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Roberta Lexier

@robertalexier.bsky.social
1.4K followers 395 following 1.2K posts

New book, Student Power: Canadian Student Movements From the Sixties to Today (link.springer.com/book/9783032109620) Professor of social movements and left politics. Proudly socialist, anti-fascist, anti-Zionist. All opinions my own.

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Reposted by Roberta Lexier
Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 30/09/2026
The National Post is using language that seems wildly irresponsible and dangerous here Citing ancient “Jewish law,” it labels Avi Lewis as a “rodef” The ultranationalist extremist who assassinated Yitzhak Rabin rationalized his killing on the same basis: www.theguardian.com/world/2020/o...
None of this applies, however, when a Jewish person presents a clear and present danger to the Jewish community. When that happens, Jewish thought is much more forceful: you must prevent the perpetrator from
causing harm.

Jewish law developed two character sketches to describe such scenarios. The first is known as a "mosar" — a Jewish person who informs to oppressive
authorities, potentially leading to the imprisonment, torture or death of community members. The second, called a "rodef," refers to a Jew who is actively pursuing another with the intent to harm or kill them. In both scenarios, the law is clear that a Jew is duty-bound to step in. Protecting the community and its members is the most important thing.It was around then that Yigal Amir, an earnest law student, made up his mind to kill the prime minister. Later he would insist he was not swayed by extremist rabbis; he had reached his own decision that Rabin - through his willingness to cede territory and to allow the creation of a Palestinian Authority, with its own armed police force - was a rodef and therefore a legitimate target. He got a weapon easily enough. With his brother, Amir was working on the creation of an anti-Palestinian militia. Nor was access difficult; on at least three occasions before the rally, Amir attended public events where Rabin was present. He was waiting for the right moment: he didn't want to shoot and miss.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is legitimately terrifying. Threats like this should not be tolerated, especially in one of our major news outlets. Do not let this pass unchallenged. nationalpost.com/opinion/yoni...
nationalpost.com
Yoni Goldstein: Jewish law tells us how to deal with Avi Lewis
His Yom Kippur message was indefensible
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
So much crying in baseball
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Get your shingles vaccine asap
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Covid and flu vaccines available the same day as the horrible AB referendum is very hilarious to me for some reason
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Reposted by Roberta Lexier
🔫Scott Martin🛼 @youcaughtscott.com · 23/09/2026
“Hajdu says there are times in negotiations when employers or unions refuse to bargain in good faith and instead wait for the government to intervene.” Pretty much every time the government has intervened it has been because the employers are doing this. Both sidesing it is so fucking dishonest.
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 22/09/2026
This crisis moment is a chance to reimagine what kind of Canada we want to build – and Canadians are ready to build big things together.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Bad day for Canadian politics but sending a message to my politician friend complimenting his suit 😂😂
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🇨🇦Joe Vipond🇨🇦 @jvipondmd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
It's Monday! did you miss Dr. Roberta Lexier and I's op/ed published on Saturday? Now's your chance to read it, only a little bit late. edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com
Opinion: Cancel referendum in light of Elections Alberta controversy
We call on Premier Smith to do the right thing: Cancel the referendum until we fully understand the accusations surrounding EA.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
We either all have rights or none of us do. It’s that simple.
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David Moscrop @davidmoscrop.com · 19/09/2026
The feds will roll out the “special mediator” and then say it’s not them doing the dirty work. This bill will be an attack on the fundamental right to strike and bargain collectively. Don’t trust Hajdu.
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🇨🇦Joe Vipond🇨🇦 @jvipondmd.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
by Myself and Dr. Roberta Lexier "We call on Premier Smith to do the right thing: Cancel the referendum until we fully understand the accusations surrounding EA. Start an investigation into what happened. And fully resource the organization entrusted with ensuring Alberta’s democracy."
edmontonjournal.com
Opinion: Cancel referendum in light of Elections Alberta controversy
We call on Premier Smith to do the right thing: Cancel the referendum until we fully understand the accusations surrounding EA.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
So… the Charter *does* apply to university campuses? For pro-Palestinian protesters too? Or just these awful people?
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David Keegan @drdavidkeegan.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
What they said: edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu... @jvipondmd.bsky.social @robertalexier.bsky.social
edmontonjournal.com
Opinion: Cancel referendum in light of Elections Alberta controversy
We call on Premier Smith to do the right thing: Cancel the referendum until we fully understand the accusations surrounding EA.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com
Opinion: Cancel referendum in light of Elections Alberta controversy
We call on Premier Smith to do the right thing: Cancel the referendum until we fully understand the accusations surrounding EA.
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Emma Arkell @emmaarkell.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This "significant labour legislation" could very likely end the right to strike for thousands of workers through expanding whose work is "essential," lengthening bargaining timelines or introducing US style laws. pressprogress.ca/mark-carneys...
pressprogress.ca
Mark Carney’s Government is Rushing Through Major Changes to Canada’s Labour Laws. Unions Say Workers Should Be Alarmed.
Unions are warning Carney is planning to place limits on the right to strike and deliver other items on 'Corporate Canada's wish list'
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 18/09/2026
There's a reason previous Liberal governments looked at privatizing airports and didn't go through with it. Private investors don't want a stake in our public assets to make them better. They’re in it to make as much money as possible for themselves - while workers and passengers pay the price.
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NDP @ndp.ca · 17/09/2026
1/ We know what happens when public infrastructure gets privatized: costs go up, quality goes down, and it's everyday people who end up paying for it. Mark Carney's Investment Summit might be over, but the fight to protect our public goods isn't.
Canada's infrastructure belongs to the people.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Don’t often agree with Max but this is exactly right. The ANDP needs to offer (and sell) an alternative rather than chasing UCP votes.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I know, I know: higher prices and worse service.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Gotta say, I couldn't agree more with Lewis on this. This message is needed now more than ever.
cbc.ca
NDP's Avi Lewis says Carney is selling Canadian assets to 'the captains of Wall Street' | CBC Radio
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his Investment Summit in Toronto will help diversify the economy, but NDP Leader Avi Lewis says it will only make Canada more beholden to wealthy American corporations.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Guess it needs to be said again: refusing to take a position on genocide IS a political position.
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The Serfs (youtube.com/theserfstv) @theserfstv.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
It sends a pretty strong message that liberals see LGBTQ+ rights as an inconvenience to winning elections rather than standing up for oppressed people being integral to defeating fascism
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Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Personally, I refused to be blinded by propaganda telling me that criticizing Carney is akin to opposing Canada in these frightening times. All the scholarship on fascism (which is what we're up against globally) shows Carney's current policy approach is how you end up with MORE fascism, not less.
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Ximena González @ximenaka.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Last week, Smith posted on social media that “For every $1 of taxes a guest worker generates, taxpayers are covering $10 in services.” While this figure might ring true for many, it is far from accurate. I fact-checked Smith’s claims in my latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca
Does Alberta Provide $10 in Services for Every $1 of ‘Guest Worker’ Taxes? | The Tyee
Ahead of a divisive referendum question, we fact checked Danielle Smith’s claims.
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Jeremy Appel 🍉 @readtheorchard.org · 04/09/2026
Absolutely criminal www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/04/n...
nationalobserver.com
Alberta exempts Suncor's tailings pond dump from review, angering downstream communities
The oil giant won't need an environmental impact assessment before treating and dumping millions of litres of tar sand tailings into the Athabasca River.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Going swimmingly over here
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Your reminder that Albertans vote on a referendum next month on whether the province should cut off temporary residents from health care and education — without knowing if Danielle Smith would do that to the 260,000 migrants already in Alberta. (Her office won't say) www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | What some immigrants could lose if Alberta votes yes to Danielle Smith's questions | CBC News
To many voters, the various questions on the Oct. 19 ballots that cover social services for newcomers will appear confusing and contradictory.
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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 31/08/2026
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN for new Beaverton writers! Help defend Canada from Trump's Trade War in the most important arena of all - online freelance satire writing! FOLLOW THE LINK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW, and let's make some jokes!
An image of a beaver wearing glasses, typing on a laptop, inviting you to come write for The Beaverton. Yes, the beaver will be your editor, but we promise she's very fair-minded and only shouts if you miss a deadline.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
THIS is why we need a strong NDP. 💯
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
12 days to revise four chapters (plus intro and epilogue) and prep three courses seems totally doable, right?? Ahhhhhhhhh.
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The Onion @theonion.com · 19/08/2026
Democratic Socialism: Myth Vs. Fact theonion.com/democratic-socialism-m…
MYTH: The government will take away your money and give it to the poor.

FACT: You are the poor.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
First, as if she’s gonna properly consult (especially Indigenous folks) Second, why isn’t this just an election issue (assuming the referendum passes, which it won’t)? What a joke. And a huge waste of money that could be spent on, I don’t know, improving people’s lives?
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Jen the Feisty Librarian @feistywaters.com · 19/08/2026
I am once again asking those who spend their time lamenting visible poverty, addictions and homelessness to perhaps channel that rage into advocating for better healthcare, income supports, shelters and housing.
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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 19/08/2026
Carney promises clean energy investment will almost make up for 1-2 days of new pipeline emissions
thebeaverton.com
Carney promises clean energy investment will almost make up for 1-2 days of new pipeline emissions
OTTAWA – After announcing the “largest clean energy investment in North American history” this week, PM Mark Carney advised that the environmental benefits of the 70 billion dollar taxpayer investment...
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Might’ve just snapped at a colleague for using AI. Oops. Also, wtf
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Alberta, where we want to separate (vomit) but we need help from the rest of the country to help. Sigh. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
theglobeandmail.com
Elections Alberta seeks help from other provinces to run fall referendum
Agency is recruiting staff ahead of Oct. 19 vote, which will include separation question, to ensure Herculean ballot count runs smoothly
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Power outages are super fun.
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Nora Loreto @nolore.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Just finished recording a deadly episode with Sandy on the new campus antisemitism study: rather than being a good faith examination of antisemitism, this piece of government-funded propaganda's main job is to launder facts to nail Gaza solidarity protesters with hate crime charges. Out tomorrow
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PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 11/08/2026
‘Pouring fuel into flames’: Carney-Smith plan for West Coast pipeline would run through wildfire fraught parts of BC Indigenous communities, working class and environment pay the price of short-sighted policy decisions, experts say pressprogress.ca/pouring-fuel...
pressprogress.ca
‘Pouring fuel into flames’: Carney-Smith plan for West Coast pipeline would run through wildfire fraught parts of BC
Indigenous communities, working class and environment pay the price of short-sighted policy decisions, experts say
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Dissent Magazine @dissentmag.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
“History from below” did not dismiss or discard the founders or presidents. But it did insist that the country’s history has also been composed of, and driven by, ordinary Americans—and should belong to them. dissentmagazine.org/online_articles…
dissentmagazine.org
Who Owns American History? - Dissent Magazine
Under the second Trump administration, the fight over history has become a fight over democracy. Who deserves to be trusted with the country’s memory?
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
I don’t think I ever shared this piece I wrote for @albertaviews.bsky.social but as we approach back-to-school it seems like a good time to re-up albertaviews.ca/whatsoever-t...
albertaviews.ca
Performance-based metrics undermine higher education
I wrote to the board members, begging them to “reject performance-based metrics, and demand secure funding and autonomy. They refused.
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Briarpatch Magazine @briarpatchmag.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Vancouver...the Briarpatch team is coming to you! Join us on Thursday August 20th for the launch of our Housing Justice issue. The evening will feature a workshop by @vancouvertenants.bsky.social We will also be joined by Cailin Tyrrell from the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Consultation?? Just take a principled stand for once. JFC.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
This
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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 03/08/2026
Canadians overwhelmingly demand wealth tax after Kevin O’Leary says it will make him move away
thebeaverton.com
Canadians overwhelmingly demand wealth tax after Kevin O’Leary says it will make him move away
OTTAWA - Pollsters report a split among Canadians over the idea of higher tax on the assets of wealthy individuals, though support skyrockets after noting that Kevin O'Leary has vowed that he will res...
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Jeremy Appel 🍉 @readtheorchard.org · 03/08/2026
NEW: I attended today's protest against Meta's proposed hyperscaler data centre in Sturgeon County. People are not pleased. open.substack.com/pub/theorcha...
open.substack.com
Guillotines, Dinosaur Costumes and Broken Trust: Alberta's Data Centre Revolt Begins
Critics warn of fossil gas reliance, power price hikes and wasted water as officials approve massive Meta facility with scant public debate.
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Roberta Lexier @robertalexier.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Solidarity with the striking flight attendants at WestJet! They deserve a fair contract (without govt interference) ✊🏻
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Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 30/07/2026
Let’s be clear here, when scientists say mistakes were made at the start of the pandemic, we DO NOT mean that we did too much. We mean not socially distancing quickly enough, not making tests widely available, and not acknowledging COVID is airborne and distributing N95 masks to everyone.
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