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An Open Letter to the City of St. John's re: Eviction of Ms. Shirley Cox October 31, 2022 An open letter to the City of St. John’s: We are writing to express our grave concern and to protest the City of St. John’s decision to evict Ms. Shirley Cox from Riverhead Towers on October 31, 2022 . Ms. Cox, an 82-year-old woman who uses a wheelchair, has no other wheelchair-accessible and affordable housing options available to her . BACKGROUND: Ms. Cox called CBC Radio in an act of desperation, seeking help with an eviction notice she received from her landlord, the City of St. John’s. The City has not disclosed their reason for eviction to Ms. Cox. She believes it may be because she smokes cigarettes outside the main entrance of Riverhead Towers rather than in a designated smoking area. Ms. Cox cannot use the designated smoking area because the pathway to the area is not wheelchair accessible. CBC journalist Anthony Germaine and NDP MHA Jim Dinn have both visited Ms. Cox in her apartment, and both have publicly stated that Ms. Cox does not smoke in her apartment and that there is no discernible odor of tobacco in her home. MHA Dinn confirms that the designated smoking area would be very difficult for her to reach using her wheelchair. MHA Dinn has sought assistance for her from various community organizations, but with the current housing crisis, coupled with the scarcity of wheelchair-accessible affordable housing, finding an alternative home for her is unlikely. Ms. Cox has expressed that she will not be forced into a care home, which is her right as a competent, independent adult. She has also said that she likes living in Riverhead Towers as she has formed friendships there and that moving would isolate her from her community . She has also stated that she would be safer on the street than in a shelter, a fact that was verified by the Executive Director of “Solutions for Seniors,” an organization that the City recommended as a resource. Ms. Cox faces elevated risk of exploitation and physical or mental violence because of her disability, gender, and advanced age . Research suggests that women who are disabled experience various forms of abuse and violence at a rate of 50% to 100% higher than average. (Source: https://www.dawncanada.net/issues/women-with-disabilities-and-violence/ ) STATEMENT FROM THE CITY On Oct. 27th, in response to a request for information from Anthony Germaine (CBC), Councilor Ravencroft released the following statement on behalf of the City. “Regardless of circumstance, issuing an eviction notice is the most difficult decision with which staff in the housing division are faced. It is always our last resort, and it is not executed without proper consideration and due notice.” OUR RESPONSE “Regardless of circumstance…” Given the well-documented forms of discrimination that marginalize, exploit, and exclude Persons with Disabilities, women, people of advanced age, and people who live in poverty scrupulous regard must be applied to circumstances of Ms. Cox . She faces marginalization at many intersections (disability, gender, age, and socio-economic status) and each of these factors exacerbates the risk of harm she is facing . Careful regard must be given to these circumstances by the city when making decisions that impact her access to the basic need of housing. “It (eviction) is always our last resort.” We propose the following two alternatives to eviction : As a disability-inclusive landlord, the city can opt to address and correct the accessibility barrier that makes it impossible for her to access the smoking area to which all other non-disabled tenants have access. As a disability-inclusive landlord, the city can opt to work with Ms. Cox to identify an accessible alternative area where she can smoke with the same ease as can non-disabled tenants. Have either of these alternatives been attempted? “It (eviction) is not executed without proper consideration.” Given the absence of disability-informed, poverty-informed, and trauma-informed decision-making processes , it is our position that “proper consideration” has not taken place. CONCLUSION We believe that evicting Ms. Cox from her home is an extreme and unnecessary measure . Evicting Ms. Cox exposes her to grave risk of harm given her disability, age, gender, and socio-economic status , coupled with the lack of affordable and accessible housing available . The city’s refusal to disclose the reason for her eviction , further raises concern. If it is related to her smoking, the city has a duty to accommodate her by making the route to the designated smoking area accessible. We urge the City of St. John’s to re-consider evicting Ms. Cox from her home . This decision is generating discomfort and fear for Ms. Cox and among other vulnerable residents in our community who are worried about her well-being and about the precedent this sets. To those reading who share our concern , we ask that you email the city to voice your support for Ms. Cox and ask that they do not proceed with her eviction . You can reach all councilors by emailing council@stjohns.ca . Sincerely, Disability Justice Working Group The Social Justice Co-op of NL Email St. John's City Council

Anti-Capitalist x Activist Book Club Reading is Revolutionary! Join our bi-weekly book club and explore leading and classic theorists, practitioners, and visionaries through critical, communist, anarchist, and Indigenous lenses. ---------------- Every two weeks we read 20-50 pages or listen/watch 30-60 minutes of content. Meetings take place online on weekdays. Monthly schedules are determined collectively but generally run from 7:30 to 8:30pm NT/ 7:00 to 8:00pm AT. Upcoming Books Join AxA Book Club! First Name Last Name Email Submit Thanks for submitting! We'll be in touch Upcoming Books This Nonviolent Stuff’ll Get You Killed: How Guns Made the Civil Rights Movement Possible by Charles E. Cobb Jr. Past Readings/Content The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin The Ones Who Stay and Fight by N.K. Jemisin Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Hanley Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, by Marshall Rosenberg How To Blow Up A Pipeline by Andreas Malm Let This Radicalize You by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba Expect Resistance: A Field Manuel by Crimethinc How Fascism Works by Jason Stanley Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paolo Freire. Wretched of the earth by Frantz Fanon The Red Deal by The Red Nation Mutual Aid - Dean Spade (2x) Out of the Sun: On Race and Storytelling - Esi Edugyan Class Power On Zero Hours - AngryWorkers Warrior Life: Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence - Pam Palmatar Massey Lectures - Thomas King Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media - National Film Board Revolutionary Rehearsals in a Neoliberal Age - edited by Colin Barker, Gareth Dale, and Neil Davidson Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay - The Debt Collective This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color - edited by Gloria Anzaldúa and Cherríe Moraga Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good - Adrienne Marie Brown Policing Black Lives - Robyn Maynard The Land Back Issue - Briarpatch We Do This Til We Free Us - Mariame Kaba Border and Rule - Harsha Walia Study and Struggle Curriculum Fall 2020 , including full or partial readings of Are Prisons Obsolete - Angela Davis Pedagogy of the Oppressed - Paolo Freire Freedom Dreams - Robin D.G. Kelley We Are Our Own Liberators: Selected Prison Writings - Jalil Mutaquim Geographies of Racial Capitalism - Ruth Wilson Gilmore Combahee River Collective Statement Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice, - Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha City of Inmates - Kelly Lytle Hernández Undoing Border Imperialism - Harsha Walia Freedom Is a Constant Struggle - Angela Davis Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward’s Gun Club - Megan Gail Coles As We Have Always Done - Leanne Betasamosake Simpso Caliban and the Witch - Sylvia Federici Radicalized - Cory Doctorow Settlers: The Mythology of the White Proletariat - J. Sakai. Struggle Within : Prisons, Political Prisoners, and Mass Movements in the United States - Dan Berger Capitalist Realism - Mark Fisher Utopia for Realists: The Case for a Universal Basic Income, Open Borders, and a 15-hour Workweek - Rutger Bregman The State and Revolution - Vladimir Lenin Planet of Slums - Mike Davis Women, Race, and Class - Angela Davis

Marking May Day with the Worker Action Network May 1, 2022 🌹 May Day Party 🌹 "The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too" - Rose Schneiderman (1882 - 1972) Workers deserve fair and equitable working conditions, but they also deserve joy, art, and beauty. On May Day, 2022 we gathered with the Worker Action Network at Bannerman Park for a celebration of workers rights. Check out the Rose Photo Project we did in partnership with Tania Heath of Project Power Back. All photos by Tania. View photos here: https://www.sjcnl.ca/may-day-party Previous Next

Climate Action The Social Justice Co-operative is building a grassroots movement centred on creating caring communities and fostering friendships between activists based on caring for each other. We believe in the dignity and value of every human being. We call this movement a “Revolution of Care” because revolutionary care is the antidote to capitalism, and it is capitalism that has made our society sick. Where capitalism relies on greed to function, the antidote must be generosity. Where capitalism relies on individualism, the antidote must be community. Want to get involved in Climate Action? Check out some of the projects we're working on below, and send us an email to get connected. Connect Project Nujio'qonik by World Energy GH2 Coalition for a Green New Deal: Who We Are Learn More What is Project Nujio'qonik? Project Nujio'qonik is also known as the Port-au-Port & Stephenville Wind Power & Hydrogen Generation Project. It's a wind-to-hydrogen mega-project being proposed by World Energy GH2 for construction on the Port-au-Port peninsula and in the area around Stephenville. The project, if approved, would see 164 wind turbines built on the Port-au-Port peninsula and a Hydrogen Generation Plant built in Stephenville. Who is World Energ y GH2? World Energy GH2, founded in 2022, is a NL based subsidiary of a US company called World Energy LLC, one of the USA's biggest suppliers of biodiesel. The CEO of World Energy GH2 is Sean Leet, whose previous appointments include Director and CEO of two Maritime Transportation companies, KOTUG and Horizon Maritime. The chairman of Project Nujio'qonik is Nova Scotian billionaire John Risley, founder of Clearwater Seafoods. (Notice that no one here has any previous experience in wind energy or hydrogen generation) Protect NL Petition We recently the great pleasure of meeting with Brenda from the South Coast Alliance this week. They are petitioning for a "six-month pause, with time extension possibilities, on approving industry projects on the Southwest Coast until proper Cumulative Effects Assessment studies and meaningful consultations are concluded". Download Petition Brenda came all the way to St. John’s to bring flyers, petitions and protest signs to raise awareness. Send us a message to get some flyers and petitions! You can reach us by replying to this email. You can print your own petition package by clicking the "download petition" button above. You can sign yourself, collect some signatures from family, friends, or coworkers, and return them by contacting the South Coast Alliance at ProtectNL@outlook.com Email South Coast Alliance The Social Justice Cooperative of NL strongly condemns the federal government’s approval of the Bay Du Nord project. The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, recently warned us: “Investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is moral and economic madness.” He was speaking of a United Nations climate report—issued just two days before the federal government approved the Bay du Nord project. Pushing this project forward demonstrates a blatant disregard toward principles of free, informed, prior, ongoing consent of Indigenous peoples and is inconsistent with UNDRIP, CANDRIP, and rights of people and the planet. Our province, Canada, and the planet cannot afford another pollution-producing, oil-seeking money pit. Contrary to what our provincial and federal governments say, there are no responsible reasons to proceed with this project, unless you represent Big Oil. There are many compelling reasons to reject the Bay du Nord Project that fall under two major categories: Environmental Impact Economic Shortsightedness, including Misleading Job Possibilities. Read Full Condemnation Join Fridays for Future Call to Stop Bay Du Nord Join call to STOP Bay Du Nord Condemning Bay Du Nord Out and About Climate Strikes Join us as we march with Fridays For Future for climate action and demand #NoMoreEmptyPromises Socials 4 Justice This event series is an opportunity to bring the community together and hear from local organizers and people with lived experience to talk about social and environmental justice issues. Planting Seeds Community dialogue is key for consensus building. Check out our YouTube page to see some of the discussions we've hosted. Climate Emergency Declaration Petition Succeeds Working Together Towards A Sustainable Future Pictured to the left, are members of Fridays For Future St. John's, the Social Justice Co-op NL, the Council of Canadians Avalon Chapter, and the Coalition For a Green New Deal NL, celebrating after working together to successfully petition the City of St. John's to Declare a Climate Emergency in 2019. Climate Emergency Declaration: Petition to the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador Demand the Provincial Government Declare a Climate Emergency! Sign Now Taking the Climate Emergency Petition Provincial Coalition for a Green New Deal Town Hall Our Vision A Green New Deal isn't just about meeting environmental goals; it shapes every aspect of our society. This living document describes how these intersections are addressed and the shifts that will lead to a sustainable and fulfilling future for our province. Download Our Vision Document Coalition for a Green New Deal Projects Take A Look At What We've Done Green New Deal Town Hall In June 2019, 60 people came together to discuss the future of a Green New Deal in Newfoundland and Labrador. This report outlines the outcomes from that meeting. CBS Transit Town Hall SJC, in partnership with Happy City St. John's, explored how public transit could serve the communities of Conception Bay South (CBS). In The Media St. John's City Council Declares Climate Emergency November 4, 2019 While there is still work to do, St. John's City Council declaring a climate emergency was a step in the right direction. Read Here Letter: Premier Furey, We Need a Green New Deal September 18, 2020 CGNDNL wrote to Premier Furey's new government, demanding that the province begin to move away from oil and gas and toward a greener, more sustainable future. Read Here Can Laid Off Oil Workers Here Transition into Greener Jobs? October 14, 2020 More sustainable employment and transferable skills, Heather Elliott discusses what a fair transition could look like for oil and gas workers on CBC CrossTalk. Listen Here Statement: City Takes Action on Climate Change November 4, 2019 The official declaration by St. John's City Council on Climate Change. Read Here Thumbs Down on Climate Change for Newfoundland and Labrador Budget September 30, 2020 With money still going towards incentivizing offshore exploration, CGNDNL was disappointed with the 2020 budget. Read Here Letter: Oil and Gas Myth-Busting November 26, 2020 We've all heard "Newfoundland and Labrador's oil is greener than other places." Mark Nichols tackles this and other "greenwashed" topics from the oil and gas sector. Read Here Letter: It Shouldn't Be So Hard To Use Active Transportation December 10, 2020 Elizabeth Yeoman discusses the challenges of using active transportation in the St. John's Metro area. Read Here Coalition for a Green New Deal Members Council of Canadians - Avalon The Council of Canadians brings people together through collective action and grassroots organizing to challenge corporate power and advocate for people, the planet and our democracy. Read More Fishing For Success Our music and our art, our craft and our food celebrate our connection to the Sea that has sustained our families for generations. Read More Social Justice Co-op NL The Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador works to address issues of social, economic, and political inequality at home and abroad. Read More

In Solidarity with the Sovereign Wet'suwet'en Nation Feb 27, 2020 The Social Justice Cooperative declares our complete and unconditional solidarity with the people of the sovereign Wet’suwet’en nation in their ongoing resistance to Canadian colonialism, as well as with all those who have taken action in support of the Wet’suwet’en nation following invasion by the RCMP. We demand an end to violence against Wet’suwet’en people and their allies in Wet’suwet’en territory and the immediate evacuation of Coastal GasLink. We demand that the RCMP leave Wet'suwet'en territories. We demand that all Wet’suwet’en land defenders, supporters and journalists who have been arrested in the past week be immediately released and all charges dropped. From all perspectives, the actions of the RCMP and Coastal Gas Link, supported by the BC and Canadian government, are illegitimate, immoral and unacceptable. Under ‘Anuc niwh’it’en (Wet’suwet’en law) all five clans of the Wet’suwet’en have unanimously opposed all pipeline proposals and have not provided free, prior, and informed consent to Coastal Gaslink/TC Energy to do work on Wet’suwet’en lands. In addition to violent and blatant ignorance of the law and consent of Wet’suwet’en, the actions of the RCMP and Coastal Gas Link represent a clear rejection of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People and a clear violation of the spirit of past commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. It is unconscionable that the governments of BC and Canada are taking this action. Over the past decade, the Wet'suwet'en people have been providing people across Turtle Island with leadership in the fight against climate change and proper stewardship of lands and waters. Meanwhile, colonial governments across Turtle Island have consistently acted in the interest of the oil and gas industry, which will result in nothing but climate disaster of unimaginable devastation. We wish to express deep gratitude to the Wet’suwet’en people for the formidable vision and strength with which they have defended their people and territories from pipeline development. It is clear that your strength and commitment is unwavering and we support you completely . We also encourage people across Turtle Island to actively support the Wet’suwet’en people at this time of attack from colonial governments. We call on everyone to take any actions of solidarity you can, as often as you can, until the demands of the Wet’suwet’en people are met. Donate to Wet'suswet'en Unistoten Camp: https://unistoten.camp/support-us/donate/ Unistoten Camp Solidarity Toolkit: https://unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/ Unistoten Needs List: https://unistoten.camp/support-us/wishlist-needslist/ P.S. Check out this coverage of the "pipeline building" demonstration that the SJC participated in at Minister O'Regan's office in February of 2020: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/supporters-protest-pipeline-1.5477873 Previous Next

Free Palestine Rallies Jan 11, 2024 UPDATE: There are Rallies organized every Saturday by Palestine Solidarity - Newfoundland & Labrador to show solidarity with Palestinians and resist and condem the genocide the Israeli state is committing. Every Saturday at 2pm NT at Harbourside Park in St. John's Please come show your support and help spread the word. You can sign up for the Palestine Solidarity NL Listserv here: https://palestineactionyyt.beehiiv.com/subscribe This will be important for updates on how weather conditions are impacting rally plans. If you can't make it out, or if the weather keeps us from gathering, here's an action the Palestine Solidarity NL invites you to do from home: Birds of Gaza: Get creative and design your own bird in memory of a child martyred SATURDAY: ALL OUT FOR GAZA Organized by Palestine Solidarity - Newfoundland & Labrador Join in solidarity with the Health Workers of Gaza Date: Saturday December 16 Time: 2 PM (NT) Location: Harbourside Park, St. John's Return every Saturday until there is a ceasefire! Same time same place! SUNDAY AFTERNOON: SCREENING OF "THREE PROMISES" BY YOUSEF SROUJI Date: Sunday December 17, 2023 Time: 3 - 6pm NT Location: Memorial University Education Building, ED 1020 "While the Israeli army retaliates against the Second Intifada in the West Bank in the early 2000s, a mother films her family's daily life, punctuated by time spent shielding her family from harm in the basement. Now, her son revisits this past, delivering a heart-breaking portrait of the anguish of parents who are forced to choose between their children’s physical safety and the emotional upheaval of leaving home." Please wear a mask to this event to help protect each other SUNDAY EVENING: FUNDRAISER DINNER FOR GAZA Organized by Palestine Solidarity Action NL Experience Palestinian Culture & Performances Date: Sunday Dec 17 Time: 6 - 8 pm Location: Benevolent Irish Society, 30 Harvey Road, St. Johns $50 per ticket. Seating is limited. Reserve your ticket by emailing and please note any dietary restrictions. email: palestineactionyyt@gmail.com All proceeds benefit Islamic Relief Previous Next

Three Promises: Palestinian Film Screening Dec 17, 2023 banner photo by William Ping/CBC Please Note the Change of Date! This event has been moved to Sunday, December 17 due to Palestine rallies happening 2pm every Saturday at Harbourside Park until there's a ceasefire Date: Sunday December 17, 2023 Time: 3 - 6pm NT Location: Memorial University, ED 1020 Please wear a mask to help protect each other! Synopsis: While the Israeli army retaliates against the Second Intifada in the West Bank in the early 2000s, a mother films her family's daily life, punctuated by time spent shielding her family from harm in the basement. Now, her son revisits this past, delivering a heart-breaking portrait of the anguish of parents who are forced to choose between their children’s physical safety and the emotional upheaval of leaving home." Previous Next

NEAR HITS PROJECT Have you been hit or nearly hit while: Walking Cycling Using a Mobility Aid or Pushing a Stroller The Challenge Car Culture Coalition is gathering information on dangerous areas for non-motorists in NL Have you had a hit or near-hit with a car while walking, running, rollerblading, skateboarding, using a scooter, moving on a wheelchair, biking, or engaging in some other form of non-motorized movement? Share your story with us and contribute to our map of areas needing to be addressed. Click the button below or image above to submit. We also encourage you to share your story on social media using the hashtags #ChallengeCarCulture and #ThinkOutsideTheCar Questions? Want to get involved? Email nearhitsproject@gmail.com Submit to Near Hits Project

Project Nujio'qonik by World Energy GH2 Coalition for a Green New Deal: Who We Are What is Project Nujio'qonik? Project Nujio'qonik is also known as the Port-au-Port & Stephenville Wind Power & Hyd rogen Generation Project. It's a wind-to-hydrogen mega-project being proposed by Worl d Energy GH2 for construction on the Port-au-Port peninsula and in the area around Stephenville. The project, if approved, would see 164 wind turbines built on the Port-au-Port peninsula and a Hydrogen Generation Plant built in Stephenville. Who is World Energy GH2? World Energy GH2, founded in 2022, is a NL based subsidiary of a US company called World Energy LLC, one of the USA's biggest suppliers of biodiesel. The CEO of World Energy GH2 is Sean Leet, whose previous appointments include Director and CEO of two Maritime Transportation companies, KOTUG and Horizon Maritime. The chairman of Project Nujio'qonik is Nova Scotian billionaire John Risley, founder of Clearwater Seafoods. (Notice that no one here has any previous experience in wind energy or hydrogen generation) Members of the Social Justice Co-op NL, Council of Canadians, and Clean NL, rally for a Federal Impact Assessment of Project Nujio'qonik outside 10 Barter's Hill in St. John's on Friday September 22, 2023. Photo by Kassie Drodge Why are people concerned? A group of local residents called the E nvironmental Transparency Committee (ETC) outline many reasons for concern in their August 29th media release. Read the release in full by clicking here , or check out some highlights below: "We were already worried when this project was sprung on us last summer," says Marilyn Rowe, Chair of the Sheaves Cove Local Service District. "It was obvious then that trying to crowd 164 giant turbines onto our little peninsula would threaten our environment, our communities and ou r way of life. The preliminary work on roads and test towers has already caused significant destruction. The EIS [Environmental Impact Statement submitted by World Energy GH2] shows that the impacts will be even worse." The EIS, required by the Province, represents the proponent company's version of the impacts they anticipate and how they will address any problems. It is a massive multi-volume document detailing their technologically complex and economically questionable plan to use the area's wind energy to transform water into hydrogen and then into ammonia for shipment overseas from the port of Stephenville. Like Muskrat Falls before it, this mega-proposal suffers from an extreme form of optimism bias, apparently shared by the provincial government. The Port au Port Peninsula is home to some 4,000 people, a majority of Mi'kmaq descent, and is known for its relatively unspoiled natural environment, its rare and endangered species, and its unique blend of Indigenous, French and English cultures. A year ago when word began to spread there about the proposed mega-project, local people formed the Port Au Port Environmental Transparency Committee to demand a say in the decision-making and an end to the secrecy and conflicts of interest surrounding the project. "We've performed our due diligence, talked to the company, taken part in their staged 'consultations' and challenged their experts," says Nadine Tallack of the ETC. "All during that time, the proponent was continuing their preliminary work, while meeting with the provincially-appointed committee of government employees to make the drastic changes and additions to their original proposal that they have now entrenched in their EIS." With members locally throughout the Peninsula and supporters across Newfoundland and Labrador, the ETC has received formal letters of support from provincial and national organizations, including EnviroWatch NL, the Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador, CLEAN NL and the Council of Canadians. "This World Energy mega-project is not 'green energy' at all," says Helen Forsey of the Council of Canadians Avalon/NL Chapter. "Its construction alone will require huge amounts of fossil fuels and earth minerals, and its operation will rely on power from the provincial grid to cover fluctuations in the wind source. Moreover, nothing even partially 'green' will stay here in the Province: the ammonia will be shipped overseas to European markets, generating further emissions and wasting more energy to reconvert it to a usable form. Newfoundland/Ktaqmkuk will be left with the devastating environmental and social consequences of the whole profiteering venture." Read Full Media Release What are people asking for? The Environmental Transparency Committee, with the support of EnviroW atch NL, the Social Justice Co-operative of NL, CLEAN NL, and the Council of Canadians, are asking that Minster Stephen Guilbeault designate Project Nujio'qonik for a impa ct assessment through the federal Imp act Assessment Agency. The federal impact assessment process i s more comprehensive than the pro vincial one and provides for public participation . Trust has broken down between concerned residents and the provincial government, leading to a lack of trust in the provincial government's capacity to carry out an honest and sufficient assessment. Concerns about Premier Furey's connection to Project Nujio'qonik's billionaire chairman John Risley emerged after news broke last fall of Furey and Risley enjoying a fishing trip together in July 2021 at Risley's luxury cabin in Labrador. Concerns have also been raised about Furey's friendship with businessman Brendan Paddick , a director at World Energy GH2. These concerns have intensified since the Independent NL broke a story about the provincial government peddling the province on the international energy market as the 'World’s First Net-Zero Potential Energy Super Basin' and uncovered covert plans to const ruct a hydrogen transportation pipeline through unceded Innu lands in Labrador . Minister Guilbeault is to decide whether to designate Project Nujio'qonik for a federal Impact Assessment by October 3r d . A federal impact assessment will ensure the public has a chance to participate in considering the environmental impact of Project Nujio'qonik. Read SJC Letter of Support Update - September 29, 2023 The ETC worked hard to push Minister Guilbeault to designate the project for Federal Impact Assessment. Unfortunately despite the comprehensive case they made, and the many letters of support contributed by groups like the SJC, Council of Canadians, and the FFAW, the minister decided not to designate the project for a federal impact assessment. Instead he left the environmental and impact assessment in the hands of the province. The provincial process is not as comprehensive as the federal one and does not provide any funding for public intervenors, which is how concerned residents get their voices heard in the assessment process. The ETC is now considering setting up a parallel community-run impact assessment process. If you're interested in being involved in this shoot us an email at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com and we'll put you in touch. A second west coast based group working to ensure concerns about the potential negative impacts of Project Nujio'qonik and others like it get heard is the South Coast Alliance. We had the great pleasure of meeting with Brenda from the South Coast Alliance this week. They are advocating for a "six-month pause, with time extension possibilities, on approving industry projects on the Southwest Coast until proper Cumulative Effects Assessment studies and meaningful consultations are concluded". This includes the wind-to-hydrogen mega-project proposed by World Energy GH2, Project Nujio'qonik. If you're on Facebook, you can join their group "Protect NL " to stay updated on their activities. Brenda came all the way to St. John’s to bring flyers, petitions and protest signs to raise awareness. Send us a message at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com to get some flyers and petitions! You can also email the South Coast Alliance at ProtectNL@outlook.com Project Nujio'qonik Incompatible with Revolution of Care SJCNL Volunteer Coordinator, Lea Movelle, opens Sept 22nd Rally for Federal Impact Assessment of Project Nujio'qonik by calling out provincial government for greenwashing, drawing parallels to Muskrat Falls, thanking Environmental Transparency Committee for raising their voices, and encouraging a Revolution of Care. Jude Benoit shares concerns about Work Camps, Noise Pollution, Environmental Racism Jude Benoit, longtime Two Spirit Mi'kmaq activist, co-founder of the Indigenous Activist Collective and member of the SJC shares concerns about the impacts of Project Nujio'qonik on their home and family. Helen Forsey says Current Assessment Process is largely Managed by and for the Proponent (World Energy GH2) Helen Forsey, with the Council of Canadians, says the Avalon chapter has been working with the Environmental Transparency Committee since January on effort to secure a Federal Impact Assessment for Project Nujio'qonik. Emphasizes that a Federal Impact Assessment would allow for more true public participation, both through funding for public intervenors, and a longer, more detailed and more independent process in place. Rally for Federal Impact Assessment for Project Nujio'qonik Ends in Group Chant: Protestors chant, "We're here to fight for the future we need, the elites won't save us from their own greed" Thanks to Kassie Drodge for capturing all of the photos and videos from the rally <3 Update - November 12, 2023 On November 1st, Minister Bernard Davis announced that the NL government would not be approving Project Nujio'qonik and asked World Energy GH2 for more information in their environmental assessment, including "potential and cumulative effects of the project." This is a huge win for groups across the province who have been raising questions about this mega project! On October 27, we joined protesters from the Environmental Transparency Committee in Port au Port who raised important questions about the project and are so excited that their efforts have been successful on this front. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/no-decision-yet-n-l-government-says-world-energy-gh2-proposal-needs-more-information-1.7015232

Our Roots Our Roots: Welcome The climate crisis is here. Every day animals go extinct, more land is flooded or becomes too dry to grow crops, storms grow bigger, wildfires become stronger, and the ice caps are melting under our feet. The problem feels insurmountable but humans created this problem—and it’s up to us to fix it. The Social Justice Co-operative NL formed in 2013 to continue the 50+ year tradition of speaking out for social justice, connecting the local with the global, and working with like-minded agencies for common social change goals. Oxfam Canada set up a regional office in St. John’s in 1964 at the instigation of a group of local activists and with staff members dedicated to build support and connections between projects in developing countries and our own communities. Oxfam Canada focused on the needs and concerns of communities in the developing world. Increasingly this was challenged by NL people and communities demanding that Oxfam recognise the links between the struggles of communities in NL and in the so-called “developing world”. Spurred by questions and demands from the local grassroots, the local Oxfam office on Duckworth Street became the hub of activism and progressive thinking. The crucial ingredients of success were dynamic and well informed staff, strong support from the national office and an activist community in support. Faced with funding cuts and a Conservative government, Oxfam Canada closed down most of its regional offices and ceased their focus on the connections between local and global issues. The activist group in St. John’s argued vociferously against this change , while also pointing out that the building on Duckworth St had been bought and maintained by the community and should remain a community resource. The Social Justice Cooperative of NL was formed to take over the building and to continue what we saw as the most important work of Oxfam in NL - its focus on the urgent need for social justice for everyone and on the connections between local and global. The particular form of the SJC came about because of the Harper era strictures and limitations on the political work of “charities”. While it makes us somewhat of an “oddball” in the context of the formal structures of the Federation of Cooperatives, our membership in the Federation helps us to think seriously about what “cooperation” means in terms of equality and justice for everyone. Since 2019, the SJC has been leading a campaign to address the climate crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador by connecting with activists and organizing a wide range of actions with a vision of anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and international worker solidarity. In the past few years, we have done important groundwork to build a movement in our province around social and environmental justice by building strong and respectful partnerships with allied organizations, and creating space for new people to get involved and champion causes. By organizing around a broad issue like climate change, we have integrated many related issues into a cohesive vision for how to transform our province into a more environmentally and socially just place. A key aspect of our strategy is to let members lead our work and use our staff to support them. This has created space for volunteers to pursue their passions and take initiative organizing events or action teams. We are always looking for more people to get involved and if you would like to learn more about our work, please reach out at socialjusticecoopnl@gmail.com . To strengthen our base and independence from government, we are also seeking individuals to donate to support our work. Please consider becoming a financial ally and supporting our Resources for Revolution campaign here . Our Roots: Text The climate crisis is not an easy problem and will need a multi-pronged solution to fix, but as this pandemic has shown, we can do hard things. By working together, we can overcome anything. Our Roots: Text

Sex Worker Solidarity Mar 6, 2021 In March of 2021, we participated in the Safe Harbour Outreach Project's (SHOP) "Stories of Sex Worker Solidarity" in recognition of #InternationalSexWorkerRightsDay . Below is a video submission by our Volunteer Coordinator. Another one of our members sent a mesage of solidarity too! SJC member Heather says that... "Sex workers are often members of other marginalized groups that don’t need any more barriers in front of them to get the services they need. When they are survivors of violence, they should have their complaints taken seriously, regardless of what they do for a living. They should be able to exist without fear of repercussions or victimization just for existing. And, above all else, sex work is valid work and should be treated as such. Self-determination exists in other work, and it should not be kept from sex workers because some people are uncomfortable with their chosen occupation." Thank you to SHOP for all your crucial work in the community, for championing the dignity and rights of sex workers, and for inviting us to be part of this iniative. Previous Next

Statement in Solidarity with Palestine Jan 25, 2024 Written by the Free Palestine Action Team The Social Justice Co-op of Newfoundland and Labrador (SJCNL) Free Palestine Action Team recognizes that Canada and Israel are both settler colonial states built on stolen land. The struggle for social justice is not bounded by national borders; as we fight to dismantle colonialism in so-called Canada, we must also stand against colonialism abroad. In alignment with our principles of revolutionary care, we are committed to uplifting the voices of those most marginalized and we recognize that there is no justice or liberation without collective liberation. We organize in solidarity with the Palestinian people, whose struggle under a settler colonial system of domination has been ignored for too long. The Palestinian Territories—the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip—have been occupied by Israel since 1967. Israel imposes different legal, economic and security regimes on the people under its control based on their ethnicity, religion and place of residence. This system can only be described as Apartheid. Palestinians are denied many basic rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of movement and the right to vote. The ‘Israeli-Palestinian Conflict’ is not a conflict between two equal nation-states. Only one side has an army, an air force, and a nuclear arsenal. Only one side has self-determination, sovereignty, and international recognition. Only one side has the unconditional support of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. To remain neutral in light of this asymmetry would be to uphold an unjust and unequal status quo. The Gaza Strip is a walled off piece of land smaller than the City of St. John’s but with more than 20 times the population. The majority of the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza are UN-registered refugees, the descendants of people who fled or were expelled from what is now Israel when that country was founded in 1948. Since 2005, Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade, destroying the territory’s economy. People and goods cannot enter or leave Gaza without specific permission from Israel. The unemployment rate is over 40%, and the majority of residents rely on humanitarian aid. As our members have called out in the past , Gaza is essentially an open-air prison. Israeli attacks on Gaza killed more than 5,000 Palestinians between 2005 and 2022; over the same period, Palestinian militants from Gaza killed some 180 Israelis. On October 7th 2023, Palestinian militants attacked Israeli communities and military bases near the Gaza Strip, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping over 200. In response, Israel’s bombing campaign has since killed over 25,000 Palestinians, including over 10,000 children. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have indiscriminately struck homes, apartment buildings, mosques, churches, hospitals, schools, and bakeries. Israel has also imposed a severe blockade, preventing most food, water, and medicine from entering Gaza. The humanitarian situation inside the Gaza Strip is growing more desperate by the day as people run out of the basic necessities of life. One atrocity cannot be made right by committing another; Israel’s "war" on Gaza will only perpetuate a cycle of violence whose root causes remain unaddressed. True peace can only be achieved when there is justice, equality, dignity, and freedom for all people living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, regardless of ethnicity or religion. The longer the bombing, siege and occupation of Gaza continue, the farther away this prospect becomes. The current Israeli government is the most extreme in the country’s history. Israeli political leaders and military commanders have made repeated statements advocating for the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. These statements along with the indiscriminate violence unleashed on Gaza form the basis of the South African case against Israel, under the Genocide Convention, that is currently before the International Court of Justice. We welcome Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s belated call for a “sustainable ceasefire”, but that is not sufficient. In spite of everything that has happened over the past 110 days, Canada remains a staunch ally of Israel, making all of us complicit in Israeli actions. The Government of Canada must end this complicity once and for all. We call on the Members of Parliament for Newfoundland and Labrador to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a lifting of the blockade on Gaza, a two-way arms embargo on Israel, and an end to the occupation and colonization of Palestinian land: Ken McDonald (Avalon), Churence Rogers (Bonavista-Burin-Trinity), Clifford Small (Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame), Yvonne Jones (Labrador), Gudie Hutchings (Long Range Mountains), Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East), and Seamus O’Regan (St. John’s South-Mount Pearl). The world is watching, and failure to act now will not be forgotten. Free Palestine Action Team Social Justice Co-op of Newfoundland and Labrador In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, we wish to acknowledge that our website is hosted by Wix.com Ltd., a company we have since learned is headquartered in Israel. In solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, we are currently pursuing alternative webhosting options. Previous Next