On March 7th, 2015, MISN hosted a world cafe discussion event on the upcoming Pan American Games. The event description read:
“Not sure what the Pan Am games are? Not sure why you might organize around them? Not sure what Pan Am has to do with mining injustice, migrant justice, poverty or privatization of public funds? Want to know more about how mega-sporting events cause displacement?
Well then this event is for you!
Come learn more and engage in an interactive world-cafe style session with organizers from the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, No One Is Illegal- Toronto, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, Women’s Coordinating Committee for a Free Wallmapu and more to be announced!
The Pan American Games are coming to Toronto in July this year. We don’t want to be spoilsports but we need to talk about what is happening beyond the spectacle. Mega-sporting events, like Pan Am, have consistently played a role in gentrification, mistreatment of migrant workers, heightened securitization, and the funneling of public money into private hands. This year the winners of these games will be awarded medals supplied by Barrick Gold, a company responsible for murders, sexual violence, violations of Indigenous sovereignty and interfering in democratic processes.”
