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On August 20 and 21st, the 3rd summit of the so-called Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) between Canada, the United States and Mexico will be held at the Chateau Montebello, just 90 minutes from Montreal. George W. Bush, Stephen Harper and Mexican president Felipe Calderón are meeting to promote the expansion of disastrous North American Free Trade Agreement policies and paranoid U.S. "Homeland Security" measures. The SPP is an attack on all working and oppressed peoples. Peoples Global Action (PGA) Block, Montreal -- a grassroots anti-capitalist coalition as well as numerous other social justice groups are organizing for days of action from August 19 - 21st to confront the summit and the imperialist and corporate-driven agendas it represents. There are, have been and will be other solidarity actions happening across the country in solidarity with the Montebello actions. Keep checking this site for updates...
Breaking News What really happened in Montebello police admit to planting undercover agents in crowd evidence of provocateurs mounts Legal/arrest update Aug 21 live broadcast during Aug 20 demo, CKUT 90.3 FM Radio McGill Police deny entry to 5 people wishing to voice criticisms at Summit, Aug 21 Corporate media coverage was "sad" Oddities from Montebello Peoples Global Action Block- Montreal press release, Aug 20 Legal/arrest update Aug 20 Possible police provocateurs identified on Aug 20 Police brutality Aug 20 Account of 1st volley of tear gas Report on Ottawa actions on Aug 19 Montebello audio clip Aug 19 (1) Montebello audio clip Aug 19 (2), French CN services disrupted Bell Canada made accountable for corporate crimes Police attempt to block meeting of activists Bike Caravan arrives in Montebello
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://photos.cmaq.net/d/24410-2/DSCF5460+021.jpg) Further updates on the actions:
Montebello Indymedia East coast actions
Background information The Militarization and Annexation of North America Why we Should Worry about the Montebello Talks PGA Block, Montreal SPP site Stop Atlantica Council of Canadians
Photos Photos Montebello Aug 21 Photo essay : Shut down the SPP! Aug 20 Montebello Aug 19 Ottawa Aug 19 Build-up to Montebello
Resist Atlantica! Mobilize on Halifax vs. Atlantica Congress: June 13 - 16
FRIDAY'S ACTIONS:
12 pm Rally and March Against Atlantica
A noon-time march drew about 400 this afternoon starting from Victoria Park. Organized as the largest anti-Atlantica event this weekend, the march included a large, direct action contingent. Speakers at Parade Square emphasized the disastrous effects that the Atlantica International Region would have upon Atlantic Canada and New England.
The march departed at approximately 1:30, and slowly snaked down Spring Garden, with demonstrators chanting "A-I-M-S, that's the way you spell distress", "BMO, Irving Oil, How many unions will you spoil" and "Atlantica: Shut it down." As the crowd arrived near Parade Square in downtown Halifax, the anti-capitalist contingent, numbering at least 100 split off and started to run towards the World Trade and Convention Centre, the site of the Atlantica conference. A green contingent remained in Parade Square for speeches. A few paint bombs were thrown at cops, as well as one smoke bomb, after which the Anti-Capitalist contingent/Black Block turned on their heels and headed down Argyle St, away from the loose line of police that had gathered in front of the WTCC.
Read More
Pictures from the action
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THURSDAY'S ACTIONS:
5 pm Critical Mass Bike Ride
About 80 people on skateboards and bicycles converged at Victoria Park for a rowdy and memorable critical
mass. Riders spent almost an hour weaving through the streets of
downtown evading makeshift police blockades. While chanting "who's
streets, our streets" in unison, participants reinforced the point by
reclaiming two lanes, circling busy intersections, pulling u-turns,
and picking up cyclists along the way.
Read More
12 pm Take Action Against NS Power!
Thursday's noontime demonstration, organized by the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty (HCAP), drew attention to the crimes of Nova Scotia's privatized energy system. In the middle of downtown Halifax, about 75 protesters chanted and condemned Nova Scotia Power and their exploitation of Nova Scotia's poor. Read More
Pictures from the action
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Video from the opening picket against Atlantica
to come ASAP
8:30 am Picket against Atlantica
Thursday morning's picket attracted dozens of protesters, who circled the building where the conference was starting to meet. It was an early morning, but spirits were high and quite a few of those taking part in the exploitation of the Atlantic provinces got an ear-full from the crowd. Read More
Pictures from the action
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Video from the acton (1)
MONDAY'S ACTIONS:
2pm Office visit to AIMS
Pictures from Monday's Office Visit to AIMS. Despite the pouring rain, a solid number of energetic activists gave the group behind Atlantica a taste of things to come. Read More
Pictures from Monday's Office Visit to AIMS
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![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://atlantica.org/media/images/intro_Map.jpg) Atlantica is a cross-border trade concept spanning the Maritime provinces, Newfoundland, southern Quebec, and the New England states ( i.e. Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and upstate New York). Its main proponent and originator is a right-wing think-tank group called the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS), whose board of directors represents many big-business interests in the Atlantic region.
The proponents of Atlantica wish to develop a conduit to channel Asian goods to the United States through the Atlantic Provinces. Massive container ships called "post-Panamax" are too large to pass through the Panama Canal and Halifax is the closest North American port for ships from Asia via the Suez Canal. These containers would reach their destinations via "truck trains," resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions, higher fatal-crash rates per mile, as well as the likely expansion of superhighways through communities, wilderness, and farmland. Atlantica is also about increasing exports of unprocessed resources, like energy and water, from Canada to the United States. The intent is to export oil and gas from the Atlantic offshore as quickly as possible on terms that favour industry and leave decisions regarding exports to deregulated markets. The Atlantica tag line is "business without borders," which is the kind of language used to describe NAFTA and the FTAA, stemming from an agenda that aims to dismantle "trade barriers." On June 14th, 15th and 16th Premiers, Governors and others that support Atlantica will be meeting in Halifax for the Atlantica congress, aiming to advance on their corporate agenda....but.... ![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://resist.stopatlantica.org/images/artwork1_big.gif)
THE RESISTANCE Grass-roots organizations, labour, environmental organizations, peace groups, religious organizations, students, and people who care about social & environmental justice in general are collaborating for three days of events including teach-ins, a critical mass bike ride, a march through downtown Halifax, a street party and a picnic. Further information regarding Halifax actions
schedule of events in Halifax billeting and transportation other info and resources regarding days of action in Halifax
Background on Atlantica
Atlantica Watch Offical Atlantica website Maine Fair Trade Campaign on Atlantica Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Atlantica report, French & English
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/uploads/2007/05/noii_kuma2.jpgmid.jpg) A group of about 15 people representing No One is Illegal, a local migrant support coalition accompanied Dammika Kumara Tissawalangumndiyanselage (Kuma), a Sri Lankan man and 5-year resident of Dartmouth, as he entered the Halifax International Airport to face a deportation order slated for May 19th at 6:30am. The group led a 2 hour disturbance of airport affairs to publicize the abhorrently racist nature of deportations. Kuma, who is currently married to a Canadian citizen, has been living and working in Halifax for five years. He was originally scheduled for deportation on May 11th, however the order was delayed due to the fact that the only international airport in the country has been closed as a result air attacks by the Tamil Tigers. His deportation represents a disturbing and repressive act on the part of immigration officials, due to the dangerous situation to which he and his wife would be subjected in Sri Lanka. Read MoreNo One Is Illegal HalifaxKuma Detained for 12 Hours in Sri Lanka! Corporate Media Coverage
![](/web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/) Robin Hood Strikes the Tory Party - Take from the Rich and give to the poor!
HCAP Confronts Tories, Faces Police Brutality
HCAP members met on the front steps of the World Trade and Convention
Centre to rally and confront the Conservative Party and their
supporters as they attended a $5000 per table fundraising and
networking event. Another group of HCAP members dressed up as Robin
Hoods, tiptoed up to the meeting room, and then disrupted the dinner
with chants and merriment. The Robin Hoods made HCAP's demands known
to the attendees until they were forcefully removed in what turned
into one of the worst displays of police brutality that this
anti-poverty organization has faced.
Read More
Video from the protest
Pictures from the Protest: (1)
(2) AUDIO Interview with HCAP and OCAP activists on CKDU Radio
My reflections on the HCAP demo by Aaron Doncaster, an arrestee
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/uploads/2007/04/scuffle_shotsmall.jpgmid.jpg) The Halifax Coalition Against Poverty (HCAP) disrupted the annual general meeting of Provincial community services minister Judy Streatch on Saturday evening. A delegation of 44 poor people and HCAP organizers attempted to enter the site of the Chester-St. Margaret’s Riding Association’s Annual General Meeting in order to make clear to Streatch and her supporters the full impact of her department’s policies on the poor. The non-violent act of civil disobedience was met with direct assaults by Streatch’s supporters. “Today we chose to interrupt business-as-usual for Minister Streatch,” said HCAP member Susan LeFort. “We felt that asking for dignity was not enough. We felt that it was necessary for Streatch to come face-to-face with poor people in Nova Scotia, the people who live with the day-to-day reality of the deplorably low rates of social assistance in Nova Scotia.” The HCAP delegation was shut out of the meeting, but continued to press their demands through chants and speeches outside of the front doors. Organizers and supporters demanded that the Department of Community Services double social assistance rates for all recipients in Nova Scotia. After moving around the outside of the building, a scuffle ensued with Tory supporters, including South Shore MP Gerald Keddy, who exited the building and began physically assaulting HCAP organizers. Police on the scene made several threats of arrest of HCAP members, but made no attempt to question the violent and abusive Tory supporters. Account and Photos of the ActionAUDIO Clip of HCAP Action
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/images/HCAPtwo.jpg)
PARTY WITH THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY AT THE WESTIN!
On February 9th, HCAP (the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty) will be organizing to confront and disrupt the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party’s AGM. We will be holding a feast and rally at the church, then we will march to the Westin Hotel where Premier Rodney McDonald will be delivering a key-note address to conference delegates at 8 pm that night.
* When: Friday, February 9th at 7:00pm * Where: Starts at St. Matthew’s Church, 1479 Barrington St. Halifax, NS. * What: Feast and march against the Conservative Party of NS
The provincial Conservative Party is holding its Annual General Meeting in Halifax from February 9 to 11; a meeting at which members of the party along with Tory politicians get together to pat each other on the back and make policy decisions. The theme of this year’s meeting is “/The Path to a New Nova Scotia/”, and we are sure that “a new Nova Scotia” means more money for the rich, increased security culture, violations of our basic human rights, and cutbacks to social programs and services.
Read More
HCAP's Web Site
Statement from Canadian Peace Alliance The Collectif Échec à la guerre, Canadian Peace Alliance the Canadian Labour Congress and the Canadian Islamic Congress are jointly calling for a pan-Canadian day of protest this October 28th 2006 to bring Canadian troops home from Afghanistan. On that day, people all across the country will unite to tell Stephen Harper that we are opposed to his wholehearted support for Canadian and US militarism. ...more
Maritime events...
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://www.arsn.ca/Images/Mining_Mural_S.JPG) In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, people rose up in mid-October to challenge the use of Colombian "blood coal" in regional power plants from In Fredericton, on October 17, 2006, members of the Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network, the Fredericton Peace Coalition, and the Wilmot World Outreach Committee met with NB Power to discuss its use of Colombian coal. The group asked NB Power to do the following:
1. Urge El Cerrejon and the Colombian government to respect and uphold internationally recognized labour ... read more In Nova Scotia... read more
Some Background: Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network Fredericton Peace Coalition "blood coal" section "Blood Coal"?
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/images/halifaxpolice(3).jpg)
The criminalization of poor people is not a new phenomenon. Yet recently,
reports from street people who panhandle, squeegee and/or sleep on the
streets confirm that the cops have stepped up their unofficial campaign of
criminalization during the spring and summer of 2006. Police have been
disproportionately enforcing city by-laws around loitering, jaywalking and
being in possession of unregistered dogs
There will be a Street march against police harrasment and brutality of the poor in Halifax. Starting at the North Branch Library 2285 Gottingen St. and then marching to the central police station and onto city hall. Read More
www.hfxcap.ca
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/uploads/2006/06/dscf7997.jpgmid.jpg) As Tory Defence Minister and former arms dealer lobbyist Gordon O'Connor announced the first $2.9 billion spending package in a series of $15 Billion in new military spending on Monday, police arrested one demonstrator and threatened two others outside of the military base where the announcement was taking place. One of the two threatened with arrest was also threatened with a $500 fine for sliping an anti-war flier under the windsheild wiper of a vehicle. The other threat of arrest was for swearing. The one arrest that did take place was for the removal of a magnet from a car. The individual was taken into custody. All officers refused over 20 requests for identification. Organized on little more than a day's notice, the small demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to Gordon O'Connor's ties to defense lobbyists, including BAE Systems, and General Dynamics, for which O'Connor was a paid lobbyist throughout the 1990's. In addition, protestors criticized the Harper government for its overwhelming commitment to $15 billion in defence spending while slashing funding for environmental and social programs such as the national early learning and child care program, and a variety of programs geared towards reducing greenhouse gases. Such trends, as well as Canada's increasing willingness to carry out an aggressive foreign policy agenda in line with that of the Bush administration, have been underscored by the Harper government's willingness to accept a Fallujah-style bombing and raid campaign, the so-called 'Operation Mountain Thrust,' in Afghanistan's Southern Provinces. Account and Photos Initial Call-Out: Warhawks Not Welcome in Halifax VIDEOS of Police Harrassment and Arrest [ 1 2 ]Breaking News: Canadian troops knock down doors, interrogate civilians in Afghanistan: New footage
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/images/Fredericton.jpg)
A group of anti-choice Christian crusaders have descended from their layer in Ontario to inflict their anti-feminist visual vomit on Atlantic Canada and Quebec. They mayor of Fredericton has already asked them to leave, and the CBC had indicated that the graphic images on their trademark placards are misrepresentations (6 month miscarried fetus as opposed to a 10 week aborted fetus), and contain doctored images. Open this article to find links on CBC coverage, Fredericton counter-demo, and photography of the anti-choice rally from the Maritime's famous blogger Charles Leblanc. This article also contains a schedule of cities this band of shock jocks intends on harassing, and their 'rules of engagement'. Click on their site to find a link to their comprehensive list of negative media coverage.
Please post coverage of the protests and counter-protests here and at news at www.news.infoshop.org
Check out what happened when they decended from Ontario to Fredricton:
Indy Media Report
CBC Media Report
This is what happened on their first day in Halfiax! +several Streamed Videos And Photos!
ANTI-CHOICERS GET CONFRONTED, NEUTRALIZED, THEN CHASED AROUND HALIFAX
Here is their crazy website: http://www.showthetruth.ca/
*warning* contains graphic (albeit fake and doctored) images and anti-feminist content
New Video: Peter Mackay pursued throughout halls, streets of Halifax ![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/uploads/2006/06/mackay_banner.jpgfsqksv.jpgmid.jpg) As Conservative Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay attended a fundraiser luncheon held at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax in June 2006, critics of his wayward policies attempted to hold his feet to the fire. Two indymedia activists managed to catch Mr. Mackay on his way out of the WTCC for a quick (and brief) Q & A. Most significantly, Mackay admits he agrees with calls for the release of jailed ex-Haitian Prime Minister Yvon Neptune, something no Canadian politician has yet done, refers to the elected Palestinian National Authority as a "terrorist organization," and falsely refers to the Coalition Military campaign in Afghanistan as a "UN-backed Mission." VIDEO: Peter, Peter, Our Misleader on Google Video AUDIO
Transcript of the Interview
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20120204082801im_/http://maritimes.indymedia.org/uploads/2006/06/atlantica_arrest_pics_009.jpgmid.jpg)
Approximately 500 people packed into a hotel hall in downtown Saint John for a panel discussion entittled "Resisting Atlantica" on Thursday night. The mostly-labour crowd heard from a panel consisting of Maude Barlow (Council of Canadians), Matt Schlobohm (Maine Fair Trade Campaign), and Andrew Jackson (Canadian Labour Congress). This event kicked off three days of actions against the proposed Atlantica trade region, whose main proponents include the Irving Family and the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS). By Friday afternoon, some protestors had managed to briefly push their way into the conference before being removed by police. Three arrests have been confirmed as a result. A unified region consisting of Canada’s Atlantic Provinces and the northeastern United States in which provincial and state legislation would eliminate and stagnate the minimum wage, restrict the ability of workers to organize and drastically reduce public spending on social programs Read Account of Day One, Two. Day Three
Accounts:[1,] Photos [ 1 ] Audio: [ 1 ]
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On January 18, over an estimated 95,000 people marched for peace in at least
51 Canadian cities and towns, from Iqualuit to Victoria to St. John's in solidarity with over 300,000 protesters in the USA, and hundreds of thousands in South America and Asia, against a US invasion of Iraq.
Less than a month later, local activists are gearing up for the Feburary 15th international day of action. Well over one million people in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and North America are expected to protest the war. Hundreds of thousands are expected in Washington DC, New York and London. According to the Canadian Peace Alliance (CPA), there are 65 cities and towns planning anti-war protests this Saturday, 14 more than a month ago.
Feb. 15 Events in the Maritimes
Charlottetown: Demonstration and march starting at the PEI Legislature 2:00 pm
Annapolis Royal: Peace march and gathering at Annapolis Royal Town Hall 1:00 pm
Antigonish: March starts at the Post Office 2:00 pm
Halifax: Peace march starts at the Commons Triangle 1:00 pm
Sydney: March starts at Sydney Shopping Centre on Prince Street 1:45 pm
Truro: Gathering at St. Andrew's Truro 10:00 am
Wolfville: Peace march starts in front of the post office 11:00 am
Yarmouth: March starts at the Tourist Bureau parking lot 9:00 am
St John's: Peace Rally at City Hall 2:00 pm
Sackville: March starts at Athletic Centre 10:30
Moncton: Rally at Moncton City Hall 12:00 pm
Fredricton: Street Party and march at City Hall 12:00 pm
For more information, see CPA's list of events.
Other News
In the week leading up to February 15th, a Riverview, NB group held a peace vigil last Saturday, Fredericton residents performed street theatre at City Hall. Many marches are planned in Halifax.
Resolutions
The following towns and organizations have passed anti-war resolutions:
For independent coverage of the situation in Iraq, try the following sites:
Iraq Journal
Indymedia Global
Counterpunch
Common Dreams
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