KWPeace – Page 7 – Newsletters, articles and events for Kitchener-Waterloo's Peace and Social Justice activists

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

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.

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 (form Victoria Park), we can raise our voices together📣 pic.twitter.com/bURz5571vc

— SHORE Centre (@SHORECentreWR) June 24, 2022

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

Download the poster (272 KB)

Say No To
Encampment Evictions
Say Yes To Housing

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

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)

Waterloo Peace Vigil: End the War in Yemen – 2pm, Saturday 26 March 2022

What: Waterloo Peace Vigil: End War in Yemen
When: 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Saturday 26 March 2022
Where: Waterloo Town Square, 75 King Street South, Waterloo Map

World Beyond War

Website: https://worldbeyondwar.org/

Twitter: @worldbeyondwar

Facebook: @worldbeyondwar

WATERLOO PEACE VIGIL » #CanadaStopArmingSaudi Day of Action: End the War in Yemen
◉ 2-3pm this Saturday
⁰◉ At Waterloo Public Square, 75 King St.#DayOfAction4Yemen #YemenCantWait pic.twitter.com/oCD2FxvdAY

— World BEYOND War Canada (@WBWCanada) March 23, 2022

Global Strike For Climate, Noon on Friday 25 March 2022

What: Global Climate Strike: People not Profit
When: Friday, March 25th, 2022 , 12pm (~1hour)
Where: Waterloo Town Square, 75 King Street South, Waterloo Map

Global Climate Strike: People Not Profit (black letters over a globe, all on a yellow background) — https://fossilfreeuw.ca/

Join us to stand up against those who are profiting off of climate chaos. On Friday, 25 March 2022, people worldwide will be striking from school and work to demand that the climate crisis be confronted as the emergency that it is.

Rules: Please make sure that you follow local and regional COVID-19 safety protocol in your area. We recommend wearing a mask and remaining physically distanced throughout the event.

Climate Strike Waterloo Region

Website: https://www.climatestrikewr.ca/
Twitter: @FridaysFutureWR
Facebook: @fridaysforfuturekw

Fossil Free UW

Website: https://fossilfreeuw.ca/
Twitter: @fossilfreeuw
Facebook: @fossilfreeuwaterloo

Canada-wide Day of Action #StandForPeace #NoWarWithRussia, Saturday 5 February 2022 at Noon

Tamara Lorincz writes:

Hello KW Peace,

In solidarity with actions planned across the US led by Join CODEPINK and our allies at the Day Of Action February 5 2022 codepink.org/02052022 | No War with Russia over Ukraine! Negotiate Don't Escalate CODEPINK and across Europe (including outside the NATO headquarters), we are calling for another Canada-wide Day of Action #StandForPeace #NoWarWithRussia for this Saturday, February 5. the entrance of the Kitchener Farmers Market from 12-1pm. If anyone is free and wants to join us that would be great. Canada and NATO are fomenting a war with Russia over Ukraine. Canada is now spending $340 million to militarize the conflict instead of investing in social welfare at home and abroad.

Canada has just sent a warship, special forces, more soldiers and more financial assistance to Ukraine and the Trudeau government and mainstream media ramping up the war rhetoric.

In Kitchener, I will be standing at the entrance of the Farmers Market, 300 King St, from 12:00-1:00 pm, please join me if you can.

If you can’t make it, please take a photo of yourself holding a sign with #StandForPeace and share it on social media with the hashtag and we will circulate it.

List of action, graphic, statement etc: https://vowpeace.org/
Send your photo to: info@vowpeace.org
Read our statement: https://www.foreignpolicy.ca/ukraine
Sign and share the petition: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/ukraineconflict

In solidarity and have a good weekend,
Tamara

CANADA-WIDE DAY OF ACTION: #StandForPeace #NoWarWithRussia #NeutralityForUkraine #CanadaOutofNATO

Saturday, February 5

Join us for an emergency rally part of a Canada-wide day of action to #StandForPeace. If you are alarmed about the escalating danger of a US-NATO war with Russia over Ukraine and are opposed to Canada sending weapons, soldiers and special forces to Ukraine. Join us in calling on Canada to stop militarizing the conflict and to engage in diplomatic negotiations for a political solution and a lasting peace. On Saturday, bring a sign, help us distribute leaflets and urge our neighbours to stand for peace. Take a photo and share are our graphic #StandForPeace on social media.

See CODEPINK call out #PeaceWithRussia #NoWarWithRussia: https://www.codepink.org/02052022

Maamawi Revisited, 7pm Wed 8 Dec 2021

Maamawi Revisited

Wednesday December 8th

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Divest Waterloo and Faith & the Common Good are partnering with Terre Chartrand and Heather Majaury of Pins and Needles Fabric Company to present an evening of music and storytelling on December 8th in the Victoria Park Pavilion, as the culmination of the Maamawi Revisited project.

Maamawi is an Ojibway word meaning “bringing together” or just “together” as it applies to things that are alive water, plants, animals, birds and fish and humans.

Maamawi Revisited has created opportunities for local emerging Indigenous artists to connect with the land, local knowledge keepers, musicians and mentors, and with each other to grow and create together.

December 8th will be an evening of “bringing together” of storytelling and music that will feature Rene Meshake and musical performances by the artists who participated in this project.

Rene Meshake is an Anishinaabe elder, residential school survivor, visual and performing artist, award-winning author, storyteller, flute player, and a Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. He shares his love of the Ojibwe language through his stories, poetry and spoken word performances.

Tickets are free (and required); please register here as space is limited to comply with COVID protocols. Donations will be accepted at the door to support Pins and Needles Fabric Company – an Intersectional Inter-Arts Collective in Waterloo Region – to provide programming for Indigenous youth.

Thank you for your ongoing support for Divest Waterloo and for your part in our collective action to raise awareness and engage our community on issues related to climate change, our pursuit of a low carbon economy, and our movement towards a just and sustainable future. We hope that you and your loved ones are well, and look forward to a time when we can gather again.

Community climate evening with film and discussion, 7pm Sat 4 Dec 2021

What can we do about climate change as a community, as leaders, and as individuals? Given the United Nations’ “Code Red for Humanity,” it’s difficult to not feel hopeless. But together we can build resilience and gain momentum to achieve our climate goals. Join us online with people from our region to discuss how climate, food, and community are interrelated.

Mark your calendar for either:
Tuesday, 30 November 2021, 7:00pm – 9:30pm; or
Saturday, 4 December 2021, 7:00pm – 9:30pm

We’ll begin by watching Eating Our Way to Extinction, a film featuring leading scientists, physicians, and academics that explores how our global food system contributes to some of the major issues of our day: climate breakdown, environmental racism, and food access inequality.

The voices from Brazil are particularly compelling in the film. One man making a living from clearing the rainforest says, “You can’t tell us what to do!” and an indigenous woman says, “We don’t consider ourselves as owning the forest, rather we are a part of nature, a part of it.”

We are pleased to have Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop, one of the documentary’s scientists, available for Q&A. Wedderburn-Bisshop is a former Principal Scientist with Queensland Government Natural Resources in Australia, and a member of Climate CoLab at MIT’s Center for Collective Intelligence. We have invited local political leaders from Waterloo Region and Wellington County to join us in the discussion.

These events are presented by Kitchener-Waterloo Climate Save, Guelph Climate Save, and Waterloo Region Citizens’ Climate Lobby

To sign up for this free evening, please complete this Google form:

If you have any difficulties with the form, just write us at markham_marion@yahoo.ca.

Looking forward to seeing you online!
Mo Markham for Kitchener-Waterloo Climate Save

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!

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?”

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

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

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