March/Break! – Activating Artists for the Climate

Artists for Climate & Migrant Justice and Indigenous Sovereignty is so excited to invite you to take a little March Break together. This will be a full weekend for artists and activists to gather to learn, build community, and engage in arts activism projects. We are getting ready to take the streets and smash the status quo. That’s right, it’s… March/Break!

AT THIS EVENT WE’LL:
– Learn from some powerful and inspiring Indigenous artists and activists
– Meet like-minded people and spend time together imagining and creating
– Brainstorm ideas for arts-based protest activities and form teams that can make them happen
– Address the climate crisis through the power of storytelling and imagining the world as it could and should be

At the end of the day, we hope you will come away with concrete actions that you can carry out. We are building our community of comrades who can create arts-based protest actions, and who can show up to animate them at whatever level of engagement we are each capable of. Together we’ll be ready to March! and Break!

ALL are welcome at this event, whether you have identified as an artist or activist in the past or not.

DETAILS:
– We are meeting at Trinity-St.Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts (427 Bloor St. W)
– Lunch will be provided
– We welcome anyone who is interested, whether you have identified as an artist or activist in the past, or not
– Feel free to drop in for any part of the event, although in-depth participation is encouraged

SATURDAY (10am to 5pm, plus evening social)
Morning: Two workshop sessions where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from wonderful Indigenous knowledge-sharers, as well as from each other
~ Lunch ~
Afternoon: Breakout groups working on existing and new arts activism projects
Evening: “Campfire” social and singalong

SUNDAY (1pm to 4:30pm)
Community bagel brunch
Continued work on projects, opportunities for peer knowledge-sharing
Performance/share-back opportunity

COST
This is a CIYL (Contribute If You Like) event. The cost to put it on is about $16 per person. If you are able to contribute the cost of your attendance, or more to help cover costs for others, great. There is absolutely no requirement to contribute.

Please register so we can keep track of numbers and access needs! Registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdla-I4nlVaR1_5895sYvFnI-XM8wvitmM7Iy7AwYvImuBJGA/viewform?usp=sf_link

ACCESS
> Washrooms and main meeting rooms at TSP are wheelchair accessible via an entry ramp. Some “breakout” spaces are only accessible by stairs and groups will be assigned spaces accordingly.
> There is a gender neutral washroom
> The atmosphere for the day will be focused, but relaxed – feel free to come and go as needed
> All ages are very welcome
> If you require any other accommodation to help participate in the event, let us know in the RSVP form.

If you have any questions at all, send us a message at [email protected].

Trinity-St. Paul’s sits on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples, and we are so completely grateful and stoked to be able to do this work on the land where people have been telling stories & caring for the land and water for thousands of years, and continue to do so.

XR Toronto Winter Social

Feeling left out in the cold by Climate Crisis inaction? Warm up with other Rebels at the Extinction Rebellion Winter Social & Vegan Potluck!

When: Wednesday December 18, 6:30 to 9:30

Where: The Bain Co-op Community Centre, 100 Bain Ave (Entrance via Bain East Parking lot just off Sparkle Ave at Logan, or just above Laundromat off Bain at Logan. Look for the signs!)

This is a family friendly event, open to Extinction Rebellion members, new and old, and the XR curious.

All are welcome to bring a vegan friendly nut free dish or dessert! Please include labels listing ingredients.

Speakers’ Corner: Climate Crisis Edition

We are collaborating with Extinction Rebellion Toronto to create our own Speakers’ Corner at the next GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE. Pop into our video booth across the street from Queen’s Park and share your thoughts. The footage will be livestreamed for anyone who couldn’t come to the rally in person and recorded for future use.

Anyone is welcome to share their thoughts on the climate crisis, but youth voices will be prioritized!

ONE TOPIC WE’RE INTERESTED IN IS DIVESTMENT:
Did you know that the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan owns an airport in Bristol which is being expanded against the wishes of local climate strikers(https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-47948702)? Did you know that 130 global banks recently signed a declaration on responsible fossil fuel investing — but major Canadian banks refused to sign (https://www.unepfi.org/news/industries/banking/130-banks-holding-usd-47-trillion-in-assets-commit-to-climate-action-and-sustainability/)? Did you know that the University of Toronto had a major divestment campaign shut down by the President against the wishes of staff and students in 2016 (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/u-of-t-rejects-recommendation-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels/article29426921/)?

WHAT IS SPEAKERS’ CORNER?
Speakers’ Corner is a television series that aired weekly on Citytv and A (formerly A-Channel) stations in Canada, later CTV Two) from 1990 to 2008, featuring numerous short segments on a variety of topics as recorded by members of the general public in the form of rants, big-ups, shoutouts, jokes, music performances, etc. After the video was complete, it was edited for television. The show was an example of Citytv founder Moses Znaimer’s philosophy of interactive broadcasting, and essentially created what some 21st-century media outlets would retroactively label as a precursor to YouTube.

Climate Justice 101 Orientation

Anxious about the climate crisis and itching to do something about it? Climate Justice Toronto (CJTO) is here for you! Join us on Monday Nov 25th from 6-8 PM at the Workers’ Action Centre for an in-depth orientation to learn about how we’re collectively fighting for transformative climate action. You don’t need a degree in policy or years of activism under your belt to organize with us; all are welcome!

DATE: Monday November 25th
TIME: 6:00-8:00 PM
LOCATION: 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 226 (Workers’ Action Centre)

ORIENTATION STRUCTURE: This orientation will make space for deeper discussion of the root causes of the climate crisis, such as capitalism, colonialism, and white supremacy. We’ll also explore CJTO’s grassroots & youth-led organizing structure, guiding principles, and theory of change. Finally, we’ll end with a short canvass training so you’ll feel comfortable talking about climate justice when you’re petitioning, and really with everyone you know! This orientation will be grounding and informative for not only newcomers but also CJTO members who have been coming out to meetings and actions.

**Access Notes**

720 Spadina Ave (Suite 226) is located on the second floor of a building with two powered doors at sidewalk-grade level. There are two elevators. There are men’s, women’s and single-stall all-gender washrooms on the 2nd floor with manual doors that are opened with keys. The nearest TTC station is Spadina which has elevators on the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth platform. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns!

ABOUT CLIMATE JUSTICE TORONTO:
Climate Justice Toronto (CJTO) is organizing to unite young people from all movement backgrounds in the GTA to send a message to our governments and the broader public: the only people who will be making decisions about our future is us, the people affected, and especially the most marginalized among us. Through solidarity and alliance-building, direct action, creative storytelling, and electoral organizing, we will forge a just transition towards a decarbonized economy, and a Green New Deal for all.

STAY CONNECTED:

Like us on Facebook (@ClimateJusticeTO).
Follow us on Instagram (@ClimateJusticeTO).
Follow us on Twitter (@CJusticeTO).

Climate Strike with Diana!

Diana has been a climate activist for the last 10 years. Join her at Queen’s Park for the Global Strike for The Future. The NDP’s New Deal for The People is the most comprehensive climate plan of any political party that seeks to deeply address the climate crisis while also creating hundreds of thousands of new good jobs. No worker or community left behind!

“Fighting the climate crisis is predominantly what motivated me to run for office. As a young person, I know that our generation is at the frontline of the climate and inequality crises and we need our governments to take bold and transformative action. Join me by striking on Friday Sep 27th! Once an activist, always an activist.” – Diana

Come with your favourite sign and banners.

Access Note: The rally will be outside in the elements. The nearest universal and accessible washrooms are at UofT.