Newsletters, articles and events for Kitchener-Waterloo's Peace and Social Justice activists
Peace at home, peace in the world.
–Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
KWPeace held its Potluck Meeting for Summer 2018 on Thursday, 19 July 2018 in the Peace and Justice room at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church. Scott Miller Cressman was there to take pictures.
All pictures by Scott Miller Cressman.
It’s time we held another information sharing and planning meeting, and have some wonderful potluck food.
Every few months the organizers of many different peace, social justice, environmental, political, and spiritual organizations from Waterloo Region come together to share what they’re doing in the community, invite each other to participate, and possibly collaborate on new ventures. Everyone is invited! It’s a potluck meeting, so bring some food or a beverage to share, and enjoy all the different dishes others have brought. The food is mostly vegetarian, some vegan, some gluten-free.
Many thanks to our hosts at the Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church for letting us use the Peace and Justice room again!
–Bob.
bjonkman@kwpeace.ca
What: KWPeace Potluck Meeting for Summer 2018
When: Thursday, 19 July 2018 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church
Location: 57 Stirling Avenue North, Kitchener, Ontario Map
Please send brief updates and upcoming events to Mo at mo.markham@kwpeace.ca so we can include them in the minutes of the meeting. Thanks!
Hello CPT and seekers of justice and peace Friends, Several weeks ago there was a rally that PEGIDA, a right wing Islamophobic group held in London, and our group People for Peace was there to counter their message. The turnout was better than expected and we outnumbered the above group, and were mostly successful in drowning out their hateful rhetoric. Having to plan at short notice, we did experience a number of situations during the rally which could have been managed in a more positive way.
PEGIDA was not happy with us however, and are now coming back with a vengeance on August 26, and they are courting other right wing groups to come with them, as listed in the announcement below, for another rally on the steps of London’s city hall. There have also been vitriolic comments aimed at individuals within our group, threats, and that too, is concerning. We support our Muslim community and want to communicate a message of welcome, and “Speaking Peace”. We feel an urgent need for an even larger peaceful presence, and are planning a two to three hour “Nonviolence Training” to be held either on Friday evening or early Saturday morning, prior to the event. We are still working out details and it depends too, on who may be coming from a distance. We are prepared to offer accommodations as needed. There are already offers for car pooling from a distance.
Please let me know whether you can come, when, what your needs will be, and whether you can help with the “Nonviolence Training”. As we find out who is coming and when, I will provide more details as we plan for this event. Please plan to bring your singing voices, justice and peace signs, banners, rainbows, bubbles, balloons etc, to make it a colourful event!
In peace and solidarity,
Esther Kern <estherk@cpt.org>
There are several groups in and around London (PEGIDA, JDL. Proud Boys, Sons of Odin, biker groups such as Hell’s Angels etc.), all xenophobic groups spewing hate who are gathering to try to spread their messages of intolerance and Islamophobia. People for Peace London calls on all Londoners to join us for a peaceful, non violent, inclusive, diverse counter rally:
Saturday August 26, 10:30 am.
London, in front of or near City Hall at Dufferin and Wellington (note: this location may change, and we may gather earlier in Victoria Park to prepare ourselves). We will dispel the myths that the hate groups promote, educate the public and stand together in unity against their violent messages. Please bring drums, rattles, stories of inclusion, poetry and your love for humanity.
Please share the Facebook event and watch that page for updates:
Anti Hate Rally- London Ontario | Facebook
—–
People for Peace, London Ontario
CBC News Posted: Mar 21, 2017 7:00 AM ET
This flag was used at a Walk Against Racism in Regina in February. A day-long event at Kitchener City Hall Tuesday is dedicated to the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. (CBC)
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
An all-day event at Kitchener City Hall Tuesday is meant to open the discussion on racism in Waterloo region.
The event marks the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and is organized by the editor of the local website Cross Cultures, Gehan Sabry.
In the past year, there has been a lot of talk about racism in the region and Sabry hopes this event — now in its 16th year — will help kickstart more dialogue about the issue.
“There is racism,” Sabry said.
“Sometimes it’s more obvious and to the surface,” she added. “We’re hoping that people, through understanding each other, that there will be less of the unknown and treat each other as human beings instead of labelling and stereotyping and being leery of other people because they just don’t understand them.”
The day will include several speakers, presentations, booths, music and discussions. The morning and early afternoon is largely for high school students, but the public is encouraged to take part in events starting at 2 p.m.
One of those talks will be by the organization Bridges to Belonging. Executive director Cameron Dearlove said that group is known for helping people with developmental disabilities or mental health issues, but he says they help anyone who struggles to build a full life in the community.
He said their message will be about how we need to see each other as people first.
“Everybody, whether you have a disability or not, has gifts, has talents, has passions,” he said. “If people aren’t sharing those, that’s our job to help people uncover those and find the places where they can share those and build their life within the community.”
This year’s theme is Our Home On Native Land, and Sabry said it’s important because we need to remember “we are all guests of the Indigenous people of this Turtle Island.”
Sabry, who is Muslim, said she hopes people will come, listen and then go back to their communities and talk about the issues.
“I’m hoping people will be encouraged to share this information with others: Their family, their friends, their colleagues. And that we can promote better feelings amongst us, more peace, more respect, mutual respect,” she said.
Kitchener marks UN Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination – Kitchener-Waterloo – CBC News
Tuesday, 21 March 2017, 8:45am to 8:45pm
Rotunda, Kitchener City Hall
(even by Skype – that can be arranged)
Cross Culture’s
annual commemoration of the
in our 16th year
a FREE public event
8:45 am
Elder Jean Becker
&
O’Canada
dignitaries bringing greetings
theme for this year:
Inspector Mike Haffner
Mike Haffner is the WRPS Executive Officer to the Chief and is there on behalf of the Chief – will give acknowledgement of our indigenous peoples land
WRPS
Kristin Little is an extremely valuable civilian member of our police service. She is an Open Source Analyst with the Hate Crime and Extremism Investigative Team. She monitors social media for 15 different police services in Ontario. She will be talking about hate crimes and the different types, hate incidents, why people commit hate crimes, types of extremism and the importance of reporting hate crimes
Narsiesse
Narsiesse a First Nation writer, director, and filmmaker will open up about THE WINEMAKER film series and discuss some elements of the film’s origins that cover many of his passions, including First Nation mythos. Narsiesse will show phase one of THE WINEMAKER film series, then will share various artwork created by artists from around the world, who were inspired by THE WINEMAKER imagery and many of its First Nation themes and symbols. An interactive discussion and an opportunity to speak with Narsiesse and other members of THE WINEMAKER cast follows
Home To Me & Outsiders
two lovely music videos done my First Nations, Metis and Inuit students in Canada followed by group discussion(led by Marianna Worth & Tammy Webster)
Islamic School of Cambridge & others
to include all students signing
Bring your own lunch
schools usually attend from the morning till approximately 2:00pm when they need to return to their respective schools
however . . . students are welcome to stay and attend .. but at their own responsibility or accompanied by their own adults
Afternoon Session
2:00pm – 7:00pm
we continue with
more speakers & interactive dialogue
discussions around
discrimination against “other”
the emerging / surfacing biases and fear of unknowns
2:00 pm
Fauzia Mazhar
2:15 pm
A social worker and mother of three from London Ontario
As a social worker she has worked with many marginalized and traumatized individuals, families and communities and began her work in Palestine after Operation ‘Cast Lead’ and saw through photos and direct accounts of the horror and devastation inflicted by Israel on Gaza. Wendy is a member of the steering committee of Canada Boat to Gaza, a representative at Freedom Flotilla Coalition and on the Media team for the Women’s Boat to Gaza. Wendy recently returned from Barcelona, Spain, Ajaccio, Corsica and Messina, Sicily where she participated in the sailing of the Zaytouna
2:30 pm
Dr. Richard Walsh
A retired professor of psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he specialized in community psychology and in the history, philosophy, and ethics of psychology. He is the lead author of the 2014 book, A Critical History and Philosophy of Psychology, published by Cambridge University Press. In 1999 he received Laurier’s outstanding teaching award.
Richard is an active member of a local faith community; he sings in its choir and in Inshallah, the local interfaith choir
Richard was the Green Party candidate for Waterloo in the 2015 federal election. He serves as critic for mental health in the Green Party of Canada Shadow Cabinet. He is also the critic for poverty reduction in the Green Party of Ontario Shadow Cabinet
Locally, he is a founding member of the Alliance Against Poverty
3:00 pm
Cameron Dearlove – executive director
Carmen Sutherland – community relations
“Bridges to Belonging ‘s vision for “a Waterloo Region where everyone belongs- where we value meaningful relationships, honour choices and dreams, and celebrate the uniqueness of each person”. How do we get there? How does inclusion and belonging interact, and how are they different? How can you build bridges to belonging in your community?”
3:45 pm
Current president of the Afghan Association of Waterloo Region, Wasai was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and for over 22 years has served with numerous non-profit organizations, here in Canada and overseas and has been living in Kitchener for the past 14 years
4:00 pm
The Laurier Friendship Dinners brought forty Laurier students, fourteen Syrian newcomer families and 40 community members together for a series of celebratory, welcoming dinners in the fall of 2016. Come and listen to a group of students, Syrian newcomers and community members share what they learned about refugee realities and building cross cultural friendships through this initiative in which students and community members collaborated through family visits, menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking Syrian feasts and celebrating together
Syrian refugees — newcomers — integration
…the existing homelessness & poverty
the concerns of a community split between prioritizing:
5:00 pm
Bob Jonkman
Resolutions passed by the Green Party at last year’s Special General Meeting.
5:15 pm
Dimitri Lascaris
Dimitri Lascaris is a lawyer, activist and journalist. He is the former justice critic in the shadow cabinet of the Green Party of Canada. In 2012, he was named by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada, and in 2013, Canadian Business Magazine named him one of the 50 most influential persons in Canadian business. He is currently a board member and correspondent of The Real News Network, based in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dimitri will discuss the disconnect between Canadian public opinion and the Canadian government’s unqualified support for the government of Israel.The International Court of Justice has held unanimously that Israel’s settlements constitute a grave breach of international law. Virtually the entire international community, including Canada’s government, agrees with this assessment. Yet the Canadian government continues to support Israel lavishly. A new poll leaves no doubt that Canadians do not agree with its government’s approach to Israel. Why does this disconnect exist?
6:00 pm
Good Hearted Women Singers
Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak (Good Hearted Women Singers) are an Indigenous and non-Indigenous women’s drum circle following the teachings of Community Elder Jean Becker and led by Songkeeper, Kelly Laurila. Our outreach and singing in public has much to do with building positive relations with Settler peoples. Although Canada is in a process of reconciliation, colonization and assimilation policies still permeate the lives of many Indigenous peoples today. In addition the water, mother earth and our environment need everyone’s help. We believe that building relationships with one another can help us understand one another and work towards the good of all peoples.
Kelly Laurila
Songkeeper
Songs our drum circle will sing:
I am from Ontario and grew up along the mazina’iga-ziibi/Missinihe-ziibi (Credit River) and the springs of the Naadaw-zaaga-ziibi (Nottawasaga River). As far as I know my ancestors are of Irish and English decent. I have relatives from Pimicikamak Cree Nation, known as Cross Lake, and other connections to the original people of Turtle Island. My given name is Kip Matthew Carpenter.
The first time he met Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak it was a true honour to offer a poetic blessing to these Good Hearted Women. Having been born on Turtle Island it is deeply humbling for him to be able to express support in anyway possible for the international day to end racism. Much of his time has been spent in what is now known as Ontario and if there is ever a chance such as this to express and pray for more progress or healing, it is with deep gratitude he offers much more than his words. He will and does listen. He hopes semaa will keep him strong as he offers this same blessing again to all today. Acknowledging this land was taken in broken treaties, his support to the best of his ability is freely offered, he currently lives in Guelph and his given name is Kip Carpenter.
G’chi miigewetch, Kip
followed by the
and the visual artists extravaganza …
Brenda Lewis is a professional musician – Jazz Soul & Roots vocalist, publicist and human rights advocate, longtime Guelph resident she was most recently featured in The Jazz Room’s celebrated concert series in Uptown Waterloo, and currently performs with some of Canada’s finest musicians, including Margaret Stowe, Tony Quarrington, Jeff Bird, John Zadro and Gayle Ackroyd in this region, Toronto and across Ontario in acclaimed venues and festivals. Her CDs have been played on CBC, BBC and Jazz.FM and her new jazz release “Far & Near” (her third) is quickly garnering critical praise
Rhythms in Steel have been playing for about 3 years as a six piece acoustic Steelband in Waterloo Region. Band members include
The band’s repertoire has a Caribbean flavour of reggae, soca, calypso and folk songs of the Caribbean. They perform at Parties, Churches, Retirement homes, Schools, Community Festivals and Fundraising Events for Charities.
by students from the African UBUNTU kids club
Acoustic Steel is a six member acoustic steel band. The musicians are:
The band started playing together seven years ago and play a diverse selection of songs suited to the unique sound of the Steel drum and rhythms of the Caribbean. Events at which the band has been invited to play include
Community Festivals, Charitable Fundraising Events, Weddings, private parties and Corporate functions
Brenda Hodge
Sylver Dragon
one of the regular participants over the years will be performing as a three piece this year
This is always a work in progress … it grows as you:
please feel free to call or email me to participate
—
Gehan D. Sabry
Editor / Publisher
Cross Cultures magazine (since 1991)
POB 20002 Kitchener ON N2P 2B4
Tel: +1–519–748–9520
Fax: +1–519–893–4259
email: crosscultures@bellnet.ca
www.crosscultures.ca
KWPeace Presents
for Peace & Nonviolence
Community building through playing games. Bring a game or play one of ours.
Admission is free
Wednesday 15 March 2017 7:00pm
Queen Street Commons Cafe
43 Queen St. S., Kitchener Map
Come join us for an evening traditional board games such as Chess, Checkers, and Monopoly.
Special feature: KWPeace member Isaiah has developed an educational game that explores and makes accessible the complex relationship between environmental limits, climate change and various conflicts within and between societies. He’s happy to present this game to our group — Come out, and be one of the first people to play!
On Monday, 17 October 2016 Cross Cultures hosted our FREEDOMS a lively interactive town hall with Dimitri Lascaris, Rehab Nazzal, Wendy Goldsmith, introduced by Gehan Sabry. This audio recording contains only the presentations; the Questions and Answers session is not available (not all participants allowed their comments to be made available).
Released: 2016. Genre: Speech.
Download: 2016-10-17-Town-Hall-with-Dimitri-Lascaris-Rehab-Nazzal-Wendy-Goldsmith-Speakers-only-no-QA.mp3 (22 MBytes, 1h4m)
Copyright © 2016 by Dimitri Lascaris, Rehab Nazzal, Wendy Goldsmith and Gehan Sabry, released under a 
Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 license.
Recorded on 17 October 2016 at St. Jerome’s University College, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Recording and post-production by Bob Jonkman.
Dimitri Lascaris Talks Banner_framed by Laurel L. Russwurm is used under a 
Creative Commons — Attribution 2.0 Generic — CC BY 2.0 license.
Here are some photos of Perspectives on Peace: Local Approaches for Positive Change held on Saturday, 1 October 2016 at the Queen Street Commons Cafe. Additional photos and videos will be posted as they become available.
Photos by Laurel L. Russwurm, used under a Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 license.
Download the poster: PDF format, 2 MBytes; or .PNG image, 301 kBytes, 1275×1651
Local community groups are hosting Perspectives on Peace: Local Approaches to Positive Change, an evening of sharing, collaboration, and action on October 1st 2016 from 4:00pm to 8:30pm at the Queen Street Commons Café in downtown Kitchener.
This event, hosted under the umbrella of KW Peace, will emphasize positive work happening in our community and inspire action. KW Peace is a collective of local peace and social justice groups interested in collaboration and networking.
The concept of peace building is very broad, and encompasses a wide range of approaches and issues. The goal of this gathering is to celebrate our individual perspectives on peace, as well as find ways to work together in creating peace and positive change in our community. We’ll do this by showcasing the work that’s already being done and encouraging new action and collaboration.
Participating groups include: The Nonviolence Festival, Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Spiritual Heritage Education Network (SHEN), Divest Waterloo, Cross Cultures, Green Party, Amnesty International, Centre for Peace Advancement(CPA), FairVote, Animal Save, Vegan Society, and Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church’s Social Justice Working group.
Admission is free, but registration is required as space is limited. Pay what you can donations towards the cost of the event are appreciated (suggested donation is $10). Register: Perspectives on Peace: Local Approaches for Positive Change
To learn more, please contact
Emily Mininger
emilymininger@kwpeace.ca
+1-519-568-3879
Hello All!
This is a reminder that the next potluck meeting for KW Peace is Wednesday, August 17th at 6pm at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church.
Please let me know if you plan to attend.
We will be continuing our planning of our October event “Perspectives on Peace: Local Approaches to Creative Positive Change.”
Hope to see you there!
Emily
What: KWPeace Perspectives Planning Potluck
When: Wednesday, 17 August 2016 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Peace and Justice Room, Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church
Location: 57 Stirling Avenue North, Kitchener, Ontario (corner of Weber Street) Map
Reminder: Bring your own plate, cutlery and serving utensils! (the kitchen is still undergoing renovations)
If you’re on Facebook you can indicate you’re going at KWPeace Perspectives Planning Potluck | Facebook
Sparks fly at London City Hall as protesters clash during anti-Islam rally – London | Globalnews.ca (22 July 2017)
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