Blueprints of Disruption

Setting Precedent: The Right to Protest on Campus, Charter Violations (Part 3)

This is Part 3 of our series that tells the whole story behind the lawsuit activists have launched against the University of Calgary and the Calgary Police in response to an encampment eviction on the campus back in May 2024.Legal Counsel for the nine Plaintiffs, Chris Weibe joins us to talk about the merits of the case, and just how people's Charter Rights were violated. We ask him what a victory in this case would look like, for the Plaintiffs AND other activists facing similar situations. Weibe also gives some insight on what its like going after the state on behalf of activists.Be sure to also check out...Part 1: Raheleh's Story - Dr. Tarani tells her story of participating in the peaceful protest with her son one minute, and being pinned by police the next. We heard about the impact that had on her, and how she's reclaiming power through the court.Part 2: Liaising with Police - Calgary based activist Wesam Cooley talks about his role as the encampment's police liaison, and what its been like trying to hold police and other parties accountable in Alberta.Hosted and by Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou QuinteroCall to Action: DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND FOR THE PLAINTIFFSOther Related Episodes:Student Suppression by Any Means with Jeremy Appel (March 2025)Student Encampments (May 2024) a look at their demands for divestment, the responses from the Universities, the police and the public.More Resources: Calgary Police, City of Calgary and University of Calgary sued by demonstrators - via DrugDataDecoded.ca(REFERENCED) Statement of Claim: May 2026More of our content is available on our SUBSTACK.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Setting Precedent: The Right to Protest on Campus, Liaising with Police (Part 2)

2w ago00:35:21Tap to summarize

This is Part 2 of our series that tells the whole story behind the lawsuit activists have launched against the University of Calgary and the Calgary Police in response to an encampment eviction on the campus back in May 2024.Activist and Plaintiff, Wesam Cooley, joins us to talk about the night in question, specifically his role as the encampment's police liaison, and the interactions that led up to sudden escalation of violence. He also talks about what its been like trying to hold police and other parties accountable in Alberta, and what he expects to get out of all of this.Part 1 featured Dr. Raheleh Tarani and her story of participating in the peaceful protest with her son one minute, and being pinned by police the next. We heard about the impact that had on her, and how she's reclaiming power through the court.Up Next (Part 3): An interview with legal counsel Chris Weibe on the merits of the case, what a victory would mean, and what its like going after the state on behalf of activists.Hosted and by Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou QuinteroCall to Action: DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND FOR THE PLAINTIFFSOther Related Episodes:Student Suppression by Any Means with Jeremy Appel (March 2025)Student Encampments (May 2024) a look at their demands for divestment, the responses from the Universities, the police and the public.More Resources: More of our content is available on our SUBSTACK.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Setting Precedent: The Right to Protest on Campus, Raheleh's Story (PART 1)

3w ago00:34:43Tap to summarize

This is Part 1 of a multi-part series that tells the whole story behind the lawsuit activists have launched against the University of Calgary and the Calgary Police in response to a violent encampment eviction back in May 2024.We start with Dr. Raheleh Tarani's compelling story; a mother from Iran who was on campus to support her son, and to speak up against what is happening in Gaza. Holding hands, singing, and then violently tossed to the ground, pinned and arrested.She talks about her shock, and the profound impact that night has had on her. But she also talks about how she is reclaiming her power by taking the Police who did this, and the University who called them, to court.Next UP: Part 2 - Another Plaintiff, Wesam Cooley, was the unofficial Police Liaison for the encampment that night. Hear his unique perspective on Monday May 25th.Hosted and Produced by: Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou QuinteroCall to Action: DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND for the PlaintiffsRelated Episodes: Student Suppression by Any Means with Jeremy Appel (March 2025) Student Encampments (May 2024) a look at their demands for divestment, the responses from the Universities, the police and the public.More Resources: City of Calgary and University of Calgary sued by demonstrators - via DrugDataDecodedStatement of Claim - Court Filing 2601 08209 - May 4, 2026Calgary Police, City of Calgary and University of Calgary sued by demonstrators for excessive force, breach of rights in 2024All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Scaling Up: Toronto Tenant Union

May 601:38:52Tap to summarize

On April 18th, hundreds of tenants gathered inside a school cafeteria to help shape Toronto’s first city-wide tenant’s union – the TTU. There were elections, robust policy discussions and plenty of stories from tenants. Blueprints of Disruption was there to capture it all, and provide analysis afterwards.On-scene interviews from inside the Toronto Tenant Union’s founding Convention start off with Ricardo Tranjan, housing policy expert and author of The Tenant Class. Tranjan talks about his expectations for the day, and his excitement at the prospect of “taking another step” towards building the tenant class consciousness he wrote about in his book.There are also interviews with tenant organizers from different buildings across the city – including Jerry and Steve from 240 Markland. They talk about their saga with an REIT buying their building, applying for five consecutive above-guideline rent increases (AGIs) and trying to push legacy tenants out of the building.We also interview Bridgette, a resident of the Caseway building – outside of which convention participants rallied after the day’s more official proceedings. She talks about why its been such a battle with their landlord, and how she felt about being a part of something bigger.Organizers of the event, and leaders within the ‘parent’ organizations of the TTU also took time to speak with Santiago and Jessa as things wrapped up.Aniket Kali, formerly of Climate Justice Toronto, and Bruno Dobrusin of YSW Tenants Union talk about their new roles (both elected during the Convention), the scaling up of their models, and their vision for the TTU in the years to come.Hosted and Produced by: Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou QuinteroCall to Action: Sign up for TTU Orientation on May 9th, 2026Related Episodes: Blueprints of a Rent Strike (July 2023) Shifting Gears: Climate Justice Toronto (Sept 2024) CJTO on their decision to transition towards tenant organizing as a means to fight climate change.We also have a TENANT POWER PLAYLIST with more stories of neighbours organizing.More Resources: Can the new Toronto Tenant Union change the tired housing debate? – Ricardo Tranjan for Canadian DimensionWho Controls Toronto? The People or Developers? - ACORN ReportHamilton moves to strengthen renoviction bylaw - via CBCRent Strikes! - The Grind MagazineCanada: How Tenants Fought Back- via Progressive InternationalAll of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Not in Our Name: Divesting Pensions and Rejecting Carney's War Bank

Apr 2201:09:45Tap to summarize

How is Carney's War Bank and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP) connected? Through investments in weapons and genocide, as well as the activists and organizations fighting for a Free Palestine.Teacher and organizer with OTPP Divest, James Campbell gives an overview of the movement to get the OTPP to divest from weapons manufacturers.With a collection of success stories, it is clear the campaign resonates with teachers in the Province - with two of the largest unions overwhelmingly voting YES to divestment when given the chance.So where does the resistance come from? Where it usually does - Capital. But also from the CEO of the $300 billion OTPP, Joe Taylor, who has refused calls from the ranks to stop using their name to line the pockets of war profiteers.As it turns out, OTTP CEO Taylor is also a big supporter of the Defence, Security and Resilience Initiative (DSRB), or as second guest Tyler and his fellow activists with Stop the DSRB call it - the War Bank.What is it? Its a project of Carney's to get the G7 nations to sign on to this slush fund for the weapons industry. Its clearly stated purpose is to bypass popular (democratic) demands for social service spending and basic rights, in order to secure an endless supply of 'defence' funding. Its all being sold alongside Carney's Canadian militarism narratives, which has made it easier for him to line up supportive politicians from across the spectrum.This makes the job of activists harder, but not impossible. James and Tyler talk about the tactics they've deployed, and the alliances they are building along the way. There are accessible pressure points to be pushed, tarnishing the reputation of unethical investments being one of them. Another is opposing the pitch for Toronto to serve as the headquarters for the DSRB.Be sure to stay until the end to hear what else these activists have up their sleeve and learn more about the impacts divestment campaigns are having on the economic and political landscapes.Hosted by: Jessa McLeanCall to Action: SIGN ON TO STOP THE WARBANKRelated Episodes:UNIFOR's Hot Cargo: Labour Internationalism (Aug 2025) Labour for Palestine on their campaign to have any goods or services coming from, or going to Israel, declared 'hot cargo'.Nationalism and the Working Class (Mar 2023) Chris Fairweather, academic, activist and labour organizer, talks about the pervasiveness of nationalism and the impact is has on the working class No Arms in the Arts (Aug 2024) Hear how the successful campaign to pressure Scotiabank and the Giller Prize to do the right thing.More Resources: Pension Divestment FAQ - Google DrivePACBI: Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel | BDS MovementReferenced Report: Special Rapporteur Report on GazaVIDEO: World Beyond War Action Reel (IG)Ontario Government's Statement on Bid for DSRB HQTop 100 arms-producing and military services companies in the world, 2024 | SIPRIOur Call to Workers Everywhere – Stop the Genocide — Workers in PalestineFor more content from these creators, be sure to subscribe to the Blueprints SUBSTACK.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Organizing in a Fascist Canada with the Atlantic Regional Communists

Apr 1601:08:45Tap to summarize

The Atlantic Regional Communists return to Blueprints to talk about their growth as political organization, and share some of the methodology that unpins their work. They obviously take some of their cues from Marx, but also from the Black Panthers."We're here to learn from people. We're here to serve people. And we're here to help people organize towards a revolution." - Comrade MOne of the things they think sets them apart from other political groups, is the work they do in their communities, and how that work continuously shapes their own organization.A large part of what they do is also centred around building knowledge. To that end, Comrades M and E give us a quick study on how fascism presents itself here in Canada.They cover class collaboration, the labour aristocracy and the different phases of fascism that co-exist with our so-called democratic state.Seeing our typical relationship with the state as being one of "fascist minutemen" - helping to legitimize its domination - their take on 'reforming' the federal NDP, and electoral politics in general, is to be expected.It also builds on our first discussion with ARC, where they went into more about how they've structured themselves, and why.Hosted by: Jessa McLean. Produced by: Santiago Helou QuinteroRelated Episodes:Reimagining Politics and Demystifying Communism (Jan 2025) Our first discussion with the Atlantic Regional Communists;Canada's Colonialist Imagination (Oct 2023) Professor Tyler Shipley talks about the mindset that aided genocide in Canada and continues to shape politics here.More Resources: Fascism: A Scientific Definition - Atlantic Regional Communists Guest Suggested Reading: “A Rethinking of Everything Altogether” – The Red ClarionHead to our SUBSTACK for more content, including articles and other resources for activists and organizers.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Defending Against Invasion: Lebanon

Apr 701:02:09Tap to summarize

Israeli Occupation Forces are attempting to annex Southern Lebanon. They are erasing towns from the map, blowing up bridges and roads, and telling the world they're about to redraw their borders...again.Previous guest, Mohamad, returns to the studio to talks about the current situation in Lebanon, what it was like being back home during the latest escalation of violence, and how it felt to leave family behind.Hosted by: Jessa McLeanRelated Episodes: Lebanon, Palestine and Resisting Colonialism (Jan 2024) Mohamad's first appearance - just before the 'ceasefire'.Right to Resist (Oct 2024) Journalist and human rights lawyer, Dimitri Lascaris on Lebanon, the resistance and bringing down an apartheid state.More Resources: Israel Attacked Lebanon 10000 Times During Ceasefire - New Arab.comBBC: Israel intensifies Lebanon attacks and hits areas not in Hezbollah's controlIG: What "How are you?" Costs the Diaspora (video)Al Jazeera - Lebanon daily updatesGet more of our content, including articles and resources for activists, on our SUBSTACK.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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CUPE Ontario: What's Next?

Mar 3101:07:29Tap to summarize

CUPE Ontario, is at a crossroads. Their next convention is just months away, and for the first time in 12 years, Fred Hahn won’t be on the ballot for President. In February, after two and a half years of intensified attacks, he announced this would be his last term leading the union.What does this mean for the Province’s largest public sector union? Is this a blow for leftists in CUPE Ontario, or an opportunity? Maybe it can be both.Katherine Grzejszczak and Krista Laing, two candidates for the next CUPE Ontario Executive join Blueprints to talk about where things are at right now, and their visions for their union’s future. They talk about the impact Fred has had, but also what they might do differently.Despite public sector unions being under attack, both guests share hopeful signs that workers are becoming bolder and more eager to engage politically. They emphasize the need for a more member driven approach, spending fewer resources on electoral politics, and more ways to realize the power of 290,000 union members.Hosted by: Jessa McLeanRelated Episodes: Stolen Wages - Featuring the Naujawan Support Network Nationalism and the Working ClassMore Resources: Israel’s supporters attack Ontario trade-union leader | CounterfireCUPE Ontario Convention 2026 - CUPE OntarioAll of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Building Momentum: Canadian Federation of Students

Mar 1701:21:24Tap to summarize

Ontario's Premier, Doug Ford has had post-secondary students, and their unions, in his sights since he took office, but a new round of cuts to OSAP has taken them over the edge.On March 14th, 2026, students mobilized at Queen's Park to demonstrate, only to be met by violence at the hands of the Toronto Police Services. This did not deter them.Organizers with the Canadian Federation of Students talk about how we got to this point, and what work needs to be done in order for students to be the force of change they're meant to be - including what it will take for a student strike to actually be effective.Hosted by: Jessa McLean, and produced by Santiago Helou-QuinteroCall to Action: Sign the No to OSAP Cuts Petition and Attend Day of ACTION MARCH 24thRelated Episodes: Lessons from Student EncampmentsMore Resources: Hands Off Our Education! Ne touchez pas à notre système d'éducation!CBC: OSAP Cuts - What you Need to KnowBe sure to subscribe to our SUBSTACK for even MORE content.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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Boycott Indigo Books Because...

Mar 900:57:23Tap to summarize

Although using a new URL, activists behind the boycott of Canada's largest bookstore still say that 'Indigo Kills Kids'.A representative for the campaign talks about their choice of language, tactics and targets - most notably the CEO of Indigo Books, Heather Reisman. You'll hear how this Canadian oligarch has proudly poured millions into the HESEG foundation, which actively recruits soldiers for the Occupation Forces, and rewards them for their violence.This connection to the genocide is important, not only in justifying the boycott, but to refute claims Reisman is being targeted for being Jewish.The IKK campaign also respond to critics from the Left side of the political spectrum, and reflects on the work that still needs to be done.Hosted by Jessa McLean and Produced by Santiago Helou QuinteroCalls to Action: Take the Pledge to Boycott Indigo and Demand CRA Revoke HESEG's Charitable StatusRelated Episodes: Machinery of Suppression: Bill C9 and the weaponization of antisemitism (jan 2026) Jews Say NO to Genocide break down the latest suppressive legislation from Carney and challenge the narratives being used to pass it.Answering the Call: Labour for Palestine (jan 2024) L4P representative Anna Lippman on the call from Palestinian workers to disarm Israel and Free Palestine.More Resources: Rabble: Boycott Israel campaign hits Chapters and Mountain Equipment Co-opAssaulted for questioning ‘charitable’ donations by billionaire - Yves EnglerCJPME: More on IndigoJust Peace Advocates: Billionaire couple continues to support genocidal armyThe Maple: Indigo’s Copyright Victory Opens A New Front In BDS StruggleIndigo Kills Kids WebsiteBe sure to subscribe to our SUBSTACK for even more content.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

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All episodes

Setting Precedent: The Right to Protest on Campus, Charter Violations (Part 3)

Setting Precedent: The Right to Protest on Campus, Liaising with Police (Part 2)

Setting Precedent: The Right to Protest on Campus, Raheleh's Story (PART 1)

Scaling Up: Toronto Tenant Union

Not in Our Name: Divesting Pensions and Rejecting Carney's War Bank

Organizing in a Fascist Canada with the Atlantic Regional Communists

Defending Against Invasion: Lebanon

CUPE Ontario: What's Next?

Building Momentum: Canadian Federation of Students

Boycott Indigo Books Because...