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Scattered around Montreal, there are inconspicuous plots of land, which serve as the planting grounds for community, connection with nature, and everything in between. 

Community gardens are designated spaces where members are responsible for cultivating, maintaining, and harvesting their own plots. These gardens are spread throughout the city, but their locations reveal an uneven distribution across boroughs, reflecting the specific needs and priorities of residents within each community. 

Mapping these gardens allows for a broader understanding of how invested each borough is in community gardens and the demographic factors that may influence these patterns.

For the 4th consecutive year, Mama Khan, a Pakistani restaurant situated in the Plateau-Mont-Royal, is giving out free iftar boxes for the month of Ramadan, alongside grocery baskets for the vulnerable. However, the month of Ramadan is not the only time during which they provide free meals. Since their opening, they have created and partaken in a myriad of initiatives fighting against food insecurity. To this day, they are working on making the neighborhood affordable and helping the community during times of crisis. 

Montreal has elected Soraya Martinez Ferrada as mayor. Martinez Ferrada defeated Luc Rabouin and the incumbent party, Projet Montréal.  

“Tonight, it is you who has won. Tonight, Montreal has chosen courage and ambition,” said Martinez Ferrada in her victory speech. 

She promised change after eight years of the last administration. She added voters told her they wanted to be heard. 

Updates:

-U.S.-brokered ceasefire approved by Israel and Hamas, gets violated by Israel 4 days later

-Students go on strike for Palestine on Oct. 7 and rally in front of Concordia's Hall building to demand divestment

-Israeli-affiliated clan kills Palestinian journalist Saleh Al Jafarawi in Gaza City

International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st, but in Montreal, a gathering to raise awareness was held on August 28th at Place Émilie-Gamelin, and it was organized by the Quebec Association for Drug User Health Promotion (AQPSUD)

The event saw organizations gather to discuss the work they do with the drug-using population, many of whom were also offering free tools, resources and kits to help those who plan to consume drugs. 

Legalization of drug use is a long-term goal for many participants, but short-term they want the provincial government to back-track on the tabled bill 103. The bill aims to regulate supervised consumption sites. Some say the bill will prevent new sites from being opened and limit existing services.

Before the Grand Prix races, the Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (La CLES), a feminist community organization, launched its “Un Trop Grand Prix” sexual exploitation awareness campaign. This campaign is in its 12th year.