l’Université de Montréal, 3200 avenue Jean-Brillant, room B2325
(Metro l’Université de Montréal or Cote-de-Neiges Metro or 165 Bus-north from Guy-Concordia Metro to ave. Hean-Brillant

In Canada and abroad it is getting harder for women, minorities and marginalized people to live without the threat of arrest or deportation, increased by the use of mechanisms such as security certificates. Borders are closed. State and corporate imperialist agendas are making the lives of many more miserable with wars, sanctions, economic deprivation and environmental degradation. Dissent and resistance are criminalized. The ‘war on terror’ invades our democratic spaces and erodes our civil and human rights. The media has become part of the status quo. The rhetoric of globalization -- choice, democracy-- and the realities are very different.

Speakers will address issues of local and international concern for women. Their feminist analysis, contextualized by race, class, indigenous and minority experience, is grounded in lives of resistance and struggle. They will share their experiences and help us to better understand the world in which we live, in order that we can find ways to improve it for ourselves and our children. Their information and analysis will show how rights are trampled in the service of agendas of states and corporations. As Dolores Chew, member of the 8th March committee said, « We are made to believe that we live in a democracy, but inch by inch and continuously, our rights are being eroded. There is a taking over of the political space and the commons by vested interests, lobbies and right-wing conservative, patriarchal and fundamentalist agendas. » Monique Rocheleau, another committee member said, « Policing of dissidence has increased. In addition there is an ever-greater use of privatization in security and military. This makes it even more difficult for people to demand accountability from governments.»

Our invited guests will shatter the silences in the mainstream media and cut through government facades, when they share their realities of resistance directly with us. Invited speakers include Shadi Amin, an Iranian woman journalist, forced to live in exile in Germany, Connie Bragas-Regalado of MIGRANTE International, a migrant worker’s organization based in the Philippines and White Bear Woman (Danka Brewer), of the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, (Sharbot Lake near Kingston) who are fighting plans to develop uranium mining on their lands, and Beatrize Lujan of CETLAC (Centro de Estudios y Taller Laboral) Ciudad Juarez. They and other speakers will address issues gender inequality, violence – state and family and social justice. There will be periods of discussion permitting all participants to engage the issues of the day.

Childcare and lunch are provided. There will be poster and literature displays. Simultaneous translation (English-French) provided. All invited – gender inclusive. Participants are asked to contribute $5 (no-one turned away).