Protesting the global arms trade
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 31 May 2016 11:00
- Written by editor
26 May 2016
Hey rabble readers!
This week, actions in Ottawa and Montreal targeted the 2016 CANSEC military trade show and Canada's involvement in the global arms trade -- specifically, the controversial deal with Saudi Arabia. Sophia Reuss speaks with peace activists about how they brought the faces of war to the people who profit from it, in her report.
Judy Rebick has profound words about why rabble's 15-year anniversary is so important. She turns back the clocks and takes us back to rabble's earliest days, reporting from the streets of the Quebec City protests in 2001. rabble.ca has always played a pivotal role supporting new movements in Canada like Idle No More, the Maple Spring, Black Lives Matter, and more.
If you aren't already a monthly supporter of rabble, now is the time to donate! Celebrate rabble's 15-year history with a $15/month donation right now and we'll give you the 15th anniversary edition of the Best of rabble.ca. We'll even throw in your choice of either Lawrence Hill's critically acclaimed book The Illegal or Michael Moore's new documentary Where to Invade Next?
Indie Inside feature artist LAL offers a compellingly danceable and provocative political statement in their latest album, Find Safety. Check out their new video here and for a chance to win a copy of their new album, retweet @rabbleca with hashtag #indieinside or answer the following question: what colour toque is the person wearing at mid-point? Email answers to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Next winner will be announced June 3!
rabble's huge fundraising efforts this year are equalled by our ambitious editorial plans. If you don't know what we're planning for next year then you don't know why you need to donate. We're building a new website, hiring the next generation of diverse writers, and filling in the reporting gaps Big Media has abandoned. But we need your donation to make it all happen. Read about our plans here and then head on over to our donation page here.
This week's top news
Street art blooms on Vancouver walls
With a revitalized mural program and rumours of an upcoming mural festival, Vancouver is seeing more colour on its streets and will hopefully start to shed its reputation as "no fun city."
By Megan Devlin, Rachel Sanders
Broader access to safe abortion soon available in Canada, if you can clear the hurdles
The abortion drug Mifepristone will soon be available in Canada. However prohibitive restrictions from Health Canada may temper the drug's overall effectiveness and use.
By Kylie Kendall
After Census snub, Canada's trans community feels like it doesn't count
Some members of the transgender community can't help but feel institutionally overlooked after the 2016 census failed to include options for transgender people.
By Albert Van Santvoort
Expectations low as Chronicle Herald workers prep for meeting with the company
After four months on strike, the Halifax Chronicle Herald newspaper company has agreed to meet with its striking workers on Friday. The workers' union states it doesn't have "high expectations."
By Teuila Fuatai
Looming co-op housing crisis could push 50,000 Canadians out of their homes
The majority of co-ops face expiring operating agreements. Once the funding runs dry, more than 50,000 Canadians will face a housing crisis.
By Sophia Reuss
Is Venezuela on the brink of another coup?
Amidst a dire economic situation and Rousseff's suspension in Brazil, Venezuela declares a state of emergency and accuses the U.S. of a coup plot.
By Cory Collins
This week's top blogs
If 'Canada is back' on climate change, Trudeau should steer clear of Trans Mountain pipeline
If Canada is so called "back" on climate change, it is clear that the Trans Mountain pipeline must be left behind as a relic of the sunset fossil fuel industry.
By Seble Samuel
Kevin Vickers tackling an Irish protester in Dublin is pretty far from heroic
Canadians' social media feeds are lighting up with praise for the ambassador who tackled a man peacefully protesting British imperialism -- in Dublin. Not the most diplomatic response.
By Michael Stewart
Trudeau fails to deliver on election promise to support Indigenous post-secondary students
Trudeau promised to invest $50 million per year in a federal fund that supports Indigenous post-secondary students. Instead, the Liberals invested no new funding.
By Bilan Arte
New world champion squashes Western stereotypes of Muslim women
Four of the top 10 best women squash players in the world are Egyptian Muslims -- but such feel-good stories never make the Western press.
By Dalia Thamin
Palestinians sweep Manara awards for gender equality initiatives in Middle East
Despite the challenges that Palestinian participants face, Palestinian women all came together to break the barriers of discrimination against women and gender inequality.
By Yusur Al Bahrahni
This week's top columns
Bill C-16 introduces transgender protections but keeps Harper's damaging human rights legacy
Protection of transgender rights is long overdue. But does Bill C-16 go far enough in undoing the Harper government's damage to equality rights in Canada?
By Pro Bono, Shelina Ali
Fort McMurray fire brings climate refugees to Canada
Canada is only one of many countries dealing with climate refugees. South Pacific island nations are steadily being inundated by rising seas and India is seeing record-breaking heat waves.
By Ole Hendrickson
Here comes Parsey McParseface
Google announced a lot of fascinating stuff at its annual I/O developers' conference but two things really jumped out: it's serious about VR and it's leveraging its natural language and search data.
By Wayne MacPhail
Victory: Jaballah secret trial security certificate found unreasonable
In a major setback to a Liberal government still refusing to repeal the repressive Bill C-51, the Federal Court has found unreasonable the secret trial security certificate against Mahmoud Jaballah.
By Matthew Behrens
A matter of life and death: Legislating the right to die with dignity
There should be better access to palliative care for people in their final days, but some will want to end the inevitable progress of a disease or condition. We should respect that decision.
By Pat Kerwin
After years of injustice, Canada should bring Hassan Diab home
This week, a French judge ordered the release of Hassan Diab from jail while an investigation into his case continues. Canada should follow suit and give Diab due process.
By Monia Mazigh
MORE FROM...
Naomi Klein, Linda McQuaig, Rick Salutin, Duncan Cameron, Wayne MacPhail, Murray Dobbin and others! Read columns...
JOIN rabble.ca.: Put your money where your mouse is!
This week's top podcasts
Emily Temple-Wood: 'If her name survived this long, that's a huge indicator of her importance.'
In this week's episode, the biologist and Wikipedia editor discusses the erasure of women scientists.
By Charlene Sayo
Uganda's first out transgender woman on stigma, seeking asylum, and finding true love
Activist Cleo Kambugu talks about love, stigma and being Uganda's first out transgender woman.
By Gilad Cohen
Colonialism No More
Su Deranger and Robyn Pitawanakwat talk about Colonialism No More, an action in solidarity with Attawapiskat First Nation and #OccupyINAC that is ongoing in Regina, Saskatchewan.
By Scott Neigh
'Demoting Venus': Archaeologists disagree about prehistoric female figurines
Was the Willendorf Venus pornography, portrait, or something else?
By Mindy Ran
This week's top books
'The Slow Professor' serves up good advice, but misses the mark on institutional change
The ongoing corporatization of Canadian universities has become the subject of a burgeoning field of anti-Corporate U lit. This book applies the principles of the Slow Food movement to education.
By Christina Turner
In this issue
Upcoming events
MontrealMontreal's Anarchist Book Fair
Booksellers, vendors, zinesters, distributors, and groups from all over the world share their publications, most of which are impossible to find in mainstream bookstores.
OttawaMass Blanket Exercise: Ottawa
Join KAIROS and the Assembly of Seven Generations for a powerful, visual and participatory event in support of reconciliation.
By KAIROS and Assembly of Seven Generations
Peterborough Sexual Consent Conference
This conference will include expert speakers from across Ontario talking about the notion of sexual consent.
By The Sexual Consent Conference
This week's top in cahoots
Strike ends as union wins first contract at Covered Bridge Potato Chips!
The workers at CBPC have won. Nothing tastes better than a first contract!
By United Food and Commercial Workers
The 2016-2017 Newfoundland and Labrador budget's impacts on women
A new study released by the CCPA finds the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal government's austerity measures will cut wages and services to women the most.
By Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian unions launch new CPP campaign 'A Better Plan for All'
We need a universal expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Canadian Labour Congress has launched a new campaign aimed at reforming the system.
By Canadian Labour Congress
Active babble topics
2016 Australian election
By manu266
A sad blow to Canadian music
By quizzical
Harper stepping down as MP
By lagatta
Get rabble daily
Support our work
Put your money where your mouse is and donate to rabble today.
This week's top tool
What happens to TFWs and service workers displaced from Fort McMurray?
Some may not qualify for EI, others are on closed work permits. Ask the government to make sure they are supported.
Poll
Who would you vote for in the U.S. presidential election?
Did you know there's a U.S. presidential race happening? I know, shocking!
But, in all seriousness, we've been asking a lot of questions about the race like: How did Donald Trump become the Republican frontrunner? What can Canadian progressives learn from Bernie Sanders? Why does Hilary Clinton love fossil fuels?
Now, we know most of you can't vote in the U.S. election, however, let's imagine a world where you could:
Who would you vote for in the U.S. presidential election?
Choices Bernie or bust! If he isn't the Democratic candidate, I'm not voting. Whoever the Democrats nominate: Clinton or Sanders. Whoever the Republicans nominate, even if it is Trump. Clinton. She seems like the most pragmatic choice. I'd sooner vote for Trump than Clinton! Sanders. He has the progressive vision we need. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE U.S. ELECTION. None of the above.Forward to a friend
Know someone who might be interested in the email? Why not forward this email to a friend.
Forward this email to a friend.
rabble.ca • Suite 400, 215 Spadina Avenue • Toronto, ON M5T 2C7 • Canada