Its sunny and cold today, I have tons of school work waiting for me, but all i can think about is the ongoing colonization of our minds, lands and our rights. I went a wonderful lecture last night that discussed the importance of indigenous feminism. The wonderful Andrea Smith (Activist/feminist/Cherokee/educator) reminded us how important it is to resist - not because we're good people, but because we're here. The bad news is that 5% of the population has the money and the guns, the good news is there are more of of us ( 95% in fact! ) since we're here, we should be here to resist together! Smith reminded us that many of us are still stuck in the academic-industrial complex, where we're always tired and trying to cover our asses doing all our individual work so that we can never go out and join the revolution. Creating collectives and realizing we're all here together is a priority that can help to mobilize resistance. Its the relationality that counts when we're respecting one another, and making sure we focus on how we create action we'll be able to locate the multiple ways to resist.
The May Day of Action is coming up soon and just to get you in the mood I suggest you watch this fabulous documentary about the 2006 uprising in Oaxaca Mexico. This powerful documentary reveals the symbiotic relationship between the media, the state and the inspirational strength manifested by a collective body of resistance. A Little Bit of So Much Truth ( click to watch ) begins with shots from the May 2006 teachers' strike, which had become an annual ritual. The 60,000-strong Section 22 of the National Teachers' Union would take over Oaxaca's central plaza, or zócalo; then, after a few days, the Oaxaca State governor (the state and its capital city share the name) would agree to some demands, and the teachers would pack up the protest camp known as the plantón and leave. But this time the demonstration quickly snowballed into a full-blown popular revolt.
No One Is Illegal!
May Day of Action
Rally and March | 2 May - 1pm
Meet: Sherbourne and Carlton
On April 2nd and 3rd, over 100 temporary and undocumented workers were attacked by armed border guards, dragged in to detention and are now being forcibly deported. On 2 May, thousands of us will say Enough!
Migrants, poor and working people; undocumented people and people of colour live in constant crisis in Canada, attacked daily. A crisis has always existed in Teesdale, in Regent Park, in farm fields, on factory floors and in hotel service areas.
Corporate and political elites are using the current 'Economic Crisis' as an excuse to attack poor, working-class and racialized communities by increasing immigration enforcement; stealing public funds; wrecking social services; taking away people's jobs rather than cutting profits and targeting those they perceive as the weakest - indigenous people; the homeless; refugee claimants; women in shelters; queer and trans migrants, caregivers; factory workers and temporary workers.
We say there are no illegal human beings, only unjust laws and governments. No one, poor or undocumented, is illegal. The struggle of workers - waged and unwaged, with or without immigration status – is against powerful elites and systems of oppression. Citizenship, jobs and houses - granted to some and denied to others - are tools to divide us.
We will not be divided.
On May 2, join thousands of us as we take to the streets and demand an end to corporate and state attacks on our communities. We demand an end to detentions and deportations. We demand access without fear to essential services. We demand an end to security certificates and secret trials. We demand a full and inclusive regularization program. We demand justice, dignity, and status for all!
We did not create this crisis, and we will not pay for it. On May 2nd, create power. Resist.
The May 2nd rally and march will be preceded by a May Day Festival, on May 1st at 6pm, at 25 Cecil Street.
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