~Happy Winter Solstice~

This week in the Activist Agenda (Edmonton) and now being released on Thursday so you can see what might fit in your weekend. This list is constantly being updated so I do suggest that you check throughout the week for any updated actions. Visit Activist Agenda to see the latest version.

• December 21st, Thursday – Winter Solstice at 8:27 pm
• December 21st, Thursday – Bissell Centre Housing Workshop
• December 22nd, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike Ceasefire Now!
• December 22nd, Friday – Weekly Coffee Outside
• December 23rd, Saturday – Ceasefire Now Gather for Peace
• December 25th, Monday – Palestinian Community Gathering
• December 26th, Tuesday – Boxing Day Action
• December 29th, Friday – Pride Corner Winter Meet-Up
• December 29th, Friday – Weekly Coffee Outside
• December 29th, Friday – Edmonton Critical Mass Ride With Pride
• December 29th, Friday – Weekly Climate Strike Ceasefire Now!
• December 30th, Saturday – No Ceasefire Now event at the Market
• December 31st, Sunday – New Year’s Eve Celebration
• January 10th, Wednesday – Life Skills: Tenant Empowerment Basic Course
• January 20th, Saturday – Back to the ’80’s All Ages Drag Show
• January 27th, Saturday – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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

December 21st, Thursday – Winter Solstice at 8:27 pm: Today marks the winter solstice in Edmonton. There are some events happening today to mark this celestial event:
Westwood Unitarian Church
City and Soul Wellness Collective
Winter Solstice Pipe Ceremony
Centre For Spiritual Living Edmonton (happening on December 22nd)

December 21st, Thursday – Bissell Centre Housing Workshop: “Experiencing houselessness or possibly facing it? Looking for stable long term housing? Meet with Bissell Centre’s Housing Navigators at a drop in housing workshop – no appointment required.”
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Strathcona Branch, 8331 104 Street
Website: Edmonton Public Library

December 22nd, 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 22nd, Friday – Weekly Coffee Outside: “Edmonton’s outdoor coffee club. We meet every Friday, rain, snow or shine between 7 & 9 am at Ezio Faraone Park.”
Time: 7 to 9 am
Location: Ezio Faraone Park, Edmonton
Twitter: YEG Coffee Outside

December 23rd, Saturday – Ceasefire Now Gather for Peace: “We will stand together in solidarity with people around the world calling for an immediate Ceasefire Now in all conflict zones and all parties work towards a just, respectful, and long-lasting peace.”
Time: 10am
Location: Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market, 10310 – 83rd Avenue. I made a What Three Words for the exact location where we normally stand. If we move away from this spot we will be noticeable and easy to find.
Facebook: Gather in Peace

December 25th, Monday – Palestinian Community Gathering: “Join Us for a Community Gathering in Solidarity for Gaza! Let’s Unite in Support and Compassion!”
Time: 6:00 PM MST
Location: ARCA Banquet Facility, 14525 127 Street Northwest Edmonton
Tickets: Eventbrite
Cost: 15$

December 26th, Tuesday – Boxing Day Action: “Don’t participate in Boxing Day and show politicians and businesses that profiting from Palestinian blood will not be accepted.
Let’s show government and corporations that business as usual won’t continue while they fund and endorse genocide”
Time: 12 noon to 3 pm
Location: WEM Pedestrian Footbridge 170th street north of 87th Avenue

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.

December 29th, Friday – Weekly Coffee Outside: “Edmonton’s outdoor coffee club. We meet every Friday, rain, snow or shine between 7 & 9 am at Ezio Faraone Park.”
Time: 7 to 9 am
Location: Ezio Faraone Park, Edmonton
Twitter: YEG Coffee Outside

December 29th, Friday – Edmonton Critical Mass Ride With Pride: “Critical Mass rides are to make visible the number of cyclists in a city and remind city administrators that we require safe, smart, and effective infrastructure to all us to use our bicycles (or other human-powered devices).
We will join the people at Pride Corner for their last gathering of 2023 – ergo, the Ride with Pride theme. Lights, glam, flags, etc are all encouraged.
Bring noise makers, lights, signs/messages (if safe to do so), cameras, etc and join your community in a celebration of the intelligence of the bicycle.
The route will likely be about 8 kms. There could be a social afterwards.
Please check back for updates before the event 
Time: We will leave Sir Winston Churchill Square at 5:30pm
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square, 103rd Avenue and 99th Street
Facebook: Edmonton Critical Mass Ride

December 29th, 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: #CeasefireNOw #ClimateEmegency #ClimateJustice #EcologicalBreakdown

December 30th, Saturday – No Ceasefire Now event at the Market: The Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market is closed to give them a little break. Therefore we will not be setting up our presence. We will return on January 6th.

December 31st, Sunday – New Year’s Eve Celebration: Join thousands of people at this welcoming of the New Year. They will have fireworks display at two times to accommodate people with young children or people that do not wish to stay until midnight (9pm and midnight).
Time: 6:30pm–midnight
Fireworks times: 9pm and midnight
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza
Website: City of Edmonton

December 31st, Sunday – New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Ice District: Kind of interesting that two NYE celebrations are happening within three blocks of each other. This one is more commercial and supports the owners of the square and such.
Time: 5 pm to 1 am
Location: ICE District Plaza
Website: Ice District

January 10th, Wednesday – Life Skills: Tenant Empowerment Basic Course: “Renting can be complicated. The Tenant Empowerment Basic Course can make it easier. Take this FREE course offered by the City of Edmonton and its partners to learn skills on how to become a great tenant and navigate the rental market.
This 3-hour FREE course will give you the knowledge and tools you need to find the right and keep the right housing for you.”
I sure hope that they mention about activism and rent control in this course. See our list of resources on our webpage.
Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Edmonton Public Library, Stanley A. Milner (Downtown), 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square Centennial Plaza
Registration: Edmonton Public Library

January 20th, Saturday – Back to the ’80’s All Ages Drag Show:

January 27th, Saturday – International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Humanity has many things to be proud of and many to be ashamed of. We need to be vigilant to ensure that we reduce those incidents that future generations will be ashamed to associate with. We need to take action – every moment of our lives to ensure we arrive at a world that is fair, just, respectable, balanced, healthy, and equitable.
“Never again – means now”
Canadian Website: Government of Canada
International website: UNESCO

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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.
• Bye Nye the Science Guy is coming to Edmonton on March 2nd. “In his new live stage show, “The End Is Nye”, Bill Nye the Science Guy will be discussing climate change, natural disasters, and how we, all of us, can make the world a better place…with science! All delivered in the unique, hilarious, and fun way that only Bill Nye the Science Guy can.
  Engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, audiences revere this good-natured Renaissance man’s infectious blend of humour, intellectual curiosity, and devotion to solving some of the world’s most complex challenges through science. You don’t want to miss this!”
  Perhaps some group could use this event as a place to present local climate action to the crowd of people that will be showing up and not activists yet. I think his skit on John Oliver was brilliant and said it like it is.

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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