Author: KWPeace

KWPeace is a website to link the many Peace and Social Justice organizations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and the Waterloo Region townships. KWPeace tries to provide a comprehensive calendar of events.

Emergency Protest: Hands Off Venezuela! at Waterloo Public Square, 4:30pm on Monday 5 January 2026

  • What: Emergency Protest in Waterloo: Hands Off Venezuela! Stop the U.S. war against Venezuela! Canada-Wide Peace & Justice Network (yellow letters on a green peace symbol on a red background; the inside of the green peace symbol is coloured like a watermelon)
  • When: 4:30pm-5:30pm on Monday 5 January 2026
  • Where: Waterloo Public Square
  • Location: 75 King Street South Map
  • Online: Peace and Justice Network: https://peaceandjusticenetwork.ca/
  • Contact: CWPJN canadapeaceandjustice@gmail.com to register actions.

Join us to condemn the illegal U.S. airstrikes and abduction of the democratically elected President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Venezuela has the world’s largest oil resources and at the press conference on Saturday, Trump said “We’re taking back the oil in Venezuela… We’re running the country… We’re going to be taking out a lot of wealth from Venezuela.” The attack against Venezuela is another aggressive U.S. war for oil.

No War on Venezuela! Repatriate Venezuela's President Maduro & his wife Cilia Flores Now! Cross-Canada Emergency Actions Waterloo, Ontario MONDAY January 5 (2026) 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Waterloo Public Square, 75 King St. Organized by the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace & WILPF-Canada #HandsOffVenezuela

Actions are taking place across Canada this week in solidarity with the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela against U.S. aggression.

The CWPJN condemns the January 3, 2026 U.S. military attacks against Venezuela, and joins the international call for emergency actions demanding: No War on Venezuela! Repatriate Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores Now! We also denounce the Canadian government’s shameful support of the U.S.’s illegal ouster of President Maduro.

Read the statement: No War on Venezuela! from the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network

Not another U.S. war for oil. (See the CIA stats on Venezuela’s proven oil reserves)

Organized by:

Part of the Canada-Wide Peace & Justice Network (CWPJN).

Neighbours for Palestine: Day of Action outside Centra Industries, 1pm on Saturday 3 January 2026

Canada is still complicit in genocide, and Waterloo Region is still arming Israel.

It’s time to act.

Join us as we bring our collective power into 2026. Bring a neighbour. Bring your voice. Liberation is not a moment, it is a practice we return to again and again, year after year.

No more F-35s in our backyards!

Parking: Do not park at Centra Industries. Instead, find parking on Saltsman Drive or nearby businesses that are closed, while avoiding any ‘No Trespassing’ signs.

What to bring: Bring your Palestine flags, posters, signs, megaphones, drums, and anything to make noise. Since we’re meeting in January, be sure to wear warm, comfortable clothing!

Safety guidelines for the day of action

  • Marshals will be wearing vests. You can ask them any questions you may have!
  • Do not interact with agitators, police, or media. We have trained members assigned to deal with each.
  • We will not be interacting with the facility or employees. Our goal is to raise awareness about this manufacturer, not to provoke workers and take away from our message.

Why Centra Industries?

F-35 components made at Centra Industries travel to the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, where the F-35s are assembled and then purchased by Israel. Centra Industries is only one of several companies in Waterloo Region contributing weapons to Israel’s genocidal arsenal, but we’re focusing on them because of the exceptionally deadly nature of the F-35 warplane.

Since being elected, Cambridge MP Connie Cody has remained silent on the presence of Centra Industries in her riding and on Bill C-233 (the No More Loopholes Act), which would close the U.S. Loophole. To learn more about the proposed bill, see the Arms Embargo Now (black letters, "Now" is white on red text between two halves of a broken bomb)Arms Embargo Now website.

Lecture: Poetry, Pain, and the Promise of Palestine, UofW, 7-9pm on Wednesday 26 November 2025

The University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts is honoured to present guest speaker Dr. Sa’ed Atshan – scholar, Palestinian Quaker, and LGBTQ human rights advocate – on the role of poetry in capturing the realities of contemporary Palestinian life in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and beyond.

Please join us for this unique opportunity to explore how interdisciplinary scholarship can be applied to both understand and address a global crisis which has had such tragic human consequences.

About the speaker

A bald man wearing a suit jacket. He is staring past the camera to the left.
Sa’ed Atshan
Dr. Sa’ed Atshan is Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Anthropology and Chair of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at Swarthmore College. He has previously served as an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Emory University, as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Senior Research Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies. He earned a PhD in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies and MA in Social Anthropology from Harvard University, an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School, and BA from Swarthmore College. Atshan is the author of Queer Palestine and the Empire of Critique (Stanford University Press, 2020), coauthor (with Katharina Galor) of The Moral Triangle: Germans, Israelis, Palestinians (Duke University Press, 2020), and co-editor (with Galor) of Reel Gender: Palestinian and Israeli Cinema (Bloomsbury, 2022).

Details and proceedings

Registration is required for in-person and online attendance. For those attending in-person, proof of registration is required at the reception area.

  • Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
  • Lecture and moderated Q & A: 7:00 to 8:20 p.m.
  • Reception for the in-person audience: 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Paid visitor parking is available in Lot M across from Federation Hall. More parking information.

This lecture is made possible through the generosity of alumni and friends. UofW Faculty of Arts extends sincere appreciation to the donors who contributed to the Foundation for Palestinian Studies Fund.

Watch past recordings from the UofW Palestinian Lectures series on YouTube.

Film Screening: The Spirit of ’45, 2pm on Saturday 22 November 2025 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

The Spirit of '45 (B&W photo of people gathering. From their clothing this is in 1945)
Come together for The Spirit of ’45. A story of hope, solidarity, and the power of community in protecting public healthcare.

Ontario’s public healthcare is under threat, and our communities are speaking up. The Waterloo Region Health Coalition affiliated with the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is part of a province-wide movement urging the Ford government to stop the privatization of our healthcare system.

Join us for a special screening of The Spirit of ’45, a moving film that reminds us of what’s possible when people come together for the common good. Through the story of post-war Britain’s creation of public healthcare, we’re reminded why protecting ours matters now more than ever.

This fundraiser is more than a movie, it’s a call to action, a chance to stand together for fairness, compassion, and care for all.

Admission and Donations

How much is admission?

Admission is by donation. We suggest a minimum of $10, with all proceeds supporting the Waterloo Region Health Coalition’s work to protect public healthcare in Ontario. You’re welcome to contribute more if you wish; every bit helps!

Can donations be made at the door on the event day?

Donations can be made by e-transfer to admin@ontariohc.ca (include “Waterloo fundraiser” in the message) OR by credit card at https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/donate-now/

Can donations be made at the door on the event day?

Yes, we will accept cash or personal cheques at the door.

Rise Up for Gaza, Gaukel Block in Kitchener, 2pm on Saturday 4 October 2025

This October marks two years since the beginning of the genocide in Gaza. Two years of mass killing, displacement, and starvation of a besieged civilian population—carried out with total impunity in full view of the world.

For two years, the Canadian government has chosen complicity—arming Israel, providing unwavering support, ignoring international law, and hiding behind loopholes and half-measures. It is up to us to make clear that this is unacceptable and that we refuse to allow our government to aid genocide in our name.

On Saturday, October 4, join the Palestinian Youth Movement in the streets of Kitchener-Waterloo to shut it down and demand an end to our government’s complicity in genocide. Bring your friends, your family, and your community—together we can make it impossible for our government to ignore our voices.

📢  RiseUp For Gaza

🗓 Saturday, October 4

🕑 2:00 PM

📍 Gaukel Block, Downtown Kitchener

There is no denying it. An extensive UN investigation recently confirmed what has long been known–a genocide is happening in Gaza. The world was warned by the International Court of Justice when it ruled a “plausible genocide” in January 2024 and issued legally binding provisional measures, including that all states must refrain from arming Israel while it is under investigation. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister and Defense Minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity. And leading genocide scholars and human rights experts have loudly sounded the alarm.

Yet the Canadian government has still not even called this a genocide. Instead, Canada remains complicit–sending and buying weapons and military technology, and providing diplomatic cover by repeating the false claim that Israel has a “right to defend itself” while it carries out atrocity crimes against the indigenous Palestinian population of the land it illegally occupies, and continues to annex, in defiance of international law.

Genocide is the crime of all crimes. It cannot be justified under any circumstances. Canada is a signatory to the Genocide Convention, which makes it our government’s responsibility not only to punish but to prevent genocide. The duty to prevent arises the moment serious risk is identified, not after it becomes politically unviable to defend the indefensible. Our government has failed, and the people of Gaza cannot be saved with symbolic gestures like state recognition—they need the bombs to stop falling, the weapons to stop flowing, the blockade to be lifted, and Canada’s complicity to end.

Here in Waterloo Region, our community is directly implicated. Our region is home to over a half-dozen weapons and technology companies exporting parts and components that fuel this genocide. This complicity stains our community and our conscience.

The responsibility to resist genocide falls on all of humanity—but especially on Canadians, whose government is actively helping to sustain it.

Your presence matters on October 4th. Together, we will show that Waterloo Region refuses to stand idly by while genocide is carried out with our government’s support.

Stop the genocide. Stop Canada’s complicity.

We will not be silent until Palestine is free.

In solidarity,

Neighbours for Palestine: Waterloo Region

Movie: The Eternal Song, at the Civic Hub, 5:30pm on Tuesday 30 September 2025

You are invited to watch The Eternal Song on September 30.

If you are joining us virtually, the film will begin at 6:00pm. If you are attending in person at the Civic Hub in Kitchener, there will be a feast from 5:30pm to 6:00pm. Potluck style is encouraged, if you are able to contribute. Please bring your feast bundle to eat with. Let’s wear our Orange Shirts and put our heads, hearts and hands together as we engage in healing ourselves, our communities, our Nations and our planet from the harms of colonization.

In the spirit of reciprocity, this fundraiser will be sharing proceeds with the Kinema platform, A Womb With A View, and some of the Indigenous groups highlighted in the film.

Please join us on Truth and Reconciliation Day for a unique perspective on healing from colonization. We will have a brief circle afterwards to debrief and selected craft items & Orange Shirts will be on sale. If you are unable to join us, please share this information and/or consider sponsoring a ticket for someone else to participate.

Miigweech.

Lori and Two White Feather
A Womb With A View

The Eternal Song | Ancestral Wisdom for Collective Healing

Multicultural Festival of Elmira, Gibson Park, 11am to 6pm on Saturday 20 September 2025

Cultural Food – Indigenous Lacrosse Demo – Hair Braiding – Origami – Community Mural Art | Mennonite History – Henna – Face Painting – Madhubani Art – Cultures United Tent

Free Entry – All Are Welcome

Performances by Christin Dennis – Peg and Darrel – Two Families Band – Los Hijos de Tuta – Nii Osabu – Korexion – Moka Band – Tracy Lee – El Ceibo – Culture Philippines of Ontario

with MC Jahmeeks Beckford and DJ Gury Gury

Multicultural Festival of Elmira | heartsopenforeveryone.ca @heartsopenforeveryone HOPE Hearts Open For Everyone | Saturday, September 20, 2025, 11am-6pm | Gibson Park, 17 First St. W., Elmira | Cultural Food - Indigenous Lacrosse Demo - Hair Braiding - Origami - Community Mural Art | Mennonite History - Henna - Face Painting - Madhubani Art - Cultures United Tent | Free Entry - All Are Welcome - Performances by Christin Dennis - Peg and Darrel - Two Families Band - Los Hijos de Tuta - Nii Osabu - Korexion - Moka Band - Tracy Lee - El Ceibo - Culture Philippines of Ontario | with MC Jahmeeks Beckford and DJ Gury Gury (many logos of sponsoring organizations)

Draw The Line, Waterloo Public Square, 2pm to 3pm on Saturday 20 September 2025

  • What: National Day of Action: Draw The Line – Waterloo Draw The Line (irregular black letters on an orange background)
  • When: 2:00pm to 3:00pm on Saturday 20 September 2025
  • Where: Waterloo Public Square
  • Location: 75 King Street South Map
  • Online: https://drawtheline.world

Draw The Line | For People, For Peace, For The Planet (photo illustration of two hands coloured like a world globe with white doves flying around them, on a background of clouds)

Cross-Canada Day of Action to call on the Carney government: Put people over profit. Build a green, sustainable future, not more pipelines. Fund our communities, not the war machine. Cut military spending. Uphold Indigenous sovereignty. Stop sending weapons to Ukraine, start negotiating. Stop sending weapons to Israel. End the genocide in Gaza. In recognition of Peace Week. The world needs peace, climate action, justice & cooperation.

Presentation: Canada and the Genocide in Gaza, WLU, 7pm on Friday 19 September 2025

This event has been cancelled. For more information see Wilfrid Laurier University cancels talk on Canada and the Genocide in Gaza from ActionNetwork.org.

  • What: Public Event: Canada and the Genocide in Gaza CFPI | Canadian Foreign Policy Institute (stylized red letters)
  • When: 7:00pm to 9:00pm on Friday 19 September 2025
  • Where: Room 106, Schlegel Building, Wilfid Laurier University
  • Location: 75 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario Map
  • Contact: Tamara Lorincz tlorincz@dal.ca

What Rules-Based Order?

Join us for a free, public presentation about Canada’s complicity in the ongoing Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people with Dr. Peter Eglin & Yves Engler. What global rules are Canada & the U.S. following arming Israel? What are the possibilities for peace?

Moderated by Tamara Lorincz, PhD candidate, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University.

Books will be available for sale.

In recognition of Peace Week. All welcome!

Speakers

  • Dr. Peter Eglin, Professor Emeritus of Wilfrid Laurier University and author of the new book “Analysing the Israel Effect in Canada: A Critical Auto-Ethnography”.
  • Yves Engler, author of “Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid” and NDP leadership candidate.

Public Event: What Rules-Based Order? Canada and the Genocide in Gaza Friday, September 19, 7:00 - 8:50 p.m. Room 106, Schlegel Building Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Ave., Waterloo (photo of a balding man wearing glasses) Dr. Peter Eglin, Professor Emeritus of Wilfrid Laurier University and author of the new book “Analysing the Israel Effect in Canada: A Critical Auto-Ethnography” Join us for a free, public presentation about Canada’s complicity in the ongoing Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people with Dr. Eglin & Yves Engler. What global rules are Canada & the U.S. following arming Israel? What are the possibilities for peace? Moderated by Tamara Lorincz, PhD candidate, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University. Books will be available for sale. In recognition of Peace Week. All welcome! (very close close-up of a man with five-o'clock shadow, wearing a blue collared shirt) Yves Engler, author of “Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid” NDP leadership candidate www.foreignpolicy.ca

Movie: The Encampments, Princess Twin Cinemas, 6:30pm Tuesday 30 September 2025

Join us for the premier screening in our community of The Encampments. This 2025 movie is a documentary on the anti-genocide movement and the challenge of protecting the call for free speech. It is a US movie that shows thew student encampment initiative that was ignited by Columbia State University and spread quickly to many universities including University of Waterloo. Following the movie there will be a discussion and opportunity for questions.

Admission : Regular prices for tickets, get yours early in September, they will be available on line at the Princess website.

Zatoun | Palestine in a bottle | Fair Trade Extra Virgin Olive Oil | experience ~ learn ~ share | www.zatoun.com info@zatoun.comZatoun Olive Oil will be available at this event supported by Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine.

Not since the Vietnam War students rocked the world to end the genocide in Gaza | The Encampments | Tuesday, Sept-30 ~ 6:45 pm | Doors open at 6:15 pm | Princess Twin Cinema, Waterloo | Introduction by Robert Massoud, founder of Zatoun & screening followed by conversation | Presented by Princess Cinema in partnership with Waterloo Region Friends for Palestine (WRFP) | Supporters: Canadian Voices for Palestinian Rights (CVPR), Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Waterloo, KW Neighbours for Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), Sporas and Zatoun | Available for purchase: Zatoun, olive oil from Palestine, T-shirts, kuffiyehs & books | Advance tickets online at www.princesscinemas.com - please purchase early

Not seen since the Vietnam War, a student movement which rocked the world.
The genocide in Gaza ignited the passion of a generation of students.

The Encampments is a 2025 American documentary film about the 2024 Palestine solidarity campus encampments at Columbia University and other university campuses during Israel-Gaza war.

The Encampments is lauded for “its sense of contemporary and historical detail, owed to both footage shot by the filmmakers, as well as by the protesters themselves.” The Columbia Daily Spectator called the film a “testament to the strength of the community born within the student-led pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia, and how hope and belief can grow, even in the face of institutional backlash” and offers an “insightful and intimate look into what happened within the gates, well beyond mainstream coverage.” Also, from Hyperallergic, the online arts magazine, The Encampments “extricates the movement from the grips of mainstream and conservative media narratives and places it back in the hands of its organizers.”

The encampments and the students challenged the big money donors, politicians, administrators and police as had not been for two generations. Relying on false accusations, trumped up charges, student expulsions and intimidation and brutal police force, the establishment was left naked for all to see.

Film will be followed by conversation / Q&A with members from local universities.

USA | Workman and Pritsker | 85 minutes | English

an online comment:

The students always lead the way. Will we be brave enough to follow their example? We must, or any of us can be the next person to be disappeared by our government for voicing dissent.

The Encampments is one of the most vitally important docs I can remember. Citizens of America (and the world) must watch this to see what our universities, police and government are doing to suppress peaceful cries for justice. The footage that was captured is stunning. This is what actual journalism looks like.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. You’re not alone. We need everyone in this fight. Please watch this film.

Hope to see you at the film, please share with family and friends. Princess Cinema needs our support to encourage screening of more films on or about Palestine. Thank you.

In solidarity and peace,
Irene,
Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine