making noise and see how big of a crowd we can gather!



The news source Rabble.ca has called for weekly Casseroling to continue showing solidarity with the student movement in Quebec and disapproval for Quebec's Law 78, which restricts Canadian's civil liberties, but to also make our discontent over Bill C-38 heard loud and clear. Let those in power know that Canadians are paying attention!

Members of Occupy NL have also created a postcard (front and back downloadable from that link) that you can send to your MP about the ominous, undemocratic Omnibus bill C-38.

See you in the streets!



Monday, May 28, 2012

Concert de Casseroles #3! -- Wednesday May 30 at Harbourside Park, 8 PM

UPDATED POST

Videos and images from Harbourside Park and the march on Water Street. Lots of parents and kids out tonight in solidarity with the student movement in Quebec and to show discontent with Law-78. An inspiring evening altogether! To share your own pics and videos and see what others have posted, check out the facebook event page.



Sunday, May 27, 2012

Concert de Casseroles in NEWFOUNDLAND to Support Quebecois Students


Concert de Casseroles in NEWFOUNDLAND to Support Students in Quebec

Concert de casseroles (concert of pots and pans) in support of the demands of the Québec students and against law 78. 

TONIGHT - Sunday, May 27th, 8:00 p.m., at Harbourside Park.  

Show your colours: wear red, especially a red square!

This is not organized by an "organization"; we are doing this to demonstrate our support for the Québec demonstrations, and we are doing this to show we value civil rights.

-----------------------------------
What's a pots and pans concert?
A beautifully shot video of Quebec's nightly demos: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/05/25/montreal-pots-and-pans-video-bill-78_n_1546694.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Wondering what the student strike has to do with you?
10 Points Eveyone should now about the Quebec Student Movement: http://montreal.mediacoop.ca/story/ten-points-everyone-should-know-about-quebec-student-movement/10896

Wondering what Law 78 is all about?
Why it's wrong from the Quebec Bar Association: http://www.barreau.qc.ca/fr/actualites-medias/communiques/2012/05/18-etudiants and a translation at: http://www.newappsblog.com/2012/05/quebecs-emergency-decree-its-hard-to-call-it-a-law-78.html


Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/306691286086521/
Related posts:
Our General Assembly will take place directly after this event, at around 8:30 at Harbourside Park

Update:  Here's the CBC article about the event

    Wednesday, May 23, 2012

    UPDATED POST: On the student movement in Quebec

    Massive student protests ongoing in Montreal -- on March 22nd, 200,000 protesters took part in a demonstration in downtown Montreal . Exactly a month later, on Earth Day, another 200,000 people took to the streets. And yet another month later, only picking up steam, a wave of people in red packed downtown Montreal on May 22nd, nearing 300,000 strong.

     
    Click here for more images from the March 22 demonstrations.

    Great recap: Ten Things Everyone Should Know about the Quebec Student Movement
    In response to the emergency law passed, Law 78, people have this to say: Arrest me!

    Downtown Montreal on May 22, 2012

    Concordia Student Union General Assembly operates using horizontal decision making like that used by the Occupy movement, and they spearheaded the student strike originating at Concordia. More info here about how this started.

    For up-to-date and reliable info on the Montreal student protests, check out the Montreal Media Co-op and Concordia University TV (CUTV) to watch the recap videos and livestreams from the student protests.

    Resources

    You can also visit the Concordia Student Union site. And the McGill Student Union has a Student Strike FAQ up on their site.

    Visit the CLASSE website for more info as well. CLASSE is a temporary national student organization that includes, across Quebec, more than 76,000 members in many student unions from both colleges and universities. 

    Visit the MobSquad website for info on the campaign against tuition hikes.


    ONGOING UPDATES:

    Demands to Concordia's Administration from students on strike 

    Here's a good overview of what's been happening since March 22. 

    April 11th -- Occupy Wall Street reports on Montreal student protests

    April 20th -- CUTV footage of violent policy encounter with student protesters

    April 20th -- Footage of protests at the Montreal Palais des Congres

    April 22th-- Crowd shot of Earth Day protest

    April 28th -- Montreal demonstrators march in protest of Jean Charest  (here's why)

    May 4th -- Montreal Students Stage Nearly-Nude Protests

    May 14th -- Quebec's Education Minister Resigns as Protests Continue

    May 17th -- Montreal students occupy University of Quebec

    May 17th -- Quebec announces emergency law to restore order and thousands protest in Montreal

    May 19th -- Quebec steps closer to martial law to repress students

    May 22nd -- Anatomy of a conflict after 100 days of student protest

    Sunday, May 13, 2012

    Message from InterOccupy Canada

    Here's a message from our friends at InterOccupy Canada:

    "Dear friends, family, sisters, and brothers of the Occupy movement,

    A few of us in Interoccupy Canada have taken it upon ourselves to do research across the board into the diverse visions, missions and meanings that hold true to Occupy. We are interested in connecting and working together with all of the groups in our nation for the common goals of the 99%. In order to move forward with co-operation on this front in a strong manner, we would like to compile a list of these definitions and find common ground to work together on. Together we stand strong. Separated we are weakened. We are the 99%. Let us build a community of hope together.

    If you are interested in helping us with this idea, please provide us with these details (They may be snappy sentences or novels - give us everything you think will help):

    Sunday, May 6, 2012

    The future of Occupy NL


    **Join the Facebook event here!**

    GLOBAL CONTEXT: May 15th is a global day of action for the Occupy movement. The Indignados from Spain are celebrating their one year anniversary and hundreds of thousands of people have re-occupied squares all over Spain and continue to hold the space. Occupy Wall Street and a broad affiliation of organizations will join together for a sit-down strike and mass assembly in Times Squares at 6 PM.This action will focus on the Banks and their role in the Global Economic Crisis. Occupy NL stands in solidarity with the global movement against austerity and seeks to move towards economic justice worldwide during this day of global action.
     

     ***
    We will be evicted from Harbourside Park today, May 15th. Despite all odds, Occupy NL has lasted through the winter, but now that Spring is here the City of St. John's is preparing for tourist season. Read another important blogpost on the subject.

    Friday, March 2, 2012

    Solidarity Package from Occupy Berkeley


    On March 1, the coldest day of the year so far  here in St. John's (-14 Celsius), a solidarity package arrived at Harbourside camp from Occupy Berkeley. And as serendipity goes on a chilly night in Newfoundland, this gift was just in the nic of time...

    Wednesday, February 15, 2012

    Firsthand account of the capture at sea of the Canadian boat to Gaza

    Friday, November 4, 2011

    Occupy NL protests Bill C-10

    Here are some great pictures from the OccupyNL protest of Bill C-10!!

    Wednesday, October 26, 2011

    Mad Lurv to the Sanely Worded

    Scott Bartlett of Batshite.com on Occupy Newfoundland and Labrador, week one.

    If anyone else has a blog they would like included on the Links here, please leave a comment below with the address information.
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