david parker

African Nova Scotians May Become First in Canada to Join the SRDC

david parker — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:47:54 +0000

Round Table Discussion with Rocky Jones, Denise Allen

CKDU Community Radio in Halifax hosted a round table discussion on July 19th to mark 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent, and to alert Nova Scotians to a series of upcoming town halls. The discussion featured guest panelists Dr. Rocky Jones and Denise Allen.

Student Group Launches Edible Garden

david parker — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:31:08 +0000

On Wednesday, July 28th, members of Campus Action on Food (CAF), a Dalhousie campus based group, displayed their container garden project called 'Edible Campus' at a garden party. The party featured music, workshops, face painting, a corn boil, and cupcakes.

"We Have to Stand Together"

Hillary — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:40:02 +0000

Monday's March Demands Justice for All

To listen to the first podcast, click here.

Queer Country

Editor — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:40:29 +0000

Mapping Queer liberation in rural Nova Scotia

HALIFAX—It all started with a bike trip. During a long distance cycle from Halifax to Pictou County in July, 2008, Sonia Edworthy and Lynne Hood discovered what they called “Queer Paradise” in rural Nova Scotia.

The Mermaid and the Cow campground is situated among beautiful rolling hills, red dirt roads, forests and farmland. It is a place dedicated to providing a safe and fun camping experience for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) communities and their queer-positive friends.

"I have lived on this farm for 31 years; it's a beautiful place, and it was time to share it," says Jane Morrigan, lesbian, owner of the campground and former dairy farmer, of her decision to open the campground eight years ago. Morrigan loves to explain her connection to the land and the farm: "It's been an intensely powerful force, giving inspiration, hope, sustenance and comfort. Being so close to nature, so close to the beauty of the universe, virtually on my doorstep, has made the difference between getting through things and not getting through things."

Edworthy and Hood, along with their friend Kelly Baker, who was writing her master’s thesis on the experience of rural queer in Nova Scotia, returned to the campground a few months later. In the midst of a snowstorm, they planned a summer event that would embrace the spirit of camp and camping, of coming out and being out.

"I think part of our motivation to organize Camp Out was to create a space outside of the more typically sanctioned spaces for queer people to get together,” says Edworthy. “To create a space that was real and open and safe for people."

Students Battle Over NSPIRG

david parker — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:51:17 +0000

Political factions square off at Dal Student Union AGM

HALIFAX – “We need to trust that people will be honest”, said Mat Brechtel, chair of the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU), referring to a ballot vote after two votes by hand count had failed to determine whether or not a motion concerning the Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group (NSPIRG) would be added to the meeting's agenda. Brechtel was chairing the DSU's Annual General Meeting to a packed auditorium of 200 students.

The motion called on the DSU to make NSPIRG vacate their offices within 30 days, that NSPIRG make a public apology for "wasting students' money," and also stated that all funds should be with held from NSPIRG and held in trust by the DSU.

The issue of whether the student-funded social justice organization NSPIRG should continue to receive funding was the hot debate item of the evening. Though the item was added to the agenda, it now needs to be voted on by the Dalhousie student body at a subsequent general meeting, to be held April 1st in the Dalhousie Student Union Building at 6:30 pm. It will require a simple majority of 50 percent plus one to either pass or fail.

The meeting began with a tightly controlled security check at the doors of the McInnes Room, the auditorium where the AGM was held. As per orders of DSU President, Courtney Larkin, no non-Dalhousie students were allowed into the AGM, including NSPIRG members and a staff, despite precedence during past AGMs.

According to supporters of NSPIRG inside the meeting, several non-students were still in attendance, including former members of the DSU council and executive.

Peace Delegation Unites Arabs with Non-Arab Community

david parker — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:24:35 +0000

When it comes to spreading awareness and making change, protesting in the streets can alienate people. “We wanted to use a different approach,” explained Steve Law, an organizer of the Delegation for Peace for Palestine.

On February 26, organizers of the Peace Delegation wanted to recognize the injustice and the current humanitarian crisis in Palestine, and also break the silence, forge new relationships, and raise awareness. “We want to offer a visual representation to the Arabic community that non-Arabs are concerned with Gaza and with Palestine,” said Law.

Groups from the non-Arab community, such as the Tatamagouche Centre, the Halifax Peace Coalition, and Heartwood Community Youth Engagement, partnered in the creation of the event with Arabic community groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Society, the Canada Palestine Association, the Muslim Student Association, and radio hosts of Salaam Halifax on CKDU 88.1fm.

Dr. Hadi Salah, the principal of the Maritime Muslim Academy, addressed the crowd at the event. “I arrived in Nova Scotia in 1982. Back then we were a dozen families, connecting with our roots, and there was no sympathy in the broader community. For a long time, Arabs gathered to discuss issues that mattered to us, such as peace. Now there are over 20,000 immigrants in Halifax. More than ever, it is important that all Nova Scotians discuss the issues that are so important for Arabic immigrants.”

The informality of the event was important for Mohammed Gharbiya, a member of the Palestine Solidarity Society. “While eating here over dinner, anyone can add their own ideas. Before tonight, I had never heard of most of these groups. Now we can organize together.”

Justice Served Cold

david parker — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:44:46 +0000

Four Atlantica arrestees declare police and prison mistreatment

HALIFAX - It was a cold winter's day nearing Christmas, and not much was stirring on the streets of Halifax. In front of the Provincial Court on Spring Garden Road, a group of people huddled together, entering the court for a long-awaited trial date. On December 22, 2008, four Haligonians took the stand and testified in front of a judge to a courtroom packed with supporters.

The defendants had been charged a year and a half earlier after hundreds took to the streets of downtown Halifax on June 15, 2007, to oppose a regional integration proposal known as Atlantica. Charges included carrying weapons, wearing masks with intent, unlawful assembly, and resisting arrest.

The Atlantica demonstrations numbered 400 protesters and included a militant tactic known as a black bloc that intended to shut down the conference.

Demonstrators were targeted by police and reported extreme police brutality, including being choked until unconscious, shocked with taser guns, and beaten by batons.

George Dalli was one of the defendants on trial. "I saw police hitting other people, pepper spraying, tasers were drawn: it was an intense and intimidating situation before the arrest. I told the officers 'I'm not resisting arrest, not trying to be violent.' I was rolled onto my stomach, hands behind my back. I was choked, fingers were jabbed into my neck, I said 'don't do this to me, I'm losing consciousness, don't do this to me', and I continued saying this until I lost consciousness."

The 21 individuals arrested that day spent the next three days in jail, the first 48 hours in lockdown.

Halifax rallies behind Gaza

david parker — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:13:17 +0000

Citizens around the world are taking to the streets in opposition to the recent Israeli military invasion of Gaza. In Canada, cities across the country organized their own rallies, marches, and demonstrations, some numbering in the tens of thousands of participants. Since December 27, 2008, over 1200 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 5000 have been wounded, the majority civilians.

Gaza, Gaza don't you cry

david parker — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:47:56 +0000