Join us every other Monday night for films and fun! The films will range from current events topics from the conflict on Sri Lanka to the toxic waste dumping that has inspired the Somali pirates to take justice into their hands, and historical topics like the Chinese head tax to gender representations in the early 20th century Quebec.
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July 6th, 7pmBuried at Sea
Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of highly toxic materials lie scattered on ocean floors - in barrels that are rusting away and releasing their lethal contents. The results could make Chernobyl look like a child's chemistry experiment gone awry.
While we worry about weapons of mass destruction in the hands of rogue states, the West's legacy may prove far more dangerous. During the Second World War, Canada produced more chemical weapons than any other of the Allies. After the war, and during the Cold War era, massive weapons stockpiles were simply dumped into the ocean by the United States, Britain, Canada, the Soviet Union and Germany. They were considered buried and done with. Problem solved - forever. In many cases, nobody ever bothered to mark their locations. Information about known dumps was either mishandled or suppressed.
This documentary takes us on a journey to discover some of the most dangerous dumpsites. The oceans are vast and unknown; it took almost 90 years to find the wreck of the Titanic. Finding weapons lying underwater will prove infinitely harder - and far more urgent, since the health of marine species and coastal communities is at risk. Buried at Sea takes us on that search.
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July 20th, 7pm Le Cagibi, 5490 St. Laurent (corner St. Viateur)No More Tears Sister
A story of love, revolution, and betrayal, this film explores the price of truth in times of war. Set during the violent ethnic conflict that has enveloped Sri Lanka over decades, the documentary recreates the courageous and vibrant life of renowned human rights activist, Dr. Rajani Thiranagama. Mother, anatomy professor, and symbol of hope, Rajani was assassinated at the age of thirty-five.
Stunningly photographed, using rare archival footage, intimate correspondence and poetic recreations, the story of Rajani and her family delves into rarely explored themes - revolutionary women and their dangerous pursuit of justice.
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August 3rd, 7pmLilies
This is John Greyson’s most beautiful film, in which he makes full use of a broad, cinematic canvas and demonstrates his signature wit and sensual theatricality at full force. A stunning cast explores repressed passion and boundary crossing gender representations in a 1950’s era Quebec prison. It is a lush tale of love, betrayal and sexual panic.
A bishop comes to hear the last confession of a prisoner, only to find that it is a man he grew up with 40 years ago. The prisoner, Simon, makes the Bishop a prisoner in the confessional booth while he reminds the clergyman of a pivotal year during their boyhood, 1912. Simon seeks the truth about events that happened that summer, when the Bishop became jealous of his love affairs
Presented by Q-Team as a part of Pervercite
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August 17th, 7pmIn the Shadow of Gold Mountain
This film takes the filmmaker from Montreal to Vancouver to uncover stories from the last living survivors of the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act. This dark chapter in our history, from 1885 until 1947, plunged the Chinese community in Canada into decades of debt and family separation.
At the centre of the film are personal accounts of extraordinary Chinese Canadians who survived an era that threatened to eradicate their entire community. Through a rich melding of history, poetry and raw emotion, this documentary sheds light on an era that shaped the identity of generations, with deeply moving testimonials, it reveals the profound ways this history still casts its shadow.
For more information contact: Quebec Public Interest Research Group at McGill University qpirg@ssmu.mcgill.ca Tel. 514-398-7432QPIRG McGILL is hiring an Internal Coordinator/ le GRIP-McGill est a la recherche d’un ou d’une coordonateur ou coordinatrice interne!
For the full job callout, click on the link on the right.
QPIRG McGill will be closed from May 25- June 5th. We will resume regular offices (11-5pm) for the rest of summer.
Presentation by Jooned Khan followed by a talk with the author
The event will be in French and English with whisper translation.
This book could change how you see Canada. Numerous studies have found that Canadians’ self-appraisal of their country’s foreign policy is more positive than any other country. Most believe Canada’s primary role has been as peacekeeper or honest broker in difficult-to-solve disputes. But, contrary to the mythology of Canada as a force for good in the world, The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy sheds light on many dark corners of Canadian foreign policy: From troops that joined the British in Sudan in 1885 to gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean and aspirations of Central American empire, to participation in the UN mission that killed Patrice Lumumba in the Congo, to important support for apartheid South Africa, Zionism and the US war in Vietnam, to helping overthrow Salvador Allende and supporting the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, to Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan today.
"We bear responsibility for what governments do in the world, primarily our own, but secondarily those we can influence, our allies in particular. Yves Engler's penetrating inquiry yields a rich trove of valuable evidence about Canada's role in the world, and poses a challenge for citizens who are willing to take their fundamental responsibilities seriously."
- Noam Chomsky"Engler has done for Canadian foreign policy what I tried to do for United States foreign policy in my book "Killing Hope" -- cover each region of the world, showing how "peaceful, benevolent, altruistic Canada" has, on numerous occasions, served as an integral part of Western imperialism, particularly the American version, helping to keep the Third World down and in its place. From Vietnam to Haiti, Canada has served the political and economic demands of US foreign policy and the multinational corporations. The picture that emerges is not the image of Canada the world has long admired."
- William Blum
The event is sponsored by QPIRG Concordia and QPIRG Mcgill
For more information: 514-618-2253
MIND MELT! will hold it's first meeting Monday May 4th at 4:00pm in the Resource Centre at QPIRG McGill to collectively decide upon the the topic of this summer's readings. Bring your topic and book suggestions to the first meeting.
Email qpirgmcgill_library@riseup.net if you're interested!
You can also check out the resource centre's collection and get ideas for potential topics at http://www.alternativelibraries.org/
QPIRG McGill is located at 3647 University Ave, 3rd floor.
As the world watches the continuing siege of the Tamil region of Vanni which has thus far resulted in the killing of over 3, 000 innocent civilians between January and March 2009, and the displacement of over 300,000 civilians of which over 150,000 have been trapped without basic necessities, tens of thousands of Tamils have marched on the streets all over the world demanding justice. At the same time, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented amount of media repression with journalists daring to report on the war being killed, imprisoned or forced to leave the country. This event will provide background information about the current situation in Sri Lanka, as well as a critical look at Canada's role. All are invited.
The panel will be moderated by Dolores Chew, co-founder of the South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC), and featured speakers include:
Father S.J. Emmanuel, a Tamil Catholic Priest and human rights advocate who is in exile in Germany.
Gamini Viyangoda, a Sinhalese Journalist, also in exile since Lasantha Wickrematunge, former editor and chief of the Sunday Leader, was murdered on January 08,2009.
***For childcare or translation into French, please contact us 24 hours in advance.
For more information contact:
qpirg@ssmu.mcgill.caAlors que le siège de la région tamoule de Vanni se poursuit et que le bilan s’alourdit (entre janvier et mars 2009, plus de 3 000 civilEs ont été tuéEs et plus de 300 000 déplacéEs de force, dont plus de la moitié se sont retrouvéEs dépourvuEs des nécessités de subsistance), des dizaines de milliers de TamoulEs prennent la rue, un peu partout sur la planète, pour exiger justice. En même temps, l'on constate une augmentation sans précédent de répression envers les médias, alors que les journalistes qui ont le courage de témoigner fidèlement de la guerre et de ses atrocities sont assassinéEs, emprisonnéEs où forcéEs à l’exil. Cet événement présentera le contexte et la situation actuelle au Sri Lanka, ainsi qu’un regard critique sur le rôle du Canada.
Ce panel sera modéré par Dolores Chew, cofondatrice du Centre communautaire des femmes sud-asiatiques (SAWC), et les conférenciers invités seront
Father S.J. Emmanuel, un prêtre catholique tamoul et avocat des droits humains, vit présentement en exil en Allemagne.Gamini Viyangoda, journaliste sinhalais, aussi en exil depuis que le rédacteur en chef du journal The Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickrematunge, an été tué le 8 janvier 2009.
***Pour une service de garderie ou la traduction vers le français, veuillez nous contacter 24 heures à l'avance
Pour plus d’information communiquez avec :a lecture by Y. Gonen
Tuesday, March 17th, 6pm
McGill University, Leacock 232
Yoana Gonen has been a queer activist for the past 15 years. She was one of the founders of Kvisa Shchora (Black Laundry), a radical Israeli Queer collective, in 2001, and has been a member of queer groups such as Queerhana and Paradildo, and feminist groups such as the Coalition of Women for Just Peace.
This lecture will focus on the LGBT struggle in Israel, from its early days through the nineties revolution to the current backlash. Gonen will also give a concise history of Israeli queer activism against the occupation; its triumphs, challenges and conflicts.
*THIS EVENT IS PART OF QUEER MCGILL'S PRIDE WEEK AND IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE UNION FOR GENDER EMPOWERMENT AND QPIRG MCGILL
For childcare available with 48 hours notice
Friday March 20, 7pm
Room 26, Stephen Leacock Bldg (855 Sherbrooke Ouest)
With planned pipelines poised to bring over 200,000 barrels per day of tar sands oil into or through Montreal for refining, Alberta-based organizers are bringing news of the destruction wreaked by tar sands activities to Montreal and other communities in the path of the pipeline.
Mike Mercredi, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and former tar sands worker, will discuss "life and death at ground zero". The Cree and Dene community of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta lies directly downstream from the vast strip mining, extraction and tar sands processing operations around Fort McMurray, and is suffering the deadly impacts of the toxic extraction process.
Mercredi will speak about his experiences working in the tar sands, his reasons for resigning from his job and the continued spread of rare diseases such as cancers, heart problems and lupus that the community has seen in vastly growing numbers (including members of his direct family).
Along with environmental justice organizers Clayton Thomas-Muller (Indigenous Environmental Network) and Macdonald Stainsby (OilSandsTruth.org) Mercredi is visiting eastern communities to discuss coordinated cross-continent resistance to the tar sands and the vast destruction it entails.
Montreal-based journalist and writer Maya Rolbin-Ghanie will discuss the Enbridge "Trailbreaker" pipeline project, and the plan to expand Montreal refineries to process so-called "heavy oil" from the tar sands.
Clayton Thomas-Muller, Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Organizer, will discuss grassroots base building and Environmental Justice strategy and tactics. He will share how the Indigenous Environmental Network supports First Nations to speak for themselves on critical environmental and economic justice issues related to fighting the Tar Sands development in Northern Alberta, Canada.
Macdonald Stainsby will speak about the broader impacts of the tar sands gigaproject, including coast-to-coast-to-coast pipelines, refinery expansions throughout North America/Turtle Island. He will also discuss the significance of the recent economic crisis to the development of the tar sands and its impact on tar sands resistance.
[Presenters will speak in English. Whisper translation will be provided, and audience members are encouraged to ask questions in French.]
Organized by: RECLAIM (reclaim-mtl@riseup.net) Co-sponsors: CKUT Radio, QPIRG McGill, QPIRG Concordia, Sierra Youth Coalition, The Dominion
Working Groups are the heart of QPIRG. They do the issues-related projects--research, education and action to advocate in the public interest. This year we have a plethora of working groups working on a plethora of issues. This year's film festival celebrates the diversity of volunteer run activism that is under the QPIRG McGill umbrella.
All screenings are free!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday, March 16, 6pm McGill University, Arts Building W120 Welcoming Zimapán
This film is about a very poor community in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. The area around Zimapán is polluted by heavy metals and arsenic, owing to the activities of the mining companies that have exploited its mineral resources for centuries. Now the Spanish transnational company Abengoa-Befesa is constructing a toxic waste dump 6km outside the town of Zimapán. This documentary exposes how the Mexican government and the state government of Hidalgo promote the creation of an infrastructure for companies that produce toxic waste, in order to attract foreign investment.
Sponsored by: Students Taking Action with Chiapas and FAO ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Wednesday March 18, 6pm McGill University, Leacock Room 26 “Algonquins Defend the Forest”/ “Algonquins of Barrier Lake” /”Blockade on the 117”
These films document an intense summer of marches on Ottawa, sustained calls for public support, protests in front of Premier Charest's office, an occupation of local MP Lawrence Cannon's office, and culminating in a one-day blockade of Highway 117 that resulted in 9 arrests and the deployment of riot police and tear gas.
Sponsored by: Barriere Lake Solidarity Collective ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Thursday March 19, 6pm
McGill University, Arts Building Room 145
Occupation 101
A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.
Sponsored by Tadamon! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday March 23, 6pm
McGill University, Arts Building W120
Honk You Very Much
This film is a musical comedy documenting the 2007 HONK! Festival of Street Activist Bands
Sponsored by Chaotic Insurrection EnsembleTuesday March 24, 6pm
McGill University, Arts Building W215
Water Table
Sustainable Table is a feature documentary that takes an unadulterated look into the food you eat. What’s on your plate? Where does it come from? What effects does it have on the environment and your body? What can you do to help?
There are many questions about the sustainability of our current agricultural practices. This film tries to find some of the answers to problems that we face today and will face tomorrow.
Wednesday March 25, 6pm
McGill University, Leacock Building, 219
Under the Hood: A Voyage Into the World of Torture
September 11, 2001 saw the birth of a new world order. The war against terror now allows institutionalized violence to be exercised with full impunity. The documentary Under the Hood, a Voyage into the World of Torture retraces the stories of several people who were illegally tortured by democratic countries convinced of their absolute right to do so. It tells the unknown stories of the victims of a new barbarity and gives a human face to the suffering. Patricio Henríquez looks back at the history of torture, which was systematized by the Catholic Inquisition in the Middle Ages, as well as at the shameful history of American complicity with torturers, and calls for vigilance. Unless we believe in our collective values, we may be pushed to self-destruction by a new totalitarianism.
Sponsored by the Coalition Justice for Adil CharkaouiThursday March 26, 6pm
McGill University, Leacock Building, 219
Young, Jewish and Left
A celebration of diversity, Young Jewish and Left weaves queer culture, Jewish Arab history, secular Yiddishkeit, anti-racist analysis, and religious/spiritual traditions into a multi-layered tapestry of Leftist politics. Personal experiences from many of today’s leading Jewish activists reframe the possibilities of Jewish identity. It presents a fresh and constructive take on race, spirituality, Zionism, queerness, resistance, justice, and liberation.
Sponsored: Young Jews for Social JusticeMonday March 30, 6pm
McGill University, Leacock Building 26
On the Verge: The Smash EDO Campaign Film
In 2004 a group of Brighton peace campaigners began to bang pot and pans outside their local arms manufacturers EDO MBM in disgust of their part in the Iraq war. This has grown into the Smash EDO campaign, which has cost the company millions, been the subject large scale police operations and has tested the right to protest in the UK.Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those involved in the campaign, On The Verge tells the story of one of the most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's anti-war movement and direct action scene.
Sponsored by Demilitarize McGillTuesday March 31, 6pm
McGill University, Leacock Building 26
La Liberté Pour Kader
La Semaine contre l’apartheid israélien (SAI) est une série d’événements et de manifestations organisées dans plusieurs villes et campus un peu partout dans le monde. L’objectif de la SAI est de sensibiliser la population aux enjeux liés à la campagne internationale de Boycott, désinvestissements et sanctions contre Israël. À Montréal, plusieurs individus et groupes de solidarité ont organisé une série d’événements de sensibilisation, étendue sur neuf jours, comprenant des conférences, des ateliers et des projections de films.
Cette année, le cinquième anniversaire de la SAI aura lieu tout juste après la plus récente agression barbare d’Israël contre la population de Gaza. Ces dernières semaines, à Montréal comme ailleurs dans le monde, des milliers de personnes ont pris les rues pour dénoncer les atrocités commises par Israël. Les dernières années ont vu une augmentation importante des publications et analyses visant à documenter et à confronter l’apartheid israélien, dont une série de rapports publiés par des institutions internationales et de organismes de défense des droits humains, des rapports de recherche publiés par des figures politiques, des intellectuels, des universitaires et des activistes. Depuis la dernière agression contre Gaza, ces voix se sont élevées encore plus fort et ont su capter l’attention du monde. L’objectif de la SAI est de contribuer à cette chorale d’opposition internationale à l’apartheid israélien. Joignez vos voix aux nôtres pour faire de 2009 une année de lutte contre l’apartheid et en faveur de la justice, de l’égalité et de la paix.
La Semaine contre l’apartheid israélien à McGill est une présentation des groupes suivants : College and University Workers United, Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights - McGill, Muslim Students Association, Midnight Kitchen, le Groupe de recherche en intérêt public du Québec - McGill, CKUT Radio, Arab Law Students' Association et Rad Law
Pour plus d’information concernant les services de garde d’enfants ou de traduction, communiquez avec iawmcgill2009@gmail.com
Pour consulter le programme complet de la Semaine contre l’apartheid israélien à Montréal, visitez www.saimontreal.org
Lundi 2 marsCe film présente une comparaison saisissante du traitement de la crise au Moyen-Orient dans les médias étasuniens et dans les médias internationaux. La réflexion porte principalement sur les distorsions structurelles dans les médias aux États-Unis, et comment ces distorsions contribuent à renforcer et perpétuer les fausses représentations concernant le conflit israélo-palestinien. Ce documentaire incontournable montre comment les intérêts de l’élite étasunienne en matière de politique étrangère (le pétrole et la nécessité de maintenir une présence militaire dans la région, entre autres), combinés aux stratégies de relations publiques d’Israël, exercent une influence majeure sur le traitement médiatique du Moyen-Orient.
Mardi 3 mars, midiLe conflit entre Israéliens et Palestiniens est-il inextricable? Se fonde-t-il sur des haines religieuses séculaires? Est-ce le résultat de tensions entre modérés et extrémistes des deux côtés? Cet atelier aura pour objectifs de déconstruire certains des mythes tenaces qui contribuent à embrouiller notre compréhension du conflit, d’offrir un début d’explication des racines historiques du conflit à celles et ceux pour qui tout cela est nouveau, d’expliquer certains termes déroutants comme « sionisme » et de diriger les participant-e-s vers des ressources plus complètes.
Mercredi 4 mars, midiLe but de cet atelier est d’offrir aux participant-e-s les outils qui leur permettront de percevoir l’identité juive à l’extérieur du cadre sioniste. L’atelier retracera l’histoire de la résistance juive à l’antisémitisme dans sa forme la plus contemporaine, et à ses causes premières, le capitalisme et le système d’État-nation. Il explorera de façon critique l’histoire du sionisme comme rupture fondamentale avec l’histoire juive et comme forme d’assentiment à l’antisémitisme et au fascisme. Finalement, cet atelier soulèvera la question de l’identité juive, sioniste ou non sioniste, dans le contexte d’un État racisé et capitaliste comme le Canada.
MERCREDI, 4 mars à 18h30Ronnie Kasrils : né à Johannesburg, en Afrique du Sud, en 1938. Ses grand-parents étaient des immigrants juifs lituaniens fuyant la Russie tsariste. À la suite du massacre de Sharpeville, il se joint à l’ANC, en 1960. Cela l’amènera à consacrer sa vie à l’activisme politique. Il est membre de l’aile militaire de l’ANC à ses débuts, en 1961. Il devient chef des services secrets militaires, opérant en exil à partir d’États limitrophes ainsi qu’en Afrique du Sud de façon clandestine. Il a été membre durant de nombreuses années des conseils exécutifs de l’ANC et du Parti communiste. Nommé ministre de la Défense du premier gouvernement démocratique de l’Afrique du Sud (1994-1999), il a également occupé les postes de ministre des Eaux et forêts (1999-2004) et de ministre des Services secrets (2004-2008). Aujourd’hui retiré du gouvernement, il se consacre à l’écriture, donne des conférences et œuvre au sein du mouvement de solidarité avec la Palestine. Il a publié son autobiographie, Armed & Dangerous (éd. Jonathan Ball, Johannesburg).
JEUDI, 5 mars à 18h30Omar Barghouti est un chercheur et critique indépendant palestinien, également militant pour les droits de la personne. Il est l’un des fondateurs de la campagne de boycottage, de désinvestissement et de sanctions (BDS) menée contre Israël et visant à défendre les lois internationales et les droits universels de la personne. Omar Barghouti détient une maîtrise en génie électrique de la Columbia University (New York). Il a participé à la rédaction de l’ouvrage philosophique Controversies and Subjectivity (John Benjamins, 2005) et à The New Intifada: Resisting Israel's Apartheid (Verso Books, 2001), entre autres publications. Il défend une vision fondée sur l’éthique pour un État unique, laïque et démocratique en Palestine historique.
Vendredi 6 mars, 14 hUne table ronde, avec des intervenant-e-s du milieu des médias indépendants, sur la question de l’influence des médias nord-américains et moyen-orientaux sur l’occupation de la Palestine. La discussion comportera également des conseils sur la lecture des médias et sur la production de contenus journalistiques fidèles à la réalité israélo-palestinienne.
Mary Ellen Davis, professeure à la Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema de l’Université Concordia et cinéaste indépendante, auteure de plusieurs films sur l’Amérique Latine et le Moyen-Orient.