About AW@L

AW@L Declaration

Solidarity . Creativity . Action

We are here to recognize that war and colonialism are destructive and un-ethical forces, to encourage others and raise awareness, to challenge ideas and perspectives, to confront systems of domination and oppression, to take responsibility (especially for our privilege), and to utilize our collective power to effect change. We approach our actions and the basis for all our relationships as being defined by solidarity. We are dedicated to protecting the environment and natural systems that sustain all life.

We believe that most global, political and corporate institutions serve the needs of the privileged and continue to widen the gap of wealth distribution. We are dedicated to promoting, supporting and creating social change that targets the global injustices of poverty, environmental degradation and war. We avoid rigidity in all our stances. We will organize on a consensus oriented basis, and work towards a decentralization of power, and non-hierarchal organization. We believe that change must always come from below and we are devoted to grassroots activism.

Creativity allows for constructive criticism of the contemporary, and suggests alternatives for the future. We will use creativity to call attention to the consequences, impacts, voices, experiences and realities of injustice . We will employ creativity to address the issues, and to counter-act apathy and the mythologies of war and peace. Creativity ties solidarity into action in meaningful ways, and is crucial in the search for alternatives to systems of domination and oppression.

We apply the term 'action' broadly. We mean not only traditional direct action tactics, but also any other form of engagement that serves to educate, inform, raise awareness, or otherwise persuade people towards realizing a peaceful culture and a world without war. We are committed to action that confronts, disrupts, challenges, and publicly engages institutional, corporate and systemic barriers to justice and peace. We recognize that our actions and tactics have consequences that extend beyond ourselves and our immediate groups.

We recognize that war and colonialism are ongoing destructive and un-ethical forces and that we have a responsibility to oppose injustice in all its forms. We are committed to being a force of resistance and voice of dissent through solidarity, creativity and action.

June 2009

Anti-Oppression Principles

Anti-Oppression Principles

As a former Chapter of the Rainforest Action Network, we continue to adhere to their formal Anti-Oppression Principles:

We are working towards ensuring that our words and actions support the inherent value and dignity of everyone. We view this as an on-going process of becoming more accountable to our allies, to our supporters, and to our own beliefs. We are committed to:

* Working with the perspective that social, economic and environmental issues are interconnected and interdependent.

* Understanding and learning about systems of oppression and challenging the power structures which support those systems and create injustices.

* Examining the resources and privileges we have and utilizing them thoughtfully, respectfully, honestly and transparently.

* Working with the principles of participatory democracy in our meetings and actions and recognizing that all people should have equal access to decision-making processes.

* Taking responsibility for equalizing power and creating a space where all are encouraged to actively engage, listen, speak and act with respect.

* Learning about the histories and struggles of impacted communities and other groups as told by them.

* Working in solidarity with communities directly impacted by corporate power.

* Prioritizing and building our relationships with impacted communities and a broad base of constituents across social, economic and political boundaries.

* Becoming better allies by helping to build broad-based movements for environmental, social, and economic justice.

* Listening to, learning from and amplifying the voices of our allies.

* Supporting the Principles of Environmental Justice adopted by the Delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit (1991).

We commit ourselves to working together to embody the above-stated values. If you share these principles, we invite you to join us in fulfilling them.

These principles were adapted in large part from the
Community Coalition for Environmental Justice’s Principles of Unity.

Donate/Funding

AW@L is right now entirely self funded. Our members have put their time, efforts, and money to ensure we are afforded the opportunity to make a positive difference in our world.

But, this funding is limited and AW@L needs funds to continue to work towards a better world. If you have some extra funds laying around looking to be put towards a good cause, or say you feel like giving someone a great feel good present, then please donate and help us to continue to work for positive change.

right now you can donate via BitCoin (we stopped using PayPal #antisec ), just send it to: 1LKdPjYfZpY42yE846Dy4Bpo9yWyQ53KM4 , or donate to AW@L Radio through CKMS (http://soundfm.ca) and you can always help out by coming to a meeting, donating your time or your money.

As well, we have embarked on a fundraising venture, selling books, journals, stickers, etc. If you are interested in picking up some good reading, come by a meeting or an info night and inquire.

Our Goals

AW@L: GOALS

(Peace-Culture)

-Promote justice and anti-oppressive lifestyles
-Recognize, celebrate and promote existing peace culture
-Engage with community and community issues
-Regional presence and impact for anti-war movement

(Empower Activists)

-Movement strengthening and growing the group sustainably
-Provide activist training
-Create space for groups and individuals in the community to engage with radical ideas and practises

(Solidarity)

-Stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and marginalized populations in our communities
-Alliance building

(Ecological Action)

-Promote ecological understanding and awareness
-Confront unsustainable and destructive practices through sustainable and direct action
-Expose the intersection of war, ecological destruction, colonialism, and oppression

June 2009