Toronto Youth Activists Conference

I attended a conference for youth interested in human rights activism yesterday, held jointly by Canadian HART and the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance’s Human Rights Advocacy Committee. Aside from providing us the knowledge of the tools and networks required to embark on human rights advocacy, it inspired me. I felt a need to go out there and do something, and create something, and become part of the human rights movement.

Thief logs in Facebook, Suspected thief flees into police station, and other true stories

RIVERTON, Wyo. – Police say a man suspected of stealing a bottle of Schnapps from a Wyoming grocery store didn’t have the best escape route planned. Riverton police say the 26-year-old ran out of the store after grabbing the bottle of booze and a package of cough drops Wednesday and hid in a nearby building, which happened to be the police station. Police say the man then ran out of the police station, but not before a dispatcher had spied him on the station’s surveillance camera and alerted officers.

Woman buried alive to save family reputation: 200 Turkish women pay brutal price each year

After reading this article, I became very frustrated. Honour killings, or killing where the a female is killed by her family member, after she is believed to bring shame to the family. It is believed by killing her, the family can maintain its honour, however, I believe there is little honour in killing you daughter, wife, or sister. “young woman is suspected of “dishonouring” the family by wearing tight clothes, having unauthorized contact with young men, or falling victim to rape, a family council is called, and a family member appointed as an executioner.”

Race Matters

Seven years have passed since a Toronto Star investigation into race, policing and crime in Canada’s largest city was met with denials of racial bias. Today, police across the country readily acknowledge bias is a factor in police decision-making, and the Toronto Police Service is setting an example for other services and institutions with its diversity policy.

Google charge highlights China-based hacking

Google’s accusation that its e-mail accounts were hacked from China landed like a bombshell because it cast light on a problem that few companies will discuss: the pervasive threat from China-based cyberattacks. The hacking that angered Google Inc. and hit dozens of other businesses adds to growing concern that China is a center for a global explosion of Internet crimes, part of a rash of attacks aimed at a wide array of targets, from a British military contractor to banks and chemical companies to a California software maker.

Memorable quotes from Dr.Angela Davis’ Speech at York University

I went to a lecture given by Dr.Angela Davis, and I made notes to things that struck out at me. For those of who don’t know, she is a radical black activist, Black Panther, philosopher, teacher, United States Vice-President Candidate, and writer. “We stood up to the state and we won.”

York student detained

Jessica Chandrashekar spent more than 11 hours in the custody of Indonesian authorities, where she was repeatedly interrogated. The York University PhD student and Tamil community activist was arrested by the Indonesian police and later deported from the country for trying to visit sylum-seekers on a ship from Sri Lanka that was originally bound for Australia.

Opinion: Do you think Adam Giambone is a good candidate for Mayor?

So, as you all may be aware, Adam Giambone, TTC Chairman, is running for Mayor of Toronto. What are your opinions of him, does he have potential, or is Mayor just not for him? I mean, with the TTC fare increases, and the recent shots of sleeping employees, doesn’t he have a lot of work to fix within TTC first? (Anyone waiting for a bus would know that the TTC has a LONG way to go!) But, he’s young, has accomplished a lot for being only 33, educated and has good experience with being in leadership roles, so do you prefer some fresh blood in City Hall for change? What do you say?

A reason to stop talking.

Starting Monday drivers in Ontario could be paying a price for texting friends, picking up a cellphone to call the boss or browsing through song selections on mp3 players.

Drivers can be forgiven for thinking Ontario’s so-called distracted driver law was already in effect – and it was – but as of 12:01 a.m. Monday anyone caught breaking the law will be slapped with a $155 fine.

Paying our Respects to Muthukumar Anna and the 19 Martyrs

On Friday January 29th 2010 5:30 pm at Canada Kanthasamy Kovil, the Tamil community came together to pay respects to Muthukumar Anna and 19 Martyrs who lit themselves to show their love for Eelam Tamils and how they would do anything to get the cause out there. As I sat there I looked at the faces that lost their lives on the poster and that made me wonder, how much pain they must have gone through, the fact of burning yourself itself gives me the shivers. We usually say that we will do anything for Eelam but my question is will we ever give up our lives?