Rabble Rants

Ontario public sector workers and the revenues they generate are under attack. What does OPSEU do? Stand up fight back! LCBO workers across the Province are on strike for better compensation, but more importantly - they are doing what they can to push back against the Conservative's dismantling of the public sector in general.

Our hosts Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero break down Ford's so-called 'Dry Summer', the deal made with private retailers and the malicious ways in which he's trying to undermine the power of workers.

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Resources:

• Ford’s dry summer begins: LCBO workers start historic strike – OPSEU SEFPO

The University of Toronto student encampment, named the People's Circle for Palestine, dismantled their tents after an Ontario Superior Court judge ordered an injunction against them.

Our hosts break down the ruling, what it means for other encampments and bring up lessons learned from the end of just "one tactic in the toolbox" of students demanding their institutions disclose and divest.

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Special Guest: Scott Martin

With special guest Scott Martin, we unpack the criticism and backlash faced by activists who disrupt and protest against climate change. In this case its Just Stop Oil, orange cornstarch and Stonehenge, but this conversation applies to all that disrupt the status quo.

The repetitive and disingenuous arguments used by politicians and media to discredit these actions just underscore the need for more revolutionary optics and diverse tactics. We also look at the criminalization of indigenous land and water defenders in Canada and around the world, and the lack of media coverage on these critical struggles.

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

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Resources:

• Just Stop Oil Homepage
• Find Scott Martin on Twitter (X)

Two special guests, Kim Crawley and Bothered Boy, join host Jessa McLean to talk about the mask bans being introduced in the United States, the attitudes here in Canada and the recent uptick in activists being charged for wearing COVID protective masks during direct actions.

We keep us safe - wear a mask comrades.

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

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Resources:

• Bothered Boy's YouTube Channel
• Guest Kim Crawley's Link Tree
• Referenced Episode: Unlawful Assembly While Masked (Blueprints of Disruption)
• AP News: North Carolina Mask Ban

Topic 1: All Eyes on Rafah

We give an update for the week of May 24th, including the latest attacks on a 'safe zone', the lack of a US 'red line' and the creation of buffer zones that block the border with Egypt.

Topic 2: Students and Labour Unite at UofT Encampment

An Emergency Rally in the face of a possible injunction and police action saw Ontario Labour leaders pledge to "put their bodies between police and students". We give updates on the encampments, discuss the possibilities of escalation and vent about the hypocrisies of our politicians.

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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

Be sure to also subscribe to our founding podcast: Blueprints of Disruption

Resources:

• Toronto Star: Judge Sets Date to Hear UofT Injunction

The conversation explores the current situation in Israel and Palestine, focusing on the goals and actions of the Israeli government, the role of the US, and the potential consequences of the conflict. It discusses the unwinnable battle Israel is fighting in trying to eliminate Hamas and the need for a way out to avoid looking like their actions were in vain. The conversation also touches on the economic and global implications of the conflict, the delegitimization of leaders as a distraction tactic, and the rise of extreme fascism in Israel. It emphasizes the importance of education and counter-education in the anti-imperialist fight.

Key Takeaways:

• Israel is fighting an unwinnable battle in trying to eliminate Hamas and needs a way out to avoid looking like their actions were in vain.
• The conflict between Israel and Palestine has economic and global implications, and the US is concerned about protecting its assets and maintaining its superpower status.
• Delegitimizing leaders is a distraction tactic used to shift the focus away from the systemic issues and maintain control.
• The rise of extreme fascism in Israel is a concerning development, particularly among the younger generation.
• The anti-imperialist fight is a long one that requires continuous education, counter-education, and re-education.

Chapters:

1. Introduction and Background
2. Religion as a Unifying Factor
3. Iran's Response to the Embassy Strike
4. Economic and Global Implications of the Conflict
5. Delegitimizing Leaders as a Distraction Tactic
6. The Long Fight: Anti-Imperialism and Continuous Education

Resources:

• REFERENCED BOOK: The Trinity of Fundamentals
• Washington Post: Why Iran attacked Israel

https://rabble-rants.captivate.fm

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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

Multiple UN Bodies Pass Motions Against Israel to No Avail

After rulings by the ICJ, and motions passed at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, Israel has continued its onslaught of Gaza and its many violations of human rights and international law.

Host Jessa McLean gives updates on the latest rulings and examines the history of the U.N., its failure to prevent other genocides and its true purpose.

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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

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Resources:

• Israel isolated as UN security council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza | United Nations | The Guardian
• Middle East Eye: UN Human Rights Council Calls for Suspension of Arms Trade
• Canada Still Plans To Buy Israeli Missiles Likely Used To Kill Army Veteran

Liberals Announce Plans for a Renters' Bill of Rights

In an attempt to sway young voters, mostly renters, Trudeau and the Liberals have announced what they are calling a Renters' Bill of Rights. It includes some funding for legal aid, plans to tie rental payment history to credit scores and other measures aimed at the landlord/tenant relationship.

Host Jessa McLean goes through the plans, their viability and flags some of the ways these measures could actually harm tenants and their ability to push back against bad landlords and sky high rents.

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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

Be sure to catch our other podcast, Blueprints of Disruption. Available anywhere you get your podcasts.

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Resources:

• Justin Trudeau's video announcement for Renters
• Financial Post: Trudeau Pledges to Boost Renters' Rights
• CBC: Federal Government Promising a Renters bill of Rights
• 'Secret' RCMP report paints dark picture of Canada's future | CTV News

Liberals introduce caps and other policy changes related to temporary foreign residents.

In an attempt to further scapegoat immigrants for the 'affordability and housing crisis', federal Liberals in Canada have introduced caps on migrant workers, international students and asylum seekers.

We go over the details of the changes being made and the impact they'll have. We highlight the realities facing 'temporary residents' and the demands advocates have been fighting for, for years. Things like Status for All, an end to deportations and the regularization of undocumented people in Canada.

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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

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Resources:

• CBC: PEI Foreign Workers Investigation
• Migrant Workers Alliance for Change
• BBC: Canada's First Ever Limits

United States Pledges to Build a Seaport in Gaza.

In his State of the Union Address, President Biden called for a six-week ceasefire and promised to build a seaport to deliver aid to Gaza.

The project will be lead by U.S. troops and a company no-one has heard of until now. Wait until you find out who runs that company and what their aims in the Middle East are.

We also discuss what all of this mean for the Israeli blockade on Gaza and geopolitics in general.

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Be sure to also subscribe to Blueprints of Disruption - a podcast for Rabble Rousers.

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

Follow us on Instagram

Resources:

• ABC: Biden Announcement
• Biden's Bridge to Gaza (Updated) – Jewish Policy Center
• VIDEO: Machinery Entering Gaza (X)
• Ottawa pauses non-lethal military export permits for Israel
• Buried Secrets | The New Yorker