Activist Communiqué

Water is life language project

Krystalline Kraus — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 19:13:03 +0000

Back in early December, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself that my ride had fallen through so I missed my chance to team up with the Saami delegation at Standing Rock.

But as I was following this story, I was becoming more and more aware of its global reach -- the Idle No More of 2016 and most likely of 2017.

While the recent activities of law enforcement have ratcheted up the interest in Standing Rock to the point it was getting one million search hits on Facebook.

This gave me the idea that I would love to compile a database of how we can great each other in our mutual solidarity as water protectors.

Building solidarity to out-trump Trump

Krystalline Kraus — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 15:22:02 +0000

Donald Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton could unapologetically be described as devastating. I in fact was dragged to bed at around 2:00 am by my partner the night of the election with the promise that, "everything will be ok, Hillary will win." (I'm not sure at what point we became on a first name basis with the democratic candidate).

Fire, water, oil and ice: An update on Standing Rock

Krystalline Kraus — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 15:36:03 +0000

Winter has descended on North Dakota, with biting snow and hard winds that buffet the Oceti Sakowin camp -- the main protest camp near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, where the Standing Rock Sioux band, their Indigenous allies and U.S. veterans have been protesting against the 1,885-kilometre Dakota Access Pipeline.

The pipeline project had been complete but for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River.

Potential for winter war at the Standing Rock camps

Krystalline Kraus — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 04:19:11 +0000

There have been long-standing concerns for the Standing Rock demonstrators that have been simmering for some time now and have not abated even when President Obama declared there should be a pause in the development of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

See, on the one hand there was the judge who denied the Standing Rock Sioux tribe's request for an injunction and therefore declared that the Dakota Access pipeline construction could legally proceed, and the other where the U.S. federal government then stepped in and temporarily halted the project.

One of the key concerns is demonstrating in the middle of winter, which was the all too familiar cause of most Occupy camps shutting down as temperatures dropped.

Obama doesn't have much time left to shut down construction of the Dakota Access pipeline

Krystalline Kraus — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 21:21:44 +0000

If you're still seething with anger over Trump's election win for the job title of most powerful man on earth, here is a way to stick it to that man -- like the literal man -- and at the same time, help protect Mother Earth. Wow! My two most favourite things to do!

I hope, President Obama will leave President-elect Donald Trump with a parting gift by shutting down the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline for good.

You can easily tweet Obama @BarakObama, @POTUS, and @WhiteHouse to tell him what you think and provide him with links that support your cause.

The beginning of Occupy and trying to find our way

Krystalline Kraus — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 00:46:47 +0000

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only activist in Toronto who felt that we were rushing into this Occupy after New York was launched on September 17, 2011. But it's easy to be carried away by their success, even if at first it was not getting much coverage on mainstream media. But we did try -- in fact, it was our first word: "OccuTry."

I'm pretty sure the first meetings I was invited to were not the actual first meetings because leadership, or an attempt to guide people using their hand signals and speaking stacks, wasn't going anywhere. So we missed out on a lot of important information on how to begin building Occupy when others were just looking to squeeze themselves into positions of power.

Occupy Toronto's historic 40 days and 40 nights nears five-year anniversary

Krystalline Kraus — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 21:53:53 +0000

Well, it's fall in Toronto and that can mean only one thing.

OK, it can mean a lot of things actually but since 2011, a small group of the 99 per cent can remember unzipping their tents in the chilly dew-filled mornings unsure of how many days they had left sleeping in those tents -- and how to stave off their eventual eviction.

I'm of course talking about Occupy, that phenomenon that taught the general public about concepts like "the 99%" -- even though they actually demographically comprised it but didn't yet know it. And maybe wouldn't ever know it.

But hey, what is a little cognitive dissonance from people when you are trying to talk to them about revolution?

Meet the Climate Warrior defending her land against a $58-billion pipeline corporation

Krystalline Kraus — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:37:15 +0000

Meet my friend Vanessa Gray.

This exceptional young, Indigenous activist from Aamjiwnaang First Nation -- in what is called Chemical Valley -- has been hard at work educating Canadians on what it's like to live in one of the most polluted areas of the country.

When you can top the toxicity of the tar sands, that means something very bad is poisoning the land, water and people who live near Sarnia, Ontario.

Gray, 23, along with two Guelph residents, Sarah Scanlon, 30, and Stone Stewart, 28, took direct action against $58-billion Enbridge Corporation's Line 9 pipeline on Monday December 21, 2015. The three shut down the pipeline carrying bitumen from Alberta's tar sands. They were released on bail the following day.

Uber has been authorized to operate in Toronto

Krystalline Kraus — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 18:48:21 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

On August 16, 2016, the city of Toronto licensed Uber as a private transportation company.

This came as Toronto city council had already voted in May to legalize the ride-hailing company. It had authorized Uber on an interim basis since July 15, 2016, when the Vehicle-for-Hire bylaw came into effect.

The next step for the city is to start screening Uber drivers

Toronto Police request appeal to Supreme Court in G20 class-action suit

Krystalline Kraus — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 00:13:34 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

It's been six years since the G20 summit was held in Ontario and demonstrations were held over multiple days in Toronto in the last days of June to coincide with the international event.

Idle No More movement continues

Krystalline Kraus — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 19:07:45 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

While coverage of the movement may have faded from the mainstream media, Idle No More remains alive and well.

Chief Wahoo should be let go in favour of alternative team logo

Krystalline Kraus — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:13:13 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

When it comes to cultural appropriation, sports team mascots are everywhere

It has taken a very long time for the momentum to change American Indian racist logos to reach a national level.

Love in the time of humidex

Krystalline Kraus — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 06:45:54 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

To say this summer has made people hot under the collar is an understatement.

Toronto has been getting quite a blast. And it's been difficult to cope.

Where are all the rainbow flags on Facebook now?

Krystalline Kraus — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:55:51 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

This is an article that I don't want to write, because I firmly believe the questions I'm asking will reveal to us just how -- I'm not sure if the word I want to put here is "indifferent," which is much more socially kind that saying "bigoted" -- we can be as people.

Yes, we North Americans, so quick to bomb the shit out of other cultures if they trigger our righteous indignation.

Bowmanville Zoo announces its closure at end of 2016 season

Krystalline Kraus — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 23:02:22 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Bowmanville Zoo, located outside of Clarington, Ontario, has announced that 2016 will be its last season in operation. It claimed to be the oldest private zoo in operation in North America when it was founded in 1919, with a compliment of over 300 animals.

Visitation counts for this season were down by 65 per cent according to Angus Carroll, the zoo's Director of Communications, the sharp decrease being blamed on animal rights activists.

Senior Toronto police get a slap on the wrist for violating civil liberties during G20 summit

Krystalline Kraus — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 20:00:06 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

I have developed a sort of detached feeling from the violent events that occurred when the Toronto area hosted the G8 and G20 global financial summits. Perhaps because those took place in late June, 2010, and it's now 2016, and another chapter in the epilogue is about to close.

Near-future climate catastrophes have no one but us to blame

Krystalline Kraus — Tue, 31 May 2016 20:56:19 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Just like many other climate justice activists, I often -- and it's happening more and more -- shake my head in frustration when I consider just how perilous our climate crisis is. And yet there is not more concern or action to stop it.

New hope for Grassy Narrows, but Ontario still balks at cleaning mercury-poisoned waters

Krystalline Kraus — Mon, 30 May 2016 23:26:50 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Fish from the English-Wabigoon River System have up to 150 times the safe daily dose of mercury, but a wholesale clean up could end the damage caused decades ago when the pulp and paper industry dumped heavy metals into the river system.

Earlier today, researchers announced good news to members of Grassy Narrows First Nations (Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation) that a clean up of the English-Wabigoon river system is still possible.

Uber given some breathing room in Mississauga

Krystalline Kraus — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:39:54 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Despite what earlier this month look like an attempt by Mississauga City Council to snuff out Uber operations, new council plans look much more friendly with the potential for a pilot program.

Deadly water still haunts Grassy Narrows

Krystalline Kraus — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:23:33 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

After decades of environmental neglect, the water that flows through Grassy Narrows (Asabiinyashkosiwagong Nitam-Anishinaabeg) First Nation still remains and needs to be properly cleaned up. Even as experts in the field claim that the Wabigoon-English River can be cleaned of its deadly mercury legacy, politcians don't seem to care.

Uber ride sharing in Mississauga in trouble

Krystalline Kraus — Sun, 22 May 2016 16:40:22 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Uber (and other more discreet ride-sharing companies -- Uber being the loudest and boldest) is facing a challenge to its existence in Mississauga.

Mississauga city council have given the company a week -- with a deadline of Wednesday, May 28, 2016 -- to shut down or else the city will pull the proverbial the plug on a proposed pilot program which allowed the Uber business model to compete with traditional taxis.

Photo essay: Occupy INAC Toronto

Krystalline Kraus — Sun, 01 May 2016 03:59:25 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Just days before the occupation at the Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAC) office in Toronto ended, photographer David Coombs took photos during a solidarity support rally in the early evening on Monday April 10, 2016.

Activists occupy Toronto's Indigenous and Northern Affairs office

Krystalline Kraus — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 01:09:59 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

With the worsening mental health crisis in the Attawapiskat community -- though I want to emphasize that this issue is not of Attawapiskat First Nation alone -- Indigenous and Northern Affairs offices (INAC) across the country are being occupied by concerned First Nations, Metis, Inuit and their settler allies.

Black Lives Matter Toronto breaks camp after meeting with Premier Wynne

Krystalline Kraus — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 23:18:15 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Black Lives Matter Toronto (BLMT) folded camp yesterday after having a brief exchange with Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne outside the provincial legislature.

Black Lives Matter Toronto photo essay

Krystalline Kraus — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 18:40:01 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Black Lives Matter Toronto set up at Toronto Police Headquarters starting Saturday March 26, 2016, to protest what they considered biased policing against non-white and other marginalized people living within Toronto. The group has remained steadfast at their location despite cold weather and cold rain. This is just a snap shot of their encampment at 40 College Street.

Two movements. Two chances to heal.

Krystalline Kraus — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:48:01 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Over the past couple of years, I have been so proud of the #BlackLivesMatter movement in their ability to not only call out individual police officers and police departments for their systemic violence and racism, but also engage and sustain the public into social justice action.

Liturgy of an activist guilt trip: Part 2

Krystalline Kraus — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 23:28:55 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Read Part 1 here

The social world and I were not the only one who felt like they had been conscripted into action -- against just another shade of guilt because of the sheer number of logistical problems we had to confront.

It felt like need, need, need, all the time.

Liturgy of an activist guilt trip: Part 1

Krystalline Kraus — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 18:18:24 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

An activist guilt trip comes on with the feeling that you have not done enough to support a cause or the movement in general.

It's a cruel way of thinking.

Confessions from a disabled Uber user: I use Uber -- and I like it.

Krystalline Kraus — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 12:56:38 +0000

Krystalline Kraus has been reporting for rabble.ca for years -- currently, she is experiencing severe health challenges that make walking difficult and painful. You can help her get the treatment she needs by supporting her GoFundMe campaign.

As I'm sure rabblers know by now that I am a crazy cool woman who happens to have a dis/ability that affects my spine and legs.

I'm just putting that out there that having to travel from surgeon to specialist is nearly an impossible feat right now.

After Sammy Yatim was shot nine times, the police Tasered his corpse

Krystalline Kraus — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 22:18:44 +0000

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Sammy Yatim's killer, Toronto Police Constable James Forcillo, has had a confusing end to his trial. The jury found Forcillo not quilty of second degree murder and manslaughter. They found he was justified in firing the first three shots (which killed Yatim) but not justified in the the latter six shots (which didn't).