Five years ago, youth and elders from Grassy Narrows First Nation gathered on a northwestern Ontario logging road to say "NO!" to environmental destruction and cultural genocide. The Slant Lake blockade (near Kenora) is now the longest-standing obstruction to clear-cut logging in North America.
Earlier this month, they called for a complete moratorium on logging of the traditional lands upon which they hunt, trap, and pick wild herbs, berries, and grains. Despite their proclamation, eco-devastation in Grassy Narrows continues. Logs sent to the Abitibi Mill in Fort Francis are being sold to Boise's Mill in International Falls Minnesota. Grand & Toy sells paper made from these stolen logs. Despite being aware of the dispute with Grassy Narrows, they still hold a contract with Boise.
On January 30, help us put an end to Grand & Toy's destructive practices. Grassy Narrows and the Rainforest Action Network have called an INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION to stop the sale of paper made from Grassy Narrows' forests. Actions are being planned for over 30 cities and towns across North America. Intense pressure from Grassy Narrows and supporters has already made the provincial government appoint a high-level negotiator to address their issues. They're asking us to turn up the heat during this critical time.
In Toronto, we're targeting a Grand & Toy location in the downtown core. Join us at City Hall. From there, we'll march on to Grand & Toy to tell them to end the devastation in Grassy Narrows.
Where: City Hall (Queen and Bay)
When: Wednesday, January 30 at 2:00 PM
Bring: POSTERS, banners, permanent markers, reindeer costumes, cameras and anything else you can think of!
Please RSVP by email: forget_capitalism@hotmail.com
For more info: visit www.freegrassy.org
In preparation for the Day of Action, the Ryerson chapter of
Journalists for Human Rights is hosting a screening of the Grassy Narrows documentary "As Long as the Rivers Flow" on Monday, Jan. 28. All are welcome to join in Ryerson's Eric Palin Hall (87 Gerrard St. E) room 204 from 4 to 6 p.m.
**If you cannot make it (or even if you can!), please take a minute to call the Grand & Toy Headquarters on January 30 at: 416-445-7255**