PRESS RELEASE
LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Transcending borders towards strengthening solidarity and change
Contact: Pedro Cabezas -Phone: 647-547-4927
During the month of February
2012, over 13 grassroots organizations in Toronto collaborate to highlight the struggles towards progressive and democratic transformation processes taking place in Latin America and the Caribbean, and join efforts to organize a full month of activities aiming to engage the Canadian public on how to link theses struggles and processes to local ones and strengthen solidarity across borders.
2011 has seen some significant developments in the region as nations move toward closer economic and political integration with the creation of The Community of Latin American Caribbean States (CELA). Despite the global economic crisis gripping Europe and the United States, the Latin American region has managed to bypass the worst of the economic downturn brought about by austerity measures. Instead many countries in the region have chosen to increase social spending investing in healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects that benefit the majority of its citizens.
Despite some of these positive developments, many challenges still pose a threat to local and regional sustainable development in the region. These come in the form of Free Trade Agreements and Canada plays a leading role negotiating treaties that seek to boost corporate rights, weaken democratic rights and diminish public services, lower environmental standards, and foster violations to human rights.
With that in mind, join the Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) and its member organizations during this full month of solidarity activities and help us strengthen solidarity and change that transcends borders.
Events: February 2nd to February 29th 2012
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2nd @ 6:30PM
FREE EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE:
Public Forum with Chilean student Leader Camilo Ballesteros, Chilean Students’ Confederation
Sponsors: Casa Salvador Allende & LACSN, Latinas, Barrio Nuevo, CAW Local 2002, Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition & CERLAC. Location: OISE, 252 Bloor St. West, Room 2-211
More information: [email protected]
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4th @ 5:00pm
Celebrating 13 Years of the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela
Official Launch of LACSN Solidarity Month
Presentations by Maria Páez de Victor and Camilo Cahis. Screening of documentary “La Brújula Marca al Sur”. Launching a campaign in support of the re-election of President Hugo Chavez. Food, live music and dance.
Sponsors: CBLR-Bolivarian Circle Louis Riel, Hands Off Venezuela & LACSN
Location: Friends House (Quaker Meeting House) 60 Lowther Ave. (At Lowther and Bedford Rd.). St. George Subway. (Take Bedford Rd. Exit)
More information: [email protected]
Thursday Feb 9th @ 7:00pm
Community Activist Panel on Bill C-323
Bill C-323 proposes to amend the Federal Courts Act to permit any person in the world to bring civil action against any company, entity or person for breaches of international human rights or international treaties to which Canada is a signatory. Presenters Christine Mettler, Marie Sydney, and Raul Burbano discuss significance of this bill and how we can create a campaign to push for the bill to be passed.
Organized by: Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, MISN
Location: Tequilla Bookworm, 512 Queen St. West
More information: [email protected] or [email protected]
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10th @ 1:00pm
FREE EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE: Public Forum with Chilean student Leader Camilo Ballesteros, Chilean Students’ Confederation
Sponsors: Casa Salvador Allende & LACSN, Latinas, Barrio Nuevo, CAW Local 2002, Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition & CERLAC
Location: York University, Nat Taylor Cinema (102 Ross North)
More information: [email protected] 2 | Latin American & Caribbean Solidarity Month
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11th @ 7:00pm
Coffee House: Music, Poetry & Cuban Landscape art exhibit at Casa Maiz
Sponsors: International Festival of Poetry in Resistance, LACSN & Casa Maiz
Location: Casa Maiz, 1280 Finch Ave, West, 2nd Floor
More Information: [email protected]
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12th @ 5:00pm
Chilean Film & Social
Screening the feature-length film by Director Andres Wood titled, “Violeta Se Fue A los Cielos” (2011), based on the life and music of renowned Chilean singer-songwriter Violeta Parra. The film is based on a book with the same name written by the singer’s son Angel Parra.
Organized by: Victor Jara Cultural Group & LACSN
Location: CUPE 4400, 1482 Bathurst Street, Suite 200
More information: [email protected]
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16th @ 7:00pm
Stop Canada’s Environmental Injustice– Building for the Future –
A Conversation among movement activists
Challenges to Harper’s plans for more pipelines to export dirty Canadian tar-sands oil; opposition to mining injustice; protection of Ontario farmland from mega quarry destruction, safeguarding secure public water supplies, and more: environmentalists are active in many fields. Yet Canada’s government remains among the worst promoters of environmental injustice. As we approach the June 2012 Rio+20 world conference on sustainable development, how can we best advance our common struggle for environmental and climate justice in Canada and internationally
Sponsors: Common Frontiers, Toronto Bolivia Solidarity Network, LACSN
Location: OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room 2212
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17th @ 7:00pm
Haiti: Solidarity and Social Justice Public Forum
Featuring speakers: Nicole Phillips [staff attorney for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, adjunct professor at University of San Francisco and assistant director for Haiti programs at the university] and Roger Annis [coordinator of the Canada Haiti Action Network in Vancouver and director of a ten-day fact-finding and solidarity mission to Haiti in June, 2011].
Sponsors: Internal Education and Political Development Committee and the International Solidarity Committee of the Greater Toronto Workers Assembly; Toronto Haiti Action Committee; LACSN.
Location: Steelworkers’ Hall, 25 Cecil St.
More information: [email protected] or [email protected]
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18th @ 5:00pm
Voces Politicas (Political Voices): Direct, Open Debate
The new constitutions of Ecuador and Bolivia entrench concepts for a different way of thinking about how humans should relate to each other, in a manner that should translate into a ¨good way of living or living well¨ (buen vivir o vivir bien). A discussion exploring these constitutional innovations and their significance for nation states, citizenry, Indigenous peoples and respect for the environment.
Sponsors: L@tinas and endorsed by LACSN
Location: Beit Zatoun House, 612 Markham St
More information: [email protected] 3 | Latin American & Caribbean Solidarity Month
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19th @ 2:00pm
Colombia: Mining Injustice Chronicles & Social Conflict Video & Discussion
Sponsors: Colombia Action Solidarity Alliance, an action group of OPIRG-Toronto & endorsed by LACSN.
Location: OISE, 252 Bloor St. West, Room # 2211
More information: [email protected]
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23rd @ 7:00pm
Public Forum Eroding Democracy & Sovereignty: Corporate Trade, Investment, Free Trade Agreements & Resource Extraction in the Americas
Featuring Manuel Pérez Rocha, Institute for Policy Studies in Washington and Professor Anna Zallik, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University.
Sponsors: LACSN
Location: Ryerson University, 350 Victoria st., Room POD 250
More information: [email protected]
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25th @5:30pm
From Occupy to the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement - A Discussion on Organizing
A roundtable discussion featuring speakers from a variety of experiences talking about different forms of organizing and the lessons we can take and apply here in Toronto. Presenters: The Occupy Toronto movement (Magdalena Diaz), The Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (Lucho Granados Ceja), Popular Education Collective in Chile (Camila Uribe Rosales), Trade unionism in Colombia (Rangel Ramos), Trade unionism in Canada (TBD)
Sponsors: the Education Sub-Committee of LATUC-Ontario. Endorsed by LACSN.
Location: OPSEU Office, 31 Wellesley St. East (across from Wellesley subway)
More information: [email protected]
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25th @9:30pm
Closing Party
Featuring live musical performances by Ruben Beny Esguerra and Luisito Orbegoso
from Esguerra’s upcoming new album “A New Tradition”. Djs eL man (Dos Mundos Radio) & no-capitalista.
Sponsors: LACSN
Location: @ Fuzion 99 Restaurant & Lounge 810 St. Clair Ave West @ Oakwood
More information: [email protected]
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 29th 5:30pm
Remembering Bishop Samuel Ruiz: Justice & Indigenous Rights in Mexico and Canada
Ecumenical Memorial Service: 5:30pm / Public Forum: 7pm
Keynote Speaker: Father José Avilés Arriola, Vicar for Justice and Peace for the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico Respondent: Bishop Mark Macdonald, National Indigenous Bishop, Anglican Church of Canada
Forum reflecting on the legacy of Mexico’s Bishop Samuel Ruiz and his work with indigenous and poor communities in Chiapas.
Sponsors: Canadian Jesuits International, Development and Peace, Jesuit Forum, KAIROS Canada, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund – Anglican Church of Canada, The United Church of Canada.
Location: Loretto College, Blue Room, 70 St. Mary Street (near Bay & Bloor) More information: [email protected]