This week in the Activist Agenda:

• Kidical Mass Rides (week long)
• Waste-Free Social Meet-Up
• Paths for People AGM
• Million March 4 Children Counter Protest
• International Day of Peace
• Climate Strike
• World Car-Free Day
• Take Back the Night Rally and March
• Homelessness informaion session/discussion
• Make Polluters Pay Action Day
• Drinks for Density
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Orange Shirt Day
• Kidical Mass Ride Edmonton
• Climate Camp

I will be posting some items that are for information purposes only. These are in case anyone reading this would like to show up as a counter protest to the actions, learn about how groups like Take Back Alberta are mobilizing, etc. They are better organized in many cases. I have highlighted these items with a gray background as exampled by this paragraph.

I have put up several pages of information to help people get involved in the activist scene in Edmonton. Check out the menu above to see a current list of resources and information (it is a work in progress).
The idea of the Activist Agenda is to be a central hub of information to help people access that information so that they can become involved. It is focused on activism and community in Edmonton and area.

Issues presently posted on this website. Easy access to groups and information to get involved – getting active (with more to come):

• Animal Rights/Welfare/Diet
• Climate Crisis – Climate Justice
• Environment – General
• Food
• Housing/Homelessness/Houselessness
• Media
• Peace
• Petitions
• Racism
• Social Justice
• Transportation/Mobility
• Waste/Littering/Plastic Pollution

Video of the Week

September 16th – 24th – Kidical Mass Action Days: “Become a part of it and organize a Kidical Mass, a school street, or a bike bus/bicibus. We have an open source platform with information and materials to get you started. We are a worldwide movement and it is still growing.”
There is an event on October 1st. See below.
URL: Kids on Bikes – Kidical Mass
Hashtags: #KidicalMass #StreetsforEveryone #StreetsforKids

September 20th, Wednesday – Waste-Free Edmonton September Meet-Up: “Join us at this beautiful, locally owned gem for a Wednesday evening Meet-Up. This is an informal gathering, where you can connect with other environmentally-minded Edmontonians. We will be sure to prepare a couple questions to help break the ice, but overall this is a casual event, with a goal of bringing people together to chat about waste, regardless of where you are in your waste reduction journey. All are welcome!
Come hungry! A note about the menu: Cafe Mosaics has tons of vegetarian options, and everything on the menu can be made vegan. They are fully licensed, and also have plenty of non-alcoholic options available.
Note: Please be aware that you will be responsible for your own food and drink. Because we are gathering together as a large group, Cafe Mosaics will be implementing their automatic gratuity of 18% to your bill.
Tickets are by donation and do not include food or drink, with funds going to help keep the organization running. By choosing to purchase a ticket ahead of time (whether free or by donation), you are helping us make an appropriate reservation, to plan ahead, and to keep our website up and our emails running! As a grassroots, volunteer-run not-for-profit organization…we truly appreciate your support and thank you from the bottom of our hearts”
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Cafe Mosaics10844 82 Avenue Northwest Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3
Tickets/Registration: Eventbrite

September 20th, Wednesday – Paths for People will be hosting our upcoming online Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 20 from 7:30-8:30pm. Register to attend below. Notice was provided in earlier August, according to our bylaws! All meeting documentation will be available this weekend on our website.
Here is the Notice of Special Resolution regarding bylaw amendments.
Time: 7:30-8:30pm
Location: Virtual
Register: Paths for People

September 20th, Wednesday – Volunteers Needed: United for Change has stepped up and have created a counter protest and they are looking for some volunteers to help with security and peacekeeping. This is a non-violence action.
Time: 8:15 am
Location: South sidewalk of Telus World of Science, 11211 – 142 Street
Facebook: United for Change event

September 20th, Wednesday – 1 Million March 4 Children: We are not promoting this event but it is here for information purposes only in case anyone reading this is interested in opposing this march.
It is a nationwide day of action being organized by Hands Off Our Kids.
Time: Gathering 9 am, Talks at 10 am and the march starts at 11 am
Location: Intersection 142nd street and 111th Avenue [this is outside the main office of the Alberta Teacher’s Association]

September 20th, Wednesday – 1 Million March 4 Children Counter Protest: United for Change has stepped up and has created a counter-protest.
Time: 8:15 am
Location: South sidewalk of Telus World of Science, 11211 – 142 Street
Facebook: United for Change event
Looks like there is another counter-protest being organized by the Edmonton & District Labour Council. Good for them.
Facebook: Kids Deserve Safety

September 21st, Thursday – International Day of Peace: A day to come together and reaffirm our goal – peace.
Time: Noon
Location: Government House, 12845 – 102 Avenue

September 21st, Thursday – Homelessness: A view From Edmonton (hosted by Men’s Shed): Ritchie Community League
“As the first in a series of community-oriented presentations, hosted by Ritchie Men’s Shed, Damian Collins (University of Alberta) will provide some background on this worsening crisis in Canadian cities, including Edmonton. Damian has spoken about this issue on CBC radio and will address the following questions:

1. What is homelessness – how is it defined, and what different forms does it take?
2. How many people are homeless in Edmonton – how has this number changed over time, and what are some of the key characteristics of our city’s homeless population?
3. What factors cause homelessness – what are underlying reasons for the crisis, and why do they make some people especially vulnerable?
4. How do men and women experience homelessness differently – why were men historically much more likely to live on the streets, and how has this changed over time?

Time: 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Ritchie Community League, 7727 98 Street
More Information: Ritchie Community League

September 22nd, Friday – World Car Free Day: It falls on a Friday this week which coincides with Coffee Outside – a great opportunity to meet up with experienced and new cyclists over some coffee (between 7 & 9 am at Ezio Faraone Park).
In many other cities, they shut down roads to encourage people to cycle to work/school on this day. The City of Edmonton has resisted this.

September 22nd, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike: A weekly reminder to Edmontonians that we are in a Climate Emergency.
We are restarting the weekly morning climate strikes.
Extra signs will be available for people to use – or bring your own.
Time: 8 am to 9 am
Location: 109thstreet and 88th Avenue
Facebook: Edmonton Climate Strike

September 22nd, Friday – Take Back the Night Rally and March: “Every year since the late 1970’s, women have organized Take Back the Night actions across the country, more recently during the third week of September. Through these actions women say No Means No! to all forms of gender-based violence and interference with the human person, whether by individuals or by the state. We walk together to affirm our right to be safe wherever we go – in the streets, in our homes, in our workplaces, and in public life.
We ask no one’s permission. Walking together at night represents our strong sense of responsibility for each other and our commitment to act together to end the violence that is woven into our society and to build a new reality where women and all humans are free from violence.
This year we walk to demand that the authorities do their duty and Search the Landfills! The refusal to do so is an act of violence against the missing women, their families, and their communities. Say their names – Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe or Buffalo Woman.
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: CO*LAB, 9641 102 A Avenue, Edmonton
More information: Women 4 Rights & Empowerment
Facebook: International Women’s Day Edmonton or Women 4 Rights & Empowerment

September 23rd, Saturday – Make Polluters Pay Action Day: “Make Polluters Pay Action Day is an international call for action on loss and damage, and people from all across the world will be taking part! 
Following the agreement for a Loss and Damage Fund at COP27, we are now fighting to ensure that the Fund works for the communities impacted, and crucially, that the biggest polluters are paying up.”
Several years ago, Justin Trudeau used the term that ‘polluters should pay”. It sounded good, but as with several of his great sound bites, it really didn’t go anywhere.
This is a UK based campaign but that does not mean we can’t participate through social media and get it trending. Here is a suggestion from their website: “Post a #MakePollutersPay selfie! 
Take a selfie/picture holding a banner or image reading Make Polluters Pay (a simple home-made paper one will do!), and post this online on Saturday the 23rd September using the hashtag #MakePollutersPay and #MPPAD!”
You could also tag your own Canadian MP on social media.
[There is a Polluter Pay – Alberta Garbage Day – planned for October 28th]
Time: All day
Website: Make Polluters Pay Action Day (MPPAD)
Hashtags: #MakePollutersPay and #MPPAD [I would add #TaxBigOil, #TaxTheRich, etc]

September 25th, Monday – Drinks for Density: Meet like-minded urbanists, build a better city and support one of the fantastic local businesses that better city planning makes possible. “Grow Together Edmonton, Paths for People and Climate Justice Edmonton are coming together for a meet, greet and planning session in support of Edmonton’s new Zoning Bylaw.
Between beers and a few introductions, we’ll discuss the importance of zoning to our city’s climate, affordability and vitality, and help map out effective strategies for speaking with council about this and the future of smart, sustainable growth in Edmonton.
Come out and show everyone what a great city has to offer. After all, urbanists that drink together, grow together.”
Time: Doors at 7, talks at 7:30
Location: Bent Stick Brewing Co, 9926 78 Avenue
Register: Eventbrite

September 27th, Wednesday – Land Alliance March: “Five First Nations from Northern Ontario will come to Toronto to lead a march calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on our Territories.  These five strong First Nations have formed a historic alliance to protect our lands and waters in the face of mounting concerns about encroachment on our territories by mining exploration companies who have been enabled by the Ford Government.”
This is happening in Toronto, but we can help support this action by Tweeting about it (Hashtags #FreeGrassyNarrows, #FreeGrassy #GrassyNarrows #LandAlliance, #MarchForTheLand), Retweeting, donating, etc.
Stay tuned for a possible solidarity action in Edmonton.
Website: Free Grassy Narrows

September 27th, Wednesday – Starbucks “Drop the Plant-Based Milk Surcharge”: “There are so many reason’s why Starbuck should drop the dairy surcharge already. Do we really have to count the ways in which dairy is bad for the environment and your health? Well I am not going to. You can google peer reviewed studies that prove my point.
The most important reason however to drop the dairy surcharge is because of the suffering the Dairy Cows go through. The surcharge should be applied to the product that is causing the most damage to the animals and the world. Plant milk does not harm the animals. While there is discussion and debate on the most harmful nut out there, it is clear that Animal Agriculture and the Dairy Industry are the most harmful nuts out there.
So with that being said, Lets sit in a Starbucks until they kick us out with signs and stickers and then move outside to show the public the absurdity.
Be Vegan!
Time: 11 am – 2 pm
Location: Starbucks, 11926 – 104th Avenue
More information: Edmonton Animal Save – Facebook page

September 29th, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike: A weekly reminder to Edmontonians that we are in a Climate Emergency.
We are restarting the weekly morning climate strikes.
Extra signs will be available for people to use – or bring your own.
Time: 8 am to 9 am
Location: 109thstreet and 88th Avenue
Facebook: Edmonton Climate Strike

September 30th, Saturday – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: “The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
The City of Edmonton also marks this day.

September 30th, Saturday – Orange Shirt Day: “Creating awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools.”
You can show your solidarity and support for justice and truth by wearing an orange shirt on this day.
There is also a run in Edmonton that you can participate in and most schools and education ffacilties are encouraging people to wear an orange shirt on this day. Powerful visual when you see a whole crowd wearing orange in the hallways.
The City of Edmonton also marks this day.

September 30th, Saturday – The Art of Honouring the Land and the Water: “On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, you’re invited to an enlightening and transformative event that celebrates Indigenous stewardship of the land and water. At the heart of our gathering, two revered Indigenous Elders will engage in a profound discussion on the paramount significance of fostering connections between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Organizations and Communities.
This day of reflection is also one of creativity: what begins as a discussion will feed into a program exploring how climate advocacy can be at once poetic, culinary and artistic.
Presented in collaboration with the Écolab series by the Society for Technological Arts.
Time: 10 am (ET – so 8 am MT)
Registration: Virtual broadcast

September 30th, Saturday – Edmonton Rodeo Protest: “Once again the bullies of the world put on cowboy hats and jump on the backs of animals so they can wrestle smaller animals to the ground in a show of strength.
That is how you determine strength? By wrestling an unwilling innocent creature to the ground.
I have no words of kindness for these evil beings.
Let us protest against the Bullies of the world who congregate at the Expo and ride the animals like the cowards they truly are.”
Time: 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Edmonton Expo Centre
More information: Facebook

October 1st, Sunday – Kidical Mass Edmonton: “Join us for a ride from Aspen Gardens to Greenfield Playground. This is an opportunity for kids and their grown-ups to ride their bikes (or scooters) together, on city streets.
What to expect:

• We will meet at 3:00pm and the ride will start at 3:30pm
• The ride will be led and marshalled by community volunteers
• Snacks and drinks will be provided at the end of the ride
• If we need to cancel due to weather conditions or poor air quality we will post a notice on this website by 2:00pm on the day of the ride

Time: 3 pm
Location: Starting at Aspen Gardens (See website for map of route details)
Website: Let’s Bike There YEG

October 2nd, Monday – International Day of Non-Violence: I have been involved in many groups and ALL of them have been based on non-violence principles. I like that.

October 2nd, Monday – “Protect Our Kids” a Presentation by James Lindsey: This is a Take Back Alberta event. I am putting it here because the Religious and Ultra-Conservatives are effectively mobilizing and bringing in speakers and ideologies from the USA. I do not think this is healthy for our society, planet, and definitely not for our children.
This is a Tweet he made: “I’m going to Canada in about a month to try to help free the people from their Communist country!”
This event is put here in case anyone wants to post a counter protest or some other action.
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Life Church, 4461 – 50th Street
More info: Eventbrite – this link no longer works because Eventbrite found it “hateful” or “dangerous” – see the Tweet below from Daivd Parker. Please note that True North that he is quoting is where his wife works. Good going Eventbrite. They were probably responding to complaints by local activists that found this event distasteful. This is how activism works.

October 4th, Wednesday – Banking Campaign Meet-Up!: “Frustrated by banks investing in fossil fuels?
Join us for a 1 hour meet-up to talk about some of the upcoming actions and events we’re organizing as part of the Banking For Our Kids campaign!”
[One of the things I switched to Servus credit union back in the 90s was that I thought they did not invest in fossil fuels. I was wrong and I am working on ways to encourage them to shift away from that kind of investent.]
Time: 5 pm (MT)
Register: For Our Kids

October 7th, Saturday – Plant-Based Treaty and Tofurky Giveaway: “Join us in celebrating a Thanks Giving without any suffering attached to it. We invite you to not only talk about the ways in which people can make a difference with their food choices, but also to receive a free Tofurky!
We never really know how the day will unfold, however, there could be music…..
There could be some fun while giving out free food.”
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Location: Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market
More information: Facebook event page

October 13th, 14th, and 15th – Climate Camp: “Join us [Climate Justice Edmonton] this fall on October 13-15 for Climate Camp! Over the weekend, we’re bringing 100 new and experienced climate and community organizers together in Edmonton, where we’ll build community relationships and foster the skills needed to strengthen the climate movement in so-called Alberta. If you’re passionate about climate wins in your communities, organizing for collective power and to resist disaster capitalism, Climate Camp is for you!
You can expect session topics like: Climate Justice 101, One-on-One Conversations, Crafting a Personal Narrative, Art as Activism, How to Build Multiracial Movements, and How to do Power Analysis.
Deadline to apply (for those who require a hotel room): September 12, 2023
Deadline to apply (for those who do not require a hotel room): October 6, 2023
We will be capping attendance at around 100 participants to stay within capacity so apply as soon as possible! At this time, we are limiting participation from minors to people who live in Edmonton.”
Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton
Registration: Fill out this form

October 15th, Sunday – October Potluck: “Bring your own plates, cutlery, beverage and serving plus a vegan potluck dish to serve at least 6 people (per adult attending). And bring your friends. Everyone is welcome!”
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Riverdale Community League 9231 100 Ave
Cost: $5 or $3 for members to cover rental cost
URL: Alberta Vegans

October 21st, Saturday – October How To Festival: How to Grow a Thousand-Year-Old Tree: “Imagine living in a city filled with thousand-year-old trees. Imagine a future that’s greener than the present. Join designer and master gardener Dustin Bajer to learn about an initiative to grow thousand-year-old trees across Edmonton. Learn about trees that can live for thousands of years, the methods and locations for planting them, ways to ensure their safety, and why cultivating a greener future is essential today.
This is an online program. To receive a link and passcode to the online class, please register and instructions will be sent to you within 24 hours of the session. Zoom, a third-party app, will be used for this virtual session. By joining, you acknowledge that EPL does not take responsibility for Zoom’s privacy policies and practices.
Dustin Bajer is an educator, master gardener, writer, beekeeper, and founder of Shrubscriber. Shrubscriber brings together gardeners, schools, and climate-conscious organizations with community workshops, seeds, and step-by-step propagation instructions, so that we can distribute thousands of trees and grow a food-secure, biodiverse, and climate-adapted Edmonton. Learn more and join at Shrubscriber.com.
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Online event – virtual
Registration: Edmonton Public Library

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Start Planning for the Future

There are global days of action happening throughout the world. Edmonton can participate in these actions – all it takes is you.

• “This October 1-31st, we’re partnering with Project Drawdown for our *new* Drawdown Ecochallenge! Join us as we connect Project Drawdown’s Solutions with our Actions to work towards reversing climate change, together. Register as a Team Captain TODAY and stay tuned for more exciting announcements about our partnership!” Though this campaign focuses on the individual ‘carbon footprint’ aspect I think it is worthwhile for people to understand where we as, individuals, can reduce our personal impact but be aware that the changes that really need to happen at the government and corporate level.
• 2024 YEG Winter Cycling Congress is happening in Edmonton this year: “Join us in February 2024 [22nd to 24th] for an unforgettable multi-day event filled with informative sessions, bicycle excursions, and a community of passionate winter cyclists. Discover new possibilities while exploring the cycling-friendly city of Edmonton. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn from experts in the field.” [I think the “cycling -friendly” is a bit of a stretch – Michael].
  You can register here. Early bird rate is only until September 30th, 2023 so if you want to save a bit of money because the 450$ could be a bit of a deterrent. Mind you, if you go as a representative of a non-profit group the cost is only 200$. Good time to step up as your Community League cycling advocate and representative.

Youth Climate Corps

“Climate mobilization in Canada has yet to feel like a grand societal undertaking. The Youth Climate Corps is an invitation to the country’s youth to mobilize to confront today’s gravest threat: the climate emergency. We are past overdue on a real plan that acts fast to transform the country away from its current trajectory to growing emissions and climate disaster. A Youth Climate Corps would put thousands of young people to work in rapidly curbing emissions, preparing our infrastructure for its coming impacts, and responding to the emergencies we’re locking in.”
You can support the call for a Youth Climate Corps through the Climate Emergency Unit website.

Pledge to Peace

Code Pink has initiated a Summer of Love campaign called “Pledge to Peace“.
“This summer, join CODEPINK and partners to educate, activate, inspire peace in your community and around the world. Sign our Pledge to do one action and engage 5 friends in the Summer of Peace. 
You can start by putting a peace flag in your window, wheatpaste peace messages in your area, put up CODEPINK stickers, hand out flyers supporting peace through diplomacy in Ukraine, and organize a peace walk at your local farmers market. You can upload your summer of peace actions and creativity here. Don’t forget to sign up for tools, ideas, inspiration and more throughout the summer.”

Information and Suggestions

If you are on Facebook, check out the Edmonton Activist Calendar page.

Please share information with me so that I can populate this with more details and information. I intend to eventually get it so that it is emailed out to people and has a better site but for now, this is what I have to offer you.

Edmonton Tool Library – a great resource for sharing tools and resources within our community. Check them out. They are also looking for volunteers to join their team.

Investing in Solar?
Solar Power Investment Cooperative of Edmonton (SPICE) makes this easy at the grassroots and organic levels. Check out how you can invest in solar installations. Solar is a climate solution and when combined with demand-side management can have a significant impact.

Petitions/Letter writing – petitions can be an effective way to raise awareness of an issue and sometimes they even work. Here is a list of present ongoing petitions in Canada that I wish to highlight:

• Let’s Get Indigenous Communities Safe, Clean Drinking Water Now. FFS.
• Plant Based Treaty – this portal will help you send a letter to your city councillors
• Ban on advertising – a comprehensive ban on advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of fossil fuel companies, products, and services (including gasoline, gas utilities, and internal combustion engine vehicles) to protect public health – Federal petition (e-4469). Open until September 28th, 2023
• Make Mental Health Accessible To All Canadians Through Our Universal Health Care System
• No raises for public servants until the minimum wage is a living wage! – every segment of the workforce will tend to stand up for what they will benefit from taking action. We need a living wage/universal basic income right across our country.
• STOP BIG OIL FROM POLLUTING OUR CLIMATE
• Sink the fossil fuel industry’s plan!
• Reject forest biomass as a false climate solution
• Stop toxic tailings pollution
• Stop Executions of Activists in Iran
• RESPECT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS ON WET’SUWET’EN TERRITORY

Volunteering

Casino Volunteering – most charities, non-profit groups (NGOs), and other organizations conduct casinos to help them out with their funding. I recently read this in a newsletter: “It was calculated that each volunteer hour generated $640 in funding to Argyll”. (This is a sizable amount of money – I used to say that each volunteer shift provided the NGO with about 2,000$. Great return on time for the volunteer’s time.)What can you legally do that could bring in this kind of funds for a group that you support or what to see stay solvent?
Your community league, your child’s school/kindergarten, your church, community league, etc are always looking for volunteers. The local environmental group, the groups that feed people on the streets, etc also need your participation in casinos (if they do them).

Courses/Workshops

The University of Alberta has several courses on climate change and related subjects. You can find a list of them on the Climate Action at the University of Alberta website.

Water Quality

Swim Drink Fish Edmonton – Want to help Swim Drink Fish with water quality testing in YEG this summer?
Click on this link to fill out the form.

Employment

If you are looking to get a ‘green job’ you might want to check the GoodWorks website

Please send things that should be on this list to michael.kalmanovitch@gmail.com

Disclaimer – the Activist Agenda tries to ensure that the information contained within it is accurate but mistakes do happen. Please double-check events and information that are relevant to you to make sure you have the correct date, time, location, and any other relevant information.

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