Blueprints of Disruption

Demilitarize the AirShow

The F35 is back at the Canadian National Exhibition and its airshow - so are the peace activists.For years peace activists, environmentalists, refugee advocates and even pet lovers have been protesting the annual four-day airshow that includes war planes over an urban centre, Toronto. However, there is a new sense of urgency this year, as well as new tools. A recent report revealed the extent of Canada's role in manufacturing components for the F35, the very plane delivering genocide from the skies over Gaza.Three organizers, who are also part of the larger anti-war movement, talk about the shifts the campaign has taken over the years, the challenges they're overcomming and the coalition building that makes it all possible. Guests:Maya Bastian, artist, conflict journalist, filmmaker (AirShow),Sharmeen Khan, World Beyond War, and.Rama, Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) Montreal.Hosted by: Jessa McLeanCall to Action: Contact and Call on Your City Councillor to Demilitarize the AirShowRelated Episodes: Rabble Rants (Sept 2023) Stop the Air ShowDisrupting Canada's Arms Trade (May 2024), with World Beyond WarReturn and Liberation (Oct. 2022), with the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM)More Resources: CBC: Canada's F35 ReviewToronto Air Show Triggers The Trauma Of War | HuffPost PoliticsReport - Arms Embargo NowDemilitarize the Toronto Air Show - World BEYOND War All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

UNIFOR's Hot Cargo: Labour Internationalism

The work behind the Arms Embargo Now Report revealed that there are unionized workplaces in Canada that are making weapons destined for Israel. World Beyond War organizer called this information, along with a recent letter from Unifor's President "an opportunity" for positive action.Activists from Labour for Palestine are going into this week's UNIFOR convention in Vancouver with this top of mind. They are working on a campaign to have any goods or services coming from, or going to Israel, declared 'hot cargo'.They know the majority of Canadians, and thus UNIFOR members, are against the genocide, but that doesn't mean there aren't going to be obstacles in their way. In a political climate defined by fear and heightened nationalism, it has been a challenge getting workers to prioritize Palestine. Hear what work is being done to pave the way for more Internationalism not just inside UNIFOR, but within all Labour institutions.Guests:Pamela Arancibia, CUPE member, Labour for Palestine GTAShaheen Lotun, UNIFOR local 2025 President, Labour for PalestineHosted by: Jessa McLeanCall to Action: Tell the CLC to Declare Israeli Goods 'Hot Cargo'Related Episodes: Answering the Call (Jan 2024) with Anna Lippman of Labour for Palestine Nationalism and the Working Class (Mar 2023) with Chris FairweatherMore Resources: Unifor letter to Prime Minister Carney Re: Urgent Canadian intervention to end the genocide in Palestine | UniforHot cargo agreements 101: a practical legal overview - Rights NavigatorCJPME: Canadian Labour Congress Endorses sanctions on IsraelReport - Arms Embargo NowPeople's Voice: Internationalism, identity politics and anti-apartheid organizingRabble: Paramedic fired for pro-Palestinian speech fights for reinstatementThe Maple: Israeli Products Should Have No Place In CanadaAll of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

Defying Orders: Air Canada Workers on Strike

Over 10,000 CUPE unionized Air Canada workers defied the orders of the nation's labour board, stayed off the job and secured a tentative agreement.Kim Siever, Labour Journalist for the Alberta Worker joins host Jessa McLean to talk about what led up to the strike, the Liberals' liberal use of back-to-work legislation and what this means for Canadian Labour. They draw comparisons to other back-to-work orders and try to predict what might happen next...Related Episodes: CUPW, Right to Strike (Jan 2025) Strike Captain, Stop Steward and Mail Carrier Sera talks about the dealings with Canada Post bosses, the attempts to build militancy inside the union and more...Making Mass Actions Count (Nov 2022), with organizer John Clarke. It compares Ontario's almost general strike to the Mike Harris Days of Action in the 1990s. Carney's First 100(ish) Days: A Paradigm Shift, (July 2025) co-hosted with Ashwin from the International Solidarity Pod, a look at the neoliberal agenda being fast tracked under the new PM.More Resources: Alberta Worker: Air Canada flight attendants hold strike voteGlobal News UPDATE: Air Canada Tentative DealAlberta Worker: Coaldale workers reject forced voteStatement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, following an emergency meeting of Canada’s Unions on the Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike CBC: 4 Things to Know about the Air Canada StrikeAll of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

The West Bank: "We Don't Break"

A discussion on recent events in the West Bank with activist, Anna Lippman of Labour 4 Palestine. Anna helps tell Awdah Hathaleen's story, one that is sadly, a case study of how ethnic cleansing has intensified in the West Bank at the same time Gaza has been under siege. Instead of F35s and armed drones, the Israeli authorities aid and abet settler violence to remove Palestinians from their land using tactics reminiscent of the Nakba.How are the people of Umm Al Khair, Awda's village resisting? What can you do to help? What does this mean amongst new promises to recognize a Palestinian State?We attempt to answer these questions, as well as provide related geopolitical updates and news from the movement.Hosted by: Jessa McLeanCover Photo Credit: Emily Glick (used with permission)Calls to Action:In Memory of Awdah, Support Umm Al KhairHot Cargo Kills Campaign, Labour 4 PalestineRelated Episodes: Arming Israel, Canada's Continued Role - with Haneen from the Palestinian Youth Movement and Rachel from World Beyond War Canada on their recent report. Ceasefire! Now What? - with Anna Lippman and activist Fatima Saleh on what people need to be focused on in the wake of the January ceasefire. More Episodes with Anna Lippman...More Resources: ABC News: Trump Lifted Sanctions Against Israeli Settler Yinon LeviIsrael security cabinet approves 22 settlements in occupied West Bank - UPI.comReport - Arms Embargo NowWritings of Awdah Hathaleen via +972 MagazineAwdah Hathaleen laid to rest after Israel withheld body for 10 daysAl Jazeera: Who Was Awdah Hathaleen?All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

Feeding the Beast with the Movement Media Hub

Imagine a PR Firm for the movements...Gur Tsabar from the Movement Media Hub joins Host Jessa McLean to talk about the work he does to help organizations get their message out there in an environment often hostile to their stories.Whether it be through traditional mainstream media, or by using resources within the movement, Gur shares tactics that help amplify the work being done on the ground. He also talks about the forces he's often up against; the commodification of media, the Zionist lobby and complacent newsroom bosses'Episodes done with the help of the Movement Media Hub: Onboard the Handala: Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a discussion with Dr. Yipeng Ge from the deck of the most recent humanitarian vessel to try to break the siege on Gaza. United Against Genocide, an interview with Alex Neve, Dr. Ben Thompson and Dorotea Gucciardo , Ph.D., on their work to get Canadian politicians to Name it. Stop it. Sanction it.Suppressing Voices in the School Board, Labour 4 Palestine Ontario Education Workers' on their report on anti-Palestinian racism within school boards.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: Patreon. We are also on SUBSTACKWhen you share our episode, be sure to tag us on Instagram or on Bluesky