What's the YCL up to in October?

1. Demand $10 NOW

The Vancouver & District Labour Council' Young Workers Committee is organizing a campaigning blitz at Oakridge Mall on Saturday, October 3rd at 1pm. The event is for the $10 NOW campaign which demands an immediate increase to $10/hour for the minimum wage, a subsequent increase to $11, indexing to inflation and abolition of the "training wage." They will be bringing their demands directly to the mall, where many employer who pay the minimum wage are, and most importantly to the workers at the mall who need this the most. We urge our members and friends to participate in this action.

Details: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656850401&ref=profile#/event.php?eid=169708145378

2. YCL Discussion Group - Dialectical Materialism

Our next discussion group will be on dialectical materialism, led by Paul Bjarnason of the BC Committee of the Communist Party. It will be Wednesday, October 7th, 7pm at the Centre for Socialist Education (706 Clark Dr.)

Suggested reading: Materialism and the Dialectical Method by Maurice Cornforth. If you would like a .PDF copy of this material, please e-mail redstar@ycl-ljc.ca

Details: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656850401&ref=profile#/event.php?eid=149267372237&ref=ts

3. Red Star Club Meeting

This months Red Star Club meeting will be held on October 17th at 5pm, before the Left Film Night. It will be at our office in the Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Dr.

Here is the draft agenda:

Role Call/Membership
Minutes of September 12th

OLD BUSINESS/STANDING ITEMS

-Peace & International Solidarity (Honduras, WPF Youth Day, Fraser Valley Peace Council, Stopwar Youth etc.)
-Young Workers & Labour (Minimum Wage, On to Ottawa Trek, Wal Mart etc.)
- Student Movement (Campus work, new leaflets, etc.)
- Culture & Agit Prop (Left Film Night, new poster etc.)
- Pro-Choice demo
- Fundraising
- Silk Screening
- Any other business arising from minutes

NEW BUSINESS

- Central Convention
- YCL BC Convention

4. Left Film Night: Cocalero & Libertarias

Left Film Night presents a double feature on Saturday, Oct. 17:

COCALERO

(Director Alejandro Landes, 94 minutes, Argentina, 2007, English subtitles)

Starts 7:00 pm

A cocalero is a coca leaf grower from the Andes region of South America. In this documentar, Evo Morales, an Aymara Indian cocalero and trade union leader, travels through Bolivia in his historic 2005 bid to be elected the first indigenous president in the Americas, 500 years after the arrival of Cristopher Columbus. Cocalero documents Morales on the campaign trail, from formal fundraising dinners to mass rallies. It also shows the personal side of Morales, speaking about his life and the reasons for his entry into the political arena.

LIBERTARIAS (“Freedom Fighters”)

(Director Vincente Aranda, 125 minutes, Spain, English subtitles)

Starts 8:50 pm

An emotional film shedding light on the lives of six members of a women’s brigade in Barcelona fighting for the country’s left wing Republican government in 1936.

Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver

No admission charge, but donations towards our costs are welcome. Coffee and refreshments available. Call 604-255-2041 or email for further information.

Details: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656850401&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=8947029929

5. Silk Screening Party!

Join us for a Silk Screening Party on Saturday, October 24th, 11am, at the Centre for Socialist Education (706 Clark Dr.) The YCL has recently acquired a large amount of Silk Screening materials and plans to get together on October 24th to take our first shot at putting them to use. We plant to make several flags to be used at future rallies and protests and practice our skills for eventually making t-shirts and other items for use in our activities and for fundraising.

Labour Day Greeting from the Young Communist League of Canada

On the occasion of Labour Day the Young Communist League of Canada greets the young workers with solidarity and militancy. Canada is one of the few countries in the world that does not celebrate the workers holiday on May 1, but every holiday we have fought for and deserve.

On Labour Day 2009 we view the situation of the young workers as very dire. Across our country minimum wages are poverty wages, youth unemployment is the highest since figures began to be recorded, tuition is on the rise, and social services and union contracts are under attack. This is taking place in the context of the sellout of our jobs and our countries sovereignty through de-industrialization, free trade pacts, and deep integration with the United States.

All of this is part of the offensive of capital aimed at making the working people, including young workers, pay for the deepening global economic crisis that they created. This economic crash, which is the worst of its kind since the Great Depression of the 1930’s, is merely a symptom of a system in crisis.

Today the ruling class and its governments and political parties in Canada and around the world are scrambling to find new ways to patch up their crisis ridden system. This Labour Day, while we celebrate the struggles and the victories of Canada’s working class movement, we should do so with a consciousness of the need to continue that movement in a united and militant way today.

Together, the working class, youth, and students, could defeat the anti-worker Harper Tories. Together, we could put an end to this capitalist system and to the exploitation, poverty and misery that is breeds.

We won’t pay for their crisis! Let’s unite a fight back!

Upcoming Events in the Lower Mainland!

1. Labour Day @ Trout Lake

The BC Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress are holding a Labour Day celebration at Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park on September 7th from 11am-2pm. There will be entertainment and food (hot dogs, corn, and drinks for 50 cents each).

The YCL will be present, talking to young workers and distributing leaflets. If you want to meet up with us, e-mail redstar@ycl-ljc.ca

For more information about the event, visit www.bcfed.ca

2. Red Star Club meeting

Our next Club meeting will be Saturday, September 12th, 5pm at our office in the Centre for Socialist Education (706 Clark Dr.)

DRAFT AGENDA
-Roll Call
-Previous minutes

Old Business/Standing Items:
-Peace & International Solidarity (Honduras, WPF Youth Day, Stopwar Youth etc.)
-Young Workers & Labour (Minimum Wage, On to Ottawa Trek etc.)
- Student Movement (UBC, new leaflets, etc.)
- Culture (Concert, Left Film Nights etc.)
- Pro-Choice demo
- Any other business arising

New Business:
- Silk screening
- Fundraising (50/50, other?)

3. Left Film Night: CHE

Join us on September 12th, 7pm, at 706 Clark Dr. for CHE, the 2008 film about the revolutionary Che Guevara best known for his participation in the Cuban revolution, who was murdered by the CIA in 1967 in Bolivia where he was helping to lead a guerrilla struggle against the militarist government of that country.

This is a free event organized by the Montivero Club of the Communist Party of Canada and supported by the Young Communist League.

4. Rally Against HST!

On Saturday, September 19th from 12-3pm there will be a rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St.) against the HST. Gordo and company are feeling the heat and opposition is growing to this massive corporate handout and attack on the working people. The YCL will be present with copies of our statement against the HST. To join the YCL contingent at the rally, respond to this e-mail.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=109299859454&ref=ts

5. Chilean Independence Day Dinner and Fundraiser

Part of the larger South American Wars of Independence against Spanish colonialism, the Chilean War of Independence began on September 18, 1810, when a national junta was established to govern Chile. The war included the period known as the Reconquista of 1814-17, when Spanish loyalists regained power, punishing rebels and driving more Chileans into the insurrectionary camp. Returning from exile in Argentina, the combined forced of Bernardo O'Higgins and Jose de San Martin freed Chile with a daring assault over the Andes, defeating the Spaniards at the Battle of Chacabuco on February 12, 1817.
After defeating the last large Spanish force on Chilean soil at th Battle of Maipu on April 5, 1818, San Martin led his followers north to help liberate Peru, a key to hemispheric victory over the Spanish which was finally accomplished by Simon Bolivar's forces in 1824.

Each year Chilean Independence Day is celebrated by Chilean-Canadians in Vancouver. The YCL is invited again this year to participate in the event and to fundraise for our political work via a 50/50 draw. Come join us and enjoy delicious South American food and wine, as well as live entertainment. Tickets are $20.

The event is on Saturday, September 19th, 6pm, at the Peretz Centre (6184 Ash St.)


6. Left Film Night: Peter Seeger - The Power of Song

On September 27th, 7pm, 706 Clark Dr. join us for The Power of Song, a film about the famous progressive folk musician Pete Seeger. The film uses interviews, archival footage and home movies to illustrate the social history of Pete Seeger. A fascinating film and a must see for those interested in folk music and peoples culture.

7. YCL Discussion Group - Dialectical Materialism

Our next discussion group will be on dialectical materialism. It will be Wednesday, October 7th, 7pm at the Centre for Socialist Education (706 Clark Dr.)

Suggested reading: Materialism and the Dialectical Method by Maurice Cornforth. If you would like a .PDF copy of this material, please e-mail redstar@ycl-ljc.ca

WFDY salutes KSM achieving legal status once again!

The YCL in BC held a number of demonstrations demanding a the reversal of the ban on the Czech Communist Youth (KSM) and helped circulate a petition to that effect. Today we received this news from the World Federation of Democratic Youth that our Czech comrades have succeeded in overturning the ban!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

WFDY salutes KSM achieving legal status once again!

The Supreme Court of Czech Republic has, today, decided to cancel the ban that over the last years has the Communist Union of Czech Republic (KSM) to face the situation of being an illegal organization, deprived from the basic rights that any democratic organization should have.

WFDY considers this a major development and a historical moment. We reaffirm now that, as in the past, this is not an administrative or even legal matter, but a deeply political matter. In the same way KSM was not being made illegal by the pretense “legal” matters in its program, the decision of today is not at all a strict court decision.

This decision is the result of KSM and Czech youth’s struggle, as well as of the intense and worldwide solidarity expressed by the youth of all corners of the world. WFDY and its member and friend organizations have, from the first moment, developped countless demonstrations, petitions and many other means of solidarity, which were surely an important support to the Czech youth.

WFDY considers this moment of victory as another proof that, despite the obstacles, difficulties and attacks, the struggle is the way for victory against imperialism and urges its member and friend organizations to spread the news that will let all anti-imperialist people organizations happy and even more motivated for the struggle for social and democratic rights, freedom, justice and peace, against imperialism and all its expressions!


The CC/HQ of WFDY

Budapest, September 3
www.wfdy.org

Important Updates to Upcoming Events

1. POSTPONED Discussion Group: The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism

Join us for our monthly discussion group. This month we will discuss Lenin's article The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism. This article, which outlines the basic origins and fundamentals of Marxism, was first published in1913 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of Karl Marx.

We will be joined by a special guest speaker, Paul Bjarnason (CPC BC Committee), for a presentation followed by discussion. Pre-reading optional but suggested. The discussion group will be followed by the Left Film Night.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 7:30pm
Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Dr.

To read the article for free online, visit http://www.marx2mao.com/Lenin/CPM13.html
Or, look for a copy at the People's Co-Op Bookstore.

http://www.facebook.com/share.php?appid=2344061033&src=box&tid=122761566586&u=http%3A%2F%2Fyclbc-lowermainland.blogspot.com%2F#/event.php?eid=122761566586

2. Left Film Night: Milk

LEFT FILM NIGHT presents:

MILK

Sunday, August 30, 7 pm

at the Centre for Socialist Education
706 Clark Drive, Vancouver (corner of Clark & E. Georgia)

If you missed MILK in the theatres earlier this year, here's your chance. Sean Penn deservedly won Best Actor at the 2009 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major political position in the United States. MILK (directed by Gus Van Sant, 128 minutes) presents a fascinating look at two worlds - the flourishing gay and lesbian communities of San Francisco during the 1970s, and the complex and difficult struggle to win progressive reforms through the electoral process at the municipal level. Harvey Milk succeeded in bringing together a broad coalition of gay activists, trade unionists, Latinos and other oppressed minorities, small business owners, tenants, homeowners and other San Franciscans. United, they challenged the city's entrenched elites and undemocratic political structures to bring a powerful voice for the people into City Hall. His tragic assassination sparked a huge upsurge in the struggle for full equality for the LGBT community, a struggle which continues to this day in California and around the world. MILK is both a stunning artistic achievement and a timely political statement.


No admission charge, but donations towards our costs are welcome. Coffee and refreshments available. Left Film Nights are presented by the Centre for Socialist Education, Young Communist League, and the Vancouver East Club of the Communist Party of Canada. Call 604-255-2041 or email for further information.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8947029929&ref=ts

3. Labour Day @ Trout Lake

The BC Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress are holding a Labour Day celebration at Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park on September 7th from 11am-2pm. There will be entertainment and food (hot dogs, corn, and drinks for 50 cents each).

The YCL will be present, talking to young workers and distributing leaflets. If you want to meet up with us, e-mail redstar@ycl-ljc.ca

For more information about the event, visit www.bcfed.ca

Stop the HST!

As the economic crisis continues to endanger jobs and force down wages British Columbians are faced with another attack. On July 23th, 2009 the right-wing B.C. Liberal government announced its intention to implement a Harmonized Sales Tax by July 1st, 2010. Despite explicit promises not to introduce such a tax during the last provincial election in May, the Liberal government persists in forcing working class British Columbians to pay for the failing capitalist economy.

The Harmonized Sales Tax combines two taxes, the Provincial Sales Tax and the federal Goods and Services Tax, into one federally administered sales tax. When this takes place, almost everything which PST does not apply to will see a 7% increase in cost. Among these are some of the most important parts a working class family's budget such as: residential fuels (electricity, natural gas) and heating, food products, non-prescription medication, work-related safety equipment, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and household maintenance such as renovations and painting. Even grieving families will now pay 7% more at a funeral home.

The Harmonized Tax system puts a massive weight on working people in British Columbia. Northern B.C.ers who are seeing forestry jobs lost and already pay far more for many essential products will now see home heating costs increase dramatically. Commuters in urban areas will see bicycles and bicycle repairs jump in price, which continues the B.C. Liberal policy of profits before people and the environment.

Youth will be affected drastically by the new system. Movies and theatre tickets, repairs for home appliances, and other costs often born by young people will increase substantially. Even school supplies will see a 7% increase in cost when students already pay a criminal tuition fee to attend college or university. While the Liberals refuse to raise minimum wage or legislate a living wage system they continue to increase taxes on those who fall below the poverty line.

To add insult to injury the B.C. Liberal government will receive a 1.6 billion dollar payout from the federal Conservative government to implement this system. As working people try to balance meager budgets the provincial sellout continues. If it was not clear before, British Columbians now know exactly how much they sell for in the capitalist market.

- Interim BC Provincial Committee, August 2009

YCL BC Summer Camp a Big Hit

The Sunshine Coast was a little more Red than usual this BC Day long weekend as the Young Communist League (YCL) held their annual Summer Camp in Sechelt.

Over 20 youth from across the province attended the camp this year where they learned, discussed, and had fun. It was the largest event of its kind held since the YCL began to re-organize in BC over five years ago.

“It can be hard to get young people out to a four day long event,” said YCL BC Organizer Stephen Von Sychowski. “I think the growth can be attributed to the increase in size and activity of the League in BC as well as to the radicalization of youth in the face of war, student debt and the capitalist economic crisis. Capitalism is again producing its own gravediggers.”

At least years Summer Camp, Trail was the newest addition to the list of YCL Clubs being built up across Canada. This year it was Kamloops. Both Clubs sent delegations to this years Summer Camp.

Under the scorching hot sun the attendees studied a variety of topics including the economic crisis and the fightback, the environmental crisis, what socialism is and why it is necessary, current events in Latin America, and more.

But it wasn’t all study, there was also lots of time for fun. After educational sessions were finished it was off to the beach to relax, swim, and enjoy the rest of the day.

“I came here to learn about Marxism,” said one camp attendee, “but I left not just with new knowledge but also with new friends and memories of an awesome weekend.”

The YCL will hold its annual Summer Camp again next year and invites youth and students to contact them for more information at ycl_bc@ycl-ljc.ca