By Justin Podur - August 14, 2008

The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) is a women's organization that runs underground schools and other projects, educates Afghan girls, runs a periodic journal, and agitates politically for women's rights, human rights, secularism, and social justice in Afghanistan. From the 1979 Soviet invasion through to the 2006 closings of the camps, millions of Afghan refugees lived in Pakistan and many still do. While RAWA's operations were always based primarily in Afghanistan, they have also had a strong presence in the Pakistan refugee community. I spoke to Mariam from RAWA in Islamabad when I was there in July 2008.

Inspired by the mobilizing on the West Coast, organizers across "Canada" have begun awareness-raising efforts. Building on the call from the West Coast for anti-capitalist and anti-colonial resistance to the Olympics, some organizers affiliated with the People's Global Action Bloc (PGA-Bloc) in Ontario and Quebec have begun mobilizing around "Resistance 2010", linking anti-Olympics efforts to organizing against the G8 and SPP, and the day-to-day systems and institutions of power and oppression they represent.

By HOWARD LISNOFF - Counterpunch

The news that Jeremy Hinzman was ordered deported from Canada struck like lightning! Hinzman, a 29-year-old war resister who has been living in Canada since 2004 lost his bid to remain in Canada by way of a decision of Canada’s Border Services Agency. The agency found that Hinzman did not qualify for compassionate or humanitarian consideration in his bid to remain in Canada...If Hinzman is convicted by court martial, which is likely given the public nature of his case, he faces a five-year prison sentence.

Important and major geopolitical moves indicate big things brewing in a developing Middle East war. Russia has moved forces into South Ossetia and a huge US naval armada is now heading for Iran as the world watches the Olympic Games.

By JEFF HALPER - August 5, 2008

In another few days, I will sail on one of the Free Gaza movement boats from Cyprus to Gaza. The mission is to break the Israeli siege, an absolutely illegal siege which has plunged a million and a half Palestinians into wretched conditions: imprisoned in their own homes, exposed to extreme military violence...Like other elements of the Occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where Israel has also besieged cities, towns, villages and whole regions, the siege on Gaza is fundamentally political. It is intended to isolate the democratically-elected government of Palestine and break its power to resist Israeli attempts to impose an apartheid regime over the entire country.

Anti-racists block fascists in London An attempt by neo-nazis to disrupt London, Ontario's annual Gay Pride Parade was foiled when anti-racists from around Southern Ontario converged to block the fascists from the parade.

A group of activists blocked access to the Westin Bayshore marina on Wednesday, July 23 to protest the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) summit. In doing so, they prevented PNWER delegates from boarding a 190-person luxury boat tour of the Vancouver harbour. Approximately 10 people stood with a banner reading 'People Not Profit!' and prevented access to the luxury yacht though the public boardwalk.

Mohawk Native News Publisher Kahentineta Horn has filed a formal complaint against Canada for a brutal assault at the Canada/US border. Canada has also attempted to serve charges against her presumably for resisting assault. Help and support is urgently required.

By Kevin Parkinson - July 20, 2008

[Canada] is being used as a test case to drastically change the delivery of Internet service forever. The change will be so radical that it has the potential to send us back to the horse and buggy days of information sharing and access...[There is a] diabolical plot by Bell Canada and Telus, to begin charging per site fees on most Internet sites. The plan is to convert the Internet into a cable-like system, where customers sign up for specific web sites, and then pay to visit sites beyond a cutoff point.

By john teevins

Somewhere between 15 and 18 years ago I wrote my first batch of songs. The lyrics to the chorus of one of them are as follows: "we the abused we stand accused - of crimes committed against us"

I am a 39 year old survivor of physical, emotional and sexual violence and I am a full time smoker. I have been and still am receiving focused, trustworthy, loving and professional help for the first time in my life and the positive results are astounding.

By Macdonald Stainsby - July 14, 2008

For much of the last year, many of the anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian forces across Canada have started to work towards converging many of the bigger issues to take place in 2010 into a larger whole...Some of the issues included are: [t]he 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver/[Whistler], the next round of Security and Prosperity Partnership [SPP] negotiations to be held within Canada -- and the G8 Summit to be held in Ontario all during that same year. On many different levels these issues interlink and have an inherent connection with one another...Here I wish to make the case that what belongs as a major thread through all of these discussions is often absent among those of us trying to make these larger connections coherent in our organizing.

By Augusto Bohórque - July 06, 2008

Canada...negotiated with a country with one of the world's worst human rights record; violence has been perpetrated against human rights defenders, members of opposition political parties and social movements, trade unionists, students, rural peasants and indigenous peoples who are opposed to an illegitimate regime and its policies. Today, Uribe is at war with everyone opposed to him, who he has conveniently labeled as 'terrorists'...[T]he supposed 'good name' of Canada on the world stage is being manipulated to push particular readings of development and democracy. What do they look like? Well, they are no different than those exported by the United States.

MAY 20, 2008 - Tyendinaga Support Committee

In the wake of recent road closures, [Ontario Provincial Police] intimidation, and jailing of Mohawk community members, charges have now been laid by the OPP against at least 9 additional Tyendinaga Mohawks...According to the OPP, the investigations are ongoing and additional charges may be laid against other Mohawks. While none of the 9 people recently charged were forced to remain in police custody...all carry conditions of 'no protests' and 'not to be present at the quarry site'.

The Olympics are not about the human spirit & have little to do with athletic excellence; they are a multi-billion dollar industry backed by powerful elites, real estate, construction, hotel, tourism and television corporations, working hand in hand with their partners in crime: government officials & members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Reposted from friendsofgrassynarrows.com

For the past 4 months Albert Douglas has sat isolated within a cell, otherwise called solitary, after an arrest by racist pigs. The Kanadian government has had a hit out on his head, accusing him of assault, attempted murder, robbery and unlawful confinement, among other charges. They have held him against his will in an internment camp Kanada traditionally used for it's poor, located on occupied land. They have routinely ransacked his cell, searching for and stealing his belongings. They have forcefully searched his person. They constantly watch and record his every action with video and audio surveillance.