Transnational community organizing to be brought to the forefront at this weekend’s workers’ conference
For immediate release August 9, 2012 Toronto, ON—Progressive individuals and organizations are set to bring out the integral experiences of workers in Canada for the upcoming two-day conference, “Workers’ Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization.” The conference will highlight the importance of transnational community organizing in exposing and countering neoliberal policies that affect all workers, especially marginalized communities. The two-day nationwide conference is set to highlight the historic role of the working class in building a movement for social change. They will advance the role of marginalized communities as central to building a movement for social change. Tackling the issues faced by transnational workers, organizers Reuben Saramugam and Qara Clemente from the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA-ON) and the Philippine Women Centre of Ontario, along with Tania Das Gupta, professor of Equity Studies and Sociology at York University, and Evelyn Encalada from Justicia for Migrant Workers, will share their research and their experiences as workers and community organizers. Their presentations will be part of three other panels for the weekend conference taking place on August 11 and 12 at United [...]
The Philippines’ Leading Trade Union Federation Chairperson and internationally-acclaimed novelist to speak at a Canada-wide workers’ conference
For Immediate Release August 6, 2012 Toronto, ON--Preparations are underway for the upcoming national conference entitled “Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization” where Pete Pinlac, chairperson of leading Philippine labour union central, MAKABAYAN/ Workers for Peoples’ Liberation and internationally-acclaimed novelist Ninotchka Rosca of AF3IRM (Association of Filipinas, Feminist, Fighting Imperialism, Re-feudalization, and Marginalization) are set to speak. They will bring forth their knowledge and experience in organizing, and highlighting the necessity to connect local and international struggles faced by working peoples worldwide. The conference will bring together progressive academics, community organizers, and other members of different communities across Canada to deepen local and global understanding of the economic crisis under neoliberal globalization. “Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization” will be held at the United Steel Workers’ Hall of Toronto, on August 11th and 12th 2012. The crisis of neoliberal globalization is now apparent both within countries of the Global North and the Global South. Aggressive neo-liberal policies and Structural Adjustment Programs have left countries of the Global South, such as the Philippines, underdeveloped, agrarian, and without national industries to absorb [...]
Book Launch: Asian Immigrants in “Two Canadas:” Racialization, Marginalization and Deregulated Work
Philippine Women Centre of Ontario with the support of Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma, Sociology and Equity Studies at OISE proudly present: BOOK LAUNCH: ASIAN IMMIGRANTS IN “TWO CANADAS:” RACIALIZATION, MARGINALIZATION AND DEREGULATED WORK Latest publication by Dr. Habiba Zaman, Simon Fraser University Friday, August 10th, 2012, 5:00 - 7:00 PM OISE Room 5230 Ontario Institute for Studies in Education 252 Bloor St. West (above St. George subway station) Venue is wheelchair accessible Canada is experiencing a major demographic shift, with two-thirds of the population in major cities predicted to belong to racialized groups, particularly Asian newcomers, by 2031. But how are these immigrants faring in this new Canada? Employing the International Labour Organization’s concept of “basic security” and the voices of immigrants themselves, Asian Immigrants in “Two Canadas” demonstrates that their security–such as work, job, employment and voice and representation–has been compromised in multi-dimensional ways. Changes to immigration policy and the neoliberal restructuring of the Employment Standards Act in British Columbia have led to further marginalization within the labour market and the creation of deregulated and hazardous workplaces–resulting [...]
Concert fundraiser “Roots Rhymes and Resistance” ignited Filipino Canadian youth’s collective voice of militant resistance against cutbacks
Roots, Rhymes & Resistance: Laying Tracks Against Cutbacks, a set on Flickr. For immediate release August 1, 2012 Toronto, ON—Filipino Canadian youth once again prove that their spirit of cultural resistance is alive and thriving through the successful cultural fundraiser show, “Roots, Rhymes and Resistance: Laying Tracks Against Cutbacks” (RRR), presented at the University of Toronto’s Hart House Music Hall on July 28th to a crowd of over 140 participants. Organized by Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance–Ontario (UKPC/FCYA–ON), RRR laid a creative platform for youth, women, and workers to voice their struggles against the current storm of cutbacks and austerity measures set forth by neoliberal policies in Canada. The event showcased many performers who shared their music, dance, and theatre talents. They portrayed the commitment of Filipino Canadian youth to depicting our histories and current realities–particularly our struggle for genuine settlement and integration in Canada. Especially present was the message of resistance against the impacts of cutbacks and neoliberal policies that continue to marginalize the community. “RRR provided a platform for many talents to [...]
“Roots, Rhymes and Resistance: Laying Tracks Against Cutbacks” fundraising concert hits the stage tonight
For immediate release July 28, 2012 Toronto, ON—This year’s “Roots Rhymes and Resistance: Laying Tracks Against Cutbacks” cultural fundraising show will mark the final and most important phase of putting education into practice as this summer’s critical and popular education series “Balik Ugat Balik Komunidad (Back to the Roots, Back to the Community) (BUBK)” reaches its end. The stage is finally set for this year’s Roots, Rhymes and Resistance (RRR) to continue and heighten the community’s progressive culture. Titled “Laying Tracks against Cutbacks,” this year’s RRR will showcase the Filipino Canadian community’s dynamism through performances while tackling the struggles we face under the neoliberal agenda of globalization. Organized by UKPC/FCYA-ON (Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance—Ontario), RRR will be an exciting evening infused with assertions and expressions of resistance. The concert will be held on July 28th at the University of Toronto’s Hart House in the Music Room from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM. This 15th annual concert will include a lineup of young artists experienced in musical fields, as well as youth ready to embrace [...]
National workers conference to highlight workers’ roles in remaking history
For immediate release July 23, 2012 Toronto, ON—A nationwide conference invites everyone to participate in a weekend gathering that will share critical perspectives on the current situation of workers under the current crisis of capitalism. Groundbreaking in content and analysis, the conference “Workers Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization” will highlight the role of workers as central to the building of a truly progressive movement to confront this crisis. Organized by the Counterspin secretariat (Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians and allies), the weekend conference will take place on the 11th and 12th of August at the United Steel Workers Hall in Toronto. Panel speakers for this historic conference, coming from the United States, the Philippines and Canada will include human rights activists, community organizers, labour leaders and progressive academics, all of whom will speak about the struggles and resistance of workers against neoliberalism’s all-out attacks on their lives and conditions. Providing the overall picture of where we stand under the present crisis of neoliberal globalization, speakers in “The Global and Canadian situation” will provide an update of the current global [...]
Filipino Canadian youth continue blazing trail towards cultural resistance in this year’s “Roots Rhymes and Resistance”
For immediate release July 18, 2012 Toronto, ON—In the face of severe cutbacks implemented through neoliberal policies, Filipino Canadian youth are ready to take the lead in cultural resistance, with their voices soon to be united and amplified at the third annual concert and cultural showcase “Roots Rhymes and Resistance: Laying Tracks Against Cutbacks.” The public fundraiser’s latest instalment is set to take place at the University of Toronto’s Hart House on Saturday, July 28th and will be hosted by Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance-Ontario (UKPC/FCYA-ON). Amidst cutbacks on all social services in Canada, implemented as part of the austerity measures invariably attacking workers, women and youth, alike “Roots Rhymes and Resistance: Laying Tracks against Cutbacks” serves as a concrete expression of the struggle and resistance against the neoliberal agenda of globalization. “This is our moment to speak out against the policies that affect the lives of people in our community and beyond,” asserts Signe Clemente, member of UKPC/FCYA-ON. “Roots Rhymes and Resistance” aims to continue the legacy of resistance left to us by the generations [...]
Filipino Canadian youth mourn the loss of Shyanne Charles and Joshua Yasay
For immediate release July 18, 2012 Toronto, ON—Members of the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance of Ontario/Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada (UKPC/FCYA-ON) mourn the loss of two youth of colour—Joshua Yasay, 23 years old, and Shyanne Charles, 14 years old—who sadly passed away Monday in a Scarborough shooting incident. Yasay and Charles were only two amongst the attendees of a Danzig Street gathering of at least one hundred, 24 of whom suffered injuries when shooting broke out. We feel deeply the loss of these two youth who each had promising futures ahead. We offer our deep condolences to the families and friends of Joshua and Shyanne. Despite the claims of Toronto’s mayor Rob Ford that the unfortunate incident was simply an “isolated case,” members of the UKPC—while mindful of the need for the safety of all wherever they live—call into question the endemic presence of violence in racialised and economically marginalised communities. Yasay’s and Charles’ deaths may well have been avoidable yet become part of the increasing trend of gun violence. The deaths of countless Filipino Canadian youth [...]
Disability, Racism and Work in Canada: Black and Filipina women’s experiences of exploitation and resistance
Transnational Narratives of Disability Speaker Series presents Disability, Racism, and Work in Canada: Black and Filipina women’s experiences of exploitation and resistance Wednesday July 25, 5-7pm Vari Hall Room 1156 York University Featuring Joy Sioson, Chairperson, Philippine Women’s Centre of Ontario Roberta Timothy, Postdoctoral Fellow, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Rachel Gorman, Assistant Professor, York U. Critical Disability Studies Please join us for a panel presentation and discussion of: Anti-Black racism and disability Migrant labour programs and exploitation Disablement in caregiving and shelter work Exclusion of disabled children by CIC For more information, contact: Rachel Gorman gorman@yorku.ca Graduate Program in Critical Disability Studies, York University In partnership with Philippine Women Centre of Ontario The Centre for Women and Trans People at University of Toronto Transit directions and campus map available at http://www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/map/keele_map.html This event is wheelchair accessible
“Laying Tracks Against Cutbacks” in this year’s Roots, Rhymes and Resistance
For immediate release July 9, 2012 Toronto, ON—To top off this year’s Balik Ugat Balik Komunidad workshop series, Filipino Canadian youth, women and workers will celebrate their community’s resilience and capacity to nurture a culture of resistance through this year’s Roots Rhymes and Resistance concert to be held this summer on July 28. The 15 year strong annual concert will showcase empowering performances from the Filipino Canadian community’s youth and progressive performers as well as the cultural collective band, Sinag Bayan. The fundraising concert will be held in University of Toronto’s Hart House. This year’s concert entitled “Laying Tracks Against Cutbacks” is organized in the face of national and local cutbacks and other austerity measures affecting all marginalized communities and inextricably, youth in all communities. For Filipino Canadian youth, it becomes all the more important to come together and build cultural resistance against the neoliberal agenda of globalization in order to pave a genuine path for settlement and integration for their future in Canada. Performance highlights include Toronto’s own local hip hop artists Fenaxiz and Dagamuffin along with [...]
National workers conference this August to advance workers’ roles towards genuine social change
For immediate release July 4, 2012 Toronto, ON—With the incessant push of neoliberal policies onto the lives and conditions of working peoples throughout the world, a historic national conference organized by the Counterspin secretariat (Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians and allies) invites everyone to examine both the implications of such measures on their current realities and their role in paving transformative avenues for social change. The conference, titled “Workers’ Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization,” calls on everyone to transform crisis into opportunity by advancing their full entitlement as members of the working class who are fundamental contributors to society. Through the two-day nation-wide gathering in Toronto, Canada, this conference hopes to provide all with an understanding of workers’ historic gains and current progressive potential with the goal of mounting an all-encompassing response necessary in the face of the relentless rolling-out of the neoliberal agenda. As all-around impacts of neoliberal globalization attempts to permeate all aspects of our current social reality, it is evident in the everyday lives of working peoples that significant tolls have been made for the sake [...]