A roundup of some of the latest news in women, Toronto, and/or politics this week. What stories did you read this week? Tell us in the comments.
- Thousands of Torontonians rallied in front of the U.S. Consulate on Tuesday to protest the grad jury decision in the Michael Brown case. Participants called on the Canadian government to acknowledge the human rights abuses perpetrated against protestors in Ferguson, while raising concerns about issues of carding and racial profiling here in Toronto.
- New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant announced that he will remove key regulations that have restricted abortion access in the province, following up on a key election promise.
- In the wake of Jian Ghomeshi’s arrest this week, writer Emma Healey reminds us of the unique set of circumstances that brought this case before the courts and what we can learn from it.
- “Mohawk Girls” debuts this week on APTN, the Aboriginal People’s Television Network. The comedy series is the first ever made in Kahnawake, and follows the lives of four young women in their 20s as they try to figure out what it means to be a modern-day Mohawk living on a reservation.
- After a second defendant plead guilty in the Rehtaeh Parsons case, the Halifax Chronicle-Herald decided to include her name in their report, despite the publication ban. It was also announced this week that a new non-profit will be formed in Parsons’ name in order to combat similar tragedies.
- Status of Women Canada has come under fire this week for its inattention to aboriginal women and girls. Only 31 of 210 projects approved by the agency since the fall of 2011 (14.8%), focus on aboriginal women and girls.
- MP Peter Goldring retracted a media releases he put forward earlier this week, in which he suggested how his Parliament Hill colleagues can “protect themselves” from sexual harassment allegations. The release specifically pointed to the current allegations against Liberal MPs Massimo Pacetti and Scott Andrews
- Earlier this week, Jezebel published a story on a series of rapes at a high school in Oklahoma. After being being bullied by their peers and receiving little help from their school administration, all three felt forced to leave the school. This week, over 100 students and parents led a walkout and protest in front of Norman High. The protestors created the hashtag #YesAllDaughters in support of the walkout, and submitted a list of demands, including calls for a full investigation by law enforcement into the child pornography passed around school, and better training on sexual assault and bullying for both students and teachers.
- Marissa Alexander will likely be released in January after accepting a please deal this week. Alexander was facing a 60 year prison sentence after firing a warning shot to ward off her abusive husband.
- Reflecting on the recent municipal race, NOW magazine analyzes how discussions of race progressed during the campaign period, and how Mayor Tory will move forward after an election that revealed disturbing instances of racism across the city.