Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 5d

BCCLA has worked to protect freedom of expression for decades, and we will continue this work for decades to come. But, we need your support to do this. Will you help us in this fight?

t.co/yS6nVjp2Mg

https://give-can.keela.co/donate-to-bccla-kishawi-v-viu

t.co

1

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 5d

Universities exist to foster open debate not to silence dissent.

BCCLA will continue to fight to protect Charter rights when public institutions like universities try to deny they have a responsibility to uphold them.

1

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 5d

We're in Court defending students’ right to free expression!

“By dishing out heavy-handed discipline to students exercising their protest rights, universities are saying: expressing your political views could cost you your education” Ga Grant, Staff Lawyer
t.co/84bKbJ1DLw

1 2 1

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 9d

Did a Liberal MP go rogue and ban the Irish band Kneecap from our country?

Um, it sure sounds like it.

On The Line Media’s @smohyeddin.bsky.social first exclusively reported this jaw-dropping story:

11 64 260

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

Yellowhead Institute @miskoaki.bsky.social · 21d

September 30th is National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. As we approach this day, how can we avoid symbolic performances of reconciliation and equip ourselves to work toward transformative change? Check out these resources and more on our website: yellowheadinstitute.org. Linked in bio.

A red text box at the top reads: "Education Resources". Title text reads: "How Do You Like Your Reconciliation?" A venn diagram demonstrates 4 overlapping circles. The circles include 1. Symbolic: Centres "efforts" by Canadians. 2. Easy: Low-hanging fruit, quick wins. 3. Transformative: Centres Indigenous self-determination, 4. Impactful: Empowers Indigenous peoples.

Overlapping with Symbolic, easy, and impactful is: renaming
Overlapping with symbolic and impactful is: contrition: accountability + apology.
Overlapping with Easy, impactful: funding, data transparency, sharing power.
Overlapping with easy, impactful, and transformative: non-existent.
Overlapping with impactful and transformative: justice for Indigenous peoples, land back.
Overlapping with easy and transformative: Settler fantasy.
Overlapping with symbolic and easy is: exploitative, performative "allyship", and inclusion.

A dotted line separates the diagram and text that reads: "As we approach National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, consider where the actions you’re taking or observing fall according to this diagram. Are they transformative, impactful, symbolic, easy or somewhere in-between?"

A yellow text box reads: "Map / Education Resource". Title text reads: "The Yellowhead Treaty Map" A star designed by Michelle Sound is displayed. Next to it, text reads: "Covering every treaty since 1763, the Treaty Map depicts three eras of Treaty Making in Canada, Pre-Confederation, Confederation, and "modern". Each treaty contains descriptions on the context, terms, negotiation, and implementation of the treaty." A yellow text box contains the URL: treatymap.yellowheadinstitute.org.

A dotted line separates text at the bottom that reads: "When you recite a land acknowledgement, are you actually engaging with what it means to occupy stolen land? Are you encouraging your audience to learn about how the territories you live on were dispossessed and remain contested?"

18 17

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 13d

Governments across the country are using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights. Well, we’re here to tell them: this ends now.

Charter rights are ours to protect.

Support BCCLA's campaign today: give-can.keela.co/bccla-donate...

give-can.keela.co

1

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 13d

The bills she's proposing are a cheap attempt to score political points by attacking the rights of vulnerable minorities – rights that should be off limits. Real civil libertarians believe in freedom, and will fight to protect it – for everyone.

1

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 13d

Our governments have no place restricting access to healthcare based on religious or political beliefs, interfering in private family matters, or creating heavy-handed rules about amateur sports.

Smith claims to be a civil libertarian, but her actions reveal the truth.

1 1

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 13d

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith plans to use the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to pass not one, not two, but three bills to override the rights of Albertans.

Take 2 mins to tell her: our rights are off limits!

Alberta: bit.ly/46EVnCM
Outside Alberta: bit.ly/48whr55

1 7 4

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 19d

BCCLA condemns the Liberal government’s unfounded, biased, and authoritarian decision to bar Irish-language rap group @kneecapceol.bsky.social from Canada, preventing them from performing their October shows.

Email your MP and tell them to Reverse Kneecap's Travel Ban! bit.ly/ReverseKneec...

6 58 160

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

West Coast LEAF @westcoastleaf.bsky.social · 20d

The surveillance of pro-Palestinian protests raises serious concerns about systemic discrimination. We echo the calls of @bccla.bsky.social and @pivotlegalsociety.bsky.social for an independent review by someone with real knowledge of anti-Palestinian racism & human rights: tinyurl.com/4pc9wuvk

Letter to OPCC calling for review of Vancouver Police Board decision on surveillance of Palestinian solidarity protests - West Coast LEAF

West Coast LEAF has joined the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) and Pivot Legal Society in calling on the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner to review a recent decision by the Vancouver...

westcoastleaf.org

6 7

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

Amnesty Canada @amnesty.ca · 25d

BCCLA is calling on folks to take action and pledge to stop politicians from using the notwithstanding clause to violate our rights!

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 29d

Canadian governments have started using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights without any accountability. We’re not(with)standing for this! Charter rights are ours to protect. ✏️Sign the People's Pledge: bccla.org/campaign/wer...

5 5

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 23d

BCCLA joins civil society orgs, companies, and cybersecurity experts, in calling for the withdrawal of Bill C-2. There’s no way to provide backdoor access to encrypted data & communications without harming the privacy & security of millions.

Learn more: www.globalencryption.org/2025/09/open...

Open Letter: Bill C-2 Strong Borders Act – Global Encryption Coalition

On 15 September 2025, civil society organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts, including Global Encryption Coalition members, published an open letter to Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney ...

www.globalencryption.org

6 3

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

Egale Canada @egalecanada.bsky.social · 29d

Charter rights are ours to protect. Sign BCCLA’s People’s Pledge today to take action.

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 29d

Canadian governments have started using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights without any accountability. We’re not(with)standing for this! Charter rights are ours to protect. ✏️Sign the People's Pledge: bccla.org/campaign/wer...

3 4

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

BC Humanist Association @bchumanist.ca · 29d

Humanists believe in a robust framework to protect our human rights. The notwithstanding clause has recently been invoked to undermine those rights. Check out the BCCLA's latest campaign to learn more.

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 29d

Canadian governments have started using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights without any accountability. We’re not(with)standing for this! Charter rights are ours to protect. ✏️Sign the People's Pledge: bccla.org/campaign/wer...

1 4

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · 29d

Canadian governments have started using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights without any accountability. We’re not(with)standing for this! Charter rights are ours to protect. ✏️Sign the People's Pledge: bccla.org/campaign/wer...

1 12 17

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · Sep 9

BCCLA's Litigation Director, Vibert Jack, responds to this report:

"This study confirms what we sadly already know, daytime sheltering bans kill. The cruel, inhumane and deadly practice of street sweeps must end now."

Shelter is Survival, Learn More: bccla.org/campaign/she...

Shelter is Survival - BCCLA takes the City to Court over daytime sheltering

BCCLA alongside, three individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the City of Vancouver to challenge a number of Vancouver Bylaws that make it illegal for unhoused people to shelter outdoors during...

bccla.org

2 2

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · Sep 9

A new research paper shows that an inability to access health and social services, as well non-fatal overdose, was a positively tied to street sweeps.

Read the report : www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

1 14 23

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · Sep 4

Lawyers Against Transphobia are holding a conference this September! The conference will be a national, trans-led gathering for lawyers, organizers, and frontline advocates building justice beyond the courtroom. #LaTConference

Learn More and Register: ow.ly/1gIz50WRp0a

1 3

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG) @iclmg-csilc.bsky.social · Aug 27

The "Stop Bill C-2!" webinar is tonight at 7pm ET! Register to join us on Zoom (where you can participate in the Q&A): us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... or tune into the livestream on YouTube: youtube.com/live/g0DuDtd...

10 5

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · Aug 25

With increasing attacks on trans rights, it is critical we learn how to fight back!

Learn More and Register: tr.ee/jA_r414xcJ

3 6

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · Aug 21

Lowering the voting age to 16, expanding the vote to permanent residents, and allowing for electoral reform without a referendum are all changes BCCLA has said to BCs can make to have a more equitable democratic system.

Read our submission: bccla.org/policy-submi...

[Title] Advancing Voting Rights in BC

This month, BCCLA called on the BC government to:
Give voting rights to permanent residents.
Lower the voting age to 16.
Make electoral reform without referenda.

1

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · Aug 19

BCCLA stands with striking Air Canada workers.

Read the Air Canada Component of CUPE’s full statement: cupe.ca/liberals-rew...

BCCLA supports striking AIR CANADA workers

“As a proudly unionized workplace, BCCLA stands with striking workers and opposes the government’s heavy-handed approach. The right to strike is a core component of freedom of association protected by the Charter.

The government’s repeated reliance on Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order workers to cease strike action undermines these rights, sets a dangerous precedent in collective bargaining, and threatens the dignity and equality of working people.

At a time when working people are mobilizing to defend their interests, it is essential to protect - not erode - their civil liberties.”

-Hasan Alam, BCCLA President

3 16

BC Civil Liberties Association @bccla.bsky.social · Aug 11

“This decision today tells politicians that they must stop using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights without any accountability.” - Ga Grant, BCCLA Staff Counsel

Read our full press release: ow.ly/RyLm50WEam4

Press Release: BCCLA celebrates decision from Saskatchewan that courts do have a say if use of the notwithstanding clause violates Charter rights - BC Civil Liberties Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Regina, SK / Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 Territories: the traditional lands of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda peoples, and Michif/Métis Nations – The BC Civil Liber...

ow.ly

2 3

Reposted by BC Civil Liberties Association

Prisoners' Legal Services @bcprisonjustice.bsky.social · Aug 8

Aug 10, 2025 marks 50 years since the first Prisoners’ Justice Day was observed in 1975, when people incarcerated at Millhaven Inst. organized a work and hunger strike to memorialize the death of Eddie Nalon. PLS mourns all those who have lost their lives to the prison system.

2 2