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JUNE 16th , 2008 CCAMU IS STILL LOOKING FOR MORE
VOLUNTEERS FOR THE |
| IN THIS ISSUE: 1) REPORT: ARTISTS FOR BOB CONCERT
It was a beautiful evening of celebration at the Sydenham Street United Church on Saturday, June the 14th. Artists spoke, sang and played in honour of the former-Chief Robert Lovelace of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, who was imprisoned for peacefully protesting a proposed uranium mine in the Sharbot Lake area. Robert served 106 days of a 6-month sentence handed down by Justice Cunningham back in February 2008. On May 27th, a Toronto court of appeal reduced his sentence to time served and eliminated the $25,000 fine handed out by Cunningham, stating that their ruling did not mean they endorsed the first sentence. In fact, the three judges who were presiding over the appeal appeared bewildered at the original sentencing and repeatedly asked the lawyer for Frontenac Ventures Corp. where, in Canadian law, was the precedent for such a harsh sentence for a first time offence of this type. Robert walked free that day and was met at the courthouse by hundreds of supporters. Close to 1000 people came to Saturday's concert to show their continued support for Robert. Artists Terry Tufts, Jenny Whiteley, Joey Wright, Christine Bougie, Kathryn Briggs, Maya Thau-Eleff, Susan Aglukark, David Francey, Bruce Cockburn, surprise guest Sarah Harmer, Unity and the Ardoch Algonquin Manomin Keezis Singers and Allies all gave heart felt performances. Steven Heighton, and Michael Ondaatje read poignant prose from their own works, allowing the audience time to reflex on the darker parts of Canadian history. Towards the end of the evening, Robert spoke about his time in prison and remarked that he was still getting used to being free. He went on to say, with his customary dry humour, that was he still trying to "Velcro" his pants up after using the washroom. Robert spoke about, "the week of apologies" remarking on the Federal government's apology to the First Nations for the residential school program that removed thousands native children from their families and put them into a school system that were often abusive and highly destructive to the native culture. Robert once again used his wit to "apologize" to Canadians for all of the terrible things that the First Nations must have done to deserve this cultural genocide (editor's choice of word.) His remarks were met with a strained laughter that recognized the irony of his words. The crowd roared their approval when he finished by saying, "but for protecting our homeland from destruction, that I will not apologize for." Special thanks go out to Paul Gervan, Robin Comolli, Ellen Hamilton, Chris Coleman, David Finley, Nan Hudson, Candy McGlynn-Bilow, Kim McGlynn, Al Rankin and Kyra Walker Pearson for organizing an amazing and uplifting show. Over $20,000 was raised by the benefit concert and all funds will be sent to a trust account established by Robert's colleagues at Queen's University and administered by the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG). They will be used, at Robert's discretion, to defer costs related to his three-month incarceration, legal fees for his lawyer Chris Reid, and the continuing struggle against the threat of an open pit uranium mine in North Frontenac County. Additional donations should be directed to: A compilation CD "Artists for the Algonquin" was created to mark the occasion and raise funds for the Ardoch Algonquin First Nations Trust Fund. It is a collection of songs by Canadian artists Daniel Lanois, Bruce Cockburn, David Francey, Fred Eaglesmith, Tom Wilson, Rick Fines, Jenny Whiteley, Steve Dawson, Joey Wright, Terry Tufts, Night Sun and many others. All of the songs come from a deep commitment to social justice, aboriginal rights and environmental protection. Contact info@aafna.ca to find out where you can get your copy. -Lynn Daniluk 2) REPORT: KIWI GARDEN'S "ART IN THE GARDEN"
The CCAMU volunteers handed out written material and spoke to the public about the dangers of uranium mining and how it would impact our surrounding area. Most people were very receptive to the information and signed our petition to the provincial government calling for a moratorium on uranium mining in eastern Ontario. Thank you to Carmi Galant, Dave Nielson, Wolfe Erlichman, Christine Graves, Peter Bennett and Ellen Good for volunteering their time. Thanks also go out to Ellen Frazer for her help with the event. Kiwi Gardens is located 3km North on Harper Road, just off of Highway 7, and about 4km West of Perth, Ontario. www.kiwigardens.ca
-LD 3) PARLIAMENT OF CANADA: NDP MP TAKES STRONG STAND AGAINST UNETHICAL WEAPONS BC Southern Interior MP tabled a motion on abolishing depleted uranium arms June 12, 2008 OTTAWA - NDP MP Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior) - tabled a motion (M-509) on Wednesday calling on the government to take a leading role in helping to abolish the use of depleted uranium (DU) in armaments and munitions. The motion also calls for the government to cease the deployment of our military and civilian personnel in regions where these weapons have been or will be used. "The Canadian government must take strong and decisive action to help rid the world of this environmental and toxic health hazard. Long lasting and often deadly effects on soldiers and innocent civilians alike have been well documented," said Atamanenko. "Our military does not use depleted uranium weapons and we should not be deploying our soldiers to fight with armies who do." Atamanenko's motion comes on the heels of a far-reaching resolution that was passed on May 22, 2008, by the European Parliament towards an EU and NATO-wide moratorium and global ban. Atamanenko says depleted uranium weapons, much like cluster bombs and landmines, have an indiscriminate effect on civilian populations long after they are used in combat. He suggests this runs counter to the basic rules and principles that are already enshrined in international, humanitarian and environmental laws. Currently there are 18 countries that use depleted uranium weapons in their arsenals. Under international law they are considered weapons of mass destruction. Statutes and regulations under the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) prohibit the use of Canadian uranium in DU weapons. "It is unacceptable that we would contravene our own laws and agreements by failing to ensure that our uranium is only used for peaceful purposes. I'm deeply concerned about the dangers of depleted uranium, and I strongly support my colleague, Alex Atamanenko's motion," added NDP Defence Critic, Dawn Black (Burnaby New Westminster) For more information: Office of Alex Atamanenko, MP 4) ARTICLE: LOCAL ACTIVISTS SKEPTICAL THAT PROVINCE IS REVIEWING CONTROVERSIAL MINING ACT By Lauren Gilchrist MyKawartha.com June 16, 2008 "It's been a long time coming, more than 100 years in fact, but the Ontario Mining Act is finally getting the review people argue it so desperately needs." To read the rest of this story go to, http://www.mykawartha.com/news/article/30150 5) ARTICLE: IRAQ: 'SPECIAL WEAPONS' HAVE A FALLOUT ON BABIES By Ali al-Fadhily and Dahr Jamail* June 12, 2008 FALLUJAH, Jun 12 (IPS) - Babies born in Fallujah are showing illnesses and deformities on a scale never seen before, doctors and residents say. The new cases, and the number of deaths among children, have risen after "special weaponry" was used in the two massive bombing campaigns in Fallujah in 2004. After denying it at first, the Pentagon admitted in November 2005 that white phosphorous, a restricted incendiary weapon, was used a year earlier in Fallujah. To read the rest of this article go to, http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42762 6) ARTICLE: NEW ONTARIO NUCLEAR PLANT TO GO TO OPG'S DARLINGTON SITE EAST OF TORONTO June 16, 2008 By Keith Leslie The Canadian Press "TORONTO - Ontario's Liberal government has decided to build two new nuclear reactors, the first in 15 years, at the site of the existing Darlington nuclear plant east of Toronto with an eye towards generating electricity by July 2018, Energy Minister Gerry Phillips announced Monday." To read the rest of this article go to, |