Haitian hip-hop artist Vox Sambou offers an inspiring mix of powerful music and social action, pointing to the great possibilities of blending the arts with community activism. A key hip-hop figure in Montreal, Vox is a member of the celebrated ensemble Nomadic Massive and assisted in launching the Solid'Ayiti initiative after the devastating earthquake hit Haiti last winter.
The following is a talk delivered to a public forum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 7, 2010. The forum was organized by the Winnipeg Haiti Action Group under the theme, "Perspectives on Haiti After the Earthquake."
What kind of message do we want to see following the upcoming June meetings of the G8/G20 in Ontario? More of the same is dangerous for humanity. Activists are already readying themselves to raise consciousness about the issues at stake.
As usual the G8/G20 meetings will work out a communiqué in advance setting out points of agreement. Specialists reading between the lines will bring out the points of disagreement. There is another way of looking at the issues we all face together. Below is a draft communiqué offered in the spirit of bringing our a "frank exchange of views" prior to the Canadian G20 summit in Toronto and G8 in Muskoka.
The globalization of solidarity
The Road to Palestine is a new series of personal talks programmed by and hosted at Beit Zatoun. Guest speakers are Canadians who have taken a public stand on Israel/Palestine. Speakers come from a variety backgrounds and careers. They share a recognition that a resolution to the question of peace and conflict in Israel / Palestine is essential to global justice, international law and to peace in the world.
Supporters of COPE Local 343, Fuelers of Porter Airlines, blockaded fuel shipments and passenger traffic to the Toronto Island Airport for 90 minutes. The blockade ended peacefully and fuel shipments resumed pending further actions. Porter workers continue to strike for a first contract with a living wage and reasonable safety conditions. Porter aircraft continue to be fueled and towed by "Scab" workers.
Bill C-45 ignited Idle No More, both the moment in time and movement afterward. The moment that Idle No More signifies, though, represents a point or blip in a very long history of Indigenous people struggling to get Canada to respect Indigenous people's rights to land and water, live up to their treaty responsibilities and find their true humanity. Think about it, Pontiac’s rebellion took place in the 1700s. My ancestors have been doing their work for a long long time. Enough said on this.
