Building a United Fightback
May 4, 9 AM - 5 PM
Peretz School (Vancouver)

Conference by Lower Mainland Coalition for Social Justice. For more info: lmsocialjustice@hotmail.com

Kootenay School of Writing
Treachery and Betrayal
May 5, 2 PM, free
Kootenay School of Writing (Vancouver)

Presented by: Sharla Sava.
This talk will review Guy Debord'’s theory of the spectacle, making reference to his indebtedness to Marx'’s theory of commodity fetishism and stressing, in particular, the role that“ the image” plays in Debord'’s theory. In order to make this argument it will be necessary to consider not only Debord'’s Marxist roots but also the subtle and complex way that he employs “the image.” Supposing that Debo'r reference to the spectacle was intended not only to identify the pre-eminent role played by the image in consumer society, but also to investigate whether the image could be recovered and employed as a tool for revolutionary dissent.

Hiroshima, Nagasaki & Since
May 6, 6 - 9 PM, free
Britannia Community Centre, L4 (Vancouver)

Photos from Japan showing the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the N-weapon threat since 1945. An illustrated workshop on the reality, risks and riddance of nuclear weapons. Presented by The Veterans Against Nuclear Arms.

The Body and the Body Politic
May 7, 6:30 - 9 PM, free or by donation
Gallery Gatchet (Vancouver)

Fritzraven Sky will lead a workshop focused around movement, and poetry, body and voice. Fritzraven Sky, Montreal born triple-threat dancer and choreographer has appeared widely in Canada and the Northeastern United States. Her performance is concerned with issues of social justice, from the "“DADA TH"” (literally" “death rock"”from the Dene word uranium) to "“UPRISING"!”, a 90 minute program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

From Oka to Bethlehem: Indigenous Struggles for Land in North America and Palestine
May 6, 6:30 - 9 PM, free or by donation
Mt. Pleasant Community Centre, East Hall (Vancouver)

Activists from both the Palestinian solidarity movement and local indigenous struggles will discuss connections between the two movements, and how to work together for indigenous self-determination worldwide. Presented by the Palestine Solidarity group.

Hiroshima Nakasaki & Since
May 9, 6 - 9 PM, free or by donation
Spartacus Books (Vancouver)

Presented by The Veterans Against Nuclear Arms. See description for May 2.

Live Nude Girls UNITE! - Workshop Following the Film
May 10, 8 PM, free or by donation
SFU Harbour Centre (Vancouver)

This workshop is for sex industry workers who are interested in organizing. Essentially putting those that are organized with those that aren'’t and want to be. Featuring Carol Leigh AKA Scarlot Harlot, who has received numerous awards for her video documentaries on women’s issues and gay/lesbian issues, including three awards from Visions of US at the American Film Institute. In 1999 Leigh produced the San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Video Festival and 21st Century Stripper Sinema at the Roxie Theater. In 1999 Leigh co-directed Annie Sprinkle's "Herstory of Porn" which premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
* Look for this event in Victoria as well (contact the Vancouver or Victoria I.W.W. for more information)

Kootenay School of Writing presents
Sabatage for Idiots
May 12, 2 PM, free
Kootenay School of Writing (Vancouver)

Presented by Aaron Vidaver
"“Sabotage means primarily: the withdrawal of efficiency. Sabotage means either to slacken up and interfere with the quantity, or to botch in your skill and interfere with the quality, of capitalist production or to give poor service. Sabotage is not physical violence, sabotage is an internal, industrial process. It is something that is fought out within the four walls of the shop. Sabotage is a means of striking at the employer's profit for the purpose of forcing him into granting certain conditions.".” - Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, 1916

Forum on International Labour Rights
May 13, 7 PM, free
I.W.A. Hall (Vancouver)

Labour Rights Panel. This panel will explore the plight of workers in various parts of the world, with special guest Neelam Chaturvedi, an outspoken advocate for labour rights and the rights of women in India. Neelam is touring Canada with Amnesty International, talking about violence against women and the impact of globalization on Indian women. For more information contact Don Wright at dwright@amnesty.ca or call 604-294-5160.

Living Off Reserve Non-Status Natives
May 14, 7:30 PM, free or by donation
WISE Hall (Vancouver)

Part of "A Community Aware" series on: Native Issues in BC & The Referendum. Scott Clark is President of the United Native Nations Society (UNNS), a provincial organization founded in 1969. Through this organization Scott communicates with Natives throughout the Province, both status & non-status. He works closely with other provincial Native organizations including the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), Assembly of First Nations (AFN), First Nations Summit (AFN), Metis Provincial Council (MPC) and the Indian Homemakers of B.C. His experience & his contact with non-status organizations makes him well qualified to address this topic. Contact Larry at (604) 708-0447 for information.

Taking Another Look at Class: An Evening With Sandy Cameron
May 14, 7:30 PM, free
Cafe Deux Soleils (Vancouver)

Sandy Cameron is an anti-poverty activist, poet, thinking, and writer. In 1999, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Carnegie Centre published a book of Sandy's essays on class. His writings are frank and inspiring and they're even more relevant today. Join us for an evening with Sandy to talk about class, the five-letter word that definitely isn't dead. Brought to you by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and End Legislated Poverty.

Peace Talk
May 15, 7 - 10 PM, sliding scale $0-10
Video In Studios (Vancouver)

Presenters: Naba Zouinati and Tamar Eylon
Following the screening of "‘Beyond Borders; Arab Feminists Talk About Their Lives East And West"’, witness an Arab and a Jew break down their relationship to each other, their countries and the current Israeli State expansion. The main ideas presented will be open for general discussion. Proceeds will go to Aboriginal Women’s Action Network. (AWAN)

Grassroots Women Resist the G8 and Imperialist Globalization!
May 15, 7 PM, free admission
Grassroots Women Kalayaan Centre (Vancouver)

In June, the leaders of the world's eight richest countries will be meeting for the G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, to consolidate their position on using international institutions like the IMF/World Bank/WTO to guarantee their political and economic hegemony. Grassroots Women will hold a forum to deepen our understanding of the G8 and its impact on working class women in Canada and the Third World, as well as building women's resistance to the G8 and imperialist globalization. The multimedia forum will include a cultural presentation, slide show, and discussion. For more information contact grassrootswomen@aol.com

Eye-Witness to Terror Reports From Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan
May 15, 7 PM, free admission
Grassroots Women Kalayaan Centre (Vancouver)

In June, the leaders of the world's eight richest countries will be meeting for the G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, to consolidate their position on using international institutions like the IMF/World Bank/WTO to guarantee their political and economic hegemony. Grassroots Women will hold a forum to deepen our understanding of the G8 and its impact on working class women in Canada and the Third World, as well as building women's resistance to the G8 and imperialist globalization. The multimedia forum will include a cultural presentation, slide show, and discussion. For more information contact grassrootswomen@aol.com

Eye-Witness to Terror Reports From Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan
May 16, 7:30 PM, free admission or by donation
DogWood Centre (Vancouver)

Free Admission. Donations Accepted.
Barbara Cullen is just returning from Iraq and the West Bank. Dr. Asif Tejani provided medical aid to refugees inside Afghanistan in January. A third panelist speaks about the connections between support for the Palestinian people and opposition to the “war on terror”. Followed by open discussion of solidarity campaigns. Hosted by: Canada Palestine Support Network (canpalnet) and the Campaign to End Sanctions Against the People of Iraq (CESAPI).

A Discussion Forum Against Patriarchy
May 17, 4 - 8 PM, free admission
Britannia Community Centre, Room L4 (Vancouver)

This is a forum to discuss and strategies ways of dealing with patriarchy and sexism on our communities, organizations, in ourselves and in our lives. We will be discussing "what is patriarchy" and some of the ways we are all affected, in some form, by the systems of patriarchy, sexism, and gender based oppression. Our purpose is to bring people together to discuss how we can become accountable for perpetuating these systems. And to implement new processes for dealing and healing from patriarchal oppression.
Organized by: Mayworks and the Vancouver Anti-Patriarchy Group

Kootenay School of Writing
Presents Instruments of Uselessness
May 19, 2 PM, free admission
Kootenay School of Writing (Vancouver)

Presented by: Diana George & Nic Veroli
“Did anything change on September 11, 2001? Did the global house party-either of neoliberal depredation or of anti-corporate agitation-crash into the harsh pavement of downtown Manhattan? Did we witness the end of the world as we know it? We submit that the answer to these questions is “no.” ...What is needed is a joyful modality of desertion. The root impulse for desertion lies in the certainty of one’s own death. The joyful deserter knows that there may not be a tomorrow and, as a matter of fact, that there is no tomorrow worth waiting for. Joyful desertion is the art of prioritizing the useless because it is the only thing that can redeem the instant from death.” -- from Politics Without the State: Joy, Terror and Depression in the Global Corporate Order.

RESIST - A Direct Action Workshop
May 19, 1 - 5 PM, free admission
Dogwood Centre, 706 Clark Drive (Vancouver)

A workshop for experienced and new activists to discuss the do’s and don’ts of direct action:
What Works & What Doesn'’
How to Make Them Work
Peaceful demos
Feeding the poor
Phoneline/Faxline jamming
Occupying buildings
Graffiti writing
Letter writing
Getting on those talk shows.
We will also look at building action teams, networking, legal issues, working with the media, public opinion, safe communications (Big Brother is watching).
The two goals of this workshop are to:

1. facilitate the education and communication between activists.
2. Compile info from the sessions into a manual on activism to be made available in free workbook and internet format.

Know Your Rights - Organizing in the Workplace
May 27, 6 PM, free admission
SFU Harbour Centre (Vancouver)

Presented by the IWW Vancouver. A workshop for all workers who are interested in learning about the Provincial Government’s proposed changes to BC’s Labour Code and “How to begin organizing your workplace” (this does not cover the Canada Labour Code - Federal employees). Includes a Q/A session afterwards. Approx 2-3 hours total. There are a limited number of seats, please come early. Email pat_wobbly@hotmail.com for more information.

Kootenay School of Writing Presents Protest Genres and the Pragmatics of Dissent
May 26, 2 PM, free admission
Kootenay School (Vancouver)

Presented by: Roger Farr
Like all speech-acts, protest and opposition often fall into recognizable genres: the leaflet, the march, the strike, the sit-in, the blockade, etc. As interlocutors in these speech-acts, the authorities rely heavily on anticipation and predictablilty in order to understand, describe, control, and diffuse our actions. Therefore, we need to anticipate this anticipation; we need to identify the predictable conventions of the protest genres, and re-introduce elements of shock, surprise, and misrecognition. We need to make dissent unreadable.

Imperialism and the Third World
May 26, 10 AM - 4:30 PM, free admission
Kootenay School (Vancouver)

With the so-called "War on Terrorism" waged by the U.S. government, a blank cheque has been issued on military escalation, violence, and exploitation. Unilateral military intervention has already occurred and is occurring in Afghanistan, the Phillipines, Iraq, and Palestine violating the fundamental human rights and the sovereignty of the people living in these nations. This conference is sponsored by the Palestine Solidarity Group.