🍉 VanGran4Pal Community Newsletter

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**Neighbours and Friends, **

Seasons change and it’s hard to accept that the genocide continues, month after month. Many of our community members have been busy planning and supporting new campaigns and actions. We’re highlighting a few important upcoming events you shouldn’t miss below. Important flag MP Taleeb Noormohamed is hosting an annual community picnic TOMORROW, AUG 31 and an upcoming roundtable on TUES, SEPT 3. Consider attending and reminding him that we want an immediate and complete arms embargo on Israel. Below, our community member Siddiki also shares his reflections on engaging with Taleeb on the recent news that Canada is supplying weapons to Israel via the US.

This community matters. Sometimes we need to sit out an action and pass the torch to others. Sometimes we need to lift each other up and motivate each other. In the words of Cole Arthur Riley, an incredible writer and the creator of the Black Liturgies Instagram account, “If your hope is waning, find those who can sustain it. And when the time comes, you will carry someone else’s hope for them. No individual can resist despair on their own. We steady each other. We can’t afford despair.”

With hope and solidarity, the Newsletter team.

Action Updates

Engaging MP Noormohamed on Arms Embargo demands

We now know about the concerns that General Dynamics is supplying arms to the US that will be supplied to Israel. I raised this issue with MP Taleeb Noormohamed who responded to my inquiry. While there has been no confirmation from him about what exactly the nature of General Dynamics role is, he has mentioned that Global Affairs Canada is in contact with the parties involved and is investigating. He also stated: "I remain resolute in the view that Canadian arms should not be sent to kill innocent civilians and will continue to advocate to ensure that that is not the case. The Canadian Government’s position remains clear on this and we expect that position to hold under our Government."

Taleeb has also been hosting a number of roundtable discussions. I attended the roundtable on building resilient communities. Issues regarding racism and inequality were raised at the discussion. Canada's foreign policy as barriers to resilient and inclusive communities was brought up as well as Canada's hypocritical support of ongoing colonial activities in other countries.

Taleeb has several upcoming events planned in the riding:

• Community picnic at Mount Pleasant Park (3161 Ontario St) on Saturday, August 31, 11am-1:30pm. Click here for details.

• Community roundtable on September 3rd from 5-6 PM. Click here to register.

It is important that we follow up on the results of the Global Affairs inquiry to ensure that corporations in Canada are not bypassing the weapons ban by using third parties like the US to transfer weapons. We encourage our community members to attend these events, meet each other and have respectful dialogue with Taleeb voicing our concerns.

-Siddiki

**Want to know more about how Canada is still arming Israel? **Click here to listen to this recent CJPME Podcast with Rachel Small from World BEYOND War (29 min).

Stay Tuned: Launch of Community Action for Palestine

We are happy to announce the upcoming launch of Community Action For Palestine, a grassroots group that believes strongly in the right to Palestinian self-determination and in ending Canada’s complicity in Israel’s genocide and apartheid of the Palestinian people. This group came together through VanGran4Pal and VanQuad4Pal and focuses on developing campaigns that bring targeted, organized BDS actions to communities across Canada.

The first campaign, Divest From Everyday Banking, is aimed at giving people the knowledge and skills to confidently divest their everyday banking activities from Canadian banks (all of whom are complicit in the brutal occupation of Palestine). Look out for more details in the coming weeks! For now, follow them on Instagram at @communityactionforpalestine and keep an eye out for their website, dropping soon: www.communityactionforpalestine.com

Indigo Kills Kids - National Day of Action - Sept 25

Indigo Kills Kids is a social campaign calling for a renewed push to boycott Indigo due to its CEO’s involvement in the oppression of Palestinians and its complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Indigo’s CEO, Heather Reisman, has funnelled over $185M into a “charity” that supports the Israeli military. Check out IndigoKillsKids.ca to learn more and sign up to adopt a local Indigo/Chapters location on the Day of Action!

Upcoming Events

Solidarity Circle for Palestine - Sunday, Sept 1

Sunday, September 1

1-4 pm

**Registration is free and required. **Register by clicking here

Location close to Commercial/Broadway (shared with those who RSVP)

Join us for an informal community circle of organizers, neighbours, & parents to build solidarity and hold space for collective grief during the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The event is organized by a multi-racial, multi-faith group including members of Vancouver-Granville for Palestine, Free Palestine Tri-cities BC, Parents for Palestine, and Independent Jewish Voices.

Tea and light refreshments will be served, and we will have child activities on site for those who wish to bring their little ones. Please wear a mask to keep our community safe (N95 masks are recommended as they offer the best protection). We will have some masks available for those who need them. We ask that if you are feeling unwell that you please stay home. Please refrain from wearing scents or heavy perfumes.

Artists for Gaza - Mutual Aid Fundraiser - Sept 3

Tuesday September 35-9 pmRed Gate Arts Society - 1965 Main St, Vancouver

$15 or pay what you canJoin us on September 3rd for an art sale with music and live poetry writing. 100% of the proceeds will be going to Gazan families directly impacted by the ongoing genocide. It has been over 300 days and we will not stop, we will not rest, we show up for P@l£$tine. No one is free until we are all free.

See more event details by clicking here.

Tattoo Raffle for Mohammed and his Family in Gaza

@ziencefictionart has put together a tattoo raffle for @mohammed._.badwan and his family in Gaza. We are 1/6 of the way to the goal amount, let’s keep pushing it Winner will be drawn on Sept 1!

Community Spotlight

Vacationing with my little nephews on the Sunshine Coast this summer, we came across Palestinian flags along the beach. A reminder that even as we rest, cherish our loved ones, and run in the sand, we can’t forget the children of Palestine.

~H

Contribute to the Newsletter

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With gratitude and in solidarity,

Your Neighbours

Van Gran 4 Palestine

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