Alternative News

Articles from non-mainstream as opposed to corporate for profit sources.

McDonald's will hate this

From fast food restaurant to community-run food bank ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Volunteers and staff of the Après M posing in front of the reconverted McDonald's building

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Once upon a time, in one of France’s poorest neighbourhoods, Kamel and his coworkers took on McDonald’s and turned their workplace into something magical.

They spent 20 years fighting the most powerful fast food chain – dreaming of creating a place that could offer good jobs, fair pay and a chance to uplift their community out of unemployment and poverty.

McDonald's hated that. It tried everything to get rid of Kamel – even threatening his life! And when that didn’t work, McDonald’s fired everyone and shut down the restaurant.

But instead of giving up on their dream, Kamel and his coworkers rolled up their sleeves and turned the discarded, hollow space McDonald’s abandoned into a vibrant community food bank — now feeding 2,000 families a week for free. They rehired staff, redecorated, spread the word and restored the heart of their community.

This magical place is called l’Après M (“the After...

Read more: McDonald's will hate this

Erik Prince is suing us

A pro-Trump mercenary billionaire is suing us for defamation. We stand by our reporting.




When The Intercept learned in 2020 about efforts to sell military services to a sanctioned Russian defense contractor, we knew it was a story we had to bring to light.

So we reported it out, confirmed our facts, and went to print. Then mercenary billionaire Erik Prince sued us for defamation.

We stand by our reporting, and one court has already thrown out Prince’s lawsuit for going after us on the other side of the country. But now he’s trying again, and our legal bills have piled up — $200,000 and counting.

Our nonprofit newsroom exists for stories like this one, and our strong base of members gives us the financial support to fight back in court when billionaires like Prince try to intimidate and silence us.

Read more: Erik Prince is suing us

Accompaniment updates

Accompaniment updates r1 ALERT: Threats made against PBI-Colombia accompanied CCAJAR lawyer Yessika Hoyos Morales PBI-Colombia accompanies Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation at premiere screening of “Patidescalzas” in Bogota This Tuesday May 31! Webinar on arms exports and militarization of territory ...

Read more: Accompaniment updates

End the US Criminal Blockade Against Cuba




End the US criminal blockade against Cuba

Stand in Solidarity with Cuba

Banner Hanging2pm Saturday, May 28Roger Ave Pedestrian Overpass (Over Pat Bay highway off Quadra)

Friends,

Since last July, caravans and marches have taken place across the United States and other countries to demand an end to the US unlawful blockade of Cuba. “Building bridges of love" has become a catchphrase for these events.
We in Victoria have joined in to express our displeasure with the United States’ 60-year-long illegal blockade against Cuba.
We’ll be hanging our banners in solidarity of Cuba and calling for the end of the US murderous embargo at the Roger pedestrian overpass on the Pat Bay Highway this coming Saturday, May 28.
All friends who believe in a more sane world are invited to join us.
Always in Solidarity,Victoria Friends of Cuba

Division, neglect opens door to Doug Ford's union conquests

Division, neglect opens door to Doug Ford's union conquests

This article is horrific

‘This article is horrific’ r1 ...

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Canada, stop deep sea mining now!

Email template | Change.orgr1

PAOV – this petition is taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in adding your name. Sign now to help:

Canada, stop deep sea mining now!

Melanie Laberge started this petition to Fisheries and oceans Canada, and it now has 13,466 signatures

Sign now with a click

Version Française ci-dessous

Mining companies, including Canada, are planning...

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May: Defending independent global media

May: Defending independent global media r1 ...

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Welcome Message from the New Board President & Vice President

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Dear Friend,

We are writing to you as the new President and Vice President of the BC Civil Liberties Association.

We were honoured to accept the Board’s nomination as President (Karen Mirsky) and Vice-President (Vanessa Wolff). We are as passionate about civil liberties and equality as we are about the BCCLA. We bring a powerful love of the organization, coupled with a robust sense of purpose and humility.

Get to know us more and read the full announcement here.

This year, the BCCLA turns 60. We are the oldest civil liberties association in Canada, and our work has come at a critical time in our country. We will always seek out the best way forward for the organization, those whose experiences we champion, and the issues we represent.

Together, we can move toward a future that protects our civil liberties and fosters the full inclusion of all members of our society.

Sincerely,

Karen Mirsky (she/her)
BCCLA President

Vanessa Wolff (she/her)
BCCLA Vice President

...

Read more: Welcome Message from the New Board President & Vice President

Save Old Growth says it's gearing up for hunger strike, highway blockades

Save Old Growth also says it plans to resume blocking the Trans-Canada Highway at various locations in the province.

Grace Charness, left, and Jordana Pangburn of Save Old Growth, on the steps of the B.C. legislature, say they will not eat until the organization gets a public meeting with Forests Minister Katrine Conroy about protecting old-growth forests in the province. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST


A group calling for the protection of old-growth forests in B.C. is ramping up its campaign with a hunger strike and plans for more highway blockades next week.


On Friday, six more people joined Save Old Growth’s hunger strike on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, joining a supporter who has...

Read more: Save Old Growth says it's gearing up for hunger strike, highway blockades

One-minute action

Tell Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland to stop funding climate chaos r1

Paov,

The windstorm that swept through Ontario and Quebec on Saturday was one of the most destructive and deadly wind events in Canada’s history.1 With winds reaching up to 195 km/h, it killed at least 10 people, toppled massive trees, knocked down power lines, and badly damaged homes as it cut a 1,000 km path of destruction across the most densely-populated part of the country. Three communities have declared states of emergency and tens of thousands of people are still without electricity.2

We need our politicians to stop funding climate chaos. Take one minute to call on Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland to cancel the $10 billion loan guarantee for the Trans Mountain pipeline and invest in securing a safe, livable planet.

As terrifying as the storm was, it’s even scarier to consider that these extreme weather events will only hit harder and more often if we keep allowing fossil fuels to heat up the planet. By continuing to prop up Big Oil and slow-walk the energy transition, our government is setting us up for even more climate chaos.

That’s why it is so important to speak up in moments like this....

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Cops Didnt Stop the Uvalde School Shooting

Stop the Saudi data centre

Google is planning to build a massive data centre in Saudi Arabia -- potentially handing our private information on a silver platter to one of the world's worst human rights abusers.

But we still have a chance to stop it. Add your name and share widely.

Take Action!

Sign the petition

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Google is planning to build a massive data centre in Saudi Arabia — potentially handing over our private information to one of the worst human rights abusers in the world.

As an activist that has publicly gone up against the Saudi regime for years -- this is extremely alarming. Saudi oligarchs will stop at nothing to eliminate “problematic” activists, journalists, and anyone that dares to stand up to them.

SumOfUs has filed a shareholder resolution about this issue with Alphabet, Google’s parent company, so now investors will have a say. The AGM is next week -- if we each sign this petition and forward it...

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Kiska the lonely orca

Email template | Change.orgr1

PAOV — MarineLand opened this weekend for its 2022 summer season. One of its residents, Kiska the orca, has been kept alone in her tank for over a decade. Kiska was born in the wild, but has been in captivity for more than 40 years. Over 270,000 people are calling for Kiska’s release to a sanctuary, so she can spend her final years in peace. If you agree, sign the petition now.

Free Kiska, the Last Orca Held in Captivity in Canada

270,707 have signed Molly McKinney’s petition. Let’s get to 300,000!

Read more: Kiska the lonely orca

McDonald's

Less than 24 hours to act!

McDonald's is everywhere, but outside the US it says almost nothing about how it tries to influence political decisions, from research to lobbying to spending on political campaigns.

A new shareholder resolution *at Thursday's AGM* would require them to tell-all -- let's expose McDonald's political secrets now!

Sign the petition

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Fast food and soda giants aren't just hiding what's in the food and drinks we consume -- they want to hide their political donations and lobbying too!

McDonald's is in 120 countries, but outside of the US it says almost nothing about how it tries to influence political decisions. That means it can spend on political campaigns, fund research, lobby to change health policy...all without anyone knowing!

A group of shareholders wants to change this across the industry -- starting with the McDonald's shareholder meeting *this Thursday*. They're asking for our...

Read more: McDonald's

Council Catch-Up

Council Catch-Up r1 ...

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E-News & we need to hear from you

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Download this newsletter in PDF.

Canadian Friends Service Committee E-Newsletter

We need to hear from you!

We send information, events, and action opportunities your way, but now we'd like to hear from you. We've launched a short survey that takes only a few minutes to complete. We want to find out how we’re doing and what resources, communications, and events you'd like from us. Your feedback is extremely valuable for our future work.

Read more: E-News & we need to hear from you

Jeffrey Sachs Presents Evidence of Possible Lab Origin of Covid-19

Elephants left to starve

We can give them food...and freedom ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Baby Asian elephant in captivity

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When the pandemic shut down Thailand's tourism, thousands of captive elephants were shackled in chains and left to starve, their keepers no longer able to afford to feed them.

But our friends at Save Elephant Foundation stepped in with an idea to save them -- help their owners transition from cruel circus camps to ethical elephant sanctuaries, supported by people around the world who want to foster an elephant.

It's working! At one business known for its circus show, 53 elephants now roam free, no longer forced to give rides and perform all day. But taking care of an elephant is expensive -- just imagine how much they eat every day! Plus vet care, security, and more. The foundation desperately needs funds to keep the project going.

Together, we can help give these elephants their freedom. Can you chip in to save these elephants and protect wildlife worldwide?

If you’ve saved...

Read more: Elephants left to starve

“The ruling is an insult”

Email template | Change.orgr1

PAOV — Last week, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous ruling that extreme intoxication can be used as a legal defence for sexual assault. This means that people accused of sexual assault can use their own excessive intoxication as an excuse against criminal charges. Fiorita is a survivor of sexual assault and is fighting against this decision, saying “this ruling is an insult and a slap in the face to anyone who has ever been abused.” If you agree that being intoxicated should not be a defence for committing sexual assault, sign today.

Intoxication is not a valid defence for sexual assault Read more: “The ruling is an insult”

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