Victoria

Groups that are part of the CAIA network agree with the Basis of Unity but organize their activities and actions in an independent manner.

CAIA-Victoria grew out of a series of five public meetings on the Palestine/Israel conflict, the last one consisting of a smaller "roundtable" with invited speaker Adam Hanieh of the Al Awda Right of Return Group, CUPE and CAIA. Previous invited speakers had included Dan Freeman-Maloy of York University, speaking on "AIPAC North", and Jon Elmer, Canadian freelance writer and photojournalist specializing in the Middle East, reporting on his 2007 trip to the Israeli Occupied Territories (see http://www.jonelmer.ca).
All were admission-free, held at the University of Victoria during February, March and early April 2007 and were organized by the Victoria Peace Coalition with the co-sponsorship of VIPIRG and CUPE local 50, among others.

Shortly thereafter, CAIA-Victoria was formed as a separate independent group, loosely affiliated with CAIA and working in solidarity with the Palestinian call for an international BDS campaign against Israeli apartheid.

The first of a series of regular boycott picket actions against the local Chapters bookstore located at Douglas and View Streets occurred shortly after the roundtable and have continued biweekly since then on Fridays at 4:30 pm. As well, we are participating in protests at Mountain Equipment Co-op to encourage boycott of Israeli goods.

As part of International Palestine Solidarity Day against Israeli occupation of Palestian Lands in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and the Golan Hights, CAIA-Victoria continues dedicating the local picket actions to the Palestinian people and their quest for a just and lasting peace.

To honour Gaza Solidarity Day there is a rally on Govt. St across from the Empress Hotel on Saturday June 6, 2009 at noon.

CAIA Victoria is hosting a representative of the Bil'in Popular Committee and 2 lawyers working on Bil'in's case against illegal seizure of their land on Tuesday, June 9 at 8 pm at BCGEU Hall, 2994 Douglas St., Victoria.

caia.victoria@gmail.com