Vol. 3, Is. 1: None of Us are Free until All of Us are Free
Fall Issue 1, 2010

Editorial

The YU Free Press is pleased to present to you our first issue of the 2010-2011 academic year! Originally, we called for articles for this issue that revolved around the theme ‘Alternative Visions: Strategies and Suggestions for Change.’

While this theme is important, and articles pertaining to this theme are still featured, our focus has shifted in light of events that transpired over our summer hiatus. During the weekend of the G8/G20 Summit in Toronto Jun. 26-27 2010, protestors were subject to the suspension of civil liberties, police intimidation and brutality, and mass arrests. Months later, organizations continue to mobilize so as to raise funds for bail and trials for those G20 protestors who are still dealing with the effects of that weekend.

We received an influx of articles regarding G20 protests and the police crackdown on protestors. While mainstream media since June has been focusing on burning cars, we critically look at the issues of importance that were highlighted by various community groups, organizations, and people who came out in the streets or did the work from afar. With that in mind, we have entitled this issue, ‘None of us are Free until All of us are Free.’

In ‘Safety and Rights of Journalists in Canada,’ an article in our Features Section, Vidya Kauri describes the experiences of the Free Press 4 and argues that the violation of journalists’ rights on such a large scale is unprecedented in Canadian history. Peter Gelderloos in ‘Supporting the Prisoners of the G20 State’ considers the 19 people recently released on bail conditions for their involvement in the G20 protests; unlike Kauri, he holds that systemic exclusion and violence, police brutality and oppression, are all par for the course in global politics. In our Comments Section, Denis G. Rancourt questions how the CCLA (Canadian Civil Liberties Association) is handling their investigation into the civil rights violations committed during that infamous weekend.

In honour of our original theme, our Features Section contains ‘Going to Bolivia,’ in which Janine MacLeod explains new water legislation in the city of Cochabamba. In a keynote address printed in the Features article ‘Contested Spaces,’ Justin Podur suggests that activist communities take more action rather than be bogged down by the seemingly impossible responsibility of checking one’s privilege.

The News Section presents an article focusing on police oppression and brutality: Jesse Zimmerman’s ‘Justice for Junior’ gives a first-hand account of the Jane-Finch community mobilizing against the death of Junior Manon at the hands of the police. Jesse Rosenfeld’s ‘Partners in Occupation’ looks at the most recent round of peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, focusing on the difficulties and contradictions that remain at the heart of them.

In our Comments Section, Kutuk and Grover criticize the Vari Hall renovations, the administrative-led investigation into the YFS election, the inadequate response to on-campus sexual assaults, and the funding allocated for lobbying government. Sarah Sackville McLauchlan reviews the Climate Change and Public Policy Conference 2010, noting the urgency in responding to climate change.

Our Arts Section covers events that have taken place throughout the city of Toronto. Lee Knuttila reviews the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF); while Hadiyya Mwapachu writes on a TIFF event–a roundtable featuring political film director Ken Loach and partner Paul Laverty. In ‘Review: Creative Time Summit 2: Revolutions in Public Practice,’ Karie Liao discusses a conference on political art and more broadly considers what makes art political.

As we move into our third year of publication, the YUFP Editorial Collective has gone through much transition. We would like to recognize the hard work of Collective members who have now moved on to bigger and better things–you will be missed. Returning members include Victoria Barnett, Raji Choudury, Nathan Nun, and Jen Rinaldi; and Canova Kutuk, erstwhile Assistant Editor, is our latest Comments Editor. We are happy to welcome onto the Collective the following new Editors: Rebecca Granovsky-Larsen, Ashley Grover, Amelia Jazienicki, Evan Johnston, Amee Le, and Vida Setoudeh.

The new YU Free Press team looks forward to bringing a new perspective and continued energy to the valued work of its contributors, readers, and those doing the work that our writers write about. Alternative media is here to stay at York University, and the YU Free Press will continue to thrive! Thanks for reading, and enjoy!

YU Free Press Editorial Collective