Blueprints of Disruption Rabble Rousers' Cooperative

Local Palestinian solidarity groups are popping up all over Canada. Organizing mostly by federal or provincial riding boundaries, they have been putting massive pressure on their elected representatives. But that isn't all they do...not even close.
Listen in as four activists from Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal and Oakville talk about doing their part to grow a global movement by organizing hyper-locally. Intergenerational knowledge sharing, creating police-free spaces, and mobilizing for further disruption are all on the agenda.
*Episode was recorded April 25, 2024.
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As more student encampments spring up daily, our host talk about the divestment demands being made, and the responses from the Universities, the police and the public.
We inevitably make comparisons to the Occupy movement, all while noting the very unique circumstances facing students organizing against genocide.
*The opening sound is credited to Mike Litwack. It is taken from a video posted on Twitter (formally X).
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Video: University of Alberta via Mike LitwackUCLA clashes: Police criticised for 'delayed' response to violenceArticle: UBC Endowment Fund

Mskwaasin, a Dene activist, shares her experience of being arrested during a recent railway blockade in Toronto in solidarity with Palestine. She highlights many of the common struggles faced by Indigenous communities in so-called Canada and Palestinians, both under settler colonialism.
Its clear Police were targeting Indigenous activists both with arrest and what Mskwaasin calls unconstitutional bail conditions. Despite the tactics used against her, she continues to encourages escalation in activism and unity among different movements for collective liberation.
Resources:
Follow Mskwaasin on InstagramPalestinian solidarity Archives - Yellowhead InstituteHome - Arms Embargo NowCanadian police connections with Israel colour responses to Palestinian solidarity | Green Left
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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

Longtime queer rights activist Gary Kinsman resigned from Toronto Pride in April 2024 over their refusal to adequately address the genocide in Gaza. While telling his story to host Jessa McLean, Gary also provides a history of Pride, and its transition from a grassroots march to a corporately structured and funded cultural event.
Together with host Jessa McLean, they talk about the cost of that corporate funding, the event's continued collaboration with Police and how the Queer fight for liberation is tied to the liberation of all peoples, including that of Palestinians.
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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon
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Resources:
NPPC · – No Pride in Policing Coalition (Toronto)UBC Press | The Regulation of Desire, Third Edition - Queer Histories, Queer Struggles, By Gary Kinsman By Gary KinsmanAfterword by Tom Hooper By Gary KinsmanAfterword by Tom HooperForeword by OmiSoore DrydenLetter of Resignation - Radical Noise.caFollow Gary Kinsman on Twitter (X)

Voices for Unhoused Liberation are folks experiencing homelessness or inadequate housing while organizing their community. Whether its against encampment evictions or the prison like conditions of the Toronto shelter system, these folks are getting things done under incredibly difficult circumstances.
The interview with Dredz Green and Nahum Mann, two community organizers with Voices for Unhoused Liberation, touches on strategy building, the limitations of advocacy work and the need for escalated direct actions. As they describe their lived experience and recent developments, it becomes clear the City of Toronto is actively, and purposely harming the unhoused members of our communities. Under attack, they vow to fight back.
*AUDIO NOTE* at approximately the 1hr mark, there are issues with Dredz audio that lasts about 10 minutes. We opted to not edit this out, so as to not lose any part of his message. There is a transcript available.
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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon
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Resources:
CBC: Community group calls on city council to impose moratorium on evictions of unhoused peopleFollow Voices of Unhoused Liberation on Twitter (X)Voices for Unhoused Liberation

Pier-Philippe Chevigny, writer-director of 'Richelieu', discusses how he uses his skills in filmmaking to shed light on social issues, particularly the exploitation of temporary foreign workers in Canada in his first feature length film, 'Richelieu'. The film follows a translator who sees this exploitation first hand and fights back against the bosses.
Chevigny's focus on systemic issues rather than demonizing individuals, allows the message to resonate to audience of all political persuasions. Although he shies away from the activist label, his films share themes of resistance and are created with purpose.
Be sure to check out the Mayworks Festival, where Richelieu will open on May 1st. The festival runs the entire month of May and its exhibits include endless mediums artists have used to connect people with social issues.
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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons.
If you would like to support us: Patreon
Resources:
2024 FESTIVAL — Mayworks Festival of Working People & the ArtsFollow Pier-Philippe on InstagramRichelieu (2023) directed by Pier-Philippe Chevigny — Mayworks Festival of Working People & the Arts