August 21 Action Blast
While summer’s cooling down, we’re bringing the heat to show up for racial justice this fall!
Support Grassy Narrows' River Run
On Wednesday, September 18, community members and leaders from Grassy Narrows First Nation will travel 1,700 km from Grassy Narrows to Toronto to demand that Ontario and Canada:
Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows fairly for the mercury crisis
Respect the Grassy Narrows Indigenous Protected Area (end mining and logging plans in Grassy Narrows territory)
Support Grassy Narrows in restoring their community and way of life from the damage that mercury has done.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Image description: Art Build - Build art for the Grassy Narrows River Run - Saturday, August 24, 1 to 4 PM - 33 Cecil Street, Toronto ON. Square graphic, orange background, words in the top half, photo from a past march below: people holding Justice for Grassy Narrows signs and banners.
1. Attend the Art Build!
On Saturday, August 24 from 1 to 4 p.m., create art for the Grassy Narrows River Run that sends Grassy’s message loud and clear!
The art build is at 33 Cecil Street in downtown Toronto. The event will be held in the basement, accessible by elevator. There is a ramp to access the building. Please wear a mask. Masks and air filtration will be available on site.
Sign up below and select “Art/Banner Making.”
Image description: Grassy Narrows River Run - want to support? Sign up to volunteer! tinyurl.com/sept18volunteer. Square graphic, blue background, photos depict people holding Justice for Grassy Narrows signs and banners.
2. Volunteer for the Event!
Help with day-of-event marshalling, set up/tear down, community care, first aid, or driving (September 18) and/or the community dinner the night before. Sign up here and select your preferred role(s).
3. Join the River Run!
On September 18, walk with community members and leaders from Grassy Narrows First Nation to show solidarity on their path to achieve mercury justice and freedom.
The River Run will take place at 12 noon in downtown Toronto, exact location TBD.
Say YES to Immigrant Justice, NO to Racism
Image description: Collage of photos with people marching and protesting; a few are holding signs that read “Unite against racism.” A bright yellow diagonal overlay features bold text that reads: Say no to racism and yes to immigrant justice. Join the days of action: Sept 14-15.
Take to the streets on Sunday, September 15 to show up, speak out, and unite for immigrant justice. Right-wing politicians are scapegoating immigrants for the housing and affordability crisis, diverting attention from corporate greed and government policy failures. Regularization—permanent resident status for undocumented people—was promised in December 2021 but still has not been delivered, while migrants remain underpaid, exploited, and excluded.
We must act now to stop the tide of xenophobia before it entrenches further, as it has in the United States and Europe. Those of us who believe in fairness and justice must flood the streets in the thousands, rejecting immigrant scapegoating and distraction.
An action will take place on September 15 at 1 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Queen St. West, in Downtown Toronto. RSVP below to find out more.
More Actions and Resources
Act
Join Acorn Canada in demanding that the national Tenants' Bill of Rights has real teeth. Sign the petition here.
Stop the Air Show with World Beyond War! Email your city councillor to ask that they take action to cancel the air show that re-traumatizes victims of war, pollutes our air, and disturbs millions of residents across the city.
On Monday, August 26, 12-1 p.m. - and the following Mondays at noon - join @torontozapsforpalestine for their weekly phone zap to keep pressuring elected officials to take action for a free Palestine. Register here.
Are you a member of a GTA-based, grassroots organization led by Black, Indigenous or racialized organizers? Would onsite childminding support the engagement of parents or caregivers in your organization’s activities? If yes, please fill out SURJ’s Childminding Collective survey! We would be grateful to learn how we could support your childminding needs.
Attend
TONIGHT! From 8 to 9 p.m., join a webinar to learn step-by-step how to buy eSIMs for Palestinians in Gaza who are unable to access essential internet service. Register here.
Catch A Witch in Algiers, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest by award-winning Lebanese-Canadian playwright Makram Ayache. The play, presented by Shakespeare in the Ruff, is a searing indictment of settler colonialism. Reserve pay-what-you-can tickets for the running from August 15 - September 1 in Withrow Park.
On Saturday, August 24, join PYM Toronto for a community gathering and fundraiser for Gaza through the Islamic Relief Fund. This event begins at 1 p.m. at Mississauga Valley Park, 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd.
Join The Collective of Child Welfare Survivors for CWS Connect: Community Kickback, an afternoon of connection and community building. This free event will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 1-5 p.m. at 3 Carlaw Ave, 201. More info and RSVP here.
Read
Read Sakeina Syed’s investigation in The Local about how students who are considered “detrimental” are being denied an education in Ontario.
This piece on mask bans by Alice Wong in Teen Vogue discusses their threats to safety and integrity for disabled people and protestors alike.
Jay Pitter writes in Azure, in the wake of the Olympics, about the importance of an embodied, community-centred understanding of breakdancing.
SURJ member Anna Lippman shares two eyewitness accounts of a solidarity visit to the West Bank: In the village of Burin, flying kites is an act of resistance and Rulings don’t rebuild houses: The ICJ ruling impacts on the front lines of the West Bank.