Category: Justice

Lawful and Just are not necessarily the same thing

Queer Youth Defence Rally at Kitchener City Hall at 9am on Wednesday 20 September 2023 #NoSpaceForHate

What’s happening?

A hate group “Hands Off Our Kids” is using anti-queer rhetoric to take away the rights of your in determining their own identieies. We are denying them a space to spew their bigotry and queerphobia, and we are protecting the rights of youth to safety and privacy.

What: Queer Youth Defence Rally
When: 9:00am to 11:00am, Wednesday 20 September 2023
Where: Carl Zehr Square, Kitchener City Hall
Location: 200 King Street West, Kitchener Map

What to bring?

  • A face mask (we will also provide masks)
  • Sunscreen
  • Anti-hate banners and signs
  • A hydrating drink
  • A First Aid kit, if possible
  • Earplugs and/or sunglasses

What about safety?

  • Wear a face covering to prevent doxxing
  • Do not take any pictures or videos of allies
  • Arrive and leave in groups
  • Avoid direct confrontation with bigots
  • More info soon on our safety plan

From the Canadian Anti-Hate Network: Important Context About the “1 Million March 4 Children”

Organized by University of Waterloo Solidarity Network and Ground Up Waterloo Region.

What’s happening? | A hate group “Hands Off Our Kids” is using anti-queer rhetoric to take away the rights of your in determining their own identities. We are denying them a space to spew their bigotry and queerphobia, and we are protecting the rights of youth to safety and privacy. | What to bring? | A face mask (we will also provide masks) | Sunscreen | Anti-hate banners and signs | A hydrating drink | A First Aid kit, if possible | Earplugs and/or sunglasses | What about safety? | Wear a face covering to prevent doxxing | Do not take any pictures or videos of allies | Arrive and leave in groups | Avoid direct confrontation with bigots | More info soon on our safety plan | UWSN | GroundUpWR

VEFOFEST Popup + Jaqui NDS Tribute

Join UW Animal Rights Society for an evening of powerful music, speakers, poetry, art, estatic dance, food, & inspiring performances.

Instagram: @UWAnimalRights, @VEFOmusic

Saturday July 29th (2023) 4pm at University of Waterloo Arts Quad (Dana Porter Library) | VEFOFEST Popup + Jaqui NDS Tribute | Join us for an evening of powerful music, speakers, poetry, art, estatic dance, food, & inspiring performances. | @UWAnimalRights @VEFOmusic (black letters on a gradient purple-to-green background, with a clip art image of a leaping dancer, a staff of musical notes, and a ribbon microphone)

Enough Is Enough Expo and Rally, 10:00am to 11:30am, Saturday 3 June 2023

Enough is Enough (black and white letters in white and black speech bubbles on a pink background)The Waterloo Regional Labour Council and the Ontario Federation of Labour are organizing an Expo and Rally:

What: Enough Is Enough Expo
When: 10:00am to 11:30am, Saturday 3 June 2023
Where: Carl Zehr Square, Kitchener City Hall
Location: 100 King Street West, Kitchener Map
Website: http://wesayenough.ca/
Contact: Jeff Donkersgoed <jeffd@waterloolabour.ca>

The Waterloo Regional Labour Council (white letters on a blue background, under stylized letters WRCL shaped to look like two intertwining arms in solidarity)Waterloo Regional Labour Council has invited over 200 progressive community organizations, charities, social justice minded groups, coalitions, neighborhood associations, student groups, and unions from across the entire region to host a booth, with the intention of strengthening and building our community, sharing the terrific and important work that we do with each other and the general public, and to demand better from those in positions of power.

Enough is Enough | Expo | Assez C'est Assez (an illustrated info sheet with lots of text; see https://ofl.ca/enough-is-enough/ for the actual text)Enough Is Enough | Expo | Assez C'est Assez | June 3 / 3 Juin 10:00-11:30 | Carl Zehr Square at Kitchener City Hall | La place Carl Zehr de hôtel de ville de Kitchener | Visit wesayenough.ca (various cartoon-like illustrations of workers giving the power salute (clenched fist), some with speech bubbles saying "Enough is Enough" and "Assez c'est Assez", and logos/wordmarks for the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Waterloo Regional Labour Council)

#Nakba75 Rally in Waterloo Public Square, 1pm on Sun 14 May 2023

@palestinianyouthmovement writes:

‼️Kitchener-Waterloo‼️

Join us on the 75th anniversary of the Nakba as we rally in support of our people and our popular resistance. On 14 May 2023, we will meet at Waterloo Public Square in the center of Uptown Waterloo at 1:00 PM. This demonstration is suitable for all ages.

Nakba Day is a reminder and affirmation of the Palestinian people’s ongoing resistance, existence, and defiance of the 75-year-old zionist occupation that continues on our lands. As the zionist entity weakens and fragments from within, Palestinians are united and steadfast as ever in the pursuit of our ultimate goal. Generation after generation, the struggle continues, until full national liberation and return!

Wear your keffiyehs, bring your Palestinian flags, and be ready to raise your voices. We’ll see you 14 May 2023 at 1:00 PM at Waterloo Public Square!

From the river to the sea, Palestine will soon be free! 🇵🇸

.

‎‼️كيتشنر- واترلو‼️

انضمو إلينا في الذكرى ال٧٥ للنكبة الفلسطينة والمقاومة الفلسطينة ضد الاحتلال الصهيوني. سنجتمع بتاريخ ١٤/٥ في ساحة واترلو العامة (Waterloo Public Square) وسط ابتاون واترلو في تمام الساعة الواحدة ظهراً. هذه المظاهرة مناسبة لجميع الأعمار.

المظاهرات السنوية ليوم النكبة هي تذكير وتأكيد على واقع الشعب الفلسطيني الذي يواجه تطهير عرقي مستمر واحتلال عسكري همجي.

جيلاً بعد جيل، الشعب الفلسطيني يقاوم العدو الصهيوني حتى النصر والتحرير.

البسوا كوفياتكم واجلبو أعلامكم الفلسطينية إلى مظاهرة يوم النكبة في ١٤/٥. ندعوكم لتضموا أصواتكم لأصوات الفلسطينين في الشتات ومقاومة الإمبريالية والاستعمار الإسرائيلي الصهيوني.

من البحر إلى النهر، عاشت فلسطين حرة عربية! 🇵🇸

Nakba75 | Kitchener Waterloo Rally | May 14 | 1:00pm at the Waterloo Public Square (red and yellow text, also in Arabic, over a photo of people approaching a fire and smoke, one person carrying a Palestinian flag; there are coils of barbed wire in the foreground)

Rural Rainbow Ride, 6pm on Wed 31 Aug 2022 at Northfield Station

25K Rural Rainbow Ride | 6PM Wednesday August 31 at Northfield Station | Ending at Central Station. Approx 2 hrs. | All Are Welcome | No Cost | In response to comments made in a recent Woolwich Council meeting, we are bringing some pride from the city to the township to show support for LGBTQ2+ folks in Woolwich.

25K Rural Rainbow Ride

When: 6:00PM to 8:00pm on Wednesday 31 August 2022
Start: Northfield Station Map 1
End: Central Station Map 2

All Are Welcome
No Cost

In response to comments made in a recent Woolwich Council meeting, we are bringing some pride from the city to the township to show support for LGBTQ2+ folks in Woolwich.

See Andrew Jacob Rinehart’s post on Instagram

Route

Image of map showing bike router and text that says 'St. Jacobs, Conestogo, Snyder's Flats Conservation Area, Bloomingdale, Northfield Station (Start), Kiwanis Park and Pool, Rosendale, University of Waterloo, Conestoga College Waterloo, Laurier, Bingemans, Waterloo, Central Station (end), Kitchener'.
Rural Rainbow Ride Route

Pro-Abortion Rally, 7pm Wed 29 June 2022, Clock Tower, Willow River Park

SHORE Centre writes:

We are angry, outraged & heartbroken about the fall of Roe v Wade. Now more than ever, we need to be loud in our support of abortion rights and access! Join us to rally on June 29 @ 7PM – Clock Tower in Willow River Park (formerly Victoria Park), we can raise our voices together📣

What: Pro-Abortion Rally
When: 7:00pm, Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Where: Clock Tower, Willow River Park Map

Illustrations of protest signs with the text "Bans Off Our Bodies", "Abortion Is Healthcare", "Proudly Pro-Choice", "Abortion is a Human Right", and the Shore Centre logo+wordmark

Statement from SHORE Centre:

2022-06-24

Kitchener, ON – As the news of the fall of Roe v Wade spreads, we are standing with you all in anger, grief, and outrage that anyone believes they can regulate our bodies and restrict reproductive healthcare. We grieve with all those who have spent their lifetimes fighting for abortion rights. Today the Supreme Court has actively chosen to abandon women, trans and non-binary people. Abortion access, which was already limited, will become near impossible for many – Indigenous, Black and racialized people, queer folks, those with disabilities, those living in poverty and those facing other marginalization will continue to face increasing barriers to access. We know that this devastating decision will impact not only those seeking abortions in the US but will also impact attitudes, stigma, and access in Canada.

SHORE Centre is here for you. Our counterparts across the country are here for you. We are grieving too, but we will never stop fighting. You deserve bodily autonomy. You deserve judgement-free abortion access. Today we rage together – and let us keep that fire burning as we speak loudly and clearly that abortion is healthcare. We know there is a lot to process, and we are currently organizing a rally for the evening of Wednesday, June 29th where we can gather and raise our voices together. More details to come. Take good care of yourselves.

For interview and inquires please contact:
TK Pritchard, Executive Director at director@shorecentre.ca

About SHORE Centre

Sexual Health Options, Resources & Education – SHORE Centre was founded in 1972 to provide all residents of our community with sexual health information and support. Today we offer medical services including birth control, medication abortion and related care, counselling, outreach, workshops, trainings and other educational activities. SHORE Centre operates physical services in Waterloo Region and Guelph and provides virtual care in various underserved areas of the province.

Say No To Encampment Evictions – Rally 5:30pm Wed 22 June 2022 at Speakers Corner

Say No To Encampment Evictions | Say Yes To Housing | Rally + March | Bring Your Signs | Stand In Solidarity with Our Unhoused and Vulnerable Neighbours | Wednesday June 22 5:30pm | Speakers Corner King & Benton | Downtown Kitchener

Download the poster (272 KB)

Say No To
Encampment Evictions
Say Yes To Housing

Stand In Solidarity With Our Unhoused and Vulnerable Neighbours
Stand In Solidarity With Our Unhoused and Vulnerable Neighbours
Rally +
March

Bring Your Signs


Wednesday 22 June 2022 | 5:30pm
Speakers Corner | King & Benton Map
Downtown Kitchener

May Day Rally – 3pm Sunday, 1 May 2022 at the Waterloo Region Courthouse

May 1 | Kitchener-Waterloo Rally | 1:00pm
What: Kitchener-Waterloo Rally
When: 3:00pm – 6:00pm on Sunday, 1 May 2022 iCal
Where: Waterloo Region Courthouse
Location: 85 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario Map
More info: Workers First | The Ontario Federation of Labour

It’s time for a $20 minimum wage, decent work, affordable housing, paid sick days, well-funded public services, livable income support for all, climate justice, and an end to racism and oppression. Join us!

The Council of Canadians writes:

There will be an Ontario Provincial Election on 2 June 2022. The Council of Canadians, along with a wide range of other community groups, are joining with the Ontario Federation of Labour for a day of action calling for a $20 minimum wage, decent work, affordable housing, well-funded public services, livable income support for all, livable income supports, and climate justice! There will be speakers, food trucks, tables and information from our Chapter and others, and we expect that participants from London and Guelph may also join our event. If you live in Kitchener-Conestoga, Kitchener-Hespeler, or Cambridge, you might want to particularly encourage friends, family and neighbours to join you to hear about the programs and initiatives we need to expect our next government to provide, such as significantly improving funding to our public healthcare and education systems in Ontario, as well as a return to valuing and safeguarding our environmental greenspaces, waterways, groundwater and precious farmland.

You’ll find more information about the Kitchener Waterloo Rally at Kitchener-Waterloo Rally & Carnival of Resistance. If you have friends and family in other parts of Ontario, you may want to share the link with them, so that they could participate in rallies that will be held near them as this is a province-wide event.

I hope you’ll come out and say hi to us at our table, enjoy the spring weather, and get to know others in our community.

Marilyn

For information on current issues and actions of local and national interest, see Kitchener-Waterloo Council of Canadians on Facebook.

For the foreseeable future, KW CofC will meet online using Zoom, the third Wednesday of every other month from 7 to 9pm. A reminder with agenda will be sent several days ahead.

E-mail: kw.cofc@gmail.com (KW Council of Canadians)

Protest The Bulldozing Of Encampments, 1pm on Sun 28 Nov 2021 at Charles & Stirling

Sunday November 28, 2021 at 1pm: PROTEST THE BULLDOZING OF ENCAMPMENTS | At the corner of Charles St. E & Stirling Ave! | 1. Bring a sign that speaks your heart! | "Stop criminalizing homelessness" | "Reallocate the police budget into life-giving services" | "Shelters are full: over 400 sleep rough" | "We want a compassionate community" | "Does this solve homelessness?" | 2. Bring a donation (only tents, sleeping bags, or cash). | Donations will be given to a nonprofit, working with unhoused people. | On Friday November 26, Waterloo Regional Bylaw, together with police, bulldozed the shelters of unhoused people living at Charles & Stirling. | Please wear a mask and respect social distancing (alternate paragraphs in black or white lettering on an orange background with an image of a powershovel destroying shelters)

Sunday November 28, 2021 at 1pm:

PROTEST THE BULLDOZING OF ENCAMPMENTS

At the corner of Charles St. E & Stirling Ave!

  1. Bring a sign that speaks your heart!
    “Stop criminalizing homelessness”
    “Reallocate the police budget into life-giving services”
    “Shelters are full: over 400 sleep rough”
    “We want a compassionate community”
    “Does this solve homelessness?”

    2. (image of the bucket of a power shovel over sleeping bags and other shelter material)

  2. Bring a donation (only tents, sleeping bags, or cash).

Donations will be given to a nonprofit, working with unhoused people.

On Friday November 26, Waterloo Regional Bylaw, together with police, bulldozed the shelters of unhoused people living at Charles & Stirling.

Please wear a mask and respect social distancing.

Stand Up For Palestinian Children’s Rights: Waterloo Square, 11am Saturday 27 November 2021

November 29 Is United Nations Day Of Solidarity With The Palestinian People

Arabic Federation flag (black, white, green horizontal stripes with a red equilateral triangle with one edge along the hoist side) On Saturday, 27 November 2021 come to Waterloo Square at 11:00am to call on the Canadian government to send a Special Envoy to Palestine-Israel to investigate the treatment of Palestinian children subjected to Israeli military arrest and detention.

Palestinian children growing up in the Occupied Palestinian Territories live under Israeli military occupation. Their day-to-day reality includes home and school demolitions, water rationing, the loss of family land, checkpoints and military gates, night raids, detentions, and imprisonment. It’s time for Canada to stand up for Palestinian children’s rights.

In 2018 a group of Canadian Members of Parliament went to Palestine to see the situation of Palestinians living under Israeli military rule. One of the recommendations of the group upon their return was that the Government of Canada sends a Special Envoy to investigate the situation of Palestinians living under Israeli military rule. Today we are renewing that call.

As part of a network dedicated to pursuing human rights in the Middle East, we are inviting you to help us renew that call and ask the Special Envoy to specifically look into the treatment of Palestinian children being arrested, harassed, and often tortured.

Please join us at Waterloo Square in Uptown Waterloo for this Public Witness Event to learn more about the practice the Israeli soldiers arresting and putting Palestinian children in Israeli detention.

If you have any questions please contact:

Kathy Bergen
bergenkathy@gmail.com