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Canadian labour leader Sid Ryan discusses his new book, part autobiography, and part prescription for social movements and Labour. Sid recounts his early life, and how it developed his capacity to resist inequality and oppression. These lessons would serve him well as President of CUPE and the OFL. Fraught by divisions in Labour and the lack of synergy with the NDP, Sid calls for a social vision of unionism in Canada that melds struggles of class and anti-oppression into a cohesive programme against neo-liberalism.

Libby Davies recounts a particularly turbulent time in her career as an MP, in which a 'media' ambush turned her support for Palestine into a political football. Davies is presenting her revealing memoir "Outside In," about her personal life and political career, on Sunday June 9. Davies' book is an example of the challenges and struggles faced by trailblazing activists, and the attempts to improve NDP positions on foreign policy and other issues.

Event Details:

Sunday, June 9, 2 - 4 pm,

Music Hall, New Vision United Church,

24 Main St. W. Hamilton, Ontario L8P 1H2

Brendan interviews author and editor Ted Schmidt about his partly-autobiographical account of his emergence into supporting the Palestinian struggle, a daunting feat for a Catholic friend of Toronto's Jewish community.

Schmidt's book is also a readable history of European anti-Semitism, the pressures that led to Zionism, and resistance to it within Judaism. There is a postcolonial dimension, in that Schmidt gradually became aware of the marginalized Arab voices that were seldom heard in Canada.

Brendan and Rabbi Lucia Pizarro talk about various events in the community concerned with Palestine and liberation theology, including the Hamilton Palestine Film Festival, the upcoming book launch with Ted Schmidt, and the famous "Liberation Seders" that are organized by JELITHIN.

Yves Engler discusses his two most recent articles, about the SNC Lavalin scandal, and Canada's interference in Venezuela.

It is possible to discuss the two issues together, because they are linked by a common denominator: the Canadian government operates on behalf of the Canadian business class. It protects corrupt corporations, and destabilizes foreign governments that practice resource nationalism.

A Global South government that is responsive to popular needs invites overthrow by Canada's rules-debased foreign policy.

Brendan interviews Rabbi David Mivasair about recent developments in the campaign by Independent Jewish Voices and other concerned parties to end the tax exempt status for the "Jewish National Fund."

The JNF is an Israeli tool for the dispossession of Palestinians. It has been used to erase Palestinian settlements, in one case replacing villages with "Canada Park." Use of occupied land for one ethnicity only contravenes international law, and Canadian domestic law.

The JNF has also been implicated in funding Israeli armed forces projects, something which a Canadian charity cannot do.

Ft. Prof. Max Forte

Syria has become a canvas upon which outsiders can project their fantasies. There has been a failure to adopt a truly 'decolonial' view that respects Syria's sovereignty and self-determination. If there is no resistance to "Team America's" neo-liberal world that reshapes borders as if they are clay, then there will be more Syrias and more refugee crises.

Brendan speaks with Corey Balsam and Geneviève Nevin, who are organizing the Independent Jewish Voices 10th Anniversary Conference. We discuss the role and direction of IJV, creating an alternative for Jewish youth, and efforts to enhance solidarity with the Palestinian people, through such means as encouraging political parties to support BDS, in Canada.

Yves Engler describes his important new book about how the Canadian 'left' fails to oppose Canada's militarism and imperialism. Yves investigates the NDP, unions, think tanks, and public intellectuals, and finds a leadership that largely follows the ideas and aims of the powerful.

'Left' politicos present a feel-good vision of Empire, where Canada is an 'aid superpower' and peacemaker that should expand its efforts, neglecting Canada's endless interference in the Global South and its pillage of the Earth.

Stephen Gowans recently launched his brand new book, "Patriots, Traitors and Empires: The Story of Korea's Struggle for Freedom."

Following the Hamilton book launch, Unusual Sources recorded a special in-studio interview with Gowans. In the exclusive interview, Gowans discusses key aspects of the book, some of which were not featured heavily during the book tour.