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Action
Protest Around the USCheck this out! Here is a google map of protest that is occurring in the States! Thanks to Student Activism for this.
View Larger Map
(The red markers are building occupations, the blue ones are demonstrations, the green ones are strikes, and the yellow ones are other newsworthy stories. A black dot means that one or more students were arrested in connection with the event.)
In a show of solidarity with all students faced with tuition increases (U of A students as well as others coming soon, to be sure), come on out to the protest! Bring a sign, make some noise. Thursday, March 18, 2010 The march will start at SUB on U of A campus at 12:00 noon, and go through campus and to the Legislature. Alternatively, you can just meet up with us at the Legislature at 12:45 (if you take the train, get off at Grandin station).
more info/get Facebook to remind you!
We are also looking for volunteers to conduct short surveys of the student body at large. Send us an email if you're interested!
Any and all suggestions are most welcome, especially when backed up by a desire to DO! Please contact SWAG and get involved!
Past Actions
2008/2009 Year:
Films for the Student WorkerMonday, September 22, 6:30pm
The Weather Underground
This film tells the story of the Weather Underground, an organization born out of the anti Vietnam War and civil rights movements that turned to using violent tactics. After the screening, we will discuss different approaches to student and youth organization and the benefits and drawbacks of the methods and tactics they imply.
Film description from the International Movie Database: "In the 1960s and 1970s, the polarization of the political situation of the USA was becoming acute with the Vietnam War abroad and civil rights at home being but the most obvious issues. For the youth political movement, the seemingly ineffectual methods of peaceful protest and resistance led to the rise of an idealistic faction that want a more extreme approach that the Establishment could not ignore. This faction, called the Weather Underground, attempted to team up with the Black Panthers to violently confront the US government that started with street riots and escalating to bombing government targets. Thorough archival footage and interviews of the veterans of both sides of this conflict, this film covers the resistance movement's campaign of selective violence through this period until changing times and disillusionment brought it to an end while the FBI used unethical and illegal methods to hasten it."
Monday, October 6, 6:30pm.
North Country
This is a powerful film, based on a true story, about women miners that wanted to organize for better working conditions but in their struggle they came up not only against their bosses but also the entrenched sexism of their co-workers and community, as well as their uncompromisingly bureaucratic and unhelpful union. After the screening we will discuss the barriers and opportunities for organizing women in many different contexts.
Film Description from the International Movie Database: "A semi-fictionalized account of a long legal battle of group of women miners who endured a hostile work environment and numerous and continuous insults and unwanted touching when they became the first women to go work at the Eveleth Mines in Minnesota."
Monday, October 20, 6:30pm.
A Day Without a Mexican
This film sheds a light-hearted, comical light on one of the most present issues in North America today. After the screening we will present some information on the situation for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada, and discuss ways of acting in solidarity with immigrant and migrant workers the world over.
Film Description from the International Movie Database: "A thick fog surrounds California's borders, communication beyond state lines is cut off, and the Mexicans disappear: workers, spouses, and business owners are missing. Cars are abandoned in the street, food is left cooking on the stove. We meet the wife of a musician who's gone, a state Senator whose maid doesn't show up for work, and a farm owner whose produce is ripe and unpicked. A scientist asks any Mexicans who haven't disappeared to volunteer for genetic experiments: a female newscaster and the daughter of the musician may be the only missing links around. Why them? And where have all the Mexicans gone? Even the border guards grieve. The state and its economy grind to a halt."
Monday, November 3, 6:30pm.
Documentaries on Worker Controlled Factories in Argentina
In the midst of a growing economic crisis, thousands of workers across dozens of industries in Argentina took control of their workplaces rather than see them shut down and leave the workers job less. The Recovered Enterprises, as they are known as, have developed into inspiring examples for industrial democracy and worker control. Discussion following the screening will include a brief presentation by a UofA Student that has worked extensively with the Recovered Enterprises.
Monday, November 17, 6:30pm.
The Strategy of the Snail
A group of people occupying a building in a working class neighbourhood of Bogota, Colombia, are threatened with eviction when the owner decides to sell. Instead of quietly aquiesing, the occupants resist the eviction and dream up a plan to get back at the owner and maintain their home and dignity. After the film, we'll discuss the situation for tenants in Alberta and possibilities for organizing to correct the balance of power.
Monday, December 1, 6:30pm.
ANTZ
To end the semester off on a lighter note, we're screening this animated movie that touches on themes individuality, collectivity, and workers' organizations.
Fire your Boss!
Over a weekend in this November we will be hosting another Organizer Training workshop, in conjunction with the local IWW. Come to learn how to organize your workplace to make meaningful gains for yourself and your coworkers in creative and flexible ways.
Etc.
We're always cooking up new ideas, workshops, and projects. Keep checking here for updates on more SWAG activities.
We're also always on the look out for new ideas and energy. If you're interested in getting involved with SWAG, please drop us a line!
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