🍉 VanGran4Pal Community Newsletter
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**Neighbours and Friends, **
It’s been a long week. Tensions escalate, things get worse, and somehow daily life goes on. Work stress, family obligations, even moments of joy feel tinged with unreality. Life at the core of a dying empire is surreal. It’s hard to find time for all the rage that is warranted. Yet here we are, together.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza, Iran, and all across the so-called “Middle East” in the face of escalating Zionist aggression and American imperial rhetoric. We stand with the Indigenous land defenders of Turtle Island today, on Indigenous People’s Day, and every day, against Canadian colonial violence and imperialism. We stand with Indigenous peoples across the world resisting the violence of empire. We stand with each other, our neighbours and friends. We keep us safe.
This week we have a number of actions and events to share with you. We encourage you to share with family and friends, and find connection in resistance.
We thank you for staying with us, for staying engaged, for resting when you need to. We’re still here, and we’re glad you are too. We’ll see you out there.
Action Updates
Carney must condemn Israel’s attack on Iran
Israel has launched a massive attack on Iran. Please take a minute to email Prime Minister Mark Carney to demand he immediately condemn the rogue supremacist state’s monstrous attack.
Tell Carney to invest in Canadians’ wellbeing not the war machine
Mark Carney just announced an immediate massive increase in military spending. Please take a minute to tell Carney and the opposition parties to reject greater spending on warfare.
Ottawa will immediately add $9 billion to a military budget that has already doubled over the past decade. By comparison the Coalition for Healthy School Food says a national school lunch program would cost about $2.7 billion a year.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Canada is currently ranked 16th highest in the world for military spending and for arms exports. Carney’s plan to militarize the economy will mean greater weapons production and spiralling procurement costs.
Reverse course Mr. Carney. Invest in Canadians’ well-being not the war machine.
Send an email: Stop Bill C-2
Bill C-2 is a cruel and violent law that aims to create a mass deportation machine!
**Mass Surveillance Without Warrants: **Police and CSIS can demand your online data, emails, and browsing history from any company based only on “reasonable suspicion”—no warrant required.
Forced Corporate Spying: Companies must monitor your personal data under secret government orders, with full immunity for privacy violations.
Mail Surveillance: Canada Post can open your mail without a warrant.
Foreign Access to Your Data: Bill C-2 prepares Canada to share your personal information with US authorities and other foreign governments, undermining constitutional protections.
It’s time to give Taleeb a Mandate for Action
🇨🇦 Canada is still arming Israel.
🇵🇸 Israel is still bombing Gaza.
Our demand: #ArmsEmbargoNow
Starting today, we need your help delivering a mandate letter to Taleeb's constituency office, demanding he do everything in his power to compel the Canadian government to impose a full and immediate two-way arms embargo on Israel. Remember, he works for us.
Visit armsembargonow.ca/mandate to print the letter and deliver one to Taleeb now!
Upcoming Events
Resist the Genocidal 7! Rally & March | June 21
đź“… Saturday June 21, 2025
đź“Ť Location: Robson Square
SO-CALLED VANCOUVER AND ALL IN THE AREA:
JOIN US ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
From Haida Gwaii and Lax Yip to Grassy Narrows and Mi’kma’ki, Indigenous land defenders and organizers are fighting against Canadian colonialism! And around the world, from Palestine to the Philippines, Indigenous peoples organize against Canadian imperialism!
This year on Indigenous Peoples Day, join International League of Peoples' Struggle to rally against the Genocidal 7 and how they threaten the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples from Turtle Island to Indo-Pacific, from the Middle East to Africa, from Europe to Latin America!
Parent & Me Manakeesh Workshop | June 22
📍 Sunday, June 22 | 3–6pm at Tayybeh Restaurant
🎟️ Tickets are going fast — grab yours today.
This isn’t just another Sunday activity .. it’s a chance to create lasting memories with your child while supporting something truly meaningful.
Join families across Vancouver in an afternoon filled with connection, creativity, and the comforting smell of zaatar. Whether you’re bonding over rolling dough or sharing laughs at the table, this experience promises something special for both hearts and tastebuds.
💚 Every ticket supports education for Gazans.. let’s fill the room with love, purpose, and good food.
** Screening: The Encampments | June 26**
📆 Thursday, June 26
⏰ Doors open at 5:30 | Film begins at 6
đź“Ť Mowafaghian Cinema in the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, Downtown Vancouver
**🎟️ **Link to tickets here
CCMS is proud to announce that we will be hosting a screening of the documentary The Encampments. This timely documentary tracks how students flooded Columbia University’s lawn to create the Gaza Solidarity Encampment in order to pressure their university to divest from the US and Israeli weapons companies.
đź’° If you're a student, email ccms@sfu.ca to receive a discount code!
The film will be followed by a discussion and audience Q&A.
50% of the proceeds will be given to the documentary’s producer, Watermelon Pictures.
Pistachios & Poems | June 28
📆 Saturday, June 28
⏰ 1-5 pm
đź“Ť 1705 Venable St.
Come by this community fundraiser and have some sweets by @noorghzl & get a poem by @mediumlondonfog. They will be raising money for Gazan families and mutual aid for Lapu Lapu victim support.
All poems will be customized, handwritten on heavyweight deckle-edged paper, and wax sealed in its own envelope for your viewing pleasure.
Featured treats will be Lebanese tiramisu with pistachio, rose, and cardamom coffee for $6/slice, or $30 for a tray (if you DM Noor and pre-order!). There will also be Lebanese rice pudding with orange blossom and pistachios for $5, and rose lychee soda for $4.
cash/etransfer only.
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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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