🍉 VanGran4Pal Community Newsletter

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**Neighbours and Friends, **

We hope everyone is having an opportunity to rest and enjoy some of their summer vacation - we are a week late with this edition, as even our team has been taking time out! Rest is resistance and in order for us to continue to meaningful advocacy long-term, we have to take care of ourselves and our community.

So without further ado, let’s dive into some updates. Firstly, we’re seeing a rise in Zionist propaganda going up over the city. We hope everyone is able to access reliable news sources and follow **journalists **on the ground in Gaza, to stay on top of the facts. Secondly, we’ve been focussing on supporting ethical and anti-genocide local businesses - our community WhatsApp shares lots of recommendations and we’ve been made aware that just last month Watermelon Maps was launched with this very focus in mind. This website is growing every day and is set to become an invaluable resource - bookmark it now and send in your contributions to help it grow! As ever, when you are out shopping, the simplest step you can take is to follow the BDS movement recommendations to stop financing companies directly supporting the occupation. Disoccupied is our number one resource - save the website to your phone’s home screen for ease of access. Keep an eye out for an upcoming divestment campaign in our neighbourhood - we’re excited to share it with you!

Action Updates

Flood your MPs’ inboxes - August 20 day of action!

As the Israeli military continues to escalate its attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, bombing tent camps, schools, hospitals, and water wells, and as the number of dead and maimed rises, we must force an end to Canada’s arms trade with Israel. It’s August, and our reps might be on holiday, but we need to turn up the heat and put pressure on every MP who has refused to demand a full arms embargo.On August 20 we are flooding our MPs inboxes, voicemails and socials to demand they endorse the call for an Arms Embargo Now. Join a phone zap. Send an email. Show up at their office. Crash their events. Poster their neighborhoods.Let’s make sure our representatives know that there is no peace and no summer vacation for a government arming genocide. Visit armsembargonow.ca/august20 for quick and easy links to email templates, phone scripts and downloadable graphics! If you’re in the VanGran riding, we’ve included Taleeb’s details below :-)#ArmsEmbargoNowarmsembargonow.ca/august20

Sign These Petitions

There are a number of active petitions in parliament right now - when signing, remember to click the verification link in your email inbox to add your name!

1. As of June 2024, no Palestinians had been evacuated from Gaza through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) program “Crisis in Gaza: Special measures for extended family” to issue temporary visas to family members of Canadians. Call on the government to revaluate the IRCC program for Gaza.
2. Call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to recognize and combat Anti-Palestinian racism
3. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) manages $539 billion for 21+ million Canadians. Despite requirements to ensure investments align with international and domestic law, at least 7% involve companies complicit in Israeli war crimes, and $870 million is invested in global weapons dealers. Call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to demand CPPIB **divest from Israel and complicit companies **

Upcoming Events

August 16th 11:30am - Zoom Webinar on ICJ Advisory Opinion on Palestine

Webinar: A Turning Point or More of the Same? The ICJ Advisory Opinion on Palestine and Its Global Impact

Join an expert-led discussion on the ICJ's ruling on the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestine and its impact on global politics, trade, and Canadian foreign policy. Speakers explore how this decision influences the BDS movement and responsibilities of Canadian institutions, including universities, to uphold international law.

🗓️ Date : Aug 16, 2024

⌚ Time : 2:30 PM EST

🎟️ Register by clicking here

August 16th - 7:30pm - Vancouver Rally and March

Friday, August 167:30 pmOlympic Cauldron - 1055 Canada PlaceThe Zionist-US genocide has continued in Palestine for over 10 months. Just yesterday, the US approved another $18 billion in weaponry for the Zionist regime, only days after the occupation forces bombed the Al-Tabaeen School with US missiles, killing over 100 Palestinian civilians as they gathered to pray the dawn prayer.10 months of genocide have been met with 10 months of unceasing, steadfast resistance, in Gaza under siege, throughout occupied Palestine, everywhere in the region and around the world.Join us to raise our collective voices in outrage. Stand with the Palestinian people and their Resistance. Demand an end to Canadian participation and complicity in genocide. Make it clear that we will not stop, we will not rest, until Palestine is free from the river to the sea!

August 17th - 12-7pm - Poems by Donation for Palestine

“drop by @alivingtaste on commercial drive this saturday and i’ll write you a poem. i’m running a fundraiser for @mohammed._.badwan and his family in g@z@.INSTRUCTIONS:1) come as you are2)show me proof of your donation to @mohammed._.badwan’s gofundme (minimum is $10 - link in bio) OR bring cash and I’ll donate 100% of the proceeds to his gofundme3)watch me put my big WRITER brain to work 🧠😳handwritten on deckle-edged paper, each poem will be wax sealed in its own envelope.don’t know what the hell a deckled edge is? wait, don’t google it. JUST COME FIND OUT! let go of the individualistic urge to have all the answers and let the whimsy of life wash over you like a fine mist. i got you.come by, chat and say hi, and help support mohammed." @mediumlondonfog

Community Spotlight

There are several wonderful Palestinian-owned businesses in Vancouver and one of these I recently visited was Manoush’eh. Originally owned by a Lebanese familiy, it has changed hands to a Palestinian family who work together to make absolutely delicious food to represent the spirit of the Levant. They cater to vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters. The lentil soup is out of this world!

Find Manoush’eh at 620 Davie Street

~C

Contribute to the Newsletter

Do you have something you would like to share with your neighbours? We welcome submissions of all kinds — stories, poems, art, and event info. Simply reply to this email to send in your contribution.

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With gratitude and in solidarity,

Your Neighbours

Van Gran 4 Palestine

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