🍉 VanGran4Pal Community Newsletter
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**Neighbours and Friends, **
This week we are honouring the changing seasons and acknowledging all that we’ve witnessed and how we’ve been changed over the course of a year. We’re urging others to speak out if they haven’t yet.
In this week’s edition, we’re highlighting some key campaigns and events for you to add to your calendars (check out The Palestine Calendar for more), whilst celebrating Bisan’s Emmy win and cheering on the dozens of UN diplomats who walked out of the UN General Assembly before Netanyahu spoke. We’re applauding folks around the world who continue to blockade, boycott, hound their reps and protest for Palestine and human rights everywhere.
In the news this week, we are heartbroken that Lebanon is being bombarded by Israel** **with more than 700 people murdered since Monday. That’s 700 neighbours and friends - a whole community. Our Van Gran newsletter community has the same number of people in it. We honour and acknowledge all of you for being here. Writing this newsletter can be a tough process, but we are so grateful when we see how many readers we have who are still active and caring almost one year on. We are proud to be your neighbours and look forward to standing alongside you this fall. If you know anyone who would like to join us and grow our community, please forward this email along.
Action Updates
Provincial Elections in October
This is your reminder that elections will be held in BC on October 19th. You must register to vote by midnight on October 7th. Please read this info page from elections BC and ensure that you are prepared to use your voice in the forthcoming elections, and make sure to encourage all your friends to do the same! If you have a preferred party or candidate in mind (here is the list of candidates), please write them an email and ask them to clarify concrete actions they will take on Palestine before you will give them your vote. Some ideas of questions to ask from our community:
- What specific measures will you take to address anti-Palestinian racism in BC?
- Do you support the inclusion of the Nakba into the BC education curriculum?
- Do you oppose the IRHA definition of anti-Semitism?
- What specific measure will you take to ensure that BC is not complicit in Israel’s genocide against Palestinians or the occupation of Palestinian territory?
If you’re not sure what your electoral district is, you can find out here.
Report on Boycott Indigo National Day of Action on Sept 25
On Wednesday, thousands of concerned residents, authors, activists and human rights advocates, including Jewish and Palestinian representatives, gathered at 50 Indigo Books & Music locations from coast to coast for a Day of Action organized by the grassroots campaign Indigo Kills Kids.
The peaceful demonstrations included read-ins inside stores, banner drops, handing out bookmarks, speeches by authors, prayers honouring children killed in Gaza, and performances by poets and musicians, including of Jewish folk songs outside Indigo’s flagship location at Bay and Bloor in Toronto. Read the full press release about the National Day of Action here and learn more about the campaign and its calls to action here!
P.s. If you are looking for a new local bookstore, we love Massy Books - for those not in Vancouver, they ship! <3
Upcoming Events
Major Event - October 7th Vancouver Art Gallery
Monday October 7 20244 pm - Education and Art7 pm - Mobilize, Rally and ActVANCOUVER ART GALLERY
We all need to show up in a big way for this event. Please bring your friends, your flags, your peace signs and join together at Vancouver Art Gallery on Monday, October 7th.
Sept 28th - Neighbourhood Banner Drop!
Saturday, September 2812 pmThornton Park or Granville Loop Park
Come on down and meet your community at this local neighbourhood banner drop, at two different locations - take your pick! Bring your signs and dress for the weather. If you haven’t joined a banner drop before, it’s a great way to get to know your neighbours and to keep Palestine in people’s minds. If you’re driving past, please honk your horns and throw up your peace signs for your comrades!
Week of Events: October 4-13
Full Event Calendar Dropping soon!
The Canadian BDS Coalition & International BDS Allies call upon all supporters of Palestinian liberation around the world to join us in a week of boycott action from October 4 through 13, 2024, marking one year of genocide and one year of resistance – amid 76 years of genocide and 76 years of resistance – to end the genocide now and liberate Palestine!
Organizations: click** here** to endorse the Week
Click here to register your event as part of the Week
Calendar of events will be available here shortly!
The struggle for the right to return and the liberation of Palestine is being led by the Palestinian people. This is not only a struggle to bring the past 12 months of extreme genocidal aggression to an end, but for the liberation of Palestine. At the same time, we see the complicity and direct responsibility of the United States, Canada, Britain, and European Union states for the ongoing genocide, through ongoing weapons sales and unlimited political, diplomatic and military support for the genocidal regime.
We urge all groups to endorse the Week, join in, take action, and organize your own events. We will provide posters and other materials that you can use in your actions, and we invite you to become part of our planning team to share your ideas with other organizations that are part of the Week of Action. Let’s come together for a powerful International Week of Action for Boycott for Palestinian Liberation!
Zine Making Workshop - October 6th
YOU LOVED OUR ZINE MAKING WORKSHOP SO… WE’RE BRINGING IT BACK ‼️ Come to @thejamesblackgallery with your pals on the 6th of October & join us for a lovely crafty evening lead by our lovely team members, Harmony & Cassandra (@chimneychalamet & @oatmilk_femme)! We will be alternating between taking action & making zines centring palestine, themes of resistance, and collective liberation. ✍️📝✂️💌📮🤲🏽♥️‼️Bring magazines, stamps, any supplies you’d be okay with sharing and/or would love to use to make your zines with!🍽️Optional but encouraged - bring some snacks to share with everyone!♥️Whether you’ve been a long-time comrade, or you’re new to the movement (especially if you’re new to the movement!) all are welcome. This evening is an opportunity for you to get informed, take steps towards helping in the ways that we can, ask questions, engage in discussion, and also find some warmth and solace in community. Bring your grief, bring your rage, bring your love and bring your dreams for a better world. Bring it all.📆 Sunday, 6th October.⏰ From 7-9PM.📍The JBG (144 E 6th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1J5)Limited capacity! To claim your spot, add your name to the list in our sign up sheet, link here. ♥️ -@anartchists
Community Spotlight
Local Artists for Palestine
In spite of a very busy summer of work, I was finally able to attend Main Street Car Free Day and I was so honoured to connect with local artists and community members who were showing their support for Palestine. When you come across small businesses and creators who are open and vocal in their support, please show them your love and support in return!
I picked up this beautiful fundraiser print** from Ripple and Rise (and have my eye on this one!), thanks to a recommendation from someone passing me and commenting on my Massy Books watermelon tote bag.** I connected with the Sisters at Sisters Sage and bought a cedar smudge spray and saw lots of folks with watermelon motifs and wearing kuffiyehs as we listened to Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Shout out to The Soap Dispensary too - all local folks who have been standing up for Palestine. I’ll keep boycotting those complicit and supporting those who support humanity. ~Cherry
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.
Forward to a Friend
If you know people who would find this newsletter interesting, please forward it to them and have them click here to subscribe! You can also share this edition as a webpage by clicking this link**. **For anyone interested in getting more involved, please click the ‘Get Involved’ button below to fill out our sign up form.
With gratitude and in solidarity,
Your Neighbours
Van Gran 4 Palestine
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