Autumn of Inspiration in 71 countries, 719 cities

United for Global Change movement launches October 15th, 2011

The American Autumn of Inspiration is spurring a global protest movement unseen since the 1960s. People everywhere are rising up to let the powers that be know that enough is enough, and the average Joe has been squeezed for too long.

Statement for Canada and Canadians in United for Change Movement

People are rising up all over this beautiful spinning planet to claim their rights and demand a true democracy. Now it is time for all of us to join in a global non-violent protest.

United in one voice, we will let politicians, and the financial elites they serve, know it is up to us, the people, to decide our future. We are not goods in the hands of politicians and bankers who do not represent us.

Time and water are running out, the Earth is heating up, and it is time for a global green revolution, a grassroots movement, a coalition of wonderfully diverse forces with common goals. We want a more humane, egalitarian, equitable, just and sustainable society.

In Canada we will march for legalized marijuana, assistance for the poor, more education and health funding, for equality among sexes and ethnicities, to protect the rights of workers and to preserve our ecological heritage through a diverse, permaculture economy.

On October 15th, we will meet on the streets to initiate the global change we want. We will peacefully demonstrate, talk and organize until we make it happen.

It’s time for us to unite. It’s time for them to listen.

People of the world, rise up on October 15th!

Egyptian-brokered Israel-Hamas deal may be a light at the end of a tunnel

Israel to trade 1,027 prisoners for release of Gilad Schalit

One has to be heartened that any deal has been done involving Israel and Hamas, bitter enemies with no love lost between them. Props to Egypt for keeping the pedal to the metal on this agreement.

The key development is Hamas willing to do the deal without Marwan Barghouti as part of the exchange. It's a dose of realpolitik for Hamas, who needed to play a trump card equal or greater than Fatah's UN statehood bid.

It shows an elevation of understanding from the Palestinian side. They have accepted that Israel will trade more than 1,000 prisoners for Gilad Schalit, however, if they want M. Barghouti as their leader, they now know he only comes back as part of an enduring peace deal.

Arab Spring of Hope, American Autumn of Inspiration

They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn
They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn
But you wouldn’t know it by me
Every day’s been darkness since you been gone

- Dylan


Occupy Wall Street is off to a solid start and gains momentum tomorrow, October 5th, with major NYC unions joining the protest.

In Ontario, the Occupy Toronto Market Exchange begins next Saturday, October 15th. It will be revealing to see whether anything sustainable can be set up near Bay Street, as the political and economic climate is a lot different in Canada than it is in the USA. Still, with the majority Harper government pursuing antiquated, vindictive, inefficient and overly expensive anti-pot laws, things are about to start heating up.