Spring into Action
Spring into Action (formerly known as Social Justice Days) is an annual event series that is organized and funded by the Quebec Public Interest Research Group at McGill University (QPIRG-McGill) and the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU). Intended to stimulate an alternative political culture in the McGill community and beyond, Spring into Action is marking its 17th year with a week of workshops, discussions, film screenings, and social events engaging local and global issues. Spring into Action testifies to the diversity of critical political engagement on the McGill campus, and offers students concrete opportunities to get active in their community.
SiA 2025
This year, events will take place March 11-25, in collaboration with numerous students, community organizers, and organizations. The theme of Spring into Action 2025 is Home. Our event series this year aims to explore different interpretations of home, including connections to houselessness, queer community, state surveillance, diasporism, and anti-colonial struggles.
We understand home as more than a physical space, in that it captures our relations, connection to land, and sense of belonging and safety. The violent legacies of colonialism and racism have long disrupted these connections, asserting control over or forcibly removing people from their homes. This year’s Spring into Action aims to curate a series of events on fighting for spaces to call home.
Schedule
For more updates, you can follow us on Instagram.
Tues, March 11
Community Dinner
6 PM — 8 PM
SSMU University Centre, Room 106
Wed, March 12
Fri, March 14
Eviction: Film Screening
6 PM — 8 PM
3475 rue Peel
With director mathilde capone.
(2023, 1 hour 30 minutes)
Sat, March 15
Drylongso: Film Screening
6:30 PM — 9 PM
7080 rue Alexandra, #506
Hosted by Regards Noirs
(1998, 1 hour 26 minutes, 4k restoration). Directed by Cauleen Smith.
RSVP required
Mon, March 17
Home is Where Public Transit Is
5 PM — 7 PM
QPIRG-Concordia (2100 rue Guy, #205)
Hosted by Justice Climatique Montréal / Climate Justice Montreal
Tues, March 18
Understanding and Supporting Sex Workers in our Communities
5:30 PM — 7:30 PM
QPIRG-McGill (3516 Av du Parc)
RSVP required
Wed, March 19
Inappropriate Content: Censorship in Prison Mailrooms
5:30 PM — 7:30 PM
QPIRG-McGill (3516 Av du Parc)
Fri, March 21
Gaza as a Compass for Thinking: A decolonial philosophy of debilitation and resistance in colonial duration
5:30 PM — 8:00 PM
Keynote Lecture with Dr. Alia Al-Saji
SHIFT Concordia (LB-145, 1400 Blvd Maisonneuve O)
RSVP required
Sat, March 22
De-escalation Workshop: Communicating Through Mental Health Crises
1:00 PM — 2:30 PM
Free workshop with Liz Singh
QPIRG-McGill (3516 Av du Parc)
RSVP required
Tues, March 25
What does homelessness look like in our communities?
5:30 PM — 7:00 PM
with Liz Borger and Robbie Madsen
QPIRG-McGill (3516 Av du Parc)
Accessibility
This section is intended to provide basic information about accessibility measures for Spring into Action. If you have any additional accessibility needs or specific questions about these measures, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- All events are free and open to the public
- Information on wheelchair access and the locations of the nearest wheelchair accessible bathrooms are specified for each event.
- We will do our best to provide interpretation for other events with 72 hour notice, please email info@qpirgmcgill.org to request.
- Whisper translation between English and French will be available for all events with 72 hours notice, please email info@qpirgmcgill.org to request.
- We will do our best to provide alternate lighting to avoid strong, fluorescent lighting overhead. There will be no intentional flashing lights at events.
- If you have any particular needs around lighting, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email at info@qpirgmcgill.org, or find QPIRG staff and volunteers at events!
- Masks and social distancing are strongly recommended for all of our in-person events. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided at the door. We offer a hybrid option (online, on Zoom) for some of our events whenever possible.