By Paul S. Graham
Free Speech for Peace was presented by Ethnorama News Winnipeg and Al Cafe and recorded at Winnipeg’s historic Ukrainian Labour Temple on March 31, 2023.
The event arose out of a need to raise money to sustain this alternative publication when key advertisers (local NDP Members of Parliament) opted to stop advertising because they disagreed with some of its content. (If you want to know more, watch the video.)
The evening was well attended, entertaining and informative. Speakers emphasized the need to support media that provide informed alternatives to the mainstream news media in their role as stenographers to our government. As well, we were treated to excellent performances by the Ukrainian Festival Choir, the Quedel Dancers, Rodrigo Muñoz of Papa Mambo fame, and the ever popular Raging Grannies of Winnipeg.
Dimitri Lascaris
At the close of the evening, in a pre-recorded video, journalist, lawyer and peace activist Dimitri Lascaris spoke to the audience about his upcoming fact-finding mission to Russia and the ever-present need for people to find ways to speak with their adversaries.
Proceeds of the evening went to support the publication of Ethnorama News Winnipeg. Sponsors included Las Americas and Chilean Human Rights Council, Peace Alliance Winnipeg, the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, Migrante Manitoba, Al Cafe, the Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners, and Philippine Advancement through Arts and Culture.
Winnipeg’s Raging Grannies