Alternative News

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

Catastrophic job losses in journalism. A disaster for democracy.

Details: Published on Wednesday, 23 June 2021 10:35; Written by editor

In March, the award-winning HuffPost announced that 47 journalists were being laid off, effective immediately. Then in April, New York Public Radio announced that it was laying off 14 staffers, including the editor-in-chief of WNYC’s groundbreaking Gothamist website.

One-third of newspapers in the U.S. saw newsroom layoffs in 2020, and 70 newsrooms shut down entirely during the coronavirus pandemic.

These numbingly familiar headlines are just the most recent gut punches to journalism, and there are signs now that the crisis is actually getting worse in 2021. With the daily spectacle of the Donald Trump presidency no longer driving ratings and subscriptions, news outlets all over the country are reporting further declines in revenue, which will inevitably lead to more...

Annual Report Launch

Details: Published on Tuesday, 22 June 2021 13:14; Written by editor

This is a test r1 Read about our work! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Dear Friend,

For over half a century, the BCCLA has been a staunch defender of human rights and civil liberties. From the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the deadly tragedies of police violence, to the ongoing onslaught of the opioid crisis - the past year revealed deep, layered, and systemic inequities in our society.

Through it all, our small but passionate team persisted in the fight to uphold freedom and justice across Canada, particularly for the most vulnerable and oppressed.

Our 2020 Annual Report is here, with stories of the work for liberty and justice you helped make possible.

Read the 2020 Annual Report

In her letter inside this Report, our Executive Director Harsha Walia notes that “the BCCLA has always issued a...

Council Catch-Up

Details: Published on Tuesday, 22 June 2021 10:51; Written by editor

Council Catch-Up r1 ...

Watch The Condor & The Eagle with us

Details: Published on Monday, 21 June 2021 16:14; Written by editor

Watch The Condor & The Eagle with us r1 ...

16,000 polar bears left in Canada

Details: Published on Monday, 21 June 2021 15:54; Written by editor

Email template | Change.orgr1

PAOV — Polar bears are at risk. Canada is home to approximately 16,000 wild polar bears, nearly two-thirds of the world’s polar bear population. Canada is the only country that allows commercial trophy hunting of polar bears. Petition starter Günter wants the federal government to ban commercial hunting of polar bears. If you think these vulnerable animals should be protected, not hunted for sport, sign the petition now.

Justin Trudeau: Please Ban Trophy Hunting of Polar Bears

14,463 have signed Günter Singer’s petition. Let’s get to 15,000!

CoDevelopment Special Statement

Details: Published on Monday, 21 June 2021 14:14; Written by editor

CoDevelopment Special Statement r1 ...

I Visited a Chinese Lab at the Center of a Biosafety Debate

Details: Published on Monday, 21 June 2021 10:18; Written by editor

New Monsanto study

Details: Published on Monday, 21 June 2021 10:00; Written by editor

Glyphosate is a DNA destroyer, explosive new research reveals. But if these results aren’t published soon -- our governments could approve Monsanto’s poison again. If enough of us donate now, we can publish the results far and wide -- and have our best chance to stop glyphosate for good. Can you help?

If you’ve saved your payment information with SumOfUs, your donation will go through immediately:

Donate CA$85 now Donate another amount

The EU is speeding towards re-approving toxic glyphosate based on cherry-picked, industry-funded studies. Other governments are doing the same. It’s a disaster.

But independent scientists just finished a first-of-its-kind study that shows how glyphosate damages DNA in internal organs.

This game-changing study is ready, but its authors have come to us asking if we...

Happy NIPD and #CancelCanadaDay update

Details: Published on Monday, 21 June 2021 08:37; Written by editor

Happy NIPD and #CancelCanadaDay update r1 Hi Paov

#CancelCanadaDay

No Pride in Genocide

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!
As a reminder, Idle No More calls to #CancelCanadaDay:

We are once again calling on Indigenous land, water and sky protectors and allies to come together and disrupt the celebration. See original call-out at the bottom of this email.
Below is a list of events across the nation, with...

Spread the word

Details: Published on Monday, 21 June 2021 07:00; Written by editor

Iron & Earth r1

Paov --

We’re really proud to be a worker-led group of people pushing for change. But what exactly does it mean to be worker-led?

Well, for one thing, we put the issues that matter most to the energy workers in Canada at the forefront. The federal government is beginning to draft a Just Transition Act that will detail the supports required for workers in transition. It’s more important than ever to be hearing from and highlighting, the voice of workers during this process. That’s why we need your help.

We’ve done three really exciting things lately to get as much feedback as possible from the people who are impacted the most by a changing energy sector.

We commissioned a poll from Abacus to tell us what matters most to oil & gas and coal workers (can’t wait to tell you more about that later!)
We circulated Read more: Spread the word

If youre not scared, youre not paying attention

Details: Published on Sunday, 20 June 2021 13:10; Written by editor

A new voting law in Georgia makes it illegal to give water to people waiting in line to vote.

A bill in Arizona would criminalize bad handwriting.

And legislation is speeding toward passage in Texas that would allow partisan judges to simply toss out entire election results with no real evidence of voter fraud whatsoever.

These laws are part of a coordinated attack on the right to vote by Republicans that civil rights advocates are calling “Jim Crow 2.0,” all based on former President Donald Trump’s Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen and aimed at allowing Republicans to win the 2022 midterms and ultimately the presidency by any means necessary.

This is a red-alert crisis for our democracy, and it’s compounded by the fact that local newsrooms...

Justin Trudeau: Please Ban Trophy Hunting of Polar Bears

Details: Published on Sunday, 20 June 2021 08:32; Written by editor

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:

Justin Trudeau: Please Ban Trophy Hunting of Polar Bears

Günter Singer started this petition to Justin Trudeau and it now has 7,681 signatures

Sign now with a click

Dear Prime Minister,

Polar bears are being killed by...

Glyphosate

Details: Published on Sunday, 20 June 2021 07:14; Written by editor

If you’ve saved your payment information with SumOfUs, your donation will go through immediately:

Donate CA$85 now Donate another amount

The EU is speeding towards re-approving toxic glyphosate based on cherry-picked, industry-funded studies. Other governments are doing the same. It’s a disaster.

But independent scientists just finished a first-of-its-kind study that shows how glyphosate damages DNA in internal organs.

This game-changing study is ready, but its authors have come to us asking if we can pay for it to be published in top publicly-accessible journals. That way, government officials...

Logging

Details: Published on Saturday, 19 June 2021 15:01; Written by editor

Email template | Change.orgr1

PAOV — A private woodlot operator on Gambier Island in British Columbia is set to begin logging the old-growth forests of Whispering Creek. Along with irreversible damage to the old-growth forest, the drinking water of the nearby community is at risk. This petition is calling for an immediate end to the logging. If you think ancient forests should be protected from destruction, add your name to the petition.

STOP LOGGING OLD GROWTH IN THE WHISPERING CREEK WATERSHED OF CHÁ7ELKWNECH (GAMBIER ISLAND)

11,396 have signed Gambier Island Conservancy’s petition. Let’s get to 15,000!

Building hope

Details: Published on Saturday, 19 June 2021 03:16; Written by editor

Building hope r1

PBI-Canada sees hope and works to make a difference … Read more...

PBI-Canada joins Canadian Foreign Policy Institute international solidarity webinar for a more just foreign policy … Read more...

PBI-Guatemala to accompany hearing of 21 Maya...

CoDevelopment E-Bulletin June 2021

Details: Published on Friday, 18 June 2021 17:03; Written by editor

CoDevelopment E-Bulletin June 2021 r1 ...

Correction: 2020 Liberty Award Winners!

Details: Published on Friday, 18 June 2021 14:05; Written by editor

This is a test r1 Join us in congratulating the winners ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

*The previous version of this email was sent with an incorrect image. The correct image is above

Dear Friend,

Every other year, the BCCLA asks our supporters and members of the public to nominate individuals and organizations for the Liberty Awards. Award winners are selected from this list.

Ideally, we would celebrate them and their achievements at our biennial Liberty Awards Gala. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we cancelled our 2020 gala, and are celebrating award winners online this year.

Find out more about the 2020 Liberty Awards winners

Liberty Award recipients have made exceptional contributions to advancing civil liberties and human rights in Canada. Please join us in congratulating our 2020 winners:

Reg Robson Award: Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond

Excellence in Legal Advocacy – Group: Migrant Workers Centre

Excellence in Legal Advocacy – Individual: Alison Latimer

Excellence in Youth and Community Activism: Bashir Mohamed

Excellence in the Arts: Kent Monkman

Excellence in Journalism: Ben Makuch

Read our blog to find out more about...

Announcing the 2020 Liberty Award Winners!

Details: Published on Friday, 18 June 2021 12:44; Written by editor

Dear Friend,

Every other year, the BCCLA asks our supporters and members of the public to nominate individuals and organizations for the Liberty Awards. Award winners are selected from this list.

Find out more about the 2020 Liberty Awards winners

Liberty Award recipients have made exceptional contributions to advancing civil liberties and human rights in Canada. Please join us in congratulating our 2020 winners:

Reg Robson Award: Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond

Excellence in Legal Advocacy – Group: Migrant Workers Centre

Excellence in Legal Advocacy – Individual: Alison Latimer

Excellence in Youth and Community Activism: Bashir Mohamed

Excellence in the Arts: Kent Monkman

Excellence in Journalism: Ben Makuch

Read our blog to find out more about the winners and their work.

Congratulations to all the winners!

In celebration,

Sambriddhi Nepal (she/her)
Director of Engagement...

Solidarity Campaign for Cuba

Details: Published on Friday, 18 June 2021 12:30; Written by editor

Friends, We invite you to join us in the:

&Support Cuba’s Vaccination Drive!
Cuba has developed its own vaccines for COVID-19 (5 of them!), the only Latin American country to do so, but thanks to the tightening of the U.S. blockade during the Trump Administration with no changes in sight from the Biden Administration, it needs our help buying syringes.
During the last period covered by Cuba's report on the effects of the blockade, from April 2019 to March 2020, the blockade has caused losses to Cuba of more than $5.5 BILLION dollars. Cuba's vaccines require three doses for maximum effectiveness, and for 10 million Cubans, that means 30 million syringes to administer the doses. Cuba needs our help and our money to buy those syringes!
Our Victoria Friends of Cuba committee has joined with the Canadian Network on Cuba, Global Health Partners, the Saving Lives Campaign, the Peoples Forum. and many others to raise money to send at least 20 million syringes to the island.
We are asking for all of us to contribute if possible, Every dollar of your contribution will be directed to the campaign.

Ontario's water

Details: Published on Friday, 18 June 2021 11:39; Written by editor

The “new Nestlé” is trying to get a permit allowing it to steal water from Indigenous lands for 10 years.

We need to call on the Ontario Government to stop this corporate water grab now.

Sign petition

For years, SumOfUs members like you have been fighting Nestlé’s corporate water grabs. But now that Nestlé has sold its North America bottling business, there is a new water thief in town: BlueTriton.

BlueTriton could be even more dangerous than Nestlé. It has just applied for a 10-year renewal of Nestlé’s permit to take water out of Ontario for bottling. And because BlueTriton isn’t a household name yet, this “new Nestlé” is betting that there won’t be any public resistance to securing its permit.

Together we must show BlueTriton that we are not going to just roll over and let it drain our water for its profit. If enough of us speak out now, we can end this water grab once and...