Mara Kardas-Nelson

Ultimate party, ultimate hangover: South Africa's World Cup

marajenn — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:24:11 +0000

Just over a week has now passed since South Africa's 2010 FIFA World Cup began. Writing from Cape Town, I remain just as conflicted about the matter as I was eight days ago. I was a staunch critic of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, primarily because of its extreme corportization, the further marginalization of already poor communities, and what I considered to be an insane focus on a one-month party while ever-pressing economic, political, environmental and social concerns were put on the backburner.

South Africa: A troubled but vibrant country, not a place of racial warfare

marajenn — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:00:08 +0000

I returned to South Africa two weeks ago after a six-month hiatus in Canada.

Two pro-social housing successes mark the end of the 2010 Olympic Games

marajenn — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:33:56 +0000

The end of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics has marked two successes in Canada's pro-social housing movement.

Less than two weeks after opening the Olympic Tent Village, organizers announced that housing was found for 35 homeless persons staying at the Village. Village residents had previously stated that the action would continue indefinitely until housing was found for those in need. Activists also participated in a "tent-in" at BC Housing just hours before accommodation was announced.

While BC Housing claims that these persons would be housed regardless of the Tent Village, organizers are confident that it was instrumental in expediting the process.

Voices from the Olympic Tent Village

marajenn — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:03:00 +0000

While the mainstream media continues to either ignore or blast the Olympic Tent Village, village residents are fighting back by taking things into their own hands.

The Tent Village Voice, a publication by Village residents, has already produced two newsletters during the camp's short week-and-a-half life. Voice profiles Downtown Eastside residents and allies, and highlights the demands of the action.

Human trafficking and The Games

Cathryn Atkinson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:26:25 +0000

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Some say evidence of Olympic-related trafficking shows a spike in vulnerable women being brought to Vancouver during the Games. But local sex trade activists disagree.

In the weeks and months preceding the 2010 Winter Olympics and throughout the Games, Vancouver's billboards, airspace, and newspapers have been filled not only with ads for corporate sponsors, beers, and athletic brands, but with images of a darker sort: women beaten and bloodied, young girls looking woefully into the camera lens.

“We can end homelessness, and we can end it now:” Two Vancouver actions call for a national housing strategy

marajenn — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:46:41 +0000

Hundreds gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery today to call upon all levels of government to implement and support a national housing strategy.

Signs that said "The People Say: Build Homes Now!," "Homes Not Games," and "End Poverty. It's Not a Game" lined the steps of the Gallery as advocates spoke of the need for greater federal involvement in ensuring increased access to safe and affordable housing nationwide.

The "Right to the City: Rally for a national housing program" action was organized by the Impact on Communities Coalition (IOCC) and supported by politicians, faith-based organizations, Downtown Eastside (DTES) groups, and other activists and advocates.

Your chance to get red

marajenn — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:52:07 +0000

For the last three nights, I've been camping at the Olympic Tent Village in the Downtown Eastside. The Village, supported by dozens of groups, is located on a lot owned by Concord Pacific but rented by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (VANOC) for use as a parking lot during the 2010 Vancouver Games. The action is meant to raise awareness about the lack of safe and affordable low-income housing; the high number of homeless persons across Canada; gentrification; and the criminalization of poverty.

Art and activism meet, with the help of a red tent

marajenn — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:54:13 +0000

Two pro-social housing campaigns have joined together to create awareness about homelessness and the need for a national housing strategy. Emilio Rojas, a performance multimedia artist and participant with the 2010 Homelessness Hunger Strike Relay, is using one of Pivot Legal Society's red tents as part of his action. Sleeping in the front window of Vivarium Gallery until Sunday as part of a Performance/Installation entitled "Of Hunger, Homelessness and Spectacle," Rojas has created a mock street scene complete with books on homelessness, a cardboard sign, a shopping cart, a sleeping bag; and a prominently placed red tent.

The Olympic Tent Village: A safe community

marajenn — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:43:14 +0000

Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood is not known as one of the city's most beautiful. Notoriously referred to as Canada's poorest postal code, the DTES has high rates of poverty, drug use, and sex work. Next to glossy Gastown, it can seem dark and ominous, viewed by many as offering little else than prowling police and a strong homeless presence.

But the community of the DTES thrives in a way that few others in the city do. Vancouver is referred to by residents and visitors alike as "No Fun City," touting strict liquor laws, few community events, and dispersed neighborhoods. The Olympic Tent Village, located at 58 W. Hastings, embodies a liveliness, spirit and sense of compassion that demonstrates the neighbourhood's resilience, dedication and innovation.

Homes, not Games! Pro-social housing actions sweep Vancouver's streets

marajenn — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:01:44 +0000

Coordinated actions concerning housing and homelessness are sweeping the streets of Vancouver at the height of the 2010 Olympic Games, with hundreds of activists and handfuls of organizations campaigning for greater access to social housing. The Games are being used as a platform to garner greater media and public attention about the homelessness crisis in Canada.

Let Haitians take charge of their destinies

Cathryn Atkinson — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:34:48 +0000

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Three activists discuss the need for less interference and more aid to build long-term solutions in Haiti.

For decades, centuries even, powerful international actors such as the U.S., Canada, France, and the U.N., as well as thousands of non-governmental organizations and individual benefactors, have determined the fate of Haiti. Since Canada's involvement with the 2004 coup against former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a small national movement has led the call, "Canada out of Haiti!"

Thousands march to 'welcome' the Olympics

rabble staff — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:35:32 +0000

Thousands of anti-Olympic protesters marched from the Vancouver Art Gallery to BC Place in the hours leading up to the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics today. The ceremonies began at BC Place at 6 p.m. tonight.

At the time of writing, hundreds of protesters remained across the street from the venue, their access blocked by an estimated one hundred police on foot and horses, purportedly with tear gas on hand. There have been no reported clashes between police and protesters.

Vancouver police criticized for custody deaths

alex — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:41:58 +0000

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Vancouver experts claim police-led investigations of deaths that occur in police custody are inherently flawed.

Police-led investigations of deaths that occur in police custody are inherently flawed, with normal procedures thrown out the window, punitive actions rarely being taken, and officers existing "above the law."

That's according to a panel of experts organized by the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), who at a Vancouver forum last Thursday called for immediate reform by replacing police-lead investigations with civilian teams.

Thousands gather for 'No Prorogue' rallies

alex — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:53:59 +0000

Monday, January 25, 2010

On Jan. 23 thousands of Canadians marched in over 50 rallies, sending a strong message to Harper that "Canadians care."

Just over two weeks ago, quiet Internet chatter began amongst members of the newly formed and fast growing Facebook group Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament (CAPP), with individuals in cities across the country and the world coming together over a single, coordinated idea: to take to the streets on Saturday Jan. 23 and collectively express their concern over Prime Minister Stephen Harper's prorogation of Parliament.

As a result of the prorogation, parliamentarians will not return to Ottawa until early March, 37 bills are scrapped and committee work is halted.

Avatar: A liberal message, complete with 3D glasses

alex — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:32:06 +0000

Thursday, January 14, 2010

In spite of her revulsion for Avatar's futuristic posters taking over movie theatres and shopping malls, this reviewer grabbed some 3D glasses and dove in.

So, I have a confession to make: I've seen James Cameron's new film Avatar two times in three days: this is a rarity. I'm not a big movie-goer generally, and am even less excited by apolocalyptic sci-fi flicks that feature large, blue alien warriors.