Facilitated by Noelle Nanrahan of Prison Radio in California and Members of the Vancouver Prisoners' Justice Day Committee.

"If you have come to help me, then 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.

As the number of people in prison in Canada and the U.S. continues to rise, more and more of us are becoming active as prison or penal abolitionists in an attempt to put a stop to this trend. The above quote by Lilla Watson, an Australian Aboriginal woman, captures the spirit of our work as prisoner allies and prison activists. In the U.S., some of this activism has centered around political prisoners such as Mumia Abu-Jamal. The Canadian government insists that there are no political prisoners in Canada. However, many of us believe that this depends on how you define 'political.' What is a political prisoner? What role do prisons play in our society? What is the difference between prison and penal abolition? What does it mean to be a prisoner ally? And why should you, as a political and social activist, be concerned about prison issues? This workshop will address these questions. The workshop will also look briefly at the current trend, in Canada and the U.S., to criminalize the dissent of those of us who oppose the state, and Noelle will give an update on the campaign for Mumia Abu-Jamal.

A discussion regarding the reasons for the ongoing conflict and the United States escalating military involvement in Colombia and the surrounding region. Exposing Plan Columbia as a U.S. imperialistic attack on Latin America and the Carribean. "Because what he did not do, is still not done: Because, in America, Bolivar still has work to do!". Jose Marti. Facilitated by The Committee in Solidarity with FARC-EP(Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia - PeopleÕs Army).

Peoples democratic rights are increasingly under attack here at home in Vancouver, while this same capitalist system wages an all out war to control economies of the south and exploit its workers and peasants.

British Columbians are now bracing for the Liberal governmentÕs "New Era for BC 90 Day Plan" which will surely reward the rich and powerful of the province while increasing the poverty gap and attacking workers rights.

So what kind of opposition is possible in this province?

What work is needed to be done?

Join in an interactive workshop designed to look at the history of working class resistance,past and present.

The Bus Riders Union is an organization of transit dependent people fighting for the right to a first rate public transit service. The Bus Riders Union is planning a campaign of intensive on the bus organizing to fight the cuts as the basis of building a multiracial, work class grassroots organization to fight for public transit. Come see how organizers work to build an independent movement of working class people focusses on an issue broad enough to include a diversity of people. Get involved! Participate! Organize! Riding the bus is an experience many of us share in common, access to transportation is a critical issue facing all low income people. Build a movement that can achieve these rights to public transportation.

and other groups interested in holding discussion groups.