We are writing to ask for your financial support to help defend John Graham. As most of you know, John Graham is a political prisoner who is Southern Tutchone from the Yukon Territory. He is currently imprisoned in Rapid City, South Dakota (Background Information Below). John’s trial date is set for October 2008 and his family and close supporters are planning to travel to South Dakota in order to support John during this time. There are, of course costs associated with this trip. Hence, in this letter, we are making a special financial appeal to support John’s family and friends to travel and stay in South Dakota for up to one month during his trial. * We are aiming for 50 people/organizations to donate at least $20 each by the end of September *

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The 2010 Winter Olympics will take place on unceded indigenous land from February 12-28 2010. Far from being simply about ‘sport’, the history of the Olympics is one rooted in displacement, corporate greed, fascism, repression, and violence. Only the political and corporate elite – from real estate developers to security corporations – have anything to gain from the Olympics industry. The effects of the upcoming Winter Games have already manifested themselves- with the expansion of sport tourism and resource extraction on indigenous lands; increasing homelessness and gentrification of poor neighbourhoods; increasing privatization of public services; union busting through imposed contracts and exploitative conditions especially for migrant labour; the fortification of the national security apparatus; ballooning public spending and public debt; and unprecedented destruction of the environment.

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The Edmonton Journal. Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Canadian officials surveying the Beijing Olympics must be paying special attention to the myriad protests and criticisms — some overdrawn and overwrought — that have dogged China before and during the Games. If they are wise, our observers should fight the temptation to feel smugly superior. Learning from the mistakes of the Chinese leadership would be far more appropriate. For better or worse, the global focus attending the Olympics provides an irresistible platform for anyone with a grievance against the host country. And while Canada has considerable bragging rights compared with China in the areas of free speech, democracy, religious freedom and other fundamental liberties, we are not without our shiny spots.

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August 8, 2008. New York Times By ANDREW JACOBS

BEIJING — Li Tianchao is an itinerant worker who has spent his adult life toiling long hours, living in bleak worksite dormitories and chasing the next construction job from boomtown to boomtown. A no-nonsense, weatherworn man, he is not quick to grouse.  But as he waited for a train to take him back to his hometown north of the capital, Mr. Li, 50, could not help but feel wistful.  “The Olympics have finally come to China, and I won’t even be here,” he said, lounging on a woven plastic sack stuffed with his possessions. He glanced up at the “Participate in the Olympics, Enjoy the Fun” banner above his head and shrugged.

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– No Olympics on stolen land!
– Disrupt and abolish the G8 and SPP
– Active support and solidarity for local struggles of self-determination, justice and dignity*

[August 2008 – OTTAWA] In the year 2010, three major international events will be taking place in the Canadian state: the Winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler (between February 12-28); the G8 Leader’s Summit in Huntsville, Ontario (most likely in June or July); and the meeting of the NAFTA leaders as part of the so-called “Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP)” (date and location not yet known).

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