Keynote Address with Ellen Gabriel

FREE event, with registration.

Join us for a keynote address from the renowned activist and artist, Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel.

This year, QPIRG-McGill and SSMU External Affairs are exploring the theme of Land in relation to liberation, decolonization, and environmental justice. Land is at the core of our struggles – from resource extraction and the climate crisis, to housing and homelessness, to borders and imperialism. The Land provides water, energy, food, and life. It roots the resistance of Land defenders blocking forestry in Nehirowisiw Aski just as it moves the resistance of Palestinian children throwing rocks at the Zionist occupation. From migrants navigating an imperial border imposed upon Land to unhoused community members criminalized for occupying Land, this year’s event series, Culture Shock, challenges us to reject that Land is an object of capitalist possession, and recenter it as the root of our struggle.

Ellen Gabriel is an activist, artist, and educator from the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation, known for her central role as spokesperson during the Kanehsatà:ke Siege, also known as the Oka Crisis. She has won numerous awards for her most recent book, When the Pine Needles Fall.

Friday, October 24th, 7:30-9pm

Macdonald Harrington G-10

Accessibility:

Macdonald Harrington is wheelchair accessible. To access the building from Roddick Gates (entrance to McGill campus from rue Sherbrooke O), go north on the main path, follow the path on the right towards the Frank Dawson Adams Building (3450 rue University), and enter using the west entrance. Once inside, turn left to access Macdonald Harrington.

On est un groupe qui s’organise à offrir du monde des repas gratuits, des ateliers et de la musique, tout au nom de résister l’extrême droite !

Repas gratuits les samedis à midi, coin Galt et Wellington, Verdun (Métro de l'Église).

Toque Off is a grassroots volunteer effort to respond to Trump's threats to annex Canada and to use tariffs as economic warfare to force us to our knees. We're not for kneeling, or kissing rings. Now is our opportunity to make it clear we will never become part of the United States.

Our Goals

Toque Off's goal is to make it absolutely clear that Canadians will never be Americans. We will do this by holding demonstrations at American Consulates and other locations across the country and at the American Embassy in Ottawa.

We are starting with weekly demonstrations Saturdays 2-3pm. We hope to hold them more frequently when there are more locations involved.

Canada Needs You

It may sound cheesy, but Canada needs you. It needs all of us. This is the biggest threat to Canadian sovereignty since the War of 1812. Coming out to an hour once a week is a very small price to pay to protect the place we live and the values we love.

Please get involved. Thank-you for doing your part.

Solidarity With Others

Toque Off stands in solidarity with others who are being threatened or worse by Trump's actions. Unfortunately this list is likely to grow. It currently includes:

    Ukrainians have been fighting for the survival of their country since it was invaded by Russia in February 2021. Trump is threatening to abandon Ukraine and appears to be working with Russia to extract as much land and other wealth from Ukraine as possible.

    Trump has threatened ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip to turn it into a "Riviera of the Middle East," a clear crime against humanity.

    Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Mexico using the same fake fentanyl excuse used against Canada. As with Canada, the tariffs against Mexico constitute economic warfare and are designed to harm Mexico.

    The Trans and non-binary communities in the US, here in Canada, and elsewhere. They have been on the receiving end of targetted hate by extremists who are threatening their right to live and be as they wish. Put simply, Trans rights are human rights.

In addition to the groups listed above, we would like to acknowledge the mass deportation of undocumented people, the worsening conditions for racialised Americans, the worsening conditions for women's rights and access to reproductive healthcare, and the rise and support of fascism in the US, Canada and elsewhere. In addition to Canada, the United States is threatening the territorial integrity of Panama and Greenland/Denmark. Mexico and other countries have been threatening with significant tarrifs.

History

Toque Off started with a poster campaign in Vancouver that turned into a growing number of people coming to the US Consulate every Saturday. Toque Off is loosely based on the protests in Tbilisi Georgia that started after Russian interference in their election brought a puppet government to power. Georgians have been protesting every night at 6pm for over 3 months. We hope to emulate their resolve.