MAKING PEACE VIGIL Newsletter - May 3, 2026

[Oscar]

MAKING PEACE VIGIL Newsletter - May 3, 2026


PEACE SIGNS ON STAKES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR GARDEN
Rod of BarnCat Designs makes these peace stakes and sells them at the Saturday Farmers’ Market, now back downtown on 12th Ave, by Victoria Park, 9 am – 1 pm. They are quite lovely! When the sun hits them at an angle, they cast a shadow peace sign, this multiplying peace. Definitely what we need today: Peace! Peace! Peace! There are many other good things also at the Farmer’s Market


SPECIAL DAY: RED DRESS DAY, MAY 5, A DAY TO REMEMBER AND HONOUR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS ACROSS CANADA
For further information: [ https://www.sd91indigenouseducation.com/reddressday ]


Special Red Dress Day event: TODAY, SUNDAY MAY 3, 1 – 3 pm: MMIWG2S+ Red Dress Day Event, mackenzie art gallery, 3475 albert st
[ https://mackenzie.art/event/mmiwg2s-red ... day-event/ ]


2 SPECIAL LETTERS

CAN WE REALLY NOT CARE ABOUT THIS ABHORRENT SITUATION? by Lorraine Weidner
[ https://leaderpost.com/opinion/opinion- ... -situation ]


SASKATCHEWAN AUDITOR SHOULD REVIEW AGRIBITION DEAL, by Dan Cameron
[ https://leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/ ... ition-deal ]


3 SPECIAL READINGS:

WAR IS THE ENEMY OF ALL MANKIND by David Suzuki
[ https://davidsuzuki.org/story/war-is-th ... l-mankind/ ]


AI: THE VAST MAJORITY OF HUMANITY ARE NOT AT THE TABLE, by Josh Paul
[ https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/sh ... 144772608/ ]


CANADA’S FIFA EXCLUSION OF PALESTINIANS AND IRANIANS REVEALS A LETHAL DOUBLE STANDARD
[ https://breachmedia.ca/canadas-fifa-exc ... -standard/ ]


GOOD READING & VIEWING & LISTENING

REGINA TO BECOME A KEY TRAVEL HUB FOR FLIXBUS PRAIRIE SERVICE
[ https://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewa ... ie-service ]


BRANDT CEO SAYS BID TO BUY REAL DISTRICT IS LIKE CITY 'WINNING THE LOTTERY'—More like Brandt winning the lottery!
[ https://leaderpost.com/news/brandt-ceo- ... he-lottery ]


PAUL DECHENE ON BRANDT’S OFFER TO BUY PARTS OF THE EXHIBITION GROUNDS
[ https://bsky.app/profile/pauldechene.bsky.social ]


DATA CENTRES ARE THE HIDDEN COSTS TO YOUR POWER BILL, WATER, AND COMMUNITY
[ https://www.earthday.org/data-centers-a ... sh-kapoor/ ]


PRE-TRAINED IN AN AI GOVERNANCE VACUUM
[ https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news- ... ce-vacuum/ ]


BIG REACTORS IN SMALL PROVINCES: WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
[ https://markwinfield.substack.com/p/big ... inces-what ]


HOW A 7-YEAR OLD IN MY SWIM CLASS CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON ACCESSIBILITY
[ https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/how-a- ... essibility ]


SCALING UP WHAT WORKS: THE FUTURE OF CHILDCARE IN CANADA
[ https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news- ... in-canada/ ]


BACK TO BLAKENEY: KEEPING OIL INDUSTRY SUPER-PROFITS IN SASKATCHEWAN
[ https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news- ... katchewan/ ]


CANADA’S QUIET ECONOMIC DRIVER: UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
[ https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news- ... -colleges/ ]


SPRING ECONOMIC UPDATE WRAPS UP OLD IDEAS AS NEW PROJECTS
[ https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news- ... date-2026/ ]


CARNEY’S SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND GETS IT BACKWARDS
[ https://sethdklein.substack.com/p/carne ... -fund-gets ]


ONLINE HARASSMENT AGAINST FEMALE JOURNALISTS IS A GROWING PROBLEM, UN REPORT SUGGESTS
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/women-jou ... -9.7183037 ]


ALEX BALDWIN BACKS STARBUCKS BARISTA UNION DRIVE
[ https://therealnews.com/alec-baldwin-ba ... nion-drive ]


PEOPLE IN WAR TORN SUDAN ‘ARE LEFT WITH NOTHING’
[ https://broadview.org/aid-in-sudan/ ]


CITING BOGUS ‘THREATS’ TO U.S., TRUMP EXPANDS ALREADY DEVASTATING SANCTIONS ON CUBA
[ https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump ... -sanctions ]


CUBA RESISTE! IN CONVERSATION ABOUT CUBA TODAY
[ https://socialistproject.ca/leftstreame ... uba-today/ ]


SCHOLAR GILBERT ACHCAR ON THE U.S. WAR AGAINST IRAN & TRUMP’S “OLD-NEW IMPERIAL DOCTRINE”
[ https://www.democracynow.org/2026/4/30/iran_war_update ]


WILL THE IRAN WAR CAUSE A GLOBAL DEPRESSION? The Chris Hedges report
[ https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/how- ... celerating ]


‘COMPLETE BULLSHIT’: EXPERT TORCHES HEGSETH CLAIM THAT WAR WAS NECESSARY TO PREVENT IRANIAN NUKE—Why does no one ever say that Israel has nuclear weapons, as does the US—the only country to ever use them. No one should have nuclear weapons!
[ https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-iran-war-lies ]


THE TRUTH ABOUT ISRAEL
[ https://www.pressenza.com/2026/04/the-t ... ut-israel/ ]


THE LONG REACH OF WAR
[ https://www.mercycorps.org/research-res ... ach-of-war ]


SUNLIGHT DOESN’T GO THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ: BILL MCKIBBEN ON IRAN OIL SHOCK & GREEN TRANSITION
[ https://www.democracynow.org/2026/4/30/ ... _nino_amoc ]


‘THIS IS PIRACY’: ISRAEL CONDEMNED FOR SEIZURE OF GAZA-BOUND FLOTILLA NEAR GREECE
[ https://www.commondreams.org/news/israe ... lla-piracy ]


FAMILIES FILL CLASSROOMS IN LEBANON AS SPIRALING DISPLACEMENT STRAINS AID EFFORT
[ https://www.unhcr.ca/news/families-fill ... id-effort/ ]


MAY DAY 2026; ISRAEL KILLS OVER 30 IN LEBANON; DISPLACED PALESTINIANS BURN TENTS IN PROTEST OF CONDITIONS; MALI REBELS CALL FOR NATIONWIDE UPRISING
[ https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/may-day- ... m-uprising ]


ILLEGAL SIEGE, BRUTAL ABUSE: OUR DETENTION AND ASSAULT AT THE HANDS OF ISRAELI PRISON GUARDS
[ https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/gaza-flo ... irect=true ]


BEATEN, STARVED, UNBROKEN: AN INTERVIEW WITH BEN MARMARELLI, LAWYER TO MARWAN BARGHOUTI, PALESTINE’S NELSON MANDELA
[ https://www.jurist.org/features/2026/04 ... n-mandela/ ]


10 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT EARTH YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
[ https://oceana.ca/en/2026/04/17/10-surp ... -not-know/ ]


‘ONLY THE BEGINNING’: SANTA MARTA SUMMIT HERALDED AS NEW DAWN IN FIGHT TO END FOSSIL FUEL ERA
[ https://www.commondreams.org/news/santa ... e-new-dawn ]


NEW BANKSY STATUE APPEARS IN LONDON
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/b ... -9.7183201 ]


EVENTS, WEBINARS, TV PROGRAMS, & FILMS

SUNDAY MAY 3, NOON: NATIVE PLANTS AND POLLINATORS
[ https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... eIMNxrMYOg ]


SUNDAY MAY 3, 1 – 3 pm: MMIWG2S+ Red Dress Day Event, mackenzie art gallery, 3475 albert st
[ https://mackenzie.art/event/mmiwg2s-red ... day-event/ ]


MONDAY MAY 4, 1 pm: FROM HOUSING INSECURITY TO PERSONAL LOSS
[ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/registe ... EZc7Buv3iA ]


TUESDAY MAY 5, 11 am: CONNECTION CHANGES EVERYTHING: A MENTAL HEALTH WEEK CONVERSATION
We are hosting a free webinar with experts and leaders to discuss the paradox of social connection. While we've never been more connected than we are today, millions of Canadians are experiencing loneliness and social disconnection. Let's Come Together to explore the importance behind social connection, how it strengthens mental health and what we can do to build social connection.
[ https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... gistration ]


TUESDAY MAY 5, 5 pm: ORGANIZING THE ARTS—INSIDE THE SCOTIABANK/ELBIT DIVESTMENT CAMPAIGN
[ https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/registe ... MclV9oq7qg ]


WEDNESDAY MAY 6, NOON: ADVANCING THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF WASTE-PICKERS THROUGH CO-OPERATIVES: THE STORY OF LES VALORISTES COOPÉRATIVE DE SOLIDARITÉ
[ https://usaskstudies.coop/news-and-even ... versations ]


WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 6 pm: RENT CONTROL, WITH PETER GILMER & SIMON ENOCH, REGENT LIBRARY, 331 ALBERT ST
[ https://www.instagram.com/p/DXAbqGvAR4A/ ]


FRIDAY MAY 8, NOON – 4 pm: FRAGILE FLIGHT—BIRD CONSERVATION IN HUMAN SPACE, ARCHER LIBRARY, WASCANA ROOM (107.32/.33) UNIVERSITY OF REGINA
Join us for Fragile Flight: Bird Conservation in Human Spaces, an afternoon of learning, reflection, and creative engagement focused on the challenges birds face in built environments.
This event explores the risks birds encounter in human spaces—including collisions with windows and other urban hazards—while highlighting conservation efforts that help protect them. Through art, interpretation, and educational displays, Fragile Flight invites participants to deepen their appreciation for birds and consider how we can create safer shared spaces.


SATURDAY MAY 9, 1 pm: STOP USING DRONE WARFARE TO PERPETUATE GENOCIDES IN PALESTINE AND SUDAN
[ https://actionnetwork.org/events/webina ... and-sudan/ ]


SATURDAY MAY 9, 7 pm: BOOK LAUNCH—THE HOMELESS—A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY, BY GLEN HARPER, THE CRAVE, 1925 VICTORIA AVE


TUESDAY MAY 12, 2 pm: SPECIAL PRESENTATION: NUGHEJAGH—INDIGENOUS HEALING AND HEALTHCARE IN ALASKA
[ https://uregina-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi ... gistration ]


TUESDAY MAY 12, 6 pm: THE PRESS UNDER THREAT: PROTECTING JOURNALISM AND THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW
[ https://amnestyusa-org.zoom.us/webinar/ ... iAMMhM-Crg ]


FRIDAY MAY 15, 7 pm: AVI LEWIS IN REGINA FOR A SCREENING OF HIS FILM, THE TAKE, LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER
Join Avi Lewis, leader of Canada's NDP, in a screening of The Take, his award-winning film about workers taking ownership over their factory in Argentina, followed by conversation with local activists and special guests.
[ https://www.ndp.ca/avi-lewis-in-regina ]


FRIDAY MAY 15 – SUNDAY MAY 24: CHECKPOINT—A PALESTINIAN PLAY WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY RANIA ALHARTHY, SHUBOX THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF REGINA
Sponsored by Palestine Solidarity Regina
For further information and tickets: [ https://www.simpletix.com/e/riser-check ... ets-269388 ]


SATURDAY MAY 16, 10 am -4 pm: REPAIR CAFÉ, GEORGE BOTHWELL LIBRARY, SOUTHLAND MALL, REGINA
Get things—bikes, radios +++ fixed for free.
[ https://www.envirocollective.ca/repair-cafe/ ]


TUESDAY MAY 19, NOON: NO TO NUCLEAR: WHY NUCLEAR POWER DESTROYS LIVES, DERAILS CLIMATE PROGRESS AND PROVOKES WAR
[ https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... gistration ]


FRIDAY MAY 22, NOON: MONITOR HUDDLE—WEALTH INEQUALITY AND ITS SOLUTIONS
[ https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... fgHOv4lGvA ]


SATURDAY MAY 23, 6 am: 5th ASSEMBLY OF THE WORLD HUMANIST FORUM
Towards a Universal Human Nation. Moving forward with collective actions to build a world based on solidarity and nonviolence.
[ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/registe ... gistration ]


SATURDAY MAY 23, 10 am: LAND TRUST CONSULTATION, REGINA CITY HALL CAFETERIA


SUNDAY MAY 24, 2 – 5 pm: FREE FILM SCREENING OF NUCLEAR POWER—HOW WILL IT AFFECT YOUR ENERGY BILL? UNIVERSITY OF REGINA, RESEARCH & INNOVATION CENTRE, RM 119
Following the film, Simon Enoch will discuss the economics of nuclear vs Renewables; Ingrid Alesich will talk about the dangers of ionizing radiation and the problems with no safe technology for high level waste storage for 200,000 years. There will also be a skit.
[ https://www.facebook.com/story.php?stor ... 77614&_rdr ]


WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2 pm: JUST SUSTAINABILITIES IN POLICY, PLANNING, AND PRACTICE WEBINAR
[ https://masspeaceaction.org/event/just- ... e-webinar/ ]


SUNDAY MAY 31, 2-4 pm: BOOK CLUB—EVERY MOMENT IS A LIFE: GAZA IN THE TIME OF GENOCIDE, ABSTRACTIONS CAFÉ, 2161 ROSE ST
Join us for a discussion of Susan Abulhawa’s “Every Moment is a Life,” an anthology of short stories by 18 young writers in Gaza whom Abulhawa mentored during the genocide.
As Abulhawa said in a recent statement, “These young people risked dangers that most of us cannot begin to fathom just to attend writing workshops, because it was a singular outlet for intellectual exercise and creative expression. They came so they could be reminded of their potential. They came to feel that they are more than creatures seeking food and water and shelter. That they have a place in the world; that they have a voice, a relevance, something to contribute. They came to touch the lives that they thought they might still have, even if it was just for a few hours. It has been my honour and my privilege to know these beautiful, courageous individuals who deserve to be heard, to be read, to be protected.”
[ https://www.instagram.com/?target_user_ ... eed&__bp=1 ]


NEW PETITIONS & OTHER ACTIONS

CANADA TO CUBA DELEGATION: AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP IF YOU ARE INTERESTED
[ https://www.codepink.org/canada2cuba ]


ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA
Contact the following and demand that they ensure the safety of Flotilla participants and condemn interference in our crucial mission to break the illegal siege on Gaza.
Greek embassy in Ottawa: 613-238-6271, gremb.otv@mfa.gr
Global Affairs Canada: 1-800-387-3124, SOS@international.gc.ca
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs: 613-995-4014, Anita.Anand@parl.gc.ca
your Member of Parliament: find their contact info here [ https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en ], or use the form here [ https://win.newmode.net/ask-your-mp-flotilla-kidnapped ]

Here’s a suggested script that you can use in phone calls and emails:
My name is _____. I live in _____.
I am contacting you regarding an urgent situation. Canadian citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission operating in accordance with international law, have been kidnapped at sea.
On April 29, multiple civilian vessels carrying aid to Gaza were illegally intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Greece. Two Canadian participants, Marie Veronica Tota and Umir Tiar, have been abducted at gunpoint and are reportedly being taken toward Crete. At this time, there is no clear information regarding where the seized vessels are being taken.
These events raise serious concerns regarding unlawful interception in international waters, kidnapping of civilians, and interference with a civilian humanitarian mission.
In this context, I urge you to immediately take the following four measures:
1. Protect Canadian nationals through immediate and proactive consular engagement, securing immediate confirmation of their whereabouts and condition.
2. Put pressure on the Greek and Israeli governments to address unlawful interference and aggression against civilian vessels in international waters.
3. Secure the safety and prompt release of all participants of the Flotilla and prevent further escalation and aggression.
4. Ensure the safe and uninterrupted passage of the Flotilla as it delivers humanitarian aid to Gaza in accordance with international law, and advocate for the end of the illegal siege by Israel.
Given the urgency and seriousness of this situation, I request that you act immediately and inform Canadians of the steps being taken.



CANADIAN LAND GOVERNANCE MUST RESPECT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
[ https://davidsuzuki.org/action/canadian ... us-rights/ ]


TELL PM CARNEY: REJECT ALBERTA’S PIPELINE PLAY
[ https://davidsuzuki.org/action/reject-a ... line-ploy/ ]


2026 FEDERAL BUDGET: TAX BIG OIL’S WARTIME PROFITS
[ https://350.org/canada/budget-submissio ... &r=CA&c=NA ]


STOP THE GLOBAL WAR BANK: CANADA MUST NOT HOST OR JOIN THE DSRB
[ https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stopwarbank ]


GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLD: CUT TIES WITH PALANTIR AND PETER THIEL
[ https://action.eko.org/a/governments-of ... e=fwd&t=10 ]


ISRAEL, DISCLOSE THE WHEREABOUTS OF JOURNALIST AND PHOTOJOURNALIST NIDEL AND HAITHAM
[ https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/183422/action/1 ]

- Making Peace Vigil