🍉 VanGran4Pal Community Newsletter
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**Neighbours and Friends, **
As we head into this last weekend before the election, our thoughts are with the community members who will be most affected by its outcome, and with the people of Palestine, who have been so catastrophically let down by our current administration, and the international community at large.
Over the last few weeks we’ve shared resources to help you prepare for the election by pressuring candidates to make Gaza an election issue, as well as to aid in your research and reflection as many of us struggle with the difficult decision of whether to vote strategically or on principle. This week we encourage you to read back over our last few newsletters to take advantage of these resources, and share them with any family and friends who are still making their election day plan. We also want to highlight a couple of additional resources for you to consider and share.
We encourage you to use and share these resources, and if there are any hesitant or undecided voters in your life, consider taking the time to reach out and share with them in particular.
We know that these are tense and terrifying times. Above all we want to remind everyone to stay strong, and stay in community. We have many upcoming events to share this week - we hope to see you there.
Action Updates
Tell Van-Gran NDP MP Candidate Sukhi Singh Sahota to take a stronger stand on Palestine
Vancouver Granville NDP MP Candidate Sukhi Singh Sahota has partially endorsed the Palestine Platform.
He SUPPORTS: Recognizing the state of Palestine, Funding Gaza relief efforts, including UNRWA.
He DOES NOT SUPPORT: A two-way arms embargo on Israel, Ending Canadian support for settlements, Combatting anti-Palestinian racism, and protect pro-Palestine speech.
This is not good enough. Join us in demanding that he take a stronger stand and endorse the Palestine Platform IN FULL if he wants to earn our votes!
Join us and write him a letter? Click here: tinyurl.com/dobettersukhi
Protect Palestinian Children Now Campaign
Just Peace Advocates’ Protect Palestinian Children Now is a campaign to obtain endorsement and support by Canadian MPs to condemn Israel’s genocide in Gaza and demand an immediate arms embargo by Canada. The campaign has been by officially endorsed 107 MP candidates across Canada to date. You can review their list to find out if candidates in your riding have endorsed the campaign, and use the email template to put pressure on candidates who haven’t.
VoteWell
VoteWell is a strategic voting tool which uses aggregated polling data to predict whether a strategic vote is necessary in your riding to ensure the greatest likelihood of averting a Conservative victory. You can also find information on strategic voting as a tool in first-past-the-post electoral systems, and links to voting information, electoral maps and polling data.
Muslim Vote
Muslim Vote is a resource by the Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council evaluating federal election candidates based on their stated position on justice for Gaza, and providing guidance for voters in every riding across the country, as well as 45 official endorsements. You can search by address to find out who is endorsed or recommended in your riding, as well as information about your local polling station.
Upcoming Events
ART FOR G♥️ZA | April 26
🗓 Date: April 26th
⏰ Time: 2-6 pm
📍Location: Kasko Gallery, 560 Clark Dr, Vancouver, BC
An auction fundraiser for the Sameer Project and Grassroots G*za
This is an online and in-person art auction that supports the efforts of two Palestinian-led non-profits working towards humanitarian aid and rebuilding in G<3za. With an incredible array of works from both emerging and established artists located on the west coast of Canada/Turtle Island, we hope that you will consider bidding while collectively bringing relief to those who are living in very difficult circumstances.
Open for Online Bidding: April 1-26, 2025
In-Person Bidding and Auction Closing: Saturday April 26, 2-6 pm
Co-organized by Jennie Cane, Kate Henderson and Anna Kasko
BIKE FOR PALESTINIAN PRISONERS’ FREEDOM | April 27
🗓 Date: Sunday, April 27th
⏰ Time: Meet: 2:00pm, Ride: 2:30pm
📍Location: Science World, Vancouver
Since 1967, Israel has imprisoned over a million Palestinians, most of them with no due process. Torture, starvation, and murder are commonplace. Children are taken and branded as terrorists, at Israeli gunpoint. Join and ride in visible solidarity with every innocent Palestinian held hostage by the Israeli state. May they be free.
Mothers Day Fundraiser for Gaza
Live Music & Fashion Show | May 11
🗓 Date: Sunday, May 11th
⏰ Time: 5:00 - 9:30 pm + Live Stream 6:30 - 9:30 pm
📍Location: 5840 Oak Street, Vancouver B.C
Tickets: kitesofhope.org
Reclaiming Mother’s Day as a day of peace and justice. An anti-racist, fundraising action in solidarity with the women and children of Gaza.
Fashion show by Jafra Collections
Artists: Dakota Bear, Amy Blanding Trio, Bob Bossin, Charlie Demers, Veda Hille, Onibana Taiko, Ying Tan (Joyce) 谭颖, Basal Zayed
Child Minding will be available. Please email mothersdayappeal@gmail.com if you would like to make use of this service, with the ages of your children!
**Promise of Return العودة | May 12 **
🗓 Date: Monday May 12th
⏰ Doors & Light meal by Tamam at 5:30 pm. Event 6-9 pm
📍 Location: 1803 East 1st Ave
👥 PWYC, suggested $20. Swag & hoodies ($80-100). Bring cash. ALL funds to Zeytoun Unity, Sameer Project, Gaza Soup Kitchen.
**Register: **https://actionnetwork.org/events/promise-of-return/
Join an evening of storytelling, poetry, food, fundraising & community to commemorate Nakba Day. Limited seating, register now to guarantee a spot!
🧡 ASL confirmed. Wheelchair accessible. Childminding onsite.
NAKBA DAY REMEMBERED RALLY | May 15Gaza Remains the Story Exhibition | May 16 - 19
**NAKBA DAY REMEMBERED RALLY **
🗓 Date: Thursday May 15th
**⏰ Time: **4:00 - 8:00 PM
📍Location: Vancouver Art Gallery
Gaza Remains the Story Exhibition
🗓 Date: May 16 - 19
📍Location: 312 Main Street, Vancouver
Community Highlight
Meet Samira Mohammed
“Dar Darak” in Arabic means “my house is your house.”
Samira’s passion for cooking was inspired by her Palestinian mother and grandmother’s traditional recipes, igniting her to share her delicious creations with friends and family while she was living in Saudi Arabia. Now in Canada, her culinary journey continues to bring people together, putting smiles on everyone’s faces.
For order contact Samira at 778-919-0437or dardaraksamirakitchen@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram: @dar_darak_samira_kitchen
dardaraksamirakitchen.square.site
Contribute to the Newsletter
Do you have something you would like to share with your neighbours? We welcome submissions of all kinds — stories, poems, art, and event info. Simply reply to this email to send in your contribution.
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With gratitude and in solidarity,
Your Neighbours
Van Gran 4 Palestine
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