In the Blog
WEEKLY ROUND UP: JUNE 6
Illustration: Erin McPhee
World champion boxer Muhammad Ali has passed at the age of 74. In addition to winning world titles, Muhammad Ali was a dedicated activist–from civil rights, to anti war movements, to global humanitarianism. More on his legacy:
Trigger warning: Anti-Black racism, police and state violence
A #FreeJasmine petition has been created decrying the “felony lynching” conviction of Black Lives Matter organizer Jasmine Richards. As Democracy Now! reports, the conviction of “felony lynching” is rarely used and:
“Under California’s penal code, “felony lynching” was defined as attempting to take a person out of police custody. Jasmine was arrested and charged with felony lynching last September, after police accused her of trying to de-arrest someone during a peace march at La Pintoresca Park in Pasadena on August 29, 2015.”
As the #FreeJasmine petition points out, the very law Jasmine was convicted under:
“was created to protect Black people from race-based mob violence at the height of America’s lynching epidemic. It is incredibly insulting to Pasadena’s Black communities and all people of conscience to use this law to incarcerate a non-violent Black political activist.”
Vox notes how the conviction of Richards is part of a nationwide effort to further intimidate and criminalize Black Lives Matter activists.
Last Thursday was the 2016 Grassy Narrows River Run at Queen’s Park. Led by youth and elders from Grassy Narrows, the River Run calls “on Ontario Premier Wynne to finally clean up the 9,000 kg of mercury that were dumped in our river in the 1960’s.” A few days before the action, scientists told the Ontario government that the contaminated river can in fact be cleaned up–something the provincial government has known since the 1980s. If you weren’t able to make the action, you can learn more about River Run and Grassy Narrows here and sign the petition calling on Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Wynne to clean the river.
All hail the Hot Dog Princess! This adorable child’s decision to wear a hot dog costume to a princess-themed dance class has gone viral.
Alicia Keys on feeling vulnerable and powerful not wearing makeup.
Over at Shameless we are hiring a volunteer Events Coordinator! Applications are due June 17.
If you get a chance, fill out our reader’s survey.
