Miriam Katawazi

Capturing this turbulent year: 16 stories of 2016

MiriamKatawazi — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 17:42:01 +0000

Friday, December 23, 2016

It was a turbulent year for Canada and the rest of the world. Read rabble.ca's top picks for 2016 that encapsulate the year.

It was a turbulent year for Canada and the rest of the world.

Donald Trump won the 2016 U.S. presidential elections on a platform that critics say was based on xenophobia and “making America great again.” The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union. The conflict in Syria intensified further, with innocent civilians being the target of horrific violence in Aleppo and other parts of the country. A coup attempt in Turkey, as well as multiple attacks in cities across the world added to these difficult times.

Soon-to-be lawyer wins right to wear regalia when she is called to the bar

rabble staff — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 14:02:33 +0000

Monday, June 22, 2015

Christina Gray will set a strong precedent when she is called to the bar this week. The law student will wear her First Nation's regalia when she attends the ceremony.

Christina Gray will set a strong precedent when she is called to the bar this week.

In a sea of black barristers' robes at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall, Gray, a proud member of the Lax Kw'alaams Tsimshian, will be wearing her woollen black and red Tsimshian button blanket and her cedar hat. On her back there will be a hand-sewn killer whale, representing her clan.

The regalia represents her Tsimshian culture, laws, ways of being and history, said Gray.

Gray will be the first in Ontario to wear First Nations regalia instead of the traditional barristers' robes when called to the bar on Tuesday.

Why were these Gaza protest photographs altered?

rabble staff — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:02:05 +0000

What happens when a photograph is altered and then widely shared? It happened to this photographer.

Photographer decries doctored image of Gaza protest

rabble staff — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:41:08 +0000

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

What does it mean when a photograph is altered -- what if the changed image is widely shared? How can photojournalists protect their work?

In 2012, photographer Sulejman Omerbasic was in Bosnia at a rally to support Gaza. He took a photo of a demonstrator -- a woman holding signs reading "Stop Israeli Terrorism" and "Free Gaza."

Two years later, his photo circulates on the internet with a different message. The sign held by the protestor has been altered to read "Stop Hamas Terrorism on Israel" and "Free Gaza from Hamas."

Public education should be free for all children

rabble staff — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:26:41 +0000

When Max's family's refugee application was denied, they were asked to pay for public school. They couldn't. Max missed two years. Advocates are working to make school free for all children.

Quebec laws keep undocumented children out of school

rabble staff — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 18:15:22 +0000

Friday, September 12, 2014

When Max's family's refugee application was denied, they were asked to pay for public school. They couldn't. Max missed two years. Advocates are working to make school free for all children.

For two years, 13-year-old Max stayed home while most children his age made their way to school in Quebec. Max and his mother applied to become refugees in Canada and while their application was in process, Max attended school. But when their application got denied, he was ineligible to go to public school for free and his mother would have to pay $5,000 to $6,000 per year. At the time, Max's mother, who cleaned houses to pay rent, could not afford the fees and so Max remained at home. Two years later, the family got their status and he attended school once again. However, advocates argue that being away from school has a long-lasting effect on the social and personal progress of undocumented children like Max.

Families in B.C. organize to support teachers

rabble staff — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:31:39 +0000

Friday, September 5, 2014

As the labour action continues and schools remain closed, a number of fundraising campaigns and demonstrations have sprung up to show solidarity with B.C. teachers.

As the dispute between the B.C. government and teachers enters its fourth month, families in B.C. are organizing actions to show support for teachers.

As the labour action continues and schools remain closed, a number of fundraising campaigns and demonstrations have sprung up to show solidarity with B.C. teachers.

Parents are organizing playdates for their children at local MLA offices. The protests are filled with colourful sidewalk chalk, games and storytelling are meant to continue until the teachers' strike is resolved and schools open.

66-meter flag is a symbol of solidarity with those who died in Gaza

rabble staff — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:03:41 +0000

Friday, August 29, 2014

As part of the Peoples' Social Forum, participants from across the country held a vigil in Ottawa to commemorate those who have died in Gaza.

Palestinian human rights groups that normally hold vigils and demonstrations in their own cities were able to gather in Ottawa and have the opportunity to sign a 66-metre-long Palestinian Flag. Each meter of the flag represents one of the 66 years of struggle the Palestinians have faced since 1948.

Peoples' Social Forum: 500 workshops, 19 assemblies, 5,000 voices and a declaration

rabble staff — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 18:55:40 +0000

Thursday, August 28, 2014

The final assembly at the Peoples' Social Forum brought together activists from across Canada. On the last day, at a final assembly, the participants reported back. Miriam Katawazi was there.

After the Peoples' Social Forum (PSF) ended this weekend, tents at the University of Ottawa were left empty. Booths covered with art and information that lined the once busy streets had disappeared. There were no longer people standing on the corners of streets passing out magazines and independent film screening ads. But while the forum may be over, participants and organizers are hoping that its impact is ongoing.

The final event of the Peoples' Social Forum looked to the future. It was the Social Movements Assembly. The assembly established a non-partisan extra-parliamentary opposition in order to enable the spirit of the convergence to work beyond the forum.

The Wilderness Committee celebrates as crude oil shipment plans derail

meagan perry — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:31:41 +0000

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Activists in Manitoba celebrate as Omnitrax shelves crude oil shipping plans through the Port of Churchill.

Omnitrax Canada announced on Aug. 15 that they would no longer pursue plans to ship crude oil across its northern rail line to the port of Churchill on Hudson Bay. The announcement came after another derailment in northern Manitoba. Omnitrax Canada president Merv Tweed said the company is choosing to focus on the grain market instead.

"Northern Manitobans and Wilderness Committee members are ecstatic today, as this risky oil-by-rail plan has been shelved," said Eric Reder, Manitoba Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee.

Anger escalates over migrant arrests during vehicle safety checks

meagan perry — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 18:30:37 +0000

Monday, August 18, 2014

Anger continues to escalate over the controversial arrests of undocumented workers by the Canada Border Services Agency during a commercial vehicle safety blitz.

An emergency rally took place on Monday as anger escalates over the controversial arrests of undocumented workers by the Canada Border Services Agency during a commercial vehicle safety blitz last week.

On Aug. 14, the CBSA arrested 21 people for immigration violations during a joint commercial vehicle safety blitz with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministries of Transportation and Environment. The collaboration consisted of vehicle spot checks in northwest Toronto, around Wilson Avenue between Jane Street and Highway 400.

Activists occupy Craig Scott's office, protesting NDP stance on Gaza

rabble staff — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:30:47 +0000

Ten activists are occupying a NDP office in Toronto today, to protest against the party’s recent statement on Gaza stating that it is neither balanced nor just.

The sit-in at MP Craig Scott’s office is being held in solidarity with the people of Gaza, and protestors are demanding that the NDP stop blaming victims, said organizer Barry Weisleder.

Canadian grassroots actions show solidarity with Gaza

rabble staff — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 18:09:33 +0000

If Canadian grassroots actions in solidarity with Gaza continue to influence more people, then will the politicians have no choice but to follow? We'll just have to see.

Canadian grassroots actions for Gaza pave way for change of consciousness

rabble staff — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 01:31:33 +0000

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

If Canadian grassroots actions in solidarity with Gaza continue to influence more people, then will the politicians have no choice but to follow? We'll just have to see.

Since Israel's attack on Gaza on July 8, protests have erupted in every major city in Canada. A group of activists in Nova Scotia have vowed to stand outside the Public Gardens everyday at noon until the attack on Gaza ends. In Vancouver, activists are calling out to people to "raise a clamour" against the crisis by banging pots and pans to make noise until the war ends.

Mothers and Families for Gaza occupy NDP office to support Gaza

rabble staff — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:12:17 +0000

A group of 30 mothers and children occupied NDP MP Don Davies' Vancouver office to show support for Gazans and protest the NDP's position on Israel.

Mothers and children occupy NDP office to support Gazans