VIDEO: “Guantánamo of the Pacific”: Australian Asylum Seekers Wage Hunger Strike at Offshore Detention Site

A massive hunger strike is underway at what some are calling “the Guantánamo Bay of the Pacific.” TSome have barricaded themselves behind the detention center’s high wire fences; others have resorted to increasingly drastic measures such as drinking washing detergent, swallowing razor blades, and even sewing their mouths shut to protest their confinement.

Watch Democracy Now video here: http://www.democracynow.org/2015/1/22/guantanamo_of_the_pacific_australian_asylum

Are you already violating the feds’ new anti-terror bill?

Harper introduced Bill C-51, a sweeping piece of legislation that covers everything from what you’re allowed to say and write to who can board a plane, what happens to your tax information and how long you can be detained without charge.

 http://globalnews.ca/news/1803553/are-you-already-violating-the-feds-new-anti-terror-bill/

My call from a former hunger striker inside the Lindsay Superjail

In recent months I’ve been receiving collect calls from a man who’s being held at the Central East Correctional Centre, also known as the Lindsay Superjail. He’s one of about 200 immigration detainees who began hunger strikes at the jail in September 2013 to protest lengthy detentions and seemingly endless immigration hearings. More than a year later, many of them are still in a maximum-security purgatory that sounds like hell on earth.

https://nowtoronto.com/news/my-call-from-a-former-hunger-striker-inside-the-lindsay-supe/

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1) Video: Comedian’s take on immigrants stealing jobs in Canada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4kvY9bVDi0&feature=youtu.be

2) Video: Migrant baby Alpha born in jail, still there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9pgveUowjw

3) A bad year for Canadian citizenship “The reform has made it possible for citizenship to be withdrawn at the whim of politicians. In the year to come, it will become clear which citizens will be targeted for removal and who will be extended the privilege to belong.”. Read more: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/01/03/a_bad_year_for_canadian_citizenship.html

4) Border Services ramping up arrests, advocates say “Nearly 600 people in the Pacific region were removed between April and November. Community groups who work with undocumented migrants are reporting an increase in arrests of workers by the Canada Border Services Agency in recent months.” Read more http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Border+Services+ramping+arrests+advocates/10461322/story.html#ixzz3LeqyCzit

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On International Migrants Day Thursday December 18th at 10 am at the YWCA (733 Beatty Street), Mexican community members, LGBT refugee groups, human rights organizations, and legal experts are calling on the federal government to remove Mexico from the “Designated Countries of Origin” refugee list.

With speakers
– Karla Lottini: Mexican refugee and journalist, member of No One Is Illegal
– Laura Track: Lawyer and Executive Director of West Coast LEAF
– Gil Aguilar: Migrant Workers Dignity Association and Make Mexico Safe
campaign
– Chris Morrisey: Founder of Rainbow Refugee Committee and winner of
Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal

A petition to remove Mexico from the designated countries of origin list has gathered over 1200 signatures. The petition states, “Given the recent suicide of Mexican migrant Lucia Vega Jimenez in a Canadian detention center and the current crisis in Ayotzinapa-Guerrero, it is clear that Mexico is not safe for refugees. I want you to remove Mexico from the list of safe countries immediately.”

Petition link: https://www.change.org/p/conservative-government-remove-mexico-from-the-refugee-list-of-safe-countries

Since the Conservative government’s implementation of the Refugee Exclusion Act in 2012, Mexico and forty other countries have been placed on this list. Refugee claimants from these countries face a different legal system and have fewer rights. This enables Canada to fast-tracks deportations to these countries.
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Check Your Head is a youth-driven nonprofit organization working with young people to take action for social & environmental justice.  Working together with No One Is Illegal, a grassroots anti-colonial migrant justice group with leadership from members of migrant and/or racialized backgrounds, we are excited to announce a new workshop – and we’re looking for volunteer facilitators!

How can I get involved?

We’re looking for youth with direct experience of migration and migrant issues to lead workshops with school and community groups. In addition to leading workshops, volunteers will also take part in a weekend of facilitation training. Youth of all genders, abilities, backgrounds, of any status, and LGBT2IQ folks are encouraged to apply. You must be available January 24 & 25th to participate in a mandatory facilitation training.

Send a statement of interest (max. 500 words) to aleks@checkyourhead.org by noon on January 2nd.
Tell us why you’re passionate about migrant justice, and what issues are important to you!