Post by Greg Macdougall (originally on apt613.ca)

Eternia, proclaimed by Exclaim! Magazine as “Canada’s dopest female MC,” was born in Ottawa and spent the first part of her life here. She later moved to Toronto, and at 15 she says she “started to take [hip hop] more seriously.”

Her latest album, “At Last” with producer MoSS, was nominated for a Juno and has made the long-list for the 2011 Polaris Prize. She’s performing in Ottawa this coming Thurday as part of the international Women’s Worlds 2011 conference.

“I’m really really excited and honoured that they would even consider me a voice for the Women’s Worlds conference. It’s actually a lot of responsibility, I think about it and I’m like, it’s kind of a big deal, especially when I go to the website with all the different programs they have going on.”

CUPW postal workers & supporters take action at Canada Post head office

Action in Ottawa at Canada Post head office in response to a lockout by the company coupled with demands for concessions, and back-to-work legislation. Thursday June 16, 2011.

More info in the video description:
(Click on 'read more' at www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFhpWZnTvEg)

Hundreds march in Ottawa to oppose the Conservative Party national convention and Prime Minister Harper's keynote speech, his first major address since gaining a majority government.

The call to rally was to "make clear to the Conservative Party that we will not sit idly by while they attack our communities."

Speakers:
00:15 - Dan Sawyer, Take The Capital
01:25 - Brigette DePape, the 'rogue page' - more: http://youtu.be/kpAaFode3yY
03:13 - Lynn Bue, Canadian Union of Postal Workers - more: http://youtu.be/LDiRN2qYGKk
06:26 - Mohan Mishra, No One Is Illegal Toronto
09:32 - Mostafah Henaway, TADAMON!
12:36 - Bridget Tolley, Families of Sisters In Spirit
21:19 - Ben Powless, Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement - more: http://youtu.be/tlqud05PPIc & (written) http://bit.ly/l9vmJF

http://takethecapital.wordpress.com

On June 10th, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will address the Conservative Party of Canada’s (CPC) National Convention in downtown Ottawa. Taking place during the 3 day CPC National Convention at the Ottawa Convention Centre, Harper’s address to the gathered Conservative Party members will be his first major address after winning a majority government in the last election.

We invite all those opposed to the Harper’s right-wing agenda to come together on Friday, June 10th, and make clear to the Conservative Party that we will not sit idly by while they attack our communities.

Article and videos from the Rally Against Police Violence, and the Forum on Police Violence, Incarceration and Alternatives, held in Ottawa in mid-March 2011.

Videos produced by M-Media for Common Cause Ottawa

Ottawa Rally Against Police Violence - March 15, 2011

by Krishna Bera, Tara Lyons & Greg Macdougall

On 15 March 2011, about 75 people demonstrated against police violence in downtown Ottawa, marking the International Day Against Police Brutality. This was the first year an event was held in Ottawa, taking the lead from the annual march in Montreal that started in 1997. Toronto and Halifax also saw marches commemorating the day this year, while Winnipeg held one the following Saturday.

Article and videos from the Rally Against Police Violence, and the Forum on Police Violence, Incarceration and Alternatives, held in Ottawa in mid-March 2011.
http://equitableeducation.ca/2011/fighting-back-police-violence

The article is in the latest issue of the Linchpin newspaper
If you'd like copies for distribution, please contact
http://linchpin.ca/contact

The videos include a compiled video of the rally,
plus the five speakers from the opening panel of the forum:
- Jaggi Singh
- Samir Shaheen-Hussain
- Bridget Tolley
- Julie Matson
- Ashanti Alston

Today, December 17, is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

"Challenges: Ottawa area sex workers speak out" is a report released Dec 2, 2010 by Chris Bruckert and Frédérique Chabot in collaboration with POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa/Gatineau Work, Educate and Resist).

POWER's website is http://www.powerottawa.ca

The report is linked on their site, or directly at:
http://www.powerottawa.ca/POWER_Report_Challenges.pdf

From the report's executive summary:

Participants of the 40 Days for Life campaign target abortion clinics as part of their pro-life messaging

By Mélanie Stafford
Pro-Choice Coalition of Ottawa/Coalition pro-choix d’Ottawa

“40 Days for Life” has once again set itself up on Bank Street in Ottawa, across the street from the Morgentaler abortion clinic. Anti-choice protesters are carrying signs that read things I’d rather not burden readers with. Suffice to say, it’s sensationalistic, sexist, shame-based bullshit. For 40 straight days on Bank Street, an empty baby carriage is symbolically bungeed to a post. Pamphlets are distributed that spew out misinformation already debunked by countless reputable health organizations. Street counselors sent by the Helpers of Gods Precious Children intimidate, harass, and bully women as they enter the building. Catholic school groups travel from Peterborough to visit the “ground zero” site.

OTTAWA - On the evening of Wednesday November 10th members of Under Pressure, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty and No One Is Illegal disrupted an Ontario Liberal Party's fundraiser dinner. A rowdy crowd of roughly 30-40 people assembled at the Crown Plaza hotel, where the Liberals were enjoying drinks and an expensive supper. The anti-poverty activists gathered outside tried to make their way into the event, but were pushed back by police. Luckily, one group of protesters had come dressed in suits and managed to get inside the event to confront Liberal party members.

"Tickets to this event cost 500$ per person, which is almost as much as a single person on welfare in Ontario is expected to live on for a whole month!" said Shushan Araya, spokesperson for No One Is Illegal – Ottawa