Citizens Press

PAOV- Code of Conduct - Citizens Press is an open platform for expression on all the issues that concerns the People’s Assembly of Victoria and the global occupy movements, it is the responsibility of the contributors to uphold the code of conduct.

Our values are inclusivity, empowerment, awareness, creativity, community, diversity and respect.

We will remove posts that have been reported and determined as are derogatory, intolerant, racist, sexist, intentionally malicious, bigotry and overtly counterproductive.

Removed posts will be given the opportunity to edit, resubmit and meet our code of conduct.

KEEPOD UNITE, a new approach to bridge the Digital Divide and provide Personal Computing to 5 Billion people all over the World.

Details: Published on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 00:20; Written by editor

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/keepod-unite

Watch on Vimeo site

5 billion people, 70% of the world’s population, are still without access to personal computing. Be a part of the team who set out to bridge the digital divide. Your contribution to this campaign will help provide personal computing that will empower existing projects in the fields of education, HIV prevention, agriculture and human rights in the Mathare slums of Nairobi, Kenya.

The Keepod Unite Mathare project is the first implementation of Keepod Unite. The direct impact of our project is going to increase the effectiveness of existing humanitarian activities and create new opportunities for the people living in Mathare.

Our Tech
With Keepod, a simple USB stick can turn any computer into a personal device. Keepod is a secure and lightweight operating system that runs from any USB drive. Being able to keep your OS on a thumb drive means that you can have your personal computer on every shared one without sacrificing security (since you carry all your personal data and software with you when you leave).

Our Values

1. Social Responsibility
Keepod is committed to bridging the digital divide. Our tools will prevent developing countries and communities from continuing to fall behind and remaining disadvantaged in health and education as well as missing critical economic opportunities

2. Environmental
We use computers that would otherwise clog our landfills. Instead they are refurbished, distributed and ready to be shared.

3. Grassroots Empowerment
Keepod is not only for communities thousands of miles away, it could be used right here, in your city! Hundreds of Keepods are being sponsored to support the needs of inner city youth, schools and low income families.

The Mathare Project
The Mathare Project (in partnership with NGO LiveInSlums) is the first step to making Keepod Unite real. Successful launch of this pilot program in the slum of Mathare, Nairobi Kenya, will allow us to partner with other NGOs and empower the efforts of grassroots initiatives around the world.

[Uvic-sustainability] News and Events for week of Feb 11th

Details: Published on Tuesday, 11 February 2014 12:40; Written by editor

NEWS

UVic has officially received a Gold rating in the Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)! UVic is only the 5th Canadian post-secondary institution to achieve a gold rating under the STARS system, and the first using the updated 2.0 version of the program. STARS is a program that North American post-secondary institutions use to measure their sustainability progress via a transparent self-reporting framework and points system. The major reporting categories are academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration. STARS ratings remain in effect for three years. Read the Media Tip and get the full report.

The UVic Students’ Society is lobbying the university to freeze investments in fossil fuels and unload its shares in the industry in a unanimous vote last week to push the...

You'll be picking up the tab, PAOV

Details: Published on Tuesday, 11 February 2014 09:20; Written by editor

New documents have revealed that government spy agency CSEC is collecting hugely sensitive information and monitoring the movements of thousands of law-abiding Canadians. Use our special tool to join ‘The Day We Fight Back’ and tell your MP right now to stop wasting taxpayer money on illegal secret spying.

New documents have revealed that government spy agency CSEC is collecting hugely sensitive information and monitoring the movements of thousands of law-abiding Canadians. The government won’t provide the details but this spying activity could include you.

They’ve spied on innocent air travellers at Canadian airports.1 They’ve spied on important friends and allies2. They’ve even helped U.S. spies run a massive surveillance operation on Canadian soil.3

And here’s the kicker. Guess who’s footing the enormous bill for this reckless behaviour? Turns out Canadian taxpayers are on the hook for a staggering $4.2 billion – yes, that’s BILLION – to build and operate a new government “spy palace”.

Today is budget day in Ottawa and MPs need to hear from you right now about opposing wasteful and invasive spying on our private lives. Speak out with our easy-to-use tool to tell your local MP exactly where you stand.

Those spying on law-abiding Canadians will be housed in the “most expensive government building ever built” using a budget that’s more than doubled in the last decade, while essential services face cutbacks.45

Public Announcemet

Details: Published on Monday, 10 February 2014 20:20; Written by editor

Social Justice Film Night presents:
THE PEOPLE SPEAK
7pm Thursday, Feb. 202994 Douglas St. (BCGEU Hall), Victoria
Co-directed by Chris Moore, Anthony Arnove, and Howard Zinn
A beautiful and moving film inspired by Howard Zinn’s books “A People s History of the United States” and “Voices of a People’s History of the United States”.
The film features the actual words (in letters, songs, poems, speeches, and manifestoes) of rebels, dissenters, and visionaries from our past and present including Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Bob Dylan, Langston Hughes, Chief Joseph, Muhammad Ali, and unknown veterans, union workers, abolitionists, and many others never featured in high school textbooks. These dramatic moments from our history are brought to life by a group of remarkable musicians and actors.
Like Howard Zinn’s work as a whole, THE PEOPLE SPEAK celebrates the extraordinary possibilities for creating social change that ordinary people have realized throughout the course...

[evoz] Public Announcemet

Details: Published on Monday, 10 February 2014 20:40; Written by editor

Feb 13th, 1230 and 630pm - PPP Presents Surfing and Cycling for Peace Three City Tour

Details: Published on Sunday, 09 February 2014 15:20; Written by editor

Download File

Please share through your networks!

Dear Friends,

Pacific Peoples’ Partnership, MediaNet and Open Cinema are presenting Stories of Surfing and Cycling for Peace in West Papua as a three city tour this February 2014. The tour combines screenings of Isolated plus homecoming performances of Jeremy Bally’s...

[coalalert] Coal by rail to Port Alberni

Details: Published on Saturday, 08 February 2014 15:40; Written by editor

NOTE: Interesting article. Think Compliance has $30-40 million to spend on the rail upgrade to Port Alberni??
http://www.avtimes.net/company-looks-to-upgrade-railway-1.826856

A Tribe Called Red's Turtle Island Tour Starts Tomorrow + JUNOs & New Merch

Details: Published on Friday, 07 February 2014 14:40; Written by editor

Hi friends!

We got some great news yesterday. We've been nominated twice for the JUNOs, the Canadian counterpart of the Grammys, in the Breakthrough Group Of The Year category as well as in the Best Electronic Album category. We're pretty stoked and wanted to send a big thank you to everyone who supported us by buying the record, going to the shows, sharing our music and spreading the word about us (that's you!). A special shout out to the team of people working with us, as well as all the drum groups who participated in the creation of Nation II Nation. If you want to know more about them and traditional Pow Wow music, you can visit THIS LINK.

So we're back on the road tomorrow driving across Canada and on the West Coast of the US. We won't be going everywhere but you know, it's a start! We hope to see you at the shows and we are really looking forward to connect with everyone. We will also have some brand new merch at the shows. We'll have new hoodies and a brand new shirt designed by Ryan Red Corn of the infamous 1491s. It explains in a few steps how to make indigenous music. Come visit us on Facebook or Twitter today for a sneak peak! Our Nation II Nation shirt is still available in our shop.

Stepping Forward on Divestment & Building Our Creative Capacity

Details: Published on Friday, 07 February 2014 13:40; Written by editor

This has been a huge we for divestment organizers on campuses in BC with the University of Victoria, UBC and

Simon Fraser all taking huge steps towards divestment this week. Find out more!

As divestment is gearing up, we're also launching a new project called ArtShift. ArtShift is based on a belief that everyone has the capacity for creativity and that when ignited, that creativity is a force that can move the world and make change irresistible. On March 1st, we're bringing this mission to Vancouver in a full day creative action training lab. Join in!

With workshops on graffiti and street art, the role of art, humour and creativity in mobilizations, story-telling andframing and much more along with skills trainings in a range of tools from silk-screening to building giant inflatable action "toys", ArtShift will build the creative action capacity of organizing for climate and social...

RAVEN - Another win to start the year!

Details: Published on Friday, 07 February 2014 12:25; Written by editor

If you are having trouble reading this email view the r19

Dear RAVENers,

Welcome to 2014! There are quite a few significant updates with our programs. This coming year will be another big one, between Supreme Court decisions and starting legal actions.

We're happy to report one more small victory in the ongoing struggle of the Tsilhqot'in people against the proposed New Prosperity Mine! On February 4, the Federal Court ordered Taseko Mines Limited to add the Tsilhqot'in National Government and Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse as full parties to the company's court challenge to the scathing Panel Report for its proposed mine.

The Federal Court concluded that the Tsilhqot'in people are "directly affected" by this litigation and noted that the New Prosperity proposal fails to address the significant environmental and cultural impacts that prompted the Federal Government to reject the original Prosperity Mine proposal in 2010.

The Federal Court judgment means that the Tsilhqot'in people will have full rights of participation in the company's legal challenge, which the Tsilhqot'in leadership has described as without merit and as a transparent effort to distract attention from the second independent panel to condemn its unacceptable mine proposal.

A shout out to West Coast Environmental Law for supporting this motion financially. So to help now with fundraising for the legal costs of actually appearing in court with arguments, RAVEN is participating in an event in Victoria on Tuesday, February 18th. The details are on our events page - it's from 7 - 9pm at St. John the Divine church on Quadra Street.

One aspect of the event is a silent auction. If you have something you would be willing to contribute to the auction - artwork, a certificate for services, gift basket, etc. - please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at our office.

The Tsilhqot'in need roughly $60,000 to properly prepare and attend this court proceeding. As a corollory, the federal government decision on the New Prosperity mine is due by February 28th.

What does California really think of BC

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 February 2014 17:20; Written by editor

r1 ...

[evoz] Local Event - Amnesty International Film Festival

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 February 2014 10:10; Written by editor

Amnesty International Film Festival 2014 - March 1st 2014

Women in Film

Bringing Light to Dark Places

Presenting:

Outlawed in Pakistan & Forbidden Voices - Doors open 1:30pm
It's a Girl & Girl Rising - Doors open 6:30pm

Suggested donation $10.00 per session

For more info, visit www.amnestyinvictoria.ca

Events next week: Kinder Morgan Workshop + Family Day Farmland Rally

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 February 2014 21:40; Written by editor

r19 | r14 | r0 Like Tweet Forward

Hi PAOV,

Looking for a chance to get out and take action? Here's some information about two important campaign events coming up next week in Victoria:

Kinder Morgan Pipeline Review: Workshop + Online Applications

If you want to participate in the official review process for Kinder Morgan’s tar sands pipeline, you’ve got one more week to do so!

In mid-January, Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) opened up applications for the public to participate in hearings on the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline. Don't be scared off by the difficult sign-up process – I've submitted my application already and I'm confident you can do it too!

Applications will be only accepted until noon on Wed. February 12th, 2014.

We’re co-hosting a second registration workshop with our friends at the Sierra Club of BC. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 11th from 6-9pm at the Wilderness Committee’s Victoria office, #3-202 Fan Tan Alley (entrance off Pandora St). Drop by and we will walk you through the online form, answer your questions about the process and make sure your concerns are effectively submitted to the NEB – just in time for the application deadline the following day. For more info or to RSVP, check out the Facebook event page.

To apply now, click here to visit the NEB website and fill out your application form.

Our Community Newsletter - Ingredients Health Food & Cafe

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 February 2014 00:23; Written by editor

Newsletter ~ February 4th 2014

Workshops and Events

Laughter Yoga Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday 6:45 to 7:45pm
Come Laugh with Matti and Soren!Laughter Yoga combines laughter with yoga breathing, which brings more oxygen to your body and brain, which makes you feel healthier and more energetic.
"Laughter is the best medicine!"
Admission is by donation.Please bring a yoga mat or blanket if you have one. https://www.facebook.com/TheWildLifeCollective

Chef Sonja's Cookbook Launch Party
Saturday February 8th, 2:30 to 4:30pm Chef Sonja will be hosting a book signing, and offering some samples of food made from her cookbook.
meetup.com/Vegan-Victoria-Meetup/events/162922642/

Local Market with The Wild Life Collective
Sunday February 9th,The Wild Life Collective will be hosting a special craft market upstairs at Ingredients. Come and explore the variety of locally made goods.
facebook.com/TheWildLifeCollective

Salmon Farms - A Rapidly Deteriorating Situation

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 February 2014 00:23; Written by editor

The Harper government of Canada gave the Norwegian salmon feedlot industry the green light to expand in BC. Days later on January 28, 2014, the biggest Norwegian company using British Columbia to grow "salmon" was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. They are talking big expansion, looking for US investors. Each fish farm is now issued a federal licence giving the companies the power to use fish infected with salmon viruses in their farms. I am in court fighting this. This is a death sentence to the wild salmon of British Columbia.

Each salmon farm also needs a provincial licence - a rental agreement for the seafloor below the floating farm. I need your help to send a clear message to the Premier of British Columbia - do not rent the seafloor to the salmon farming industry. See my blog for details http://alexandramorton.typepad.com Please share this petition with your friends and family - for the wild salmon. Thank you

This message was sent by Alexandra Morton using the Change.org system. You received this email because you signed a petition started by Alexandra Morton on Change.org: "Restore wild salmon, Ban salmon feedlots in BC." Change.org does not endorse the contents of this message.

View the petition

Read our new report: Site C? No Dam Way!

Details: Published on Wednesday, 05 February 2014 17:06; Written by editor

Just a few weeks ago, public hearings wrapped up for a controversial dam project in BC’s beautiful Peace River Valley. The proposed $8 billion Site C dam has faced mounting opposition from local residents, First Nations and British Columbians from far and wide who don’t want to see this amazing region flooded under a reservoir.

If built, the Site C dam would drown more than 100 kilometres of the Peace River and its tributaries, including vast areas of rich farmland, wildlife habitat and important cultural and heritage sites. The Peace region is a place with lots of history and a lot of significance – and we aren’t going to stop fighting for it until this unneeded dam project is rejected for good.

That’s why we’ve produced a new report called Keep the Peace – Site C? No Dam Way! This report will introduce you to the Peace River Valley, taking a look at its past, its present and its future. Learn about the people and the wildlife who call this region home, and find out why they’re standing up to say “No!” to Site C.

The report also explains the financial burden this hugely expensive and unnecessary dam project would place on British Columbians, at a time when the province is overflowing with excess electricity.

Click here to download the full report.

Feb 11th 6:30pm - Ocean pollution in Canada's Oceans: A Whale of a Tale - Café Scientifique

Details: Published on Wednesday, 05 February 2014 16:16; Written by editor

- Over 100,000 chemicals are used in Canada today, and we are doing little in the way of research that would shed light on their presence and fate in aquatic ecosystems, their possible effects on wildlife, and their potential risks to human health;

- Our past research has shown that some of these chemicals make it into coastal food webs, reaching very high levels in BC's marine mammals, including SARA-listed killer whales;

- Such work is often viewed as 'bad news' by governments and industries, despite the fact that it can empower source control, mitigation, or regulations and help improve aquatic ecosystem health;

- I argue that we have a distinct need for more, not less, environmental sciences, and that such work are vital to healthier oceans, people and economies;

Tue Feb 11th
6:30pm

Ocean pollution in Canada's Oceans: A Whale of a Tale
Dr. Peter Ross
UVic/formerly DFO
Talk Description
Bio

Hermann's Jazz Club
753 View St
Reserve seats

hi-res pdf

Pls Share Mi'kmaq Speaking Events - This Thursday and Friday

Details: Published on Wednesday, 05 February 2014 14:56; Written by editor

All Are Welcome.

Thurs Feb 6th - BCGEU 2994 Douglas St: 6PM-9PM

Friday Feb 7th - UVIC, Harry Hickman Bldg Room 105: 6:30PM-9PM

Members of the Mi'kmaq Warriors Society who have been arrested and incarcerated will be on a speaking tour in January and February to raise awareness about their struggle against fracking, their ongoing assertion and exercise of nationhood, and the repression they face from police and courts.

“Our warriors are still being mistreated in the system, justice for our political prisoners of war.” Suzanne Patles, member of the Mi’kmaq Warrior Society

If you would like to support this tour, please get in touch hwalia8 at gmail dot com.

Thank you!

Both events are FREE. Light supper will be provided at the Feb 6th BCGEU event, and snacks will be provided at the Feb 7th UVic event.

Accessibility info: Both events will have childcare. The venues are wheelchair accessible. Bus tickets are also available. Please help us provide a scent free event to accommodate people with chemical sensitivities. Unfortunately, we aren't able to offer ASL interpretation for these events. Rides are available for Elders and people with mobility issues. *If needed, please contact us for a ride*

BACKGROUND:

Suzanne Patles speaks from Elsipogtog Anti-Fracking Blockade

Elsipogtog: The Fire Over Water

Mi'kmaq Blockade
http://www.submedia.tv/stimulator/2013/10/16/mikmaq_blockade/

Warriors Defence Fund:
http://www.gofundme.com/4v80u4

Sacred Fire: The People United Against Fracking
http://sacredfirenb.com/welcome-to-the-sacred-fire-website/

Guardian: New Brunswick fracking protests are the frontline of a democratic fight
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/21/new-brunswick-fracking-protests

Announcing Saanich Resilience Learning Series

Details: Published on Tuesday, 18 February 2014 00:32; Written by editor

SAANICH

Announcing Saanich Resilience Learning Series
This February and March, the Building Resilient Neighbourhoods team is pleased to announce a new Resilience Learning Series and Resilient Streets micro-grants programme for residents of Saanich. This series of three workshops, all occurring in Saanich, will provide an opportunity to learn more about resilience and how it relates to other areas of neighbourhood concern like climate change, social inclusion, emergency preparedness, and meeting basic needs. It will also give Saanich residents a chance to network and explore possible projects and actions with each other. We invite and welcome participation by residents, community association leaders, policy makers and community-based organizations in Saanich. Support for these workshops has been provided by the District of Saanich Sustainability Department.

Workshop 1: Introduction to Resilience (Saanich only)
Thursday, February 20
Saanich Neighbourhood Place
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

In this workshop, you’ll learn about the global and local context that are creating the need greater community resilience, and why building resilience at the neighbourhood level can be so rewarding and effective. You’ll hear inspiring examples of what other communities are doing to strengthen their capacity to respond and adapt to change, and you will collaborate with fellow Saanich residents to identify the characteristics of your own neighbourhood that are supporting or hindering increased resilience.

Workshop 2: Introduction to Resilient Streets (Saanich only)
Thursday, March 6th
Pearkes Community Centre
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

From book boxes and skill sharing to community gardens and Transition Streets, in this workshop, you’ll explore ways of adapting local and international examples of resilience-in-action to start strengthening resilience alongside neighbours on your street or in your block. You’ll brainstorm, share and give feedback on possible project ideas in groups and learn about how you can get support for projects through our Resilient Streets micro-grants.

Learn more about Resilient Streets at: http://resilientneighbourhoods.ca/activities/resilient-streets

SAANICH AND VICTORIA WEST

Workshop 3: Engaging Our Neighbours (open to Resilient Street leaders from Victoria West and Saanich)
Thursday, March, 26th
Saanich Neighbourhood Place
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This workshop will provide a comfortable, creative, facilitated space for people who are leading Resilient Streets projects in Saanich or Victoria West to come together and share experiences, learnings, ideas, strategies and support.

Visit Transition Victoria at: http://transitionvictoria.ning.com/

Transition Towns Workshop & Saanich Events

Details: Published on Wednesday, 05 February 2014 13:32; Written by editor

Transition Towns: the model and how it works

(a full-day exploration of activating positive change)
February 8, 2014 9:30 – 4:00
Oaklands Neighbourhood House, 2629 Victor St.

Despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding the economy, climate change and peak oil —or perhaps because of it—people around the world are beginning to look towards new ways of living, in league with nature and in harmony with the planet and each other. In towns and cities around the world, individuals, groups and communities are working towards this end and having fun doing it.

The Transition Towns approach was developed in 2006 in Totnes UK by Rob Hopkins. The model caught on as a positive approach to reducing our reliance on oil, adapting to climate change and responding to growing economic instability. It is now being used by close to 1,000 Transition Towns around the world, over 50 of them in Canada, over 20 in BC.

Who should attend:

* Individuals and organizations with an interest in public engagement and change related to economic instability and inequity, climate change and peak resources
* Individuals exploring their own transition pathways or how to get involved

What is covered:

* An introduction to the ingredients and discussion of impacts of the Transition Town model
* Practice working with key principles, steps and tools and discussion of approaches
* Introduction to successful REconomy (UK) and Resilient Streets (UK/Victoria) approaches

To Register and for Information:

* Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank" style="color: #1155cc;">michelle.colussi.2010@gmail.com or phone: 250-595-8874
* Email your registration form to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank" style="color: #1155cc;">michelle.colussi.2010@gmail.com
o The workshop is $40/person and includes materials and refreshments (bursaries available -- it's “pay what you can" upon request)
o BYO Lunch (or walk to Koffi)
* See also: www.transitionnetwork.org and www.transitionvictoria.ning.com

Michelle Colussi:

Michelle has worked professionally and as a volunteer board member and organizer in the field of community economic development since 1994. Prior to that her background includes teaching, training and facilitation, board development, psycho social rehab and work in recreation and the arts. Michelle is Canada’s first Transition Town trainer and has delivered numerous workshops across Canada since 2009. She is a co-founder of Transition Victoria, and has her own community economic development consulting firm. Contact her at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank" style="color: #1155cc;">michelle.colussi.2010@gmail.com

For registration form, click here: Transition Workshop Flyer

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