Paula Kirman's Blog
Posted by Paula Kirman
RALLY IN SUPPORT OF US WAR RESISTERS
Saturday January 26 @ 1 PM
Bloor Street United Church, Toronto
300 Bloor Street West (Spadina or St. George subway)
Join communities across Canada on Saturday, January 26 to demand that Parliament pass a provision allowing US war resisters to remain in Canada and to call on the government to cease deportation hearings for resisters already in Canada.
With the recent Supreme Court decision to not hear appeals of resisters it's urgent that we raise political visibility now. The opposition parties should unite on this issue and do what's required to "Let Them Stay!"
Getting the attention of Parliament requires that all Canadians of conscience stand up together and be heard. At the rally we will write hundreds of urgent letters to our MPs.After the rally we plan to march to a nearby post office to deliver the letters and to send the message that our demand will be heard: Canadians of conscience support US War Resisters and demand that we "Let Them Stay!"
For more information visit http://www.resisters.ca.
Posted by Paula Kirman
"In The Land of Freedom is an English translation of the song "En El Pais De La Libertad by Argentinian singer/songwriter León Gieco. For those of you who know Spanish, here is a version of the original song.
Speaking of Spanish, that is a language I am currently trying to learn. A great way to learn a language, I have found, is through music. So, here is another Gieco song, "Tema De Los Mosquitos" sung in Spanish. The gist of the song is this: the animals are all interacting with each other in their various ways, while the hunter watches them and comments that this is life, before he proceeds to kill them. I think somewhere in there is a metaphor for the way we carry on in our lives, oblivious to the dangers that surround us and threaten our survival.
One more: a few months ago I performed the song "I Only Ask of G-d" at a rally to protest Security Certificates in Canada. Again, it was a Gieco song translated into English. "Solo Le Pido a Dios" is likely his most famous song. I decided to give it a try in Spanish. Here is a really cool version of Gieco performing it.
Posted by Paula Kirman
May you all take some time this holiday season to reflect upon what this time of year really represents. Aside from blatant commercialism, capitalism, and materialism, this time of year is really about faith and peace. Let peace be a part of your life, and bring that peace into the world around you.
Posted by Paula Kirman
Edmonton took part with 35 other cities across the country, and Canada with other countries around the world as world leaders gathered in Bali on this very topic during the UN Climate Change Negotiations.
We marched from Canada Place to the Legislature, which is not a short route. There was an impressive turnout despite the cold temperatures, with about 150 people. I didn't freeze. I was especially concerned because the Legislature steps tend to be chilly to start with, but considering what goes on in there and the kind of givernment we have, that should come as no surprise. However, as far as I could tell, no one suffered from frostbite or hypothermia. The Raging Grannies and Notre Dame des Bananes sung, speakers led a service as the Earth was laid to rest, and the batteries in my camcorder just barely held out -- cold makes batteries drain faster.
If you are asking, "What does this have to do with peace and security," the answer is simple. The environment and peace are two issues that are intertwined. Since many of the world's wars are fought over oil, the environmental destruction caused by the recovery of oil from the earth is one step along the way to lubricating the war machine.
Here is a look at what happened:
Photos (49 images):
Videos:
Getting Started (2:16)
Procession to the Leg (3:17)
Prelude (1:52)
Notre Dames de Bananes (2:41)
Reading: History of the Earth (1:58)
Moment of Silence/Anthem: Amazing Earth (3:37)
Raging Grannies (5:50)
Eulogy (2:19)
Burial (2:03)
Aboriginal Song (3:01)
Posted by Paula Kirman
These were real, paper letters sent to government leaders around the world, urging them to free prisoners of conscience.
It was the annual Amnesty International Write-a-Thon. Here in Edmonton, one event took place at Steeps tea shop in College Plaza. Two tables were filled with people coming, writing, and going, including myself. Here is a look at the goings-on (11 images):
