ending violence

this weekend i am going to participate in “slutwalk vancouver”. while i do not feel the need to reclaim this oppressive word- i DO feel the need to stand up against victim blaming, victim shaming, violence against women, and the entrenched attitudinal problems that exist within the (un)justice system in canada.

this piece in “the f word” explains how i feel….

and this video summarizes my feelings exactly.

International Day for the Elimination of Racism

On March 20th, join us in a march to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racism and show our communities’ collective strength in challenging racism.

Sunday, March 20th, 2011 at 2pm. Location: Waterfront Skytrain Station, Downtown Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories


*** Download multilingual Colour poster, Colour flyer, Black and white poster, Black and white flyer, Spanish-only poster ***

March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, marks the anniversary of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa when police opened fire on hundreds of South Africans protesting against Apartheid’s passbook laws, killing 67 and wounding 186.

For centuries, communities have led countless courageous struggles against racism and the many ways in which it manifests itself in our daily lives. From historic injustices – such as Japanese internment camps, residential schools, and the Chinese Exclusion Act – to the current mass imprisonment and impoverishment of Indigenous communities, racialized peoples, and refugees under the guise of the War on Terror; Canadian corporate development on Indigenous lands from the tarsands in Alberta to mining operations in Guatemala; the expansion of exploitative migrant worker programs; the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and military occupations from Afghanistan to Haiti – racism is an ugly truth about Canada.

Join us on March 20th to confront racism while celebrating the dignity, strength, and resilience of our communities.

- End individual and institutional racism, racial violence, and racial profiling!
- Stop the theft of Indigenous lands and defend Indigenous communities!
- End all racist wars and occupations!
- Freedom from police violence, imprisonments, and deportations!
- Living wages, healthcare, education, and housing for all!

To endorse the march or for more information email noii-van@resist.ca or call 604.715.6990

www.nooneisillegal.org

Amnesty IWD Film Festival

Looking for something to do tomorrow evening to celebrate International Women’s Day? Come out to Amnesty International Vancouver and Oxfam Vancouver’s screening of “A Powerful Noise” at Langara!

Doors will open at 6:30 pm, with the program getting under way at 7 pm. Room 122A. Admission is by donation; no one will be turned away.

IWD Parade & Festival

hiya internets!

as you can probably tell, i’ve been pretty busy since arriving home in vancouver. among other things, i’ve had the honour to volunteer on the Vancouver International Women’s Day Parade & Festival Outreach committee! the parade is this saturday, march 5th and i hope to see a lot of people out there!!

PARADE OF THE CENTURY

Join the fun – Come in Costume

Saturday, March 5th, 2011
Gather 12:30 pm at McSpadden Park

PARADE
Time:  1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Route: North on Commercial Drive
East on Adanac to Salsbury Park, 1898 Adanac St.

FESTIVAL
Time:  2:00pm-4:30 p.m.
Location: WISE HALL
1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver
Info:  Community Information
Booths, Raffles, Prizes
Music and local entertainers, Kids ZOne
Food Vendors will be onsite

International Women’s Day

February 28, 2011
For immediate release (event listing below)

A Powerful Noise on International Women’s Day

Everyone is invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Woman‘s Day at a special screening of A Powerful Noise, a stunning documentary film that focuses on women’s empowerment around the world. Amnesty International and Oxfam Canada have joined together to present this March 8th event at Langara College room 122A, located at 100 West 49th Avenue. Admission is by donation but no one will be turned away. The doors open at 6:30 pm, program begins at 7 pm.

A Powerful Noise is the story of three women from diverse communities who have one thing in common: they want to change the world by empowering women. The film explores the challenges these and other women face around the world, especially when they attempt to rise up and claim their voice in society. The three characters overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to bring about lasting solutions.

“We are extremely pleased to be celebrating International Woman’s Day with this important film that highlights the voice of women,” said Miriam Palacios, a policy and outreach officer with Oxfam Canada.

“These women are actively addressing important issues such as poverty, discrimination and gendered violence,” adds Don Wright from Amnesty International. “This film places women at the centre of creating social justice.”

A Powerful Noise takes you inside the lives of Jacqueline, Hanh and Nada. Jacqueline stands up for the rights of abused girls in Mali. Hanh contracted HIV after her husband and daughter‘s death. Desperate, she started a self-help group in Vietnam. Nada is a mother and refugee from Bosnia, helping ease hostilities between Serbs and Bosniaks.

This event will be moderated by Barbara Eyles from Oxfam, and will also feature the short film Sahena’s Story from the Sisters on the Planet film series, as well as time for a short discussion involving guest speakers.

It is part of a series of events on or near International Woman‘s Day. For more information, please visit the website www.iwdvancouver.ca.

Media contacts:
Don Wright — 604-294-5160 / dwright@amnesty.ca
Miriam Palacios — 604-736-7678 / miriamp@oxfam.ca

Film website: http://www.apowerfulnoise.org

Event listing: Celebrate International Women’s Day as Amnesty International and Oxfam Canada present A Powerful Noise, a stunning documentary film that focuses on women’s empowerment around the world. March 8 at Langara College room 122A, located at 100 West 49th Avenue. Admission is by donation but no one will be turned away. Doors open at 6:30 pm. www.iwdvancouver.ca.