Law, Crime & Justice
- Support US War Resisters
- Protest Music Online
- Season for Peace
- Funeral for the Earth
- Amnesty International Write-a-Thon
- No to Nuclear Energy in Alberta
- U.S. War Resisters Lose Appeal
- Get Ready to March in March!
- National Day of Action - Oct. 27
- Against Secret Trials in Canada
Posted by
Paula Kirman
Let them stay! January 26th is the Pan-Canadian Day of Action in Support of US War Resisters.
RALLY IN SUPPORT OF US WAR RESISTERS
Saturday January 26 @ 1 PM
Bloor Street United Church, Toronto
300 Bloor Street West (Spadina or St. George subway)
Join communities across Canada on Saturday, January 26 to demand that Parliament pass a provision allowing US war resisters to remain in Canada and to call on the government to cease deportation hearings for resisters already in Canada.
With the recent Supreme Court decision to not hear appeals of resisters it's urgent that we raise political visibility now. The opposition parties should unite on this issue and do what's required to "Let Them Stay!"
Getting the attention of Parliament requires that all Canadians of conscience stand up together and be heard. At the rally we will write hundreds of urgent letters to our MPs.After the rally we plan to march to a nearby post office to deliver the letters and to send the message that our demand will be heard: Canadians of conscience support US War Resisters and demand that we "Let Them Stay!"
For more information visit http://www.resisters.ca.
Saturday January 26 @ 1 PM
Bloor Street United Church, Toronto
300 Bloor Street West (Spadina or St. George subway)
Join communities across Canada on Saturday, January 26 to demand that Parliament pass a provision allowing US war resisters to remain in Canada and to call on the government to cease deportation hearings for resisters already in Canada.
With the recent Supreme Court decision to not hear appeals of resisters it's urgent that we raise political visibility now. The opposition parties should unite on this issue and do what's required to "Let Them Stay!"
Getting the attention of Parliament requires that all Canadians of conscience stand up together and be heard. At the rally we will write hundreds of urgent letters to our MPs.After the rally we plan to march to a nearby post office to deliver the letters and to send the message that our demand will be heard: Canadians of conscience support US War Resisters and demand that we "Let Them Stay!"
For more information visit http://www.resisters.ca.
Posted by
Paula Kirman
Music is a powerful way to promote peace. Here are some videos I made over the holiday break of some songs that are about human rights, freedom, and peace.
"In The Land of Freedom is an English translation of the song "En El Pais De La Libertad by Argentinian singer/songwriter León Gieco. For those of you who know Spanish, here is a version of the original song.
Speaking of Spanish, that is a language I am currently trying to learn. A great way to learn a language, I have found, is through music. So, here is another Gieco song, "Tema De Los Mosquitos" sung in Spanish. The gist of the song is this: the animals are all interacting with each other in their various ways, while the hunter watches them and comments that this is life, before he proceeds to kill them. I think somewhere in there is a metaphor for the way we carry on in our lives, oblivious to the dangers that surround us and threaten our survival.
One more: a few months ago I performed the song "I Only Ask of G-d" at a rally to protest Security Certificates in Canada. Again, it was a Gieco song translated into English. "Solo Le Pido a Dios" is likely his most famous song. I decided to give it a try in Spanish. Here is a really cool version of Gieco performing it.
Speaking of Spanish, that is a language I am currently trying to learn. A great way to learn a language, I have found, is through music. So, here is another Gieco song, "Tema De Los Mosquitos" sung in Spanish. The gist of the song is this: the animals are all interacting with each other in their various ways, while the hunter watches them and comments that this is life, before he proceeds to kill them. I think somewhere in there is a metaphor for the way we carry on in our lives, oblivious to the dangers that surround us and threaten our survival.
One more: a few months ago I performed the song "I Only Ask of G-d" at a rally to protest Security Certificates in Canada. Again, it was a Gieco song translated into English. "Solo Le Pido a Dios" is likely his most famous song. I decided to give it a try in Spanish. Here is a really cool version of Gieco performing it.
Posted by
Paula Kirman
I want to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas or happy holidays, whatever it is you celebrate.
May you all take some time this holiday season to reflect upon what this time of year really represents. Aside from blatant commercialism, capitalism, and materialism, this time of year is really about faith and peace. Let peace be a part of your life, and bring that peace into the world around you.
Posted by
Paula Kirman
December 8 was the International Day of Action on Climate Change. In Edmonton, this was expressed through a funeral for Mother Earth.
Edmonton took part with 35 other cities across the country, and Canada with other countries around the world as world leaders gathered in Bali on this very topic during the UN Climate Change Negotiations.
We marched from Canada Place to the Legislature, which is not a short route. There was an impressive turnout despite the cold temperatures, with about 150 people. I didn't freeze. I was especially concerned because the Legislature steps tend to be chilly to start with, but considering what goes on in there and the kind of givernment we have, that should come as no surprise. However, as far as I could tell, no one suffered from frostbite or hypothermia. The Raging Grannies and Notre Dame des Bananes sung, speakers led a service as the Earth was laid to rest, and the batteries in my camcorder just barely held out -- cold makes batteries drain faster.
If you are asking, "What does this have to do with peace and security," the answer is simple. The environment and peace are two issues that are intertwined. Since many of the world's wars are fought over oil, the environmental destruction caused by the recovery of oil from the earth is one step along the way to lubricating the war machine.
Here is a look at what happened:
Photos (49 images):
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
Videos:
Getting Started (2:16)
Procession to the Leg (3:17)
Prelude (1:52)
Notre Dames de Bananes (2:41)
Reading: History of the Earth (1:58)
Moment of Silence/Anthem: Amazing Earth (3:37)
Raging Grannies (5:50)
Eulogy (2:19)
Burial (2:03)
Aboriginal Song (3:01)
We marched from Canada Place to the Legislature, which is not a short route. There was an impressive turnout despite the cold temperatures, with about 150 people. I didn't freeze. I was especially concerned because the Legislature steps tend to be chilly to start with, but considering what goes on in there and the kind of givernment we have, that should come as no surprise. However, as far as I could tell, no one suffered from frostbite or hypothermia. The Raging Grannies and Notre Dame des Bananes sung, speakers led a service as the Earth was laid to rest, and the batteries in my camcorder just barely held out -- cold makes batteries drain faster.
If you are asking, "What does this have to do with peace and security," the answer is simple. The environment and peace are two issues that are intertwined. Since many of the world's wars are fought over oil, the environmental destruction caused by the recovery of oil from the earth is one step along the way to lubricating the war machine.
Here is a look at what happened:
Photos (49 images):
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
Videos:
Getting Started (2:16)
Procession to the Leg (3:17)
Prelude (1:52)
Notre Dames de Bananes (2:41)
Reading: History of the Earth (1:58)
Moment of Silence/Anthem: Amazing Earth (3:37)
Raging Grannies (5:50)
Eulogy (2:19)
Burial (2:03)
Aboriginal Song (3:01)
Amnesty International Write-a-Thon
Posted by
Paula Kirman
On December 9, coffee shops across North America were brimming with people writing letters. Not correspondence to family or friends. Not e-mails. Real, paper letters.
These were real, paper letters sent to government leaders around the world, urging them to free prisoners of conscience.
It was the annual Amnesty International Write-a-Thon. Here in Edmonton, one event took place at Steeps tea shop in College Plaza. Two tables were filled with people coming, writing, and going, including myself. Here is a look at the goings-on (11 images):
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
It was the annual Amnesty International Write-a-Thon. Here in Edmonton, one event took place at Steeps tea shop in College Plaza. Two tables were filled with people coming, writing, and going, including myself. Here is a look at the goings-on (11 images):
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
No to Nuclear Energy in Alberta
Posted by
Paula Kirman
Ever since Hiroshima and the accident at Chernobyl, nuclear power and energy has been frowned upon by people in the peace movement as unsafe and unwise.
However, one of the most pressing environmental issues in Alberta right now is the proposed use of nuclear energy in the tar sands. On November 19, a group of people from Peace River and Whitecourt joined with people from Edmonton and elsewhere at the Legislature to protest nuclear energy in Alberta.
Photos (39 images):
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
Videos:
MLA and farmer from Northern Alberta (6:26)
Tipping Point (13:27)
Paul Gunter (anti-nuke activist from Maryland) (2:23)
David Swann, MLA (Liberal, Environment Critic) (1:41)
David Eggen, MLA (NDP) (3:05)
Leila Darwish, Sierra Club (4:55)
Photos (39 images):
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
Videos:
MLA and farmer from Northern Alberta (6:26)
Tipping Point (13:27)
Paul Gunter (anti-nuke activist from Maryland) (2:23)
David Swann, MLA (Liberal, Environment Critic) (1:41)
David Eggen, MLA (NDP) (3:05)
Leila Darwish, Sierra Club (4:55)
U.S. War Resisters Lose Appeal
Posted by
Paula Kirman
The Supreme Court of Canada has decided not to hear appeals from U.S. war resisters seeking refuge in Canada.
To protest this decision, numerous rallies were held on November 15 throughout the country. The War Resisters Support Campaign has announced plans to ramp up pressure for a political solution, calling for a provision from Parliament to allow resisters and their families to stay in Canada. For more information on how you can get involved, visit the War Resisters Support Campaign.
Posted by
Paula Kirman
March of 2008 will see the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. To commemorate and protest this event, demonstrations and marches are already being planned.
Most likely, there will be a variety of marches, rallies, and teach-ins taking place throughout North America. While it is early yet for any specific information, keep checking back here as plans develop.
National Day of Action - Oct. 27
Posted by
Paula Kirman
October 27 was the National Day in Action in Canada, while protestors in the U.S. marched and rallies as well. Here is a look at one demonstration.
We had a small but passionate crowd in Edmonton on Saturday, October 27. I would guess about one hundred people showed up for the march and rally. We were calling for Canada out of Afghanistan and the U.S. out of Iraq. After marching down Whyte Avenue, we held a rally at the TransAlta Arts Barns and because the weather was so beautiful, we just kept it outside.
Here are the photos at RaiseMyVoice.com and at Flickr (40 images).
Videos:
Marching down Whyte Ave. (2:22)
Raging Grannies (4:09)
Paula Kirman/ECAWAR (4:34)
Samir Bleibel/Lebanese Community (4:25)
Muslim Student's Association (7:20)
Brian Mason, NDP (4:42)
Dr. Tony Simmons (19:01)
Here are the photos at RaiseMyVoice.com and at Flickr (40 images).
Videos:
Marching down Whyte Ave. (2:22)
Raging Grannies (4:09)
Paula Kirman/ECAWAR (4:34)
Samir Bleibel/Lebanese Community (4:25)
Muslim Student's Association (7:20)
Brian Mason, NDP (4:42)
Dr. Tony Simmons (19:01)
Against Secret Trials in Canada
Posted by
Paula Kirman
October 20, 2007 was the National Day of Action Against Secret Trials in Canada. Protests were held in fifteen cities across the country. Here is a look at Edmonton.
Photos (22 images):
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
Videos:
Intro by Maureen McGinley/Raging Grannies (6:14)
Dylan Handy, winner of the Maher Arar Essay Contest (5:50)
Paula Kirman (and the Raging Grannies) (5:06)
Martin Tweedale, Council of Canadians (7:11)
Notre Dame de Bananes (7:17)
Prof. Paul Viminitz (9:20)
Raging Grannies - Hang Down Your Heads Canadians (1:48)
Peggy Morton, ECAWAR (8:07)
Marilyn Gaa/Raging Grannies (3:28)
Clip from Global National News on the protests throughout the country (2:19)
RaiseMyVoice.com
Flickr
Videos:
Intro by Maureen McGinley/Raging Grannies (6:14)
Dylan Handy, winner of the Maher Arar Essay Contest (5:50)
Paula Kirman (and the Raging Grannies) (5:06)
Martin Tweedale, Council of Canadians (7:11)
Notre Dame de Bananes (7:17)
Prof. Paul Viminitz (9:20)
Raging Grannies - Hang Down Your Heads Canadians (1:48)
Peggy Morton, ECAWAR (8:07)
Marilyn Gaa/Raging Grannies (3:28)
Clip from Global National News on the protests throughout the country (2:19)
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