Category: Events

Saturday, December 10. 7.30 p.m.
Unitarian Church 949 West 49th Ave, Vancouver
Vancouverites Karen DeVito and John ‘Max’ Soos last month experienced two very different aspects of Israel’s control over Palestine.
Karen was one of 27 people on two boats of the Freedom Waves, the Canadian Tahrir and the Irish Saoirse, who were forcefully taken from international waters to an Israeli prison for attempting to break the blockade of Gaza.
John was a volunteer harvesting olives in the West Bank and observed first hand the abusive treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli military. As a mental health care professional he heard from colleagues about the toll this abuse takes on ordinary Palestinians, including children.
Come hear their stories on International Human Rights Day, Saturday, December 10.
Sponsors: Vancouver Committee of Canadian Boat to Gaza and Unitarian Church Social Justice Committee.
Info 604 312 3488.

The Freedom Flotilla II: what happened and what’s next?
Let us welcome back the B.C. delegates from the Freedom Flotilla – Stay Human, as they tell the story of the Canadian Boat—the “Tahrir”

When: Friday August 5, 2011. Doors open at 7:00pm. Presentation to start at 7:30
Where: Unitarian Church. Hewett Centre.  Near the north-east corner of  49th & Oak, Vancouver

Five B.C. residents tell the story of the Tahrir with stories, photography, and a short film. Hear about their motivations for participation, their interpretation of the Greek government’s actions, and how the Tahrir almost managed to set sail for Gaza. There will time to ask questions and share ideas.

Join us for snacks afterwards.

Free parking available, Bus #49, #17

FREE ADMISSION

For more information email canadaboatgaza.bc@gmail.com or visit www.tahrir.ca
Ph: 604-831-9821

Date: Saturday, July 2nd, 2011
Time: 2:00pm
Location:CBC Plaza – In front of the CBC at Georgia and Hamilton)

Join our facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157942407612078

Authorities in Greece have stopped flotilla boats from sailing

Greek and Canadian governments complicit in Gaza blockade

You might have already heard the news coming from Greece that the Tahrir together with the US ship have been prevented from leaving the Greek port and that one Canadian has been threatened with being arrested.

Rallies are being organized across Canada to protest against the actions of the Greek government that is obviously giving in to Israel’s pressure. Of course the Canadian government is complicit by not guaranteeing the safety of Canadians.

The date for the rally is Saturday, July 2nd, at 2 pm in front of the CBC at Georgia and Hamilton.

Other suggested actions include:

• Write to our MPs. The Canadian Government needs to know that they are complicit in the coercion. And that they have a responsibility by international convention, to protect the Canadians on the Flotilla. We have a letter template for you to use to send to MPs reminding them that the Canadian government has obligations under the Geneva Convention.
• Write to Greek officials. Greek government officials are to be asked to clarify whether a political decision has been made by the Greek government in response to Israeli and other governments’ pressure. We will ask that they not be complicit in the massive human rights violations by Israel against the people of Gaza. We will ask them to defend human rights and not fall to the pressure of Israel and other governments – who are playing with the lives and livelihoods of Greeks and Palestinians.

SPREAD THE WORD SO WE CAN HAVE A HUGE RALLY!!!!

Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Maritime Labour Centre • 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver (Victoria and Triumph, two blocks north of Hastings St.)
Admission: Free (donations appreciated to help cover costs of the tour)

A pan-Canadian trade union speaking tour featuring:

Dr. Amjad Barham
President, Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors
and Employees (PFUUPE)

Tahir Sema
National spokesperson, South African Union of Municipal Workers (SAMWU)

Panel facilitated by Deborah Bourque, Coordinator of Policy and

Planning for the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU)

FREE PUBLIC EVENT, donations appreciated to help cover costs of the tour
(Free childcare on-site – call 604-779-7430. Venue is wheelchair accessible.)

For more information email: boycottapartheid@gmail.com or call: 604-779-7430

Vancouver Sponsors:

• Vancouver District Labour Council
• Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 846
• CUPE Metro
• CUPE Local 15
• CEP local 2025
• Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU-SFU) – Social Justice Committee
• StopWar.ca
• The Centre for Race Autobiography Gender and Age Studies (RAGA)
• Independent Jewish Voices
• CanPalNet
• Canada Palestine Association
• No One Is Illegal Vancouver
• Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign
• South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD)