Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

via BC Federation of Labour

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

The B.C. Federation of Labour is supporting women who are making a journey from British Columbia to Ottawa in honour of missing and murdered women across Canada. This Walk is supported by Amnesty International, B.C. Federation of Labour, BCGEU, ILWU Local 500, United Native Nations, Native Women’s Association of Canada and countless other organizations across Canada.

This important walk begins in Vancouver, BC on June 21, 2008 and ends with a huge event in Ottawa on September 15, 2008 where there will be a full day session on Parliament Hill and presentation of a petition. On June 21 in Vancouver, an event is being organized to launch the walk and more details will be provided.

These women need your help, and we are asking unions, labour councils and communities along their route to pitch in and help support this important Walk. Even if you are not en route, you can help by sending a donation to support the walkers.

What can you do?

• Make a monetary donation — All donations should be sent to the Aboriginal Mother’s Center Society in Vancouver, BC. Make your cheque payable to the Aboriginal Mother’s Center Society and mark “Walk4Justice” in the subject line on your cheque. An account has been set up through this Society. Cheques should be mailed to: #208 – 2019 Dundas Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 1J5.
• Sign the Petition — Visit http://www.petitiononline.com/glradek/petition.html to sign this very important petition and then pass this link on to all of your contacts!
• Organize an event in your town — This could be a fundraiser, a dinner for the walkers, a social event, a donation collection station or any other event you think will support this Walk.
• Provide or arrange lodging for the walkers when they come through your town. This would mean scarce funds could go to support the Walk, and the walkers would have adequate and safe accommodation;
• Donate much-needed items for the walkers – these don’t have to be big-ticket items, but a camper or utility trailer would really help. Rather than filling their support vehicles with supplies, they could use a utility trailer to hold their supplies. Smaller items will help, too — for example, food, cases of bottled water, oranges, medical supplies, socks and runners, sunscreen, mosquito protection or rain slickers can all be invaluable for the walkers to help keep them healthy on their journey.
• Help the walkers stay healthy — Nurses or other healthcare workers could meet with the walkers at one of the stops or en route to ensure these women remain healthy.
• Click for a list of walk4justice tour locations from Vancouver to Ottawa.

The Walk4Justice organizers need you to get in touch as soon as possible to:

• Know who is joining the walkers from town to town so they can accommodate and feed people adequately;
• Know if you will provide a support letter to ensure all arrangements are confirmed; and
• Gather information about missing and murdered women in your communities so they can represent them accurately when they get to Ottawa.

They would like to hear from you, so please connect with the organizers or our Federation to let us know how you will support this important Walk4Justice on behalf of murdered and missing women in Canada. Contact: walk4justice2008@yahoo.ca, or call 604-253-5989.

We must let our federal and provincial governments know these women will not be forgotten. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

In solidarity, ANGELA SCHIRA Secretary-Treasurer