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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

First time I ran in an election I was 24 years old. Now I'm going to attempt to run again in the BC provincial snap election.

Photograph of a newspaper clipping, a bold heading titled "Communist candidate on the ballot in Nanaimo-Ladysmith." At the very top in small print it reads "Thursday, October 3, 2019/ Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle/ www.ladysmithchronicle.com."

Photograph of the candidate indoors smiling and in conversation, with the caption "James Chumsa, candidate for the Communist Party of Canada, talks to potential voters at a candidates' meet-and-greet prior to a debate at Vancovuer Island University last Thursday (Greg Sakaki photo)."

The main body of text reads:
Greg Sakaki/ The Bulletin.
Other parties' socialist policies don't go far enough for the Communist Party of Canada. Last week, the party put forward James Chumsa as a fedral election candidate in Nanaimo Ladysith.
Communist Party leader Elizabeth Rowley was in Nanaimo last Thursday for Chumsa's campaign launch. She said a lot of people are $200 away from serious financial trouble and said that reality, as well as problems like the climate crisis, are caused by capitalism.
"People are saying, 'it's not working for me, I can't get ahead, I can barely keep my head above water, and maybe there's something wrong with capitalism. Maybe I should be looking at something else,'" Rowley said.
The Communist Party wants universal dental care, long-term care, mental health care and pharmacare, as Rowley said explanding health care will be "cheaper in the long run." The party wants taxpayer-funded childcare and post-secondary education, higher minimum wages and pensions, and a million new units of social housing over the next 10 years. ...
"The Communist Party is a party that's committed to peach and disarmament, reducing Canada's military budget by 75 per cent and using that money to invest n public services such as housing, free education, better health care, free transit, stuff like that," Chumsa said....

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The "Victoria" Anarchist Bookfair in Fernwood was smaller, organized as a safe space for those already converted and inclusive to all wanting to learn more. There was a greater emphasis on anti-capitalist art, culture, and self expression; particularity for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks.

Hand holding a black and white printed paper booklet, which reads from top to bottom: "21st ANNUAL VICTORIA ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR/ SEPT 19th 11AM to to 6PM/ SEPT 20th 11AM to 5PM/ 2026 ZINE PROGRAM"
In small print on the bottom it reads "1240 GLADSTONE AVE UNCEDED LEKWUNGEN TERRITORY/ *FREE ADMISSION/ *FREE WORKSHOPS/ For MORE INFORMATION: HTTPS://VICTORIAANARCHISTBOOKFAIR.CA"
Behind the text is a black and white graphic of a person walking through a dark forest holding a bright lamp, looking backwards with a fox beside them.
Behind the leaflet is an urban outdoor setting, a black wall with bits of graffiti as well as a yellow railing with graffiti on it as well. Below is asphalt with natural derbies on it.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The Peace Summit was intentionally big, hoping to draw the attention of the public (and those in power) to how our government is complicit in atrocities around the world. There were representatives of unions and solidarity groups with Cuba and Palestine. The Cuban Consul General was also there.

The British Columbia Provincial Legislature building during the day, with blue sky behind it and green lawn below it. The wide building has many pointed domed turquoise spires on its roof, the largest and tallest being in the middle above the main entrance. The building has many windows on its first, second, and third levels.

On the lawn in front of the building are many canopy tents arranged around an area with people. One tent has a large Cuban flag hung up and to the left of it a tent with the Palestine flag. Between the tents and the building are four flagpoles spaced across from each other flying the British Columbia flag.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Yesterday I attended both the Summit on Peace & Justice and the Anarchist Bookfair in Victoria BC. Back to back I got to see the two sides of the Left, the former focusing on anti-imperialism with the latter emphasizing decolonization, neither of which are represented by an elected political party.

Daytime on the lawn of the BC Legislature Building in Victoria BC. In the background is grass, blue sky, bushes, trees, buildings, and the corner of a statue.
In this stands a man with dark hair blowning in the wind with a short dark beard wearing round dark sunglasses. Around his neck is a keffiya over top a white shirt and grey vest. On one side is a black strap covering the right shoulder and on the left of the vest is are several pins representing Palestine and socialist movements, many of them red. A white peace poppy is among them. On the wrist is a black band that reads "FREE GAZA" with a Palestinian flag on it.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

There is something very Gen Z about Artemas. His sings about desire, heartbreak, lust, spite, longing, and despair. He is of the generation of situationships and hookup culture, fleeting euphoria contrast with doomerism, where polyamory and bisexuality is more accepted. For Artemas, love is messy.

A concert stage at night, surrounded by darkness. In the middle stands the black shadow outline of a person standing with their arms outstretched. Behind in bright white the word "ARTEMAS" is projected onto a grey screen as fog distorts the letters slightly.

Left on stage a person stands holding a white guitar, to their left the shadow outline of microphones and sound equipment. On the right on stage is the shadow outline of a drummer and drum kit.

Below in the darkness are several specks of light from the smartphones of audience members.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Fidel Castro was officially born a century ago as yesterday he would have turned 100 years old. While Fidel prohibited building any statues of himself in Cuba, I have seen many murals and billboards with his face on them while traveling the island.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

This Sunday on Moncada Day there will be a fundraiser for Cuba in Nanaimo, so bring cash!

A minimalist graphic that reads in red letters "Moncada Day Picnic. Entertainment, food and prizes. Colliery Dam Park, Nanaimo Sunday July 26, 4 to 8pm."
In the middle is a Cuban flag, with red letters across the bottom that read "¡Feliz centenario, Fidel!"

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

The Victoria Friends of Cuba will be hosting its annual Moncada Day Potluck on Saturday at 4pm in Esquimalt Gorge Park. This will be a fundraiser for Cuba so bring cash.

A simple poster that reads in big red letters on the top "Cuba's National Day of Rebellion" and underneath "Celebration & Commemoration." The rest of the poster reads "4:00pm Sat July 25 Esquimalt Gorge Park 1070 Tillicum Road Victoria. Poltluck at 4:00pm. Speakers & Live Music. Admission by donation; All proceeds received going to the Cuban Health Care system. Organized by the Victoria Friends of Cuba, victoriafriendsofcuba.wordpress.com/.
In the middle of the poster is a photo of the several Cuban flags held up in front of a sunrise, the people holding the flags appearing as shadows.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Yesterday I attended the Freedom From War Coaltion's town hall against US annexation. While there wasn't much attendance, there was good discussion from the panelists and the few audience members on the Alberta separatist movement, NATO, and the Waffle Manifesto.

A large square lightly coloured room with 5 flags on the wall. On the left hung vertically are the Lebanese and Greenland flags. In the middle is a Palestine flag hung horizontally with the text "FREE PALESTINE" on it and a graphic of a red, green, and black fist. to the right hung vertically is the state flag of Venezuela and a Cuban flag. In front of the flags is a long table with with a red table cloth on top and chairs behind it. There are water bottles, pens, paper, and a cellphone on this table. There are four chairs in the foreground facing the table and flags.

Directly above the Palestine flag is a large black rectangular monitor with two black speakers on the side. Below the flag is a wooden upright piano. To the left is a wall with a water cooler and door to the hallway. To the right is a wall with another grey door with and exit sign above it and a bright light shining out its window. There is a black doormat at the foot of this door along with a fire extinguisher on the wall beside it.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Should have shared this sooner since it's been over two weeks but the event went well! Ironically (and fittingly) there was a cadets graduation event happening the room next to us, while Dave McKee spoke against Canadian militarization and excess on war spending.

Speaker Dave McKee sits at a table in the center of the photo in the corner of the room, while everyone else is sitting in chairs facing him. To the right is the doors to the room and through the windows of the doors we see young teenagers in their cadets uniforms.

Dave Mckee has white hair and a big white moustache and is wearing black thick rimmed glasses. He is sitting facing us and opening to a water bottle while looking to the left, towards someone in a red shirt who appears to be speaking to him. There are other people in the room whom we see the backs of their heads.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

I will be attending this event in Nanaimo featuring the current and former editors of People's Voice newspaper. This will be a free and public talk on the importance of independent working class news media in our time of capitalist crisis. @peoplesvoice.bsky.social @compartycanada.bsky.social

A poster with a title that reads "PEOPLE'S VOICE: WORKING CLASS MEDIA IN A CAPITALIST WORLD." At the bottom are the details listed: "JUNE 4/ NANAIMO/ 7PM BEBAN PARK SOCIAL CENTRE (2300 BOWEN ROAD, MEETING ROOM ONE) FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL CPCBCORGANIZER@GMAIL.COM . Between are photos of the two featured speakers; on the left is the caption "DAVE MCKEE/ EDITOR OF PEOPLE'S VOICE" under a photo of an man with a large white mustache and thick rim glasses. To the right is the caption "KIMBALL CARIOU/ CANADIAN PEACE CONGRESS" under a photo of a man with white hair and white beard wearing glasses and speaking into a microphone.

Above the title at the top is a large photo of Canadian prime minister Mark Carney holding a Canadian hundred dollar bill and grinning with flames behind him.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Came across this mural at the Univeristy of Matanzas earlier this month. Not only do the Cuban people stand with the people of Palestine, but their leaders as well as both nations struggle against the same imperialist block.

In the background to the right is a bluish white square building with a mural painted on it depicting two hands locked together. The sleeve on the left hand has the Palestinian flag while the sleeve of the right has the Cuban flag, with flowers painted around either.
In the foreground to the left beside this mural is a man wearing a dark green peaked cap with a red star sewn on front. He has dark hair, eyes, mustache and beard and wears glasses with a black thick brow.
Surrounding in the back ground is a bright cloudy sky and a street below between the man and the mural. The building the mural is on sits on a grassy area with a palm tree on the left and several trees on the right in front of other blue buildings.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Happening on Lekwungen territory (Victoria BC). I will be speaking at this as one of the three young people.

A poster that reads: "Che Guevara Work Brigade 2026 Report, 7 pm Friday May 22, 2994 Douglas (BCGEU hall front entrance)." "Three young people from Vancouver Island will report on their recent trip to Cuba on the Volunteer Work Brigade." "Sponsored by the Victoria Friends of Cuba, https://victoriafriendsofcuba.wordpress.com/."

The poster shows a photo of 60 people standing outdoors smiling and holding up a colourful banner that reads "BRIGADA DE TRABAJO VOLUNTARIO ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA VOLUNTEER WORK BRIGADE/www.CanadianNetworkOnCuba.ca/Brigade" They appear to be standing on a set of stairs leading to an outdoor roofed area behind them held up by blue pillars.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

I'm finally back from Cuba after going on the Che Guevara Brigade. It was an incredible experience participating the Havana May Day parade for the first time and as seeing how the Cuban people continue to survive under the tightening US blockade. 🇨🇺

Man in the foreground staring into the camera, wearing a dark green cap with a red star stitched onto it and round black reflective sunglasses. He has fairly light skin and dark hair, including a dark mustache, and his chin is cropped out.
In the background is a massive crowd of people of various ages and genders, some individuals showing up as a blur. They are mostly wearing either red or white shirts, some wearing various hats while others do not, some wear glasses, and one is seen wearing a backpack. Sticking out from this crowd are various flags of nations and organizations such as unions, the flags being various combinations of white, red, yellow, blue, and green. There is also a picket sign in the crowd and farther back a long banner. Even farther beyond the crowd are square grey buildings and floodlights illuminating the whole crowd, with a dark sky behind.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The Freedom From War Coalition in the Cowichan Valley has now launched it's Democracy Not Annexation campaign.

Wooden frame standing on grass holds up a banner that reads NO TO U.S. ANNEXATION/ BUILD CANADA WITH FREE AND EQUAL NATIONS/ PUBLIC DEMOCRACY FOR ALL in black letters except for "NO," "ANNEXATION," "CANADA" and "ALL" in red with "ANNEXATION" underlined. Beside the main text in the bottom corner of the banner is peace symbol surrounded by the text "FREEDOM FROM WAR COALITION." At the bottom is a red, black, and green swirl design. Right behind the framed banner is a circle of dirt with a leafless tree growing out. Behind the tree are train train tracks running horizontally on the grass. Behind the train tracks are cars parked on a street and further behind that are buildings.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Day of Action organized by the Victoria Friends of Cuba outside the Legislature building, Lekwungen territory.

A busy scene on a sunny day in Victoria British Columbia. Standing are a group of people waving Cuban flags seen from their backs. They are standing on a grassy area facing a sidewalk in front of a road full of cars, trucks, and automobiles. Further in the distances is the Empress Hotel, a large British colonial style building which has on top a small Canadian flag. Between the road and the Empress are trees of various shapes and shades of green. In the foreground are some stationary bicycles and someone sitting on a concrete ledge next to them.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Now is the year of the horse. I hope everyone had a good Chinese New Year celebration for 2026.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Since we are doing this trend, here is me in 2016. I was presenting at my university research I did on Gaddafi and the Jamahiriya. Not only was Libya better under Gaddafi, but it had one of the highest standards of living in North Africa.

A projection screen showing a slide titled "In Defense of Muammar Gaddafi: Revealing the Other side of Libya's Late Revolutionary" above a photo of Muammar Gaddafi wearing sunglasses with is hand resting on his cheek. Beside this projection screen to the right is an individual with dark hair, black think rimed square glasses, wearing a turtleneck and a blazer with a lanyard on their neck. This person is starting at an open laptop that is on a podium.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Recently read this book, A Communist For the RCMP. It tells the real life story of Frank Hadesbeck, a bitter and disillusioned Spanish Civil War veteran who helped the RCMP infiltrate the Communist Party of Canada, only to later in his old age feel disillusioned and betrayed by the RCMP.

Photo of the book A Communist for the RCMP: The Uncovered Story of a SOCIAL MOVEMENT INFORMANT by Dennis Gruending, foreward by Gregory S. Kealy. The book has a red cover with a black outline and shows a drawing of three people sitting and talking in a living room while smoking and drinking coffee, with a shadow on the wall behind them shaped like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. The books is on a stained wood coffee table.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I was given this henna tattoo at a local Chinese New Year celebration. Anyone know what it says? I'm guessing either "napkin" or "good luck."

Light reddish brown henna stain on the back of a hand in the shape of a Chinese character.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

The translation for anyone who cares.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Last week of the year of the wood snake. 🪵🐍🇨🇳 #LunarNewYear

Hand drawing of a snake curled up a tree, next to a red Chinese communist party flag and a Chinese stamp with a smaller snake on it. Surrounded are Chinese characters, at top reads in bold "吉木蛇年" while in thin characters in the middle "共产党 / 红旗 / 同志 / 詹姆斯" with "壽" to the side and "James" in red letters above "永 / 和平的 / 合作" and "2025" made out of snakes beside "福 / 禄 / 寿".
This is all on a yellow background with a red boarder, inside a wooden picture frame hung on a wall.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

For those wondering which holy books I have been reading. #Dune #FrankHerbert #ShaiHulud #Muad'Dib #Zensunni

Man with glasses and dark beard holding a box set containing Frank Herbert's Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune. Behind is a bookshelf full of books with Soviet antiques on top.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I also managed to slip a copy of People's Voice newspaper under the door into Jordan Peterson's office. It contained an article detailing his then recent debate with Žižek which I wrote.

A newspaper clipping, in the top left margin reads "10 | PEOPLE'S VOICE | MAY 16-31, 2019" with below an article titled in big letters "Zizek vs Peterson: Debate of the Century?" Within the article body is an image containing the head shot of Slavoj Žižek.

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J.S. Chumsa @jschumsa.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Thinking of that one time in May 2019 I visited U of T and tried to break into Jordan Peterson's office. He was out of town and the door was locked, but I managed to look through the window above. This was after his debate with Slavoj Žižek.

Young man with glasses smiling while next to a window where the inside of an office is visible. Visible in the office is a bookshelf and a large abstract modern art piece that is black, grey, red, and white with a few touches of yellow.

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