This Tuesday, May 22, marks the 100th day of the ongoing Quebec student’s unlimited strike, already one of the largest student mobilizations in recent history.
On Tuesday in New York City, CUNY students will stand in solidarity with Quebec students who will be marching in record numbers, in defense of the right to protest, and for the right to education as we determine it.
As part of these actions, the Free University is hosting a pop-up occupation Tuesday, May 22nd in Washington Square Park at 5PM about the state of the student unlimited strike in Quebec, the criminalization of dissent, and what this means for the student movement at CUNY. All who want to come and teach a class, facilitate a discussion, or host a skill-share as part of the Free University are welcome. Those interested are asked to come to the park with a sign announcing the class and check in at the table on the North side of the fountain at 5PM. All classes will be announced on a board at 6PM.
LIST OF EVENTS FOR TUESDAY, MAY 22nd
2PM—Demonstrate, 1 Rockefeller Plaza
Demonstration in solidarity with the Quebec Student Strike
Outside the Quebec Government Offices at 1 Rockefeller Plaza
5PM—Gather, Check-in, Washington Square Park, North Side of Fountain
Gather to paint banners, make ‘book bloc’ shields, and cut red squares for the evening march.
Check-in for those who want to facilitate lectures, workshops, skill-shares, and discussions. Please bring all the materials you may need to make banners and host classes.
6PM—Free University, Washington Square Park, various locations– check board on North Side of Fountain
Teach in/Speak out assembly about the Quebec student strike, the emergency laws, and the criminalization of dissent; followed by self-organized lectures, workshops, skill-shares, and discussions of the Free University.
8PM—Assembly and March, Washington Square Park
General Assembly and March against Repressive anti-protest laws worldwide
WEAR RED—
Students in Quebec use the symbol of the “red square” to signify being financially “in the red” amid tuition hikes, cuts in social entitlements, and the spectre of spiraling student and consumer debt. We are all ‘in the red’ as long as the 1% imposes upon us austerity, debt, and repression. An increase in the powers of the police and the state anywhere is an attack on us everywhere.
For more information about the Free University, please contact maydayfreeu@gmail.com
Useful websites:
Facebook page for the May 22 national demonstration in Montreal, QC:
https://www.facebook.com/events/232620616844146/
The poster (PDF)
http://www.bloquonslahausse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/100jours.pdf
The call for solidarity donations (includes an excellent summary of Bill 78):
https://www.facebook.com/notes/max-silverman/urgent-appeal-to-the-rest-of-canada/10150913592787996
Stop the Hike!
http://www.stopthehike.ca/
Edu-Factory
http://www.edu-factory.org/wp/
To better coordinate information between our demonstrations, these hash tags are in use in Quebec and would help student strikers learn of our tweets, etc.
Hashtags to use:
#GGI (Greve generale illimitee/Quebec student strike/movement)
#Loi78 (Bill 78)
#manifencours (Demonstrations in progress, all actions)
