In April the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission announced that it is hiring an expert to determine whether racial profiling explains why Black people are more than three times more likely to be street checked than white people. Because there could be other reasons, apparently. Well, that investigation is already behind schedule, that expert still needs to be hired, and the Fall is the new July.
Nine years since she first encountered gender discrimination at the NSLC Pearl Kelly is still waiting for closure. Although the Liquor Corporation fought her at every step, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and the Court of Appeal both found in her favour. Now she is waiting for the chair of the Board of Inquiry to set a date for the hearing to determine damages. It’s taking a long time.
Beatrice Hunter is an Inuk land defender who refused to promise a judge that she would not engage in further protests at Muskrat Falls. Because of that refusal she is now incarcerated in an overpopulated men’s prison in St. John’s, more than 1,000 kilometers from home. Hunter said her decision to remain in prison and not comply with the order to stay away from Muskrat Falls is her way of resisting colonization in Labrador. Nova Scotia, via the Maritime Link, is among those colonizing powers.
The following is a statement by Solidarity Halifax, issued after election signs in North Preston were defaced by one or more racists. It was widely reported, but the journalists moved on, and until now no non-Black organization has condemned these despicable actions. Glad we have Solidarity Halifax to remind us that “we need to be mindful of what is happening right here in our backyards. We need to denounce outright expressions of hatred.”
Some residents of Emerald Hall,a locked psychiatric ward in the Nova Scotia Hospital, have no reason to be there, except for it being a convenient solution for the province. Their human rights case is crawling along because Community Services is using stalling tactics, a community living advocate charges.
I am still getting used to the idea that Joanne Bernard is now the former Minister of Community Services, soundly beaten in Dartmouth North by NDP candidate Susan Leblanc. Her awful record on welfare issues played a large part in her defeat. So for poor people, what’s next in the fight for a life in dignity?
This came in the mail this afternoon, a letter on the limitations of elections and the importance of ongoing organizing. And an opportunity for me to post a picture of the Paris Commune. It’s an old discussion, after all.
Not all politicians are the same, and voting, although no big deal, is something you should definitely do. And then the real work begins…
This wonderful new poem by Halifax spoken word poet, activist and teacher El Jones was performed tonight at the fundraiser held at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, for the fearless land and river defenders who are resisting Alton Gas.
Responses to a survey of the political parties on matters important to African Nova Scotians are in. I don my editorial hat to complain, and my reporter’s hat to report. But hey, these hats sure look the same, sometimes even I can’t keep them apart.