Social birthday

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by Siobhàn O'Connor

Street theatre may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Social Justice Committee (SJC), but for the Montreal-based organization this is one of its preferred tactics to raise awareness about its key causes: environmental degradation, poverty and social injustice in developing nations. The roughly-400-member group celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend, but instead of throwing themselves a huge birthday bash, they've put together a fundraiser to bring attention to its cause of the year, Jubilee 2000. "Jubilee 2000 is an international effort to cancel the Third World debt owed to the G-7," explains SJC's Eric Lamoureux. The debt owed to Canada, which amounts to about $2-billion, was incurred in the '70s-'80s when the government offered aid on loan, with interest charges and an expiration date. The SJC has taken part by petitioning and a letter-writing campaign.

"Paul Martin has been quite receptive and supportive," says Lamoureux. But with the upcoming federal election threatening Martin's position as Finance Minister, the SJC have their fingers crossed. "We don't want to lose him," Lamoureux continues. "He's now putting pressure on the G-7 to get on board and agree to cancel the debt. Even the IMF and the World Bank are admitting that this is a major problem and that the poor are just suffering."

The SJC hosts a benefit concert for their anniversary this Saturday, Nov. 18 where Guillermo Cuellar--an outspoken Salvadoran singer/activist--and his band, Exceso de Equipaje, will perform. For more information call 933-6797.

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