resources
Backgrounders
This section of Resources contains links to backgrounders and other "long
documents" available for free download on other sites. Some documents
are republished here.
We would very much like to expand this section, and welcome your suggestions for background reading. Please .
Note: Many of the publications below are in PDF (Portable Document Format) only. Your web browser must have the free PDF plug-in in order to view and print the materials. If an error happens when you try to download an item, you need the plug-in.
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What can you do?
Some ideas about everyday actions you can take
to oppose war, occupation and racism in Canada, and stopping Canadian co-operation
with the U.S., as well as deal with war's impact on everyday life.
Five guidelines for our organizing
Cynthia Peters' straight talk on working at the local level, listening and
talking with folks, civil disobedience and dealing with the tension (activist
stress/burnout).
Straight talk with kids about war
"Answers to kids’ questions can be much
more honest and satisfying, if justifying U.S. foreign policy is not the top
priority. We can begin by admitting that war is horrible and deadly. Details
aren’t
necessary, but the overarching truth is."—Michael Ames Connor, Rethinking
Schools
On deportations from Canada and "security certificates"
Bring
Mohamed Cherfi home!
The
storming of a church where where Mohamed Cherfi had sought sanctuary brings
up many issues: immigration policy, "public" security, civil liberties,
border issues, the violation of church sanctuary. This is good concise background
about legal mechanisms used for deportation. From the No-One is Illegal Collective.
Links to an interview with the Action Committee of Non-Status Algerians (includes
Mr. Chefri).
"Security Certificates" an
insult to Canadians
Canadian Arab Federation's March 2003 news release
about detention of Adil Charkaoui says it all about what's wrong with CSIS
(Canadian Security and Intelligence Service) Security Certificates: detention
without charges, or allowing the detained to see evidence against them. (Reprinted
here for easy access).
Interview with Action Committee of Non-Status Algerians
December 2002 interview with the Action Committee
lays out the background about Algeria, and why deportations from Canada are
taking place again.
On the U.S. occupation of Iraq
Reasons
to oppose the U.S. military occupation of Iraq
Basic reasons to oppose the occupation, and what
to do about it, from Global Exchange. Includes a downloadable PDF.
On the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq
WHY
ANOTHER WAR? A Backgrounder on the Iraq Crisis, 2nd Ed.
A 16-page PDF on the background to the conflict,
by Sarah Graham-Brown and Chris Toensing. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: US Policy - Role of the
UN - Sanctions - Inspections - Oil - Human Rights - Regional Politics. From Middle
East Research and Information Project.
About Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD, or NMD)
PeaceWire.org
Campaigns
End the Arms Race's information sheets
and audio files about the Canadian war economy. Also connects militarism and
globalization.
US Foreign Policy in Context
This section of backgrounders deals with dispelling
myths and disinformation about "benign" or "humanitarian" interventions in
world affairs.
A
Century of US Military Interventions
From Wounded Knee to Afghanistan. Courtesy
of Z Magazine.
Understanding Islam
This section of backgrounders deals with dispelling
myths, stereotypes and disinformation about Islam.
Understanding
Islam
Brief, basic primer on Islam, from Global Exchange.
Includes a downloadable PDF.