the good, the bad, and us

Hello friends and neighbours,

Thanks to those of you who sent me graduation well-wishes.

To show you all how much i appreciate your support and encouragement... i invite you to read the story below (from the CBC) about how our Conservative government is representing the interests of "Canadians" at the UN. But if that's too depressing, just remember:

MEANWHILE...

On June 16th, 8000 people came out to "RedStock" (AKA: the Concert for Kanenhstaton) in Brantford, Ontario. Well over $18000 was raised for the Six Nations protesters during the 12-hour, 40-band outdoor concert. The protesters continue to hold their ground at the barricade, despite on-going threats and harrassment...

AND... (if that's too much like "chicken soup for the anarchist soul" here's a reality check)

In Mexico, as the Presidential election-circus continues, the "Other Campaign" (which developed from a proposal of the Zapatistas' 6th declaration: "It is like a campaign... but very otherly, because it is not electoral" - Marcos) is building momentum. Some of the biggest demonstrations in Mexican history have been organized in the past two weeks, many fueled by massive outrage in the wake of state terrorism in Atenco.

The brutal repression of the "Other" perpetrated there by the Mexican police included hundreds of beatings and arbitrary arrests, more than 40 vicious rapes, including that of Italia Mendez - the first individual to report her assault publicly, and two confirmed killings: 20 year-old Alexis Benhumea, who died (after 34 days in hospital) from injuries inflicted by the police, and Javier Cortés, the 14-year-old boy whose autopsy confirmed what the witnesses already knew: that he was killed by an officer's bullet during the police riot on May 4th.

All this horror is unfolding during the first weeks of Mexico's tenure as the president of the new UN Human Rights Council - which brings us back to the article below...

The first session of the UN Human Rights Council is happening right now (June 19 - 30) at UN headquarters in Geneva. If you're in the neighbourhood, say hi to them and congratulate them on their timing.

The long and short of it is: there's a lot of ugly, evil shit going on. But if you're pissed off and wanna do something about it - you're in good company. So let's get it on.

love,
ryan andrew murphy


=====================================

Canada opposes UN aboriginal treaty

CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/06/20/aboriginal-declaration.html


--------------------------------------------------------------
"If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time...
But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine,
then let us work together."
- Lilla Watson