This week in the Activist Agenda (Edmonton) and now being released on Thursday so you can see what might fit in your weekend:

• November 24th, Friday – Buy Nothing Day
• November 24th, Friday – Critical Mass Ride – Ceasefire Now
• November 24th, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike Ceasefire Now!
• November 24th, Friday – Stand Against Injustice
• November 24th, Friday – Indigenous-Palestine Solidarity Webinar
• November 25th, Saturday – Power Up
• November 25th, Saturday – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
• November 26th, Sunday – Holodomor Remembrance Day Rally
• November 26th, Sunday – All Out for Gaza
• November 29th, Wednesday – Light up the Bridge for International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
• November 30th, Thursday – Honouring our Colleagues in Gaza
• November 30th, Thursday – One Ocean Film Tour
• November 30 until December 12, 2023 – COP28
• December 1st, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike Ceasefire Now!
• December 1st – 10th – Ignite Change Global Convention
• December 5th, Tuesday – JOBS, JUSTICE AND CLIMATE – WORKERS’ WEBINAR SERIES
• December 8th, Friday – 15th Annual Genocide Memorial
• December 10th, Sunday – Amnesty International Write for Rights
• December 10th, Sunday – Write for Rights YEG 2023! (Edmonton)
• December 13th Wednesday – Building a Stronger Town: An Evening with Charles Marohn
• December 29th, Friday – Pride Corner Winter Meet-Up

I may 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 exemplified by this paragraph.
This article in the National Observer shows some of their tactics. This is not only about climate change and 15-minute cities but many of our social tenants are being pushed to align more to the far-right ideology complete with the religious overtones.
Check out this video by Take Back Alberta lead spokesperson David Parke to hear what they envision for Alberta.

Video of the Week

November 24th, Friday – Buy Nothing Day: Participate by not participating. A 24 hour moratorium on consumer spending.
It is also a good day to exercise your power of boycotting. Whether that is a particular gas station because they have abused Indigenous Rights in Canada or elsewhere, a brand that is supporting Israel and you want to help call for a ceasefire, etc. You are powerful because YOU have what these corporations have – money. When you deny them that access to your money you are sending them a message. It is good to tell them that on social media.
For More Information: Buy Nothing Project
Hashtags: #BuyNothingDay #BlackFriday

November 24th, Friday – Critical Mass Ride – Ceasefire Now; The theme for this month’s Critical Mass Ride will be a call for a Ceasefire.
Across the world critical mass rides are traditionally held on the last Friday of the month to raise awareness about bicycling safety, the number of people using bicycles and other human-powered devices, infrastructure, government policies, etc.
This is a slow ride. We will be covering about 8+kms as we weave through Edmonton downtown and over to the southside across the High Level Bridge. We will terminate the ride in Old Strathcona. There could be a social after the ride.
Sign up to Edmonton Critical Mass Facebook page for updates.
This is a monthly event.
Time: 5 pm We LEAVE at 5:30 pm
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square (look for the cyclists between the city hall and the square on 102a Avenue between 99th Street and 100th Street.
Facebook: Edmonton Critical Mass
Hashtag: #yegbike #yegCriticalMass #EdmontonCriticalMass

November 24th, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike Ceasefire Now!: A weekly reminder to Edmontonians that we are in a Climate Emergency.
Because of the immediacy of situation of the Israel/Hamas conflict we will be using our time at these strikes to focus on Ceasefire Now. The world has dragged its feet on taking acting on the Climate Breakdown for 5 decades I don’t think it will matter much if we shift our time for a bit to Ceasefire Now!
Extra signs will be available for people to use – or bring your own.
This is to promote the event that is happening on Saturday at 2 pm (see below)
Time: 8 am to 9 am
Location: 109th street and 88th Avenue
Facebook: Edmonton Climate Strike
Hashtags: #ClimateEmegency #ClimateJustice #EcologicalBreakdown

November 24th, Friday – Stand Against Injustice: “Join in the calling for Justice 📢
Dress appropriately for the weather, and wear a face mask if you want to protect your identity.
Bring your flags, kuffiyahs, and posters
And lastly, bring your friends so we can show up in numbers!”
Time: 3pm
Location: The Quad, University of Alberta
Instagram: Students for Justice in Palestine

November 24th, Friday – Indigenous-Palestine Solidarity Webinar: “We are the original people, the rights and title holders. We have been called in by Palestinians to show solidarity. We are powerful people, we have more political leverage than anyone else in Canada, even if it seems like we don’t. We are the best equipped to show solidarity in a way that Canadians can’t. As we know genocide, the violence of settler colonialism, and understand how important it is to hold Canada to account for what it is doing here to us and to Palestinian peoples. This will be an ongoing conversation to activate Indigenous peoples to get involved. This event consists of two panels:
**6pm EST – 7pm EST: Palestine 101**
+ Mays Ghani, Palestinian Youth Movement
+ Dr Gabor Maté
+ Ellen Gabriel, Kanien’keháka from Kanehsatake
+ Clifton Nicholas, Kanien’keháka from Kanehsatake
+ Samir Shaheen – Hussain
+ Avi Lewis, Independent Jewish Voices
**7pm EST – 8pm EST: Indigenous Organizing Panel**
+ Moderator -Veronica Fuentes
+ Sii-am Hamilton
+ MOBILIZE
+ Melaw Nakehk’o
+ Piyesiw Crane
Time: 4pm MST
Location: Virtual/Online
Register: Zoom

November 25th, Saturday – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: “Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.
This scourge has intensified in different settings, including the workplace and online spaces, and has been exacerbated by post-pandemic effects, conflicts, and climate change.
The solution lies in robust responses, including investment in prevention. However, alarmingly, data on how much nations are committing to counteract violence against women and girls remains glaringly sparse.
For instance, just 5% of government aid is focused on tackling violence against women and girls, and less than 0.2% is directed to its prevention.
We need more investment in women’s organizations, better legislation, prosecution of perpetrators, more services for survivors, and training for law enforcement officials.
I have always found this video very powerful.
Location: Global
Website: United Nations
Hashtag: #NoExcuse

November 25th, Saturday – Power Up: “Climate Justice Edmonton is inviting people to gather at noon in Churchill Square on November 25th to bring the vision of a renewables powered future to life and to call on governments to redirect all fossil fuel spending into a just transition. Speakers will share how renewables are already generating power locally and outline a vision for public ownership of renewable powered utilities in Edmonton and area. While Albertan leaders are heading in the wrong direction with their renewables moratorium and continued investments in fossil fuels, we are showing up to say that we are ready for a just and fair energy transition! Let’s power up the future we want! Join us!”
Time: Time Change 11 am 12 noon
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square, south side of the square near the new LRT station
Website: 350.org

November 26th, Sunday – Holodomor Remembrance Day Rally: A day to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor.
Time: 2 pm
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Facebook event page: Ukrainian National Youth Federation – UNYF Edmonton

November 26th, Sunday – All Out for Gaza: They would like you to bring a pair of children shoes to be part of a visual display. There will be donation collection boxes set up for people in need.
There should be a march around the area.
Time: 1pm
Location: Violet King Henry Plaza, Alberta Legislature 108th Street and 99th Avenue
Instagram: Free Palestine YEG
Hashtags: #CeasefireNow #EndTheOccupation #EndTheGeneocide

November 29th, Wednesday – Light up the Bridge for International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People: The City of Edmonton will be lighting up the High Level Bridge to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and in support, we will have Ceasefire Now banners at the approaches to the bridge.
Time: 3:30 pm (to take advantage of the rush hour but sunset is 4:20 pm and the lights will turn on at 4:10 pm)
Location: Traffic Island at 97th Avenue and 109th Street.

November 30th, Thursday – Honouring our Colleagues in Gaza: “Calling all healthcare colleagues in Edmonton, please join us on November 30th at the Druze Hall to honor our colleagues in Gaza as part of the National Day of Action for Healthcare Workers in Solidarity with Palestine
⭐️⭐️ No RSVP needed ⭐️⭐️
🩺 Attend in your healthcare attire
🕯️ We will have a short program of speeches and a vigil to honor our colleagues in Gaza.
❄️ Bring winter attire to donate to our winter clothing drive for Tawaw
NOTE: this event is only open to healthcare workers and students”
Time: 6pm
Location: Canadian Druze Centre, 14304 – 134th Avenue
Instagram: Free Palestine YEG

November 30th, Thursday – One Ocean Film Tour: Aquatic Biosphere Project is touring with their latest film volume to raise awareness of the importance of water and about pollution.
“Dive into a world-class series of captivating ocean-loving films featuring adventure, aquatic environments, and inspirational stories. Followed by a guest speaker, an expert in their field.”
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:45 PM MST
Location: Stanley A. Milner Public Library, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Tickets: Eventbrite
Cost: 12.25$
URL: Aquatic Biosphere Project

November 30 until December 12, 2023 – COP28 – The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from November 30 until December 12, 2023, at the Expo City, Dubai. Wikipedia.
If anyone would like to help plan some kind of action around this please get hold me me.
That it is being hosted by a petrostate, headed by an oil executive, and in a state that will be very unsympathetic to protesters is going to make this COP very interesting and possibly useless.

December 1st, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike Ceasefire Now!: A weekly reminder to Edmontonians that we are in a Climate Emergency.
Because of the immediacy of situation of the Israel/Hamas conflict we will be using our time at these strikes to focus on Ceasefire Now. The world has dragged its feet on taking acting on the Climate Breakdown for 5 decades I don’t think it will matter much if we shift our time for a bit to Ceasefire Now!
Extra signs will be available for people to use – or bring your own.
This is to promote the event that is happening on Saturday at 2 pm (see below)
Time: 8 am to 9 am
Location: 109th street and 88th Avenue
Facebook: Edmonton Climate Strike
Hashtags: #ClimateEmegency #ClimateJustice #EcologicalBreakdown

December 1st – 10th – Ignite Change Global Convention: 75th Anniversary United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights hosted by the John Humphrey Centre in Edmonton.

December 5th, Tuesday – JOBS, JUSTICE AND CLIMATE – WORKERS’ WEBINAR SERIES: The Council of Canadians and a coalition of other groups have pulled together this series about the future of employment under a changing climate, ecological breakdown, and stress on the society that will inflict.
“It has been impossible to escape the impacts of climate disasters this summer. Fires, floods, and heat domes have impacted our safety, our health, and how we support our families.
We know that workers across sectors are already navigating climate impacts, from dangerous levels of heat in their workplaces to uncertainty about how decarbonization will affect their jobs – in this sense, we are all climate workers. Simultaneously, the federal government is debating the Sustainable Jobs Act that will shape the future of work as we transition away from fossil fuels.
To ensure that this legislation gives all impacted communities the tools they need as we make the necessary transition off fossil fuels, we need to listen to workers and ask our MPs to do the same!
Join us for a regional webinar series featuring conversations with workers impacted by the climate crisis and energy transitions. They will discuss their hopes, fears, and demands as the world addresses the impacts of climate change and shifts away from fossil fuels.”
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m. MST
Location: Virtual
Register: Zoom

December 8th, Friday – 15th Annual Genocide Memorial: “The annual genocide memorial service, initiated by Community Minister Reverend Audrey Brooks, stands as witness to violence committed against human beings because of war, greed, ethnic cleansing, slavery, gender bias, of neglect, political oppression and colonial expropriation of Indigenous lands that result in mass extinction of helpless families. We invite you to join us in solidarity and remembrance. The memorial service will feature the Raging Grannies for Peace and Social Justice, The Ubuntu-based Soul Singers, local artists and guest speakers to share their experiences and perspectives through stories and poetry. Reverend Audrey extends thanks to The Edmonton Interfaith Centre for years of financial and spiritual support; The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, and The Unitarian Churches of Edmonton; voices that stand for the rights of all families to dignity, worth, thrival and peace.”
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MST
Location: Shiloh Baptist Church10727 114 Street Northwest Edmonton, AB T5H 3K1
Register: Eventbrite

December 10th, Sunday – Amnesty International Write for Rights: This is a focused annual letter writing event that brings results for 10 prisoners of conscience, and/or causes. Materials provided. All are welcome.
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Unitarian Church of Edmonton. 10804 119 Street

December 10th, Sunday – Write for Rights YEG 2023! (Edmonton): “Join us at Stanley Milner (Main Library on Churchill Square) to write letters defending the human rights of 10 people across 10 countries! If this is your first time doing this, don’t worry! We’re here to help! Just some people who care about human rights, listening to some music, writing letters, and *crossing fingers* listening to a great speaker live in person! (Will update when the speaker is confirmed!) You don’t need to bring anything – just yourself!”
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
Location: Edmonton Public Library – Stanley A. Milner Library (Downtown), 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
More information: Amnesty International Edmonton Group

December 13th Wednesday – Building a Stronger Town: An Evening with Charles Marohn: Charles Marohn has an excellent YouTube channel which has some excellent commentary on urban design, taxation, land-use, etc.
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM MST
Location: Metro Cinema, 8712 109 Street Northwest Edmonton, AB T6G 1E9
Registration/Tickets: Eventbrite

December 29th, Friday – Pride Corner Winter Meet-Up: “We want to ensure everyone is aware of our upcoming schedule changes!
November through April, we will be decreasing our gatherings to the last Friday of each month with reduced hours of 4:30-6:30 pm.
This is for a number of reasons, one being that it is just too cold to be out there for long!
Another being that we need a break from organizing our very busy spring and summer, and to allow regrouping and rest before May rolls around again.
We are hoping to plan a few indoor hangouts over the winter months, and already have something VERY exciting lined up for March! Stay tuned here for details.”
Time: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Location: Though Pride Corner is location at the SE corner of 104th Street (Calgary Trail) and 82nd Avenue (Whyte) they gather normally gather at 103rd Street (Gateway) and 82nd Avenue (Whyte). If you don’t see them at one location then check the other.

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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.

• February 5th – 9th – International Week at the University of Alberta: “A warming globe, increasing numbers of refugees and displaced persons, gender disparity, economic inequalities, freshwater shortages, famine, war… We are bombarded with these issues and many others facing the planet and its inhabitants daily. 
  To address these issues, the UN established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. The Goals, adopted in 2015, call on governments and civil society worldwide to address the world’s most pressing issues, from poverty and education to health and the environment.
  I-Week is a chance to hear international and local perspectives on global issues. On February 5-9, 2024, International Week speakers connected their work to the SDGs. 
  U of A’s annual International Week is an incubator of ideas and a source of inspiration for us to work together for a better world. Stay tuned for updates on I-Week 2024.
• 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.

Petitions/Letter writing

To trim this page down a bit I have moved the petitions to their own page.

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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