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Robin Whitaker

@rgwhitaker.bsky.social

Cyclist Anthropologist Trade unionist Malcontent

789 Followers  |  531 Following  |  290 Posts  |  Joined: 14.11.2024
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Posts by Robin Whitaker (@rgwhitaker.bsky.social)

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Statement by Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anand on the situation in the Middle East Canada’s position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world’s worst human rights records, and must ...

Canada would have been better off saying nothing. You can detest the regime in Iran without supporting chaos. www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...

28.02.2026 13:28 β€” πŸ‘ 559    πŸ” 152    πŸ’¬ 34    πŸ“Œ 20
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Trump’s unprovoked attack on Iran has no mandate – or legal basis US president violates UN charter just days into his Board of Peace era, and chooses to take the biggest gamble of his administration

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

28.02.2026 15:49 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Across Canada, 48% of college and university students report struggling with the cost of tuition fees. That’s almost HALF of students.

Federal student grants are on the chopping block. More cuts to student supports would be DEVASTATING.

Student support should be increasing, not decreasing.

24.02.2026 19:25 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Act Now: Fairness for Laurier Contract Faculty Contract Faculty are essential to the learning experience at Wilfrid Laurier University, but too often they face unstable and unfair working conditions. Join me in sending a letter to Laurier’s Presid...

Contract faculty are essential to learning at Laurier, but too often face insecure, unfair working conditions. Join me in calling on Laurier’s President & Board to negotiate a deal that improves job security, pay, & working conditions. #fairness4cf
Sign: actionnetwork.org/letters/act-...

17.02.2026 19:12 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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International trade union delegations blocked from entering Palestine - LabourStart: Where trade unionists start their day on the net. In the last three weeks, two high-level delegations of trade union leaders from around the world were blocked by Israeli authorities from entering the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank).&nbs...

www.buzzsprout.com/2313632/epis...

Interview with @eduinternational.bsky.social's @daveswords.bsky.social and BWI's Ambet Yuson on being blocked entry to the West Bank for solidarity activities. @caut.bsky.social

13.02.2026 18:41 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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495. Terror in Minnesota: The Putinisation of America (Question Time) - Alastair Campbell *This episode contains content that may not be suitable for younger listeners* What do the killings of protesters by ICE in Minnesota reveal about the state of democracy and truth in the Trump era? Is...

For more on this, listen to Alastair Campbell's interview on this disturbing subject, starting at 28:30.

alastaircampbell.org/2026/01/495-...

08.02.2026 19:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How many nameless trafficked children… how many… how many | First Dog on the Moon Can I somehow unknow this? Is that OK? Please

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

08.02.2026 19:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde Obsessing over individual players and political chaos leaves less time to focus on the misogyny. And that’s for the best, isn’t it guys, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

06.02.2026 20:05 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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McGill Spent Over $1 Million Fighting Unionization – The Rover Union organizers at the university say this is part of a broader trend towards corporatization of the public institution.

therover.ca/mcgill-spent...

06.02.2026 14:47 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Union leaders gathered today to send a clear message to government: No more trade deals and economic decisions that leave workers behind.

A strong economy is built with workers, not behind closed doors. #canlab #cdnpoli #solidarity

04.02.2026 22:24 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Act Now: Stand Up for a Fair Deal for LUFA Join me in calling on the Laurentian University Board of Governors to bargain a fair deal and bargain in good faith with LUFA.

LUFA colleagues are strong and determined going into the third week of strike action. Let their employer @laurentianu.bsky.social know that you stand with them in their fight for a fair deal.

actionnetwork.org/letters/act-...

03.02.2026 11:13 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Act Now: Stand Up for a Fair Deal for LUFA Join me in calling on the Laurentian University Board of Governors to bargain a fair deal and bargain in good faith with LUFA.

actionnetwork.org/letters/act-...

29.01.2026 11:18 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Attempts to intimidate, isolate, or silence educators will only strengthen our collective determination to continue supporting Palestinian education and to amplify the voices of those who, despite war and military occupation, continue to teach and to build hope for future generations.

25.01.2026 11:23 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Education International stands firmly with Palestinian teachers, students, and their unions.

25.01.2026 11:23 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Education International denounces the blocking of high level delegation to Palestine Education International strongly condemns the decision by the Israeli occupation authorities to prevent a delegation of education leaders from entering Palestine, detaining delegation members for hour...

"Education International affirms that academic freedom, trade union rights, and international solidarity are not privileges; they are fundamental rights protected under international law."

www.ei-ie.org/en/item/3200...

@caut.bsky.social @eduinternational.bsky.social

25.01.2026 11:23 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ“£Education International sends a strong message to #Palestinian educators after a delegation of education leaders from 15 countries was detained and interrogated for hours.

‼️Attempts to intimidate, isolate, or silence educators will only strengthen our collective determination and solidarity.

24.01.2026 06:07 β€” πŸ‘ 28    πŸ” 20    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 12
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In 2025, 1,348 attacks were carried out on medical facilities, resulting in the deaths of 1,981 people.

Watch our documentary series β€œAgain and Again” which reveal attacks against healthcare and their devastating consequences: https://ow.ly/o87P50Y1aar

22.01.2026 16:03 β€” πŸ‘ 73    πŸ” 37    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 5
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Act Now: End the CCAA Exit Loan Controls β€” Let LUFA bargain freely Join LUFA in calling on the government and the Laurentian University Board of Governors to lift the remaining CCAA Exit Loan Agreement restrictions to allow for free and fair collective bargaining.

actionnetwork.org/letters/act-...

17.01.2026 16:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
poster for an event at Queens University featuring me 'Reframing our roads" Jan 28 4-5:30pm

poster for an event at Queens University featuring me 'Reframing our roads" Jan 28 4-5:30pm

Happy to be doing a talk at Queens University in a few weeks - it's open to the public if interested or nearby.

05.01.2026 17:56 β€” πŸ‘ 29    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0
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Trump’s coup in Venezuela didn’t just break the rules – it showed there aren’t any. We’ll all regret that | Nesrine Malik It’s not just the triumphalism in the White House. Leaders loth to oppose this gangsterism must think how that looks to Putin, Xi and in the UAE, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik

This about sums it up.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

05.01.2026 13:37 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Unimos nuestra voz y apoyo πŸ“’

Expresamos nuestra solidaridad con todo el pueblo venezolano quien es quien tiene que definir su destino. Llamamos a que se detenga la escalada militar y de violencia.
El ataque a #Venezuela es una violaciΓ³n al derecho internacional y contrario al multilaterismo. ⬇️

04.01.2026 08:14 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
Kids who got new bikes for Christmas, β€œsuper excited” to walk them around the city that’s too dangerous to ride in.
HAMILTON, ON -  The 8 and 10 year old children were ecstatic with their new bikes and β€œCannot wait to walk them to school” They are hoping that on weekends their parents might drive them to the park to pedal around slowly on the multiuse path - β€œit would be nice to sit on the bike and ride it too, but I don’t wanna get my hopes up”

Kids who got new bikes for Christmas, β€œsuper excited” to walk them around the city that’s too dangerous to ride in. HAMILTON, ON - The 8 and 10 year old children were ecstatic with their new bikes and β€œCannot wait to walk them to school” They are hoping that on weekends their parents might drive them to the park to pedal around slowly on the multiuse path - β€œit would be nice to sit on the bike and ride it too, but I don’t wanna get my hopes up”

Kids who got new bikes for Christmas, "super excited" to walk them around the city that's too dangerous to ride in.

www.creativebyrovelo.com/therovelorec...

19.12.2025 13:45 β€” πŸ‘ 390    πŸ” 110    πŸ’¬ 10    πŸ“Œ 16
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What would it mean to build a city for kids? – The Independent An interview with St. John’s active transportation advocate Ryan Green

Latest instalment of Making Connections, the @independentnl.bsky.social transportation column, in which @ryangreen.bsky.social shares his thoughts on what it would mean to make our city a city for kids. @elizabethyeoman.bsky.social

theindependent.ca/commentary/m...

11.12.2025 20:44 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Education International Condemns Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Universities Education International (EI) strongly condemns the violent raids by Israeli forces on two major Palestinian universities in the West Bank during the early hours of Tuesday, 9 December. EI calls on Isr...

"These actions represent a blatant violation of international norms and conventions that protect the sanctity of educational institutions. Even during war, universities should be safe places for students and academics, to foster critical and independent thinking..."

www.ei-ie.org/en/item/3184...

10.12.2025 16:27 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Not to mention the ongoing underfunding of public postsecondary education, including Memorial University!

10.12.2025 16:26 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Information is not enough. Lecturing people is unlikely to work. One-on-one conversations? It's a sisyphean task given all the people who drive up there. Ideas please! We're lucky to have wildlife in our city. How do we convince people to coexist so as to minimize harm to our nonhuman friends? 5/5

07.12.2025 11:30 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

With so many driving up and down the hill, often recklessly, this animal is vulnerable to the fate of its comrade in the CBC story. There's been lots of public education about this issue. Parks Canada has a huge sign on Signal Hill Road advising that human food kills wildlife. What can we do? 4/5

07.12.2025 11:30 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

This is clearly a familiar experience for this animal. It probably arrives expecting food every night. I was walking on the hill in the morning a few days ago and the same fox approached me on the path. I ignored it, and it went away, but displaying no wariness about the encounter. 3/5

07.12.2025 11:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

This animal clearly had no fear of people or motor vehicles. I tried to scare it away and it would retreat a few metres and come straight back. Then I realized someone had thrown food out of their car and the fox was going nowhere without getting its snack. 2/5

07.12.2025 11:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Popular Signal Hill fox found dead | CBC News After the loss of a beloved St. John’s animal, Karen Gosse of Rock Wildlife Rescue is reminding people β€œa fed fox is a dead fox.”

Last night with the beautiful moon, I decided to walk up Signal Hill. It was not the relaxing activity I had hoped for. At the top, amid the usual vehicles idling or circling the lot and a few taking selfies, I was saddened to see a fox mingling with the humans. 1/5

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

07.12.2025 11:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0