WPIRG stands for The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group which was founded in 1973 with the mission of fostering and supporting UW students as well as the community in order to research, educate, and take action on environmental and social justice issues while accomplishing various other goals. If you’re interested in learning more about this group, please visit WPIRG’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WPIRG/ or website at http://wpirg.org/ .
Next week, from Jan 25th to Jan 27th, WPIRG will be holding a free public conference titled “Getting Organized: Tools for Resisting Racism & White Supremacy” with two major goals in mind:
1) Encourage students as well as community members to become anti-racist organizers by increasing their confidence, knowledge, skills, and by connecting them with existing organizers/organizations.
2) Sharpen the practice and analysis of existing organizers/organizations committed to challenging white supremacy by creating an opportunity to think about movements together.
The conference consists of multiple events which will take place at the University of Waterloo and affiliate colleges. These events will discuss various topics which are essential to WPIRG’s main initiative and will be led by various accomplished individuals. Some examples of speakers and their topics include, El Jones: Prison Abolition and Prisoner Supp, TREYF: A Workshop on Anti-Semitism, Dr. Laura Mae Lindo & UWBASE: Challenging Racism in Higher Education, Rowa Mohamed: Orientalism Today – A Teach In on Trumpism and Islamophobia, Lukayo Faye Estrella: Intersectional Anti-Oppression – Approaches to Action, and many more!
We are providing a space where local organizers can connect and share knowledge with those wanting to get active for the first time, as well as a space where organizers can step back from the everyday work of the movement to think about their work together. With important social issues emerging from left to right, it’s essential that everyone becomes informed and aware of the right steps to take in order to cultivate a progressive and positive society.
This event is free and open to all so feel free to bring your families and friends as well! I hope to see you there.
If you’re interested in helping out with the conference, please contact WPIRG as soon as possible and if you have already missed the conference, do not worry, as you can always sign up to become a general member/volunteer for WPIRG.
Source: Photo 1