Sample Letter to Jean Charest on Bill 94

Email Jean Charest and co tomorrow to express your outrage at the proposed bill 94. For contact information go here http://nonbill94.wordpress.com/contacts-talking-points/

May 18, 2010
CC: Yolande James, Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities

CC: Kathleen Weil, Minister of Justice

CC: Christine St-Pierre Minister of Culture

CC: Prime Minister Stephen Harper

CC: Michael Ignatieff, M.P., Liberal Leader

[CC: YOUR MP]
To the Honorable Premier Jean Charest,

I am writing to express my opposition to Bill 94. I strongly condemn Bill 94, which will deny all public services including essential social services, health care, education and employment to those wearing facial coverings. In particular, this bill will discriminate against Muslim women wearing niqab (face veil) by infringing upon their basic right of religious freedom and their democratic right to full civic participation.
Bill 94 is promoted as legislation that reflects a secular Quebec. However, a secular society does not preclude the freedom of religious expression, which is enshrined in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Bill 94 is also touted as a legislated step toward gender equality in Quebec. This cannot be further from the truth. If the rights of women are truly a concern, the government of Quebec should focus on implementing programs to address real gender inequality such as poverty reduction programs and education initiatives. Barring a woman from social services, employment, health and education, as well as creating a climate of shame and fear around her is not an effective way to help her empower herself. Nor will it end gender inequality.

Bill 94 is a clearly discriminatory measure that will target a small number of Muslim women who wear the niqab in Quebec, many of whom are already under the pressure of discrimination in the context of heightened racism and misunderstanding in a post 9-11 world. Now more than ever it is essential that Quebec hold true to its claims of democracy and equality, and find ways to embrace difference rather than to exclude it.

Bill 94 has no place in a democratic society that claims to value women’s autonomy, liberty and justice. A truly democratic society is one in which all individuals have the freedom of expression and a right to access public services.
I will not allow my government to deny essential services to women based on what they wear. I demand that Bill 94 be withdrawn immediately and not passed by the National Assembly of Quebec.


Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR TOWN/CITY, YOUR PROVINCE/TERRITORY]

Take Action on May 18th, Say NO to Bill 94! Participate in the action wherever you are.

Will you allow your government to deny essential services to women based on what they wear?

Take Action on May 18th, Say NO to Bill 94! Participate in the action wherever you are.  




Will you allow your government to deny essential services to women based on what they wear?

Take Action on May 18th! Say NO to Bill 94! Participate in the action wherever you are.

Bill 94 is proposed legislation in Quebec, which if approved, would deny essential government services, public employment, educational opportunities, and health care to Muslim women who wear the niqab (face veil).

Take Action to defend women’s access to public services.
Take Action to support women’s rights and freedoms in Canada.
Take Action to stop Bill 94 from becoming law.

Join the Non/No 94 Movement for a Day of Action, to coincide with the proposed Bill 94 hearings on May 18th:

Speak up! Write, email, phone, fax Quebec Premier Jean Charest, along with Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities Yolande James, Minister of Justice Kathleen Weil, and Minister of Culture, Communications & the Status of Women Christine St-Pierre to voice your concern regarding the discriminatory Bill 94. CC us at nonbill94@gmail.com along with your Member of Parliament, Member of the Legislative Assembly, and Member of Provincial Parliament. You can also send a message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff, M.P., Liberal Leader. Contact information for the above can be found here:
http://nonbill94.wordpress.com/contacts-talking-points

Organize! Endorse the No Bill 94 Coalition’s statement found herehttp://nonbill94.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/hello-world/. Circulate this call to action widely to your networks. Have conversations with them about your concerns about Bill 94 and refer them to articles on the proposed legislation. And sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nonbill94/

Get Creative! Host an action in your community, make a video, hold a press conference, run a workshop, throw call-in parties, letter-writing events & blogathons, to ensure that our voices are heard. Email us your creations and actions at nonbill94@gmail.com

Use Media! Use social media outlets. Make your profile pic to one found here:http://nonbill94.wordpress.com/resources. Change your facebook status to or tweet - “Will you allow your government to deny services like emergency health care, education, legal assistance & day care to women based on what they wear? TAKE ACTION on May 18! Say No to Bill 94!.”Post and re-post interesting articles talking about Bill 94 anywhere you can – Facebook, Twitter, blogs, websites, e-newsletters, etc.

See http://nonbill94.wordpress.com for more information 

The No Bill 94 Coalition is endorsed by: Assaulted Women's and Children's Counselor/Advocate Program at George Brown College, AQSAzine, The Centre for Women and Trans People University of Toronto, Ryerson Students' Union, The Centre for Women and Trans People York University, Coalition of concerned women of Kitchener Waterloo, The Council of Agencies Serving South Asians, Frontline Partners with Youth Network, The Miss G__ Project for Equity in Education, Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children, Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, Muslim Students' Association here at the University of Toronto The Native Youth Sexual Health Network, Newcomer Women's Services Toronto, Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group, Ontario Women's Justice Network, Ontario Public Interest Research Group York, Ontario Public Interest Research Group University of Toronto, Ontario Public Interest Group Kingston, Quebec Public Interest Research Group McGill, Parkdale Community Legal Services, The Simone de Beauvoir Institute, South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario, Springtide Resources, Urban Alliance on Race Relations, Toronto Women of Colour Collective, Toronto Coalition to Stop the War, Canadian Arab Federation, York Federation of Students, University of Toronto Students’ Union

Submissions Call for Artists & Performers for Profile This! My Islam Deadline May 21st

Call for Artists & Performers for Profile This! launch of AQSAzine Issue #3 My Islam June 16th
Submission Deadline is May 21st Please spread the word!

AQSAzine is looking for self-identified Muslim women and trans people to showcase their talents in music, spoken word, dance, poetry, comedy, art, performance art etc. for Profile This! My Islam on Wednesday June 16th from 6-8 pm at the Art Gallery of Ontario. It is a FREE event hosted in partnership with The AGO Youth Council and AQSAzine.

Submission Guidelines:
*For visual pieces, please email photo(s)
*For spoken word/poetry, please email a text document of the piece(s) you would like to read
*For dance pieces please email link or Youtube video you would like to perform
*For musical performances, please email a link or mp3 of the song(s) you are interested in performing
*For video/multi-media pieces, please email a link or media file
*For all submission please include logistical restrictions and/or any required equipment

NOTE: Pieces do not have to specifically address themes of identity or religion. Multiple pieces can be submitted for consideration. Artists will have an opportunity to sell their work or CDs etc. All pieces (not for sale and unsold) will be returned at the end of the night.

All submissions should be sent to aqsazine@gmail.com by a May 21st. Please contact us if you are having trouble with sending submissions. We will let you know if we are able to show your piece(s) and/or give you a performance slot.

AQSAzine is a grassroots arts collective of 16-30ish year old women and trans people who identify as Muslim. It is a creative avenue to express ourselves, share our experiences, and connect with others. Profile This! My Islam is the launch of AQSAzine Issue #3. It will be an inspiring event showcasing visual art, readings, multi-media and musical performances by Muslim young women and trans people as well as have art making workshops.

The application deadline for artists, performers and volunteers is Friday, May 21st, 2010.

For any further information:
Contact us at aqsazine@gmail.com
Follow us on Twitter: AQSAzine
Add us on Faceboo Aqsa Zine
http://www.aqsazine.com/