By Asaf Rashid
Published by the Halifax Media Co-op
http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/blog/asaf-rashid/2906

Feb 27, 2010

Two years and eight months after the June 15, 2007 Atlantica protest and 21 arrests, the four people who remained on trial – myself, Colin, Aaron and George – finally reached our sentencing date: February 24, 2010. It was, and will continue to be, a long struggle, which has been marked by great examples of solidarity along the way. But one out of four was thrown in jail.

Background

(I won't recount the protest and whole court battle here, because that's a story on its own)

Three of the four remaining defendants in charges relating to demonstrations against the Atlantica Conference held in Halifax in 2007 have been granted conditional discharge.

Asaf Rashid, George Dalli and Colin Bell were granted conditional discharge and 18 months probation. Aaron Doncaster, the one defendant who was not participating in the Black Bloc demonstration, was sentenced to 15 days in prison and a year's probation for breach of conditions.

Crown Prosecutor Rick Woodburn asked the judge to set an example and discourage militant action against the G8 finance ministers meeting ha

When: Saturday, March 20, 11:00am to 1:00pm
Where: NB Legislature

There are moments when people need to come together to make their voice heard. This is one of those moments.

For more info: www.nbpowernotforsale.org

Rides will be arranged from across the province.

Cinema Politica Fredericton and the UNB Department of Culture and Language Studies presents the film You, Me & the SPP on Friday, February 19 at 7:00pm at Conserver House, 180 St. John St.

You, Me & the SPP exposes the corporatist agenda currently undermining democracy in Canada, US and Mexico. The Security Prosperity Partnership (SPP) and other agreements are eliminating civil liberties and regulations that protect people and the planet.

Film to be followed by discussion on how similar agendas are manifesting here in New Brunswick through Atlantica.

For more information, email: fredericton@cinemapolitica.org

By Asaf Rashid, Halifax Media Co-op

The year 2009 was a roller-coaster, marked by the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Hundreds of thousands of jobs were being lost nearly every month of 2009 in the U.S., and in Canada, many tens of thousands were lost monthly, with January 2009 seeing a record 129,000 workers purged. Canada's gap between the rich and poor is now at the worst level ever. Over the whole world, millions of jobs were lost as companies bled workers from their bodies in order to save weight to try and survive the fall with less damage. In China, there were 40 million jobs lost in January alone, a consequence of the bust in U.S. consumption.

Julie Michaud, NB Media Co-op
Wednesday, 09 December 2009
http://www.nbmediacoop.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=670:coalition-against-the-sale-of-nb-power-grows-its-ranks&catid=96:politics&Itemid=197

Members of the Coalition of New Brunswickers: NB Power Not For Sale held signs and waved at passing motorists in Fredericton on December 4th.December 4th marked the launch of the Fredericton Branch of the Coalition of New Brunswickers: NB Power Not For Sale.

Approximately 20 people braved the cold at the corner of Regent and Prospect streets to hold signs and banners indicating their opposition to the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. The din of horns from passing cars indicated that they were not alone in their opposition to the deal.

NB Power Not for Sale!

Panelists have been confirmed.

Media has been notified.

Announcements of the summit will be on the radio concentrating in the Moncton area and CBC public service announcements.

Advertisements are in the four provincial dailies today and tomorrow.

Now all we need is to fill the ballroom at the *Delta Beauséjour* in Moncton on *Wednesday, December 9th , 2009 -- 10:00-4:00 p.m.

*Note:* An opening rally will occur at 9:30-10:00 am in front of the Assumption Building on Main Street, adjacent to the Delta Beauséjour.

Carpool, Hitch-a-ride, Call a friend

Folks are being encouraged to rally in support of the NB Power workers tomorrow at this event.

Thierry Vandal will be speaking to NB Power head office employees at Wilmot Church, right next to their head office at 3:00PM today, Tues, Dec. 8 in Fredericton.

Rally time & location --

Time: 2:30PM, Tuesday, December 8

Location: Wilmot Church, 473 King St., Fredericton

CBC, Saturday, November 28, 2009
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/11/28/nb-nbpower-industrial.html

Myth #1 This is a good deal for New Brunswickers.
The government signed this deal without even looking for a better price or deal where New Brunswick would retain control of NB Power and the decision-making process.

Myth #2 The government is telling New Brunswickers that NB Power’s situation is dire and urgent and that its debt is a burden on New Brunswick.
The Provincial Auditor General and all the major bond rating agencies have said that selling NB Power will have little or no impact on the Province’s credit rating. In fact, the government has never had to pay NBPower’s debt, the utility pays their own debt. NB Power has paid off over $1.3 Billion of it’s debt in the last five years, while also paying the province over $500 million in taxes and profits.