Womyn Powered Events

Our events section features two events put on by wimmin in the Frequency Feminisms collective that deserve further mention here. You should definitely check one or (ideally) BOTH out since they're gauranteed to be chalked full of womyn powered goodness. Also, make sure to contact me (phyrecrackerATgmailDOTcom) to add any feminist Tdot events to our listings.

What: Women Against Poverty Collective (WAPC) Media Conference + Rally + Speak Out
When: Thursday July 19 11Am - 1:30PM
Where: Police HQ @ 40 College (Yonge and College)

The Women Against Poverty Collective are holding a media conference as a follow up to the June 3rd action to raise the issue of overpolicing and underpolicing with regards to women abuse.

The Toronto police force demonstrated at the WAPC's most recent June 3rd action that the police are just as fast to crack down on survivors speaking out against women abuse as they are slow to act when the same survivors need protection from their abusers. The WAPC has requested a meeting to discuss these issues within the broader context of epidemic women abuse in Toronto with the Mayor, Chief of Police and Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board. All three offices rejected our request, so in true WAPC fashion we are taking matters into our own hands and bringing the meeting to them!

Join us this Thursday July 19 from 11AM - 1:30PM @ 40 College as we speak out on the issue of policing and women abuse, take back Police Headquarters for the community and make it clear that the silence on women abuse in Toronto stops now! In addition to speakers, performances and street theatre we will also have an open mic so come to share your stories as well.

FOBulous: The Asian Arts Freedom School
Fri July 20th 10:45pm in the Brigantine room, Harbourfront Centre, cost is free.

As part of Harburfront's Dim Sum festival, come check out Toronto's Asian Arts Freedom School's fierce premier performance!

Featuring:
drag!
B-girl performance!
Mcing and hiphop
spoken word that'll make you cry and laugh!
dance!

Afterwards, stay for beats spun by our all-star freedom school DJs spinning rai, bhangra, hiphop and other beats to make a revolution to.

Toronto's Asian Arts Freedom School is Toronto's only writing, performance and radical Asian history program for Asian/Pacific Islander youth from 14-29. Co-founded in 2004 by Toronto spoken word artists Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and Gein Wong, Freedom School takes place at the Kapisanan Philippine Arts Centre every Wednesday at 167 Augus ta Ave in Kensington Market.

To check us out, hit us up at
asianartsfreedomschool@gmail.com or
www.myspace.com/asianartsfreedomschool

Phyrecracker

July 8th Recap

Today's show prominently featured the musical stylings of Alixa and Naima a duo from Brooklyn who together are known as climbing poetree. I was introduced to their work at a conference in Washington D.C. and also saw them perform last year at the Toronto Women's Bookstore as part of the Prisoner's Justice Film Festival. I didn't get a chance to talk about their S.T.I.T.C.H.E.D. workshop on the program today, so I leave it up to the listeners to visit their website and learn more about the amazing work these beautiful wimmin are doing - really, they will blow your mind.

We also highlighted two current space issues that particularly affect women in Toronto. First, we discussed the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students' (APUS) fight for space at the University of Toronto. This is the second time in one year that APUS, a student union comprised largely of women, is facing eviction by the University. In 2006 the community rallied around APUS and forced the University to offer an alternative space; we need the community to once again come together and support APUS so that we can now keep what we have worked so hard to gain. Show your support by coming out to the APUS BBQ Wednesday July 11th 4:30PM @ 100 Devonshire where you will be regailed with dj's, free food, performances and speakers!

The Women Against Poverty Collective (WAPC) are also engaging in a fight for space, especially space for women who are fleeing abusive situations. At our most recent action on June 3rd, our efforts to bring attention to the issue of women abuse and lack of housing for survivors were brutally silenced with the use of police force. One of the women involved in this peaceful action was arrested and will have her first court date Tuesday July 8th 2:00PM @ College Park courtroom. If you feel strongly that women have the right to speak out against women abuse please come out to support Franscesca at her court appearance. We are also having a rally and media conference starting at 11AM on July 19th outside of police headquarters at 40 College St @ Yonge. There will be several speakers and performances, and women are invited to join us out and speak out about their own experiences with underpolicing/overpolicing at our open mic.

Phyrecracker