Progressive Voices

Front Lines International tour

ProgressiveVoices — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:55:22 +0000

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, I speak with members of the Front Lines International tour.

Bringing together the Occupier with the Occupied for hopes of reconciliation, today's discussion features Samira Sayed-Rahman, member of Afghans United for Justice, Joe Glenton, Afghanistan veteran and author of Soldier Box: Why I Won't Return to the War on Terror, Nicole Burton, an anti-war activist for the past decade, Jules Tindungan, an Afghanistan veteran currently residing in Canada, and Chuck Winant, member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (Old School Sapper Caucus)

Genocide in Burma: The plight of the Rohingya Muslims

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 06:55:02 +0000

Genocide in Burma: The Plight of the Rohingya Muslims

Fatema Panju, activist and student at University of Toronto Mississauga, speaks to the struggle of the "most persecuted minority in the world," and Canada's connection to the ongoing repression in Burma.

Fatema gives a comprehensive overview of the history of the violence against the Rohingya Muslims, including a two-child limit on Rohingya families, sexual trafficking of young women, pillaging of villages, mass killings and ethnic cleansing.

Fatema also speaks to the lack of action by the Canadian government in response to the genocide, while they recently opened a new embassy in Burma as of last year and are increasing trade and investment in Burma's ample natural resources.

Marineland owner threatens to kill activist, then sues him for $1.5 million

ProgressiveVoices — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 06:28:22 +0000

Marineland owner threatens to kill activist, then sues him for $1.5 million

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, I speak with Mike Garrett, an anti-captivity activist who has been dealt a $1.5-million lawsuit by Marineland.

This comes a few weeks after Marineland owner John Holer was caught on tape threatening to kill Garrett while Garrett was leafleting on public property by Marineland's exit.

Garrett maintains this is another Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation -- a SLAPP suit -- that Marineland is employing to silence and intimidate activists who have mobilized against the park.

For legal support, donations can be made via PayPal or Interac to mikegarrettdefensefund@gmail.com

Reflections on Swamp Line 9

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 13:21:54 +0000

Reflections on Swamp Line 9

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, I speak with activists Trish Mills and Danielle, on the occupation of Westover pumping station and the damage the reversal of Line 9 poses to the Indigenous nations along its route.

Trish speaks to the occupation of Westover and the eventual removal of protestors by police. While the majority were given tickets for trespassing, some face criminal charges. To support the activists in need of legal assistance, donations can be made at http://www.gofundme.com/swampline9

Next, in a previous interview, Danielle speaks to the dangers of the Line 9 reversal, in particular the threats to the indigenous communities along its route.

Dear Hamilton Slutwalk Organizers

ProgressiveVoices — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:16:12 +0000

Dear Hamilton Slutwalk Organizers

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, Women* of Hamiilton Against Patriarchy (WHAP) discuss their concerns and critiques of Slutwalk as presented in their open letter, Dear Hamilton Slutwalk Organizers.

War on Youth: Youth in Revolt

ProgressiveVoices — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:00:30 +0000

War on Youth: Youth in Revolt

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, the War on Youth series continues with Dr. Henry Giroux, world renowned for his pioneering work in public pedagogy, cultural studies, youth studies, higher education, media studies, and critical theory, speaking on one of his more recent books, Youth in Revolt: Reclaiming a Democratic Future.

Henry provides commentary on the Occupy movement and Quebec student movement, as well as illustrates how neoliberalism affects the lives of young people living in the world today.

Progressive Voices airs Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m. on 93.3 CFMU Radio

150 Years Later: Abolition in the 21st century

ProgressiveVoices — Tue, 28 May 2013 04:59:47 +0000

150 Years Later: Abolition in the 21st Century

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, Angela Davis, esteemed activist, scholar, and educator, gives a free lecture at Liuna Station in Hamilton, Ontario.

"Through activism and scholarship over many decades, Angela Davis has been deeply involved in movements for social justice around the world. Her work as an educator – both at the university level and in the larger public sphere – has always emphasized the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial, and gender justice. Having helped to popularize the notion of a “prison industrial complex,” she now urges her audiences to think seriously about the future possibility of a world without prisons and to help forge a 21st century abolitionist movement."

Operation Shut it Down: Opening Day Demonstration at Marineland

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:14:00 +0000

Operation Shut it Down

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, Ange Guenard of Marineland Animal Defense and Niagara Animal Defense League, speaks to the Opening Day Demonstration at Marineland this Saturday, May 18, 2013.

Ange emphasizes the importance of ending animal captivity as opposed to reform of Marineland's treatment of animals, explains the creation of the Stephen Watson Memorial Fund for the purposes of transitioning the animals into sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilitaties, and provides updates on Marineland's response to the campaign to shut down the park.

For more information: http://marinelandanimaldefense.com/

Setting the record straight on Syria

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:41:11 +0000

Setting the record straight on Syria

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, Ken Stone, treasurer of the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War, provides a comprehensive overview of both the situation on the ground in Syria as well as the geopolitics of the region.

Protest the African Lion Safari

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:01:31 +0000

Protest the African Lion Safari

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, Wendy Bones, member of the Grassroots Ontario Animal Liberation Network (GOAL) and cofounder of the Kitchener Ontario Animal Liberation Alliance (KOALA) speaks to the upcoming demonstration at African Lion Safari.

Wendy explains why groups are converging on African Lion Safari to protest the caging, abuse and exploitation of animals at this private, for-profit institution. Wendy also touches upon a need for change in the regulation and legislation around animals in Ontario.

Veganism in professional hockey

ProgressiveVoices — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:09:41 +0000

Veganism and Professional Hockey

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, I speak with Mike Zigomanis, current player for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and former player for the Carolina Hurricanes, St Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, and Toronto Maples Leafs of the National Hockey League.

Mike is a vegan professional hockey player -- he joins Progressive Voices as part of rabble.ca's Vegan Challenge to discuss how he transitioned to veganism, the obstacles he's faced in being both a vegan and professional athlete, and more.

Progressive Voices airs Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m. on 93.3 CFMU Radio

War on Youth: The (in)justice system

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:48:32 +0000

War on Youth: the (in)justice system

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, the War on Youth series begins with Dr. Anthony Nocella II, award-winning author, community organizer, and educator. Anthony is co-director of Save the Kids, a grassroots organization that advocates for an end to the incarceration of all youth.

Anthony speaks to and explains the prison-industrial complex as it exists in the Western world, the development of the school to prison pipeline, principles of transformative justice and how it differs from restorative justice, and more.

Sexual violence at college and university

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:25:42 +0000

Sexual Violence at College and University

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, I speak with Sarah Jayne King, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario.

Sarah speaks to sexual violence as it occurs at Canadian colleges and universities, touching upon rape culture in our society, "stranger danger," the inadequate efforts of University administrators to deal with sexual violence on campus, and the efforts of the CFS to fight the sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny, and end sexual violence at college and university.

Progressive Voices airs Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m. on 93.3 CFMU Radio

Feminism, intersectionality and oppression

ProgressiveVoices — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:50:06 +0000

Feminism, Intersectionality, and Oppression

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, I speak with Kim Crosby, an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, activist, consultant, facilitator and educator. For Kim's full biography and website see here.

Kim joined Progressive Voices on International Womyn's Day for a discussion of the importance of feminism in today's society, intersectionality in activism, the election of Barack Obama and Kathleen Wynne in the broader context of the struggle against oppression, and more.

Progressive Voices airs Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m. on 93.3 CFMU Radio

What's happening to the NDP -- and is there anything we can do about it?

ProgressiveVoices — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:12:52 +0000

What's happening to the NDP - and is there anything we can do about it?

On this week's episode of Progressive Voices, I speak with Kevin Mackay, professor of social sciences at Mohawk College and executive director of the Skydragon Co-operative, on the NDP federally, and provincially here in Ontario.

Policy developments under Thomas Mulcair, the historical roots of the NDP in the CCF, failure of the New Politics Initiative, and prospects for change are discussed.

Progressive Voices airs Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m. on 93.3 CFMU Radio

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