Okinawa: Caught between a rock and a hard place

US Marines discharge Perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFAS) into the sewers. Okinawan officials are “furious” while the Japanese government is complacent | PAT ELDER

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is located in densely populated Ginowan City, Okinawa


Okinawan residents call for removal of U.S. military bases. [Source: teenvogue.com].

All-India Strike/Bharat Bandh – Support the just struggle of the Indian farmers!

An All-India shutdown will take place on Monday, September 27 to mark the first anniversary of the three controversial farm laws passed by Parliament. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) called for the All-India shutdown, supported by trade unions, farmers’ associations, youth, teachers, labourers and others, as well as opposition political parties and many state governments.

Indian farmers’ mass democracy stands firm

Sea of humanity at the farmers’ Mahapanchayat in Muzzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, September 5, 2021.

By J. Singh

On September 5, 2021 a Mahapanchayat (mass rally) took place in Muzzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Some news channels reported that more than 1.5 million participated. Others doubled that estimate. It was an ocean of humanity spread out for tens of miles. Save the Farmers, Save the Country was the slogan of the Mahapanchayat. More than 5000 langurs (community kitchens) were organized on the roads to Muzzaffarnagar. It is reported that 3,000 of these langars were stationary and 2000 were on wheels. The government cancelled trains, blocked roads and jammed internet and cell phone services. Farmers pointed out the betrayal by the BJP and government of all the promises made to farmers and people. They also pointed out that in the last 75 years all the governments and parties have made all kinds of promises and betrayed them. A handful of agents provocateur tried to disrupt the Mahapanchayat.

Another case of China using sea to hide its submarines

2015 claim

ON September 13, the US Naval Institute’s Proceedings published a hair-raising account from its Malaysian correspondent of a submerged submarine “believed to be Chinese” off the coast of Japan.

“The Japanese Ministry of Defense detected a Chinese submarine operating in the contiguous zone of Japan’s southern islands, they announced in a Sept. 12 press release, and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) air and naval units are maintaining surveillance on the submarine.”

Get Canada out of the US war machine and Make Canada a Zone for Peace

Canadian people have consistently stood against joining the U.S. “war on terror” in Afghanistan. Above photo is of 2012 Windsor demonstration.

By Margaret Villamizar

Whatever spin Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may try to put on it, the defeat of the U.S./NATO aggressors in Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban is very much a defeat for the Trudeau government and the policy of successive governments to appease the U.S. warmongers by joining or supporting their dirty wars against nations and peoples that have done Canada and Canadians no harm. These illegal wars of aggression have always been based on lies, as are other acts of war such as economic “sanctions” against countries that do not submit to U.S./NATO dictate. The war in Afghanistan was no exception.

The best friend of the United States

In its headline story today, Defense One reported:

“While animal rescue groups across the globe race to get dogs out of Afghanistan, Pentagon officials want to be very clear: The U.S. military did not leave any of its working dogs behind.”

For the United States, friends and enemies are interchangeable over periods of time according to “interests”, but the police dog remains its best friend. It will not be left behind!

Former US generals enriched off Afghan war

Then U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford prepare to testify before the House Armed Services Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill April 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

By PRATAP CHATTERJEE*

(August 26) – Many of the military generals who directed the war in Afghanistan over the last two decades have taken up lucrative jobs as members of the boards of directors of major military contractors that take in billions of dollars in contracts from the Pentagon every year.

Humanitarian murder

US soldier points his gun towards an Afghan passenger at the Kabul airport on August 16|Wakil KOHSAR / AFP

On August 16 the media showed people clinging to and even tied to the undercarriages of US airplanes at the Kabul airport. The C-17 Globemaster III transport planes were taking off for Qatar, one after the other, some partially empty, and people fell down from heights in the sky as the aircraft retracted the landing gear. One photo shows that three bodies were found in a residential neighbourhood which fell from the sky. Videos also emerged capturing people falling from the sky. Another video shows a US Army helicopter propelling people off the runway so that an American transporter can take off. The whole world saw this.

Celebrate Vietnam’s National Day

August 22 Virtual Celebration

76th Anniversary of August Revolution and Vietnam National Day

Sunday August 22, 2021 — 7:00 pm EDT
Organized by the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Society
To register or for more information contact: info@c-vfs.com
Advance registration is required. Those registering will receive a non-transferable link to join the celebration.

India: Farmers’ fight for the rights of all continues unabated

Farmers hold their Kisan Sansad (Farmers Parliament) in Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

By Jaspal Singh

The fight of the farmers in India to repeal three anti-farm laws and for their rights continues unabated with more and more initiatives being taken by the farmers, while the government’s attempts to defeat them meet one failure after another.

August 15, 1947: 75th Anniversary of the Independence of India

Farmers mark Indian Independence Day with tractor rallies and protests. Photo above of arrival at the Singhu border in Delh

August 15 is the 75th anniversary of the Independence of India which the ruling class is celebrating with pomp and ceremony, but not in the spirit of the people.

Fiji sings

For a moment, hierarchies (historical, economic, political) are turned upside down. It is a brief glimpse of the day when the last shall be first | A Reflection by Tony Seed

Jerry Tuwai, captain of Team Fiji, sings on the podium with his team mates after receiving their gold medals following victory in the Rugby Sevens Men’s Gold Medal match between New Zealand and Fiji on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium on July 28, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan | Dan Mullan/Getty Images

(August 3) – You must be watching the Olympics. Did you chance to watch any of the Rugby Sevens matches?

76th anniversary of the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, August 6 and 9, 1945

Never Again! All Out to Make Canada a Zone for Peace!

On the very sad anniversaries of the U.S. nuclear attacks against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on August 6 and 9, 1945 respectively, the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) expresses its deepest respects to the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their families.

Signing of Armistice in the Korean War, July 27, 1953

U.S. Must Stop All Provocations Against the DPRK and Sign a Peace Treaty Now!

Korean People’s Army celebrates victory

By Nick Lin and Philip Fernandez

On July 27, the Korean people, as well as peace-loving humanity will celebrate the 68th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States in 1953 which brought a ceasefire to the Korean War, known in the DPRK as the Great Fatherland Liberation War. The signing of the Armistice Agreement also signalled the first military defeat of the U.S. following the Second World War — a humiliation which has haunted the U.S. imperialists ever since, and for which it has yet to forgive the DPRK and the Korean people.

Against the genocidal British partition of 1947: At the farmers’ encampments in India

June 5, 2021. Farmers marching in Amritsar, Punjab.

(June 10) – On June 3, farmers at the encampments surrounding Delhi marked the 74th anniversary of the proclamation of the partition of India by the British. On June 3, 1947, the last British Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, declared that India would be partitioned into two dominions. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the All-India Muslim League, spoke after him and accepted the partition of India and creation of the Dominion of Pakistan. Then came Jawaharlal Nehru whose acceptance of partition made him the first Prime Minister of India. So too, Baldev Singh claimed to represent the Punjabi Sikh community in the processes of negotiations that resulted in the Partition of India in 1947, for which he became the first Minister of Defence of India. The Congress laid claim to secularism but nonetheless demanded that Punjab and Bengal also be divided on the basis of religion. Leaders of the Communist Party of India had already accepted partition and all the parties conspired with the British against the peoples of India. June 2 marks the date when Mountbatten presented the plans for the partition of India to all these people and they accepted it. Mahatma Gandhi, who had been saying, “partition over my dead body,” told Mountbatten that he had vowed to maintain silence and would not oppose it.

June 3-8, 1984 – Anniversary of Operation Blue Star

Use of force to quell the people

Massive damage sustained by the Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star.

Thirty-seven years ago, from June 3-8, 1984, on Indira Gandhi’s orders, the Indian army launched a devastating assault and massacre of innocent Sikhs at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab. Other Gurdwaras were also attacked.

Protesting Indian farmers harvest a bumper crop while continuing the fight

By Jaspal Singh

Indian farmers hold Black Day protests against the Modi government, May 26, 2021.

Toronto teacher praises Vietnam’s successes in COVID-19 control, economic development

Spraying disinfectant to prevent COVID-19 | VNA

An open letter to colleagues from Frank Chilelli

Dear colleagues and friends, on Saturday April 24 I attended a webinar hosted by the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Society (CVFS). The keynote speaker was Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, who is vice-president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Over 100 participants in the workshop were especially interested in Vietnam’s effective measures to respond to the pandemic.

Vietnam showed that even a small country can thrive strongly and maintain sovereignty, independence and national values, said Steve Rutchinski, a representative from the CVFS who moderated the webinar.

Farmers in India continue to fight

Farmers at the Ghazipur border with Delhi take part in the country-wide Black Day Protests, May 26, 2021. At many protests, effigies representing the Modi government are burned.

Farmers and workers throughout India are observing Black Day to mark six months of encampments surrounding Delhi and the 7th year of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government that has enacted many anti-worker, anti-people and anti-social laws and mercilessly attacked the rights of the people. Twelve opposition parties and Indian residents abroad are also supporting the call of the farmers and workers to withdraw the anti-farm laws.

Demonstrations, webinars, teach-ins and other manifestations are being held across the world. Some young people are holding online discussions with U.S. farmers who have suffered and lost their lands as a result of anti-farmer laws similar to the ones in India.

Ho Chi Minh – Historic leader of the Vietnamese people and founder of modern Vietna

On May 19, 1890 Ho Chi Minh was born | Reflection by Steve Rutchinski

Mosaic portrait of Ho Chi Minh, created for the 2017 APEC Summit in Vietnam.

May 19 is the 131st anniversary of the birth of Ho Chi Minh, historic leader of the Vietnamese people and founder of modern Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh is celebrated not only by the Vietnamese people, not only by revolutionaries and communists but by thinking, enlightened people the world over for his contributions to humanity.

Latest anti-China motion in the House of Commons (I)

By Louis Lang

On February 22, an anti-China motion was introduced in the House of Commons accusing China of “genocide.”[1] The private member’s opposition motion was put forward by Conservative Michael Chong (Wellington–Halton Hills, ON), and says:

Stand with Indian farmers! Increase use of dirty tricks to suppress farmers’ movement

The power struggle between the movement of Indian farmers and the elites in power in India continues. The farmers have the support of the working people of all India as well as abroad. They are demanding the repeal of three neo-liberal farm laws which will dispossess them due to their aim of serving narrow private interests. The Indian ruling elites are now adopting dirty tricks of all kinds to defeat the farmers. These go from misuse of laws which target individual farmers to break their ranks, and the dirty tactics of political police to threaten and discourage the farmers.

Striving of Indian farmers to decide what happens to their produce

January 26 March on Delhi: Indian farmers valiantly organize to affirm their rights

By J. Singh 

Farmers in India are continuing their struggle without letup. They continue to demand the repeal of the three farm laws which favour agribusiness at their expense.

Anti-China motion in the House of Commons: ‘Yellow Peril’ hysteria all over again

The House of Commons is addressing a motion that exudes hostility towards the People’s Republic of China. It is, again, the racist, colonialist approach which, at the turn of the 20th century, accused people from Asia of constituting a “Yellow Peril.” | PAULINE EASTON

This is a despicable racist and xenophobic image published by Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc., depicting Chinese Canadians as puppets who are secretly infiltrating Canadian society: “The UFWD (United Front Work Department) attempts to utilize Chinese diaspora groups for Beijing’s strategic policies, CSIS says.” Sam Cooper, April 30, 2020

The House of Commons is addressing a motion that exudes hostility towards the People’s Republic of China. The cartel parties are espousing the ill-advised cause of opposing alleged Chinese attempts to undermine Canada’s “democratic institutions.” In the name of “eliminating foreign interference in Canada’s political process” the resolution will criminalize Canadians and permanent residents of Chinese national origin and generally foment a hysterical racist anti-Chinese climate. It is, again, the racist, colonialist approach which, at the turn of the 20th century, accused people from Asia of constituting a “Yellow Peril.” A dictionary definition describes “Yellow Peril” as the power or alleged power of Asiatic peoples “to threaten or destroy the supremacy of White or Western civilization.”[1]

Coronavirus alarm blends Yellow Peril and Red Scare

Gothamist photo (1/31/20) of Asian Americans wearing surgical masks, illustrating a story about the absence of coronavirus (at that point) in New York City.

By JOSHUA CHO

As an Asian-American, I’m not surprised that there are numerous reports surfacing of racist and xenophobic responses arising in the US (and elsewhere) as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, where “coughing while Asian” is being compared to “driving while black.” In case there are any doubts that media coverage is being racialized, reports about new coronavirus updates in the US, particularly in areas like New York City, are using unrelated header images of East Asian people wearing face masks to drive the impression that Chinese people are unique carriers of disease, even when they aren’t Chinese.

Evidence of US national security concerns and morbid preoccupation with defeat

Fifth of a series on the 2020 Halifax International Security Forum

The Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) – NATO-sponsored and U.S. organized – is highlighted by the orchestrated promotion of a confrontal strategy against China. We are printing below in its entirety two items by Michèle A. Flournoy, who is reportedly on the short list for Biden’s top Pentagon post. Her views are neither unique nor exceptional and remarkably bleak. They express a palpable desperation about the dilemma of U.S. national security doctrine.

The German Bundeswehr’s next area of operation

The German Government plans to increase military operations in the “Indo-Pacific” in the strategic competition with China.

Poster from anti-NATO rally in Munich, February 18, 2017

BERLIN/CANBERRA (german-foreign-policy.com) – The German government plans to send a frigate for patrol in the Indian Ocean and to deploy German naval officers on Australian warships, announced German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on the occasion of her talks with her Australian counterpart. A training expedition of the frigate Hamburg to the Indian Ocean was originally planned for this year but had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

Vietnam: Online Celebration September 2

75th Anniversary: Celebrate August Revolution and Vietnam National Day

Toronto

Thursday, August 20 — 5:00-7:00 pm EDT

Organized by the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Society
For information and registration: info@c-vfs.com
Limited seats available

Program includes

• Ceremony
• Book Launch and Art Exhibition
• Ho Chi Minh Arts Online