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SCM Canada open letter of solidarity regarding Philippines arrests & torture

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:47:36 GMT

On February 6, 43 doctors and health workers were arrested in the Philippines and tortured on trumped up charges. SCM Canada, alongside our global federation, has called for their release and offered our deepest solidarity and outrage.

All Things New magazine calls for articles on home & economic justice

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:47:22 GMT

We are seeking submissions to the upcoming Spring 2010 All Things New magazine issue!

See the ATN magazine webpage

Our theme for this issue is the same as our upcoming General Conference in May: issues surrounding the idea of “home.” What does home mean to you? Who defines and claims home? Can home be lost or gained? What political, economic & ideological issues surround ideas of home? Who has or does not have a home? What challenges of underhousing or homelessness speak to you the most, and what opportunities do you see? Will you share your personal stories with us?

Also, any submissions relating to our SCM goals of spirituality, justice & community are welcome, including diverse faith and political perspectives.

We are looking for:

essays / articles
personal reflections
graphics: art, cartoons, photos
prayers & liturgies; poetry / prose
craft or art projects
anything you feel moved to create

We welcome news and contributions from all SCM Friends and non-SCMers as
well.

Please spread the call-out widely!

Submissions can be emailed to editor@scmcanada.org or mailed to:

310 Danforth Ave
Toronto ON M4K 1N6
(416) 463.4312
fax: (416) 463.9410

Thank you,

ATN Editorial Team

WSCF calls for release of 43 arrested and tortured in Philippines

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:44:16 GMT

The World Student Christian Federation calls for an immediate release of 43 doctors and health workers arrested in the Philippines on February 6, 2010

“Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then as free people and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.” Galatians 5:1

The World Student Christian Federation expresses shock and dismay at the arrest and torture of 43 doctors, nurses and community health practitioners by the Armed Forces in the Philippines and the Philippines National Police. Among the arrested is World Student Christian Federation Regional Secretary Necta Montes’ uncle Dr. Alex Montes, a devoted doctor who has provided free service tirelessly to the sick, the poor and marginalized people in the Philippines, in his personal capacity as a surgeon and as the director of the health program of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP). Dr. Montes is also part of the Community Medical Foundation (COMMED), an NGO that provides medical services to community health workers and volunteers working in depressed communities in the Philippines.

The World Student Christian Federation has learnt from its partners in the Philippines that Dr. Montes and the other 42 detainees were victim of illegal arrest, disappearance and detention. We join our partners in the Philippines to call the government of President Gloria Arroyo for the respect of the human rights of Dr. Alex Montes and the 42 other detained health workers, including their rights to legal counsel, access to visitors, and due process.

The WSCF has learnt that the arrests were carried out in the early morning (6 a.m.) of February 6, 2010 by the 202nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the Rizal Philippine National Police. The Community Medical Foundation, Inc. (COMMED), where Dr. Alex Montes is currently employed, co-sponsored a First Responders Training for health workers in Morong, Rizal beginning February 1, 2010; Dr. Alex was assigned in the conducting of the training. Initial reports say that more than 300 military and police raided the retreat center at gunpoint. They arrested the 43 participants before even searching the premises. They later showed a shoddy search warrant for a certain Mario Condes as supposed basis for their raid. Dr. Alex was blindfolded and taken away in a military truck and his whereabouts have not been confirmed. It is suspected that Dr. Alex and the others are being held Camp Capinpin, Samaploc, Tanay, Rizal, but access has been denied to lawyers, family, colleagues and pastors who have tried to visit them.

Dr. Velmonte is a renowned and respected infectious disease specialist. Dr. Merry Mia, the Education and Training Services coordinator for CHD and Dr. Alex Montes of Community Medicine Development Foundation, who were conducting the training, are dedicated proponents of community health care and worked many years with their respective NGOs. Dr. Montes is a member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, which commends his work with marginalized communities.

The unfounded claims by the military that the training during which the medical workers were arrested was in actuality on bomb-making and that the detainees were members of the New People’s Army lead us to believe that these actions are part of intimidation tactics to frighten and weaken those who struggle for human rights and to alleviate the sufferings of the marginalized and the opposition forces engaged in campaigning for the Presidential Election of May 2010, a definite political threats to those currently in power.

The World Student Christian Federation has long been aware and concerned about the extra-judicial killings that have been perpetrated by factions of the military in the Philippines against young people, students, trade unionist and people opposing Ms. Arroyo’s government, and continues to be extremely apprehensive about the possibility of an escalation of political violence such as the massacre in Maguindanao in the run up to the upcoming elections. These abuses will infringe on the rights of Philipino citizens to vote freely and without fear of intimidation in the Presidential election.

We join the voices of our partners and many international groups in calling on President Macapagal Arroyo to immediately order the release of the 43 health care workers who are now in illegal detention.

We call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and all other government security forces and apparatus to end all forms of abuses, harassment, intimidation and violence against candidates, political parties and organizations, including party list groups, who are critical of the government.

We reiterate our call to the Philippine Government to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Philip Alston, and scrap its counter-insurgency campaign, Operation Plan BantayLaya.

We call on all governments to condemn the arrest of the 43 health workers and call for their immediate release.

Michael Wallace, WSCF General Secretary
Horacio Mesones, WSCF Chair

SCM readies for Vancouver Olympics demonstrations, joins homelessness campaign

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:52:37 GMT

As SCMers across Canada rally together in Vancouver alongside SCM @ UBC and SCM Victoria this week, our cross-Canada movement has joined the Red Tent Campaign, a campaign to end homelessness just as the Winter Olympics begin and the world’s eyes are on Canada.

Read more about SCM’s Olympic activities on our 2010 Olympics webpage

SCM’s recent Solidarity Statement on the Red Tent Homelessness Campaign follows the General Board’s Solidarity Statement on the 2010 Olympics issued February 9, 2009, and highlighting the reasons SCM has taken a critical stand on the international sporting event. The SCM @ UBC released its own resolution on the matter.

Activists are preparing for a week of mass protest on Friday to raise issues of economic justice, homelessness, indigenous rights and civil liberties. Launching with a protest for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on Friday – organized by a coalition which includes SCM @ UBC as a member – and culminating in an SCM ecumenical Ash Wednesday anti-poverty event the week after, the week also includes SCM participation in a March for Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women.

“We in SCM are incredibly concerned about the abuse of civil liberties which have taken place before the Olympics have even begun,” said David Ball, SCM’s General Secretary who is among five Ontario SCMers who will be in Vancouver next weekend. "On top of that, this is a unique opportunity to challenge Canada on its abuse of Indigenous land rights, military activities and the environment.

“We’ve been speaking out on the Olympics for a full year now, this is something we’ve done a lot of discussion, theological study and prayer around,” Ball added. “SCM will bring a spiritual activist perspective to the protests, as we cry out for human rights, economic justice and right relations.”

Local organizers at SCM @ UBC are part of the No 2010 coalition, organizing a packed week of events during the Olympic Games.

SCM speaks out on proroguing, raises concerns on torture and democracy

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:38:43 GMT

The Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) is speaking out in advance of anti-proroguing rallies planned all over the country Saturday.

Quoting a Biblical proverb, the Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) has thrown its weight behind a growing non-partisan movement outraged at the Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue parliament under a month ago.

“The just uphold the rights of the oppressed, but the corrupt care only for themselves” (Proverbs 29:7)

Read the Solidarity Statement on Democracy, Torture and the Parliament of Canada

“We’ve made this statement because proroguing Parliament has stalled the investigation into the Afghan detainee issue,” said Lana Wilson, SCM communications coordinator, who will be carrying the SCM banner in Saskatoon this weekend. “We feel it’s a justice issue. It’s difficult for a democratic government to function when it’s not in session. Otherwise, how is it a democracy?

“We hope to see more solidarity statements like this one, and people going to anti-proroguing rallies. We really hope the Canadian government can hear – and listen to – the voices of Canadians,” she added.

This is not the first time the SCM has spoken on matters of governance. In a 2008 pastoral letter the group lamented: “At times, this system does not deserve the description ‘democratic’ nor does it hear the voices of the marginalized… Our faith calls us to hope, by renewing our commitment towards radical change.”

In Ottawa, SCM member Jesse Root is one of two co-coordinators of the national protest this Saturday on Parliament Hill. He emphasized the non-partisan nature of the anti-prorogue movement, citing the political diversity of volunteers and the refusal to receive funding from any political party.

“The goal ultimately is to get members of Parliament back to work,” Root said. “But realizing that might not in fact happen, we at least hope people will be more politically aware so these types of abuse of power won’t happen in the future, and for people to exercise their role in a democracy to hold the people in power accountable.

“It’s important for Christians and faith groups to get in on this because some of the things that have been dropped because Parliament has stopped working have been issues that concern us as people of faith, especially the Afghan detainee issue, torture, and abuse of fundamental human rights.”

The Student Christian Movement of Canada has local units in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and St. John’s, and is a student-led ecumenical justice movement passionate about justice, community and faith. Founded in 1921, SCM has long been at the forefront of social justice and democracy, and is linked to more than 100 national SCM’s around the world through the World Student Christian Federation.

Read the Solidarity Statement on Democracy, Torture and the Parliament of Canada

SCM Haiti whereabouts unknown, Canadian students issue pastoral letter on disaster

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:39:00 GMT

SCM’s worldwide are being called upon to support the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake last week. SCM Canada sent a note of prayer and support to SCM Haiti on January 12, but nobody in our global network has yet heard from our Haitian comrades and we are very concerned for their well-being, as well as all Haitians’.

SCM Canada, along with our global network the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), are continuing to pray for the people of Haiti and encouraging people to support disaster relief efforts. On January 18, our General Board issued a Pastoral Letter on the Disaster in Haiti calling for prayer, solidarity and aid – and reflecting on the systemic causes of Haiti’s impoverishment as a result of imperialistic policies of Global North countries including Canada.

“Words cannot express the feelings of shock and sadness at the news of the devastating earthquake,” the SCM Canada’s statement says. “We pray for the safety of all Haitians, including our comrades in the Student Christian Movement of Haiti (MEC Haití Allianza Cristiana de Estudiantes Haitianos).”

“For a country that has endured great suffering brought about by hurricanes and tropical storms, dictatorships and military coups, and a long and ongoing history of imperialism and intervention from the Global North, this latest disaster brings more tragedy to a people who have already been through more pain, turmoil and struggle than many could imagine.”

As we continue to pray, encourage donations, and await word from SCM Haiti, the WSCF’s Latin America Region issued a plea for global solidarity. Haiti, whose SCM is part of the Latin America region, needs urgent aid. The WSCF is organizing a group to go to Haiti to assist with on-the-ground relief efforts as well as to contact members of the SCM.

The following is a letter from WSCF Latin America region.

[Rush translation from Spanish by SCM Canada]

Esteemed brothers and sisters,

Fraternal greetings from the Regional Office for Latin America of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF). We hope that the love and the grace of our God continues accompanying your paths.

We take this opportunity to write with much pain for the situation we are facing in Haiti, and have tried at great length to communicate with the Rev. Esdras Salomón, the representative for SCM Haiti; to this date we have been unsuccessful in reaching him.

On behalf of the Regional Office of the WSCF Latina American region, we are making this call of solidarity to all members of the WSCF around the world; we have set up a special offering to support our brothers and sisters, the people of Haiti as a testimony to our love and support from [WSCF’s] student committees.

We are gathering volunteers to organize a pastoral support mission to SCM Haiti, and therefore need human and financial resources; we also invite you to write letters, and to create art or other create expression as a symbol of hope for our brothers and sisters suffering.

Please send contributions to:
Bank Account No. 190 0523 854
SWIFT: BROUUYMM
ABA: 026003324
Bank: Republic Montevideo, Uruguay
Send confirmation to our email, fumec@fumec-alc.org.

Let us unite our hearts in prayer:

God, who walks with the people,
We have hope for a new dawn
For our brothers and sisters of Haiti
May these moments of difficulty touch
All those whose indifference destroys Creation
To satisfy their personal interests
Help WSCF unite our hands around the world in solidarity,
Grant us help through your grace and love to those who suffer
Through its renewing force, may the Holy Spirit
Accompany each of your sons and daughters
Offering them consolation and hope
Strengthened in faith
We are in your hands, O God of Life.
Amen.

We follow ahead,

Gustavo Quintero Casadiego
Executive regional secretary,
WSCF Latin America

SCM Pastoral Letter on the Disaster in Haiti

SCM's 10 highlights of 2009

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:22:50 GMT

2009 has seen our movement evolving into a more active, visible and relevant presence across Canada.

From joining the relaunch of SCM-USA in San Francisco to taking indigenous solidarity and eco-justice to the streets, SCM is preparing to take our place again at the cutting-edge of liberation theology and social justice movements in Canada.

We can’t do it without your support – SCM relies on dozens of committed volunteers and hundreds of loyal donors. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS! (If you have not yet donated for 2009, please consider making or topping up you contribution today )

Thanks to your support, highlights of the year include:

ACTIVE WITNESS: SCMers reminded of movement’s ‘moral force’
SAN FRANCISCO CONFERENCE: Students ‘raise new prophets’
EPIPHANY TOUR: Students share ecumenical vision on 13-stop cross-country tour
SHINE! Students unite from across Canada to ‘radiate a dream of inclusion & liberation’
NEW LOCAL UNIT LAUNCH: SCM @ UBC envisions economic justice
NEW BOARD VISION: SCM’s elected student leadership prioritizes movement growth
PILGRIMAGE OF RESISTANCE: Empire exposure tour engages spiritual activism
ALL THINGS NEW: New look for magazine celebrates eco-justice in full colour
CLIMATE JUSTICE: Movement tackles human and ecological impact of crisis with campaign
2010: A year of challenge and possibility for SCM

New film, 'Climate Justice: All Creation Groans,' launched in final week of Copenhagen

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:20:36 GMT

SCM Canada launched a new video today, Climate Justice: All Creation Groans.

Climate Justice: All Creation Groans (SCM 2009) from SCM Canada on Vimeo.

Visit SCM’s Climate Justice Webpage for more info and to sign our Manifesto with hundreds of others.

A week after officially launching our Solidarity Statement on Climate Justice, we have signatures from 130 supporters, from 9 provinces, and from 4 countries. We took to the streets yesterday, making a ruckus in Canada’s financial hub, Bay Street and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

But Canada’s leaders in Copenhagen are not listening – and it seems like they continue to do so. Canada has so far “won” several awards from more than 400 environmental groups for being the “worst fossil” on climate change action.

SCM joins countless other groups – from NO One Is Illegal Vancouver to Climate Action Network and Indigenous Environmental Network – in crying out for JUSTICE, especially for Indigenous rights to be respected in a Copenhagen treaty and the closure of the Canadian Tar Sands. Keep up the pressure!

JOB OPENING: SCM General Secretary

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:43:34 GMT

Would you like to work for SCM, a grassroots movement working for social justice, anti-oppression, community and spirituality?

The SCM is now searching for a second General Secretary for a two-year contract. The successful applicant will work as a team with the present General Secretary, managing SCM’s grassroots work at both the national and regional levels and supporting the life and work of the SCM. Deadline: January 6, 2010

You will join a small, passionate team of staff in Toronto supporting the growth of our network across the country.

Apply before January 6, 2010

SCM decries government's 'political' cuts to Kairos

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:18:02 GMT

*The Student Christian Movement of Canada has expressed its shock and dismay at the news of the Canadian government’s decision to cut funding to KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the SCM said in a statement today. *

KAIROS, a church-based non-governmental organization, represents seven of Canada’s largest Christian denominations. It works with global partners on a range of social justice issues, and has a long history of advancing human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. KAIROS has long maintained a relationship with the Student Christian Movement of Canada, and together the SCM and Kairos have worked to empower students to become leaders in their communities, their churches, and in positions of global leadership.

“Kairos is at the forefront of human rights and justice issues here in Canada,” said David Ball, SCM Canada General Secretary. “As the world gathers to hammer out a deal tackling climate change, this seemingly political government decision raises big questions about whether Kairos is being punished for speaking out against the Canadian tar sands and government inaction on climate justice.”

“This seems like political meddling at the highest levels, and we are speaking out with Kairos’ many other partners and supporting churches to demand an immediate explanation.”

Read the SCM Solidarity Statement on CIDA funding cuts to Kairos