A Seasonal Message from Victoria WOMEN in BLACK,  December, 2011

We are part of a global movement for a World of Peace & Non-violence

ENJOY A FESTIVE SEASON of Peace & Justice for all.  Support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) signed by Canada & most countries 63 years ago, on Dec. 10.   Support the right to freedom from want. Want is created by poverty and powerlessness. Poverty creates violence. Our excessive consumerism at this time of year supports sweatshops, slavery, bonded labour, child labour, and the appalling working conditions of millions worldwide so we can have brand name clothing, electronic equipment, gadgets, toys, & Christmas ornaments. Our consumption fuels conflict & wars for the earth’s diminishing resources.

GIVE LESS STUFF AND MORE OF OURSELVES. RESIST THE PRESSURE TO BUY: SHARE, GIVE & ACT IN THE SPIRIT OF PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS. 

The Alternatives:: Shop for FAIR TRADE items & at FAIR TRADE stores like 10,000 Villages across Canada, also local & organic products, so producers get a fair price, are great gifts.       

MAKE GIFTS– food, plants, gift certificates for childcare, garden & house work, tickets to local cultural events. Donate for yourself & in the name of others  to organizations that work to end war & violence and to create social justice and empowerment of those in struggle.       We suggest your local women's shelter & homeless support organizations. (in Victoria: Sandy Merriman Home, 809 Burdett St., 250 480-1408 and  Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, 941 Pandora,   250-370-1512)

Gifts should respect, not destroy, the environment. Luxury imports, plastics with a short lifetime, imported chemically treated food all increase global warming.

Give children peaceful, creative toys, games, books. Don't buy war toys..

 Help children discover a culture of peace.                        

For more information or to join  Victoria Women in Black contact: bbcf(at)bbcf(dot)ca