November 20, 2011
The Council of Candians Toronto joins community based organizations, unions, faith groups, activists and concerned individuals in opposing the eviction of Occupy Toronto from St. James park.
Globally, the Occupy Movement seeks to draw attention to the corporate control of our economy, and the resulting wealth inequalities, austerity measures, environmental harms, loss of democratic rights and exclusion of popular voices.
As Canada's largest citizens' organization, the Council of Canadians with over 70 chapters across the country has been supporting local Occupy sites. Here in Toronto our chapter celebrates Occupy Toronto's inclusive, dialogue-friendly, non-violent and truly democratic approach to social transformation. The multitude of engaged individuals eagerly participating in daily general assemblies, workshops, teach-ins and trainings is nothing short of inspirational.
The freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are core democratic rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Concern over upholding these constitutionally protected rights has already been expressed by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) to Mayor Ford. Our chapter agrees that these rights must be protected.
Whatever the outcome of the court hearing on Monday, our chapter is proud to support and stand in solidarity with Occupy Toronto.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Join us tomorrow at the Occupy Toronto - Evict Ford march!
Join us tomorrow (Sat 19) to protest the eviction of Occupy Toronto. Meet us at 1pm at the south west entrance to the park (on King street). Look for our bright yellow banners!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=276041775772752
Rob Ford has had over a year to make his point, he's had his tantrum, and now judging by the polls, businesses and residents have had enough and it’s time for him to go.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=276041775772752
Occupy Toronto: Evict Ford - Hell NO we WON'T GO!
19 November · 14:00 - 17:00
St. James Park
Rob Ford has had over a year to make his point, he's had his tantrum, and now judging by the polls, businesses and residents have had enough and it’s time for him to go.
Initially we thought "end the gravy train” was a vague message, but now we know "gravy" included plans to cut Libraries, Police, Snow and Road clearing, city planning, the environment and public parks The latest edition to the gravy train was senior citizens and the disabled. This gravy train is getting crowded!
He's already cost the city millions of dollars in transit schemes, and he must be evicted before the winter, before the damage he does to city infrastructure and social services becomes impossible to repair.
The local residents are complaining and they're fed up! Even his old supporters are getting tired of him.
Enough is Enough, It's time to EVICT ROB FORD!
Mayor Ford was initially elected as the "ordinary guy" fighting against elites and corruption in the city administration. His promises resonated with a public angry with the political system and looking for change.
Unfortunately, the change our mayor has brought about has been for the worse. While he promised to cut the budget WITHOUT service cuts, he has done the complete opposite.
Mayor Ford has caused chaos in our local government, waged war on our city workers and bullied through a flawed transit plan that provides less service at a much higher cost.
He's been an embarrassment to himself and our city! And this is only the beginning.
Join us Sat the 19th of November and lets all tell Ford that Occupy Toronto isn't leaving, it's time for HIM to go!
Solidarity with our brothers and sisters in New York! Solidarity with the global movement! Lets show them our strength this Saturday!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Occupy Toronto!
Occupy Toronto! (October 15)
by Tara S.
Under grey and windy skies yesterday, hundreds of people gathered at the corner of King & Bay streets to start Occupy Toronto's occupation. An hour later, we marched east along King Street to St. James park (King & Church streets) to start the occupation itself.
It was inspiring to be in such a positive, friendly environment. Many people waved signs or spontaneously made their own. Everyone exchanged smiles. And though everyone has their own reasons for being there, the atmosphere was one of understanding, respect, community building and empowerment. It was also great to see the respectful police presense, quite the welcome change after the G20 events last summer. It's estimated over 2000 people occupied the park and over 100 planned to stay overnight.
Once at the park people broke out into small groups. Some joined the spontaneous music bands in the middle of the park, while others gathered around the open mic truck at the north end of the park. Volunteers were busy setting up the medical tent area, food serving area, lending library and media area.
I left the park for a bit in the afternoon and was very impressed when I returned that in under 2 hrs the food tent was serving meals (Food Not Bombs are doing the bulk of offsite cooking), the lending library was packed and ~20 portapotties had been set up (donated by CUPE).
One very important part of the Occupy Toronto - and indeed all the Occupy movements - are the General Assemblies. The first one in the park started at 5pm. It covered highlights from other Occupy movements, updates from the various committees and discussion about the decision making process. There was use of the People's Mic (each speaker's message is repeated so those at the back can hear) and an explanation of the handsignals used ("I agree", "I'd like to make a comment", "I strongly oppose or block this"). The guidelines are also read at the start of each General Assembly. These include keeping the space positive (anti- sexist/racist/ableist/homophobic) and a suggested time limit for comments, remarks and objections. General Assemblies are slated to occur twice daily.
Occupy Toronto runs entirely on volunteers and donations. The working committees include logistics, medical, marshalls, food, media and facilitation. Anyone can become involved, it's easy to attend the frequent training sessions and/or shadow volunteers if you'd like to help out and don't have any experience. Donations are also very critical, here's a list of needs.
I'd urge you to visit St. James park to see the Occupy movement yourself and stay updated with them.
Website - http://occupyto.org/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/OccupyToronto
Live stream - www.livestream.com/
Youtube videos - www.youtube.com/user/
Occupy Tororonto volunteers will be also joining our October monthly meeting (Oct 26) to give us an overview of the movement and update us on the continued occupation.
Check out more pics on our Facebook page.
Marching along King St.
TCoC at the march!
Along Adelaide St.
Entering the park.
by Tara S.
Under grey and windy skies yesterday, hundreds of people gathered at the corner of King & Bay streets to start Occupy Toronto's occupation. An hour later, we marched east along King Street to St. James park (King & Church streets) to start the occupation itself.
It was inspiring to be in such a positive, friendly environment. Many people waved signs or spontaneously made their own. Everyone exchanged smiles. And though everyone has their own reasons for being there, the atmosphere was one of understanding, respect, community building and empowerment. It was also great to see the respectful police presense, quite the welcome change after the G20 events last summer. It's estimated over 2000 people occupied the park and over 100 planned to stay overnight.
Once at the park people broke out into small groups. Some joined the spontaneous music bands in the middle of the park, while others gathered around the open mic truck at the north end of the park. Volunteers were busy setting up the medical tent area, food serving area, lending library and media area.
I left the park for a bit in the afternoon and was very impressed when I returned that in under 2 hrs the food tent was serving meals (Food Not Bombs are doing the bulk of offsite cooking), the lending library was packed and ~20 portapotties had been set up (donated by CUPE).
One very important part of the Occupy Toronto - and indeed all the Occupy movements - are the General Assemblies. The first one in the park started at 5pm. It covered highlights from other Occupy movements, updates from the various committees and discussion about the decision making process. There was use of the People's Mic (each speaker's message is repeated so those at the back can hear) and an explanation of the handsignals used ("I agree", "I'd like to make a comment", "I strongly oppose or block this"). The guidelines are also read at the start of each General Assembly. These include keeping the space positive (anti- sexist/racist/ableist/homophobic) and a suggested time limit for comments, remarks and objections. General Assemblies are slated to occur twice daily.
Occupy Toronto runs entirely on volunteers and donations. The working committees include logistics, medical, marshalls, food, media and facilitation. Anyone can become involved, it's easy to attend the frequent training sessions and/or shadow volunteers if you'd like to help out and don't have any experience. Donations are also very critical, here's a list of needs.
I'd urge you to visit St. James park to see the Occupy movement yourself and stay updated with them.
Website - http://occupyto.org/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/OccupyToronto
Live stream - www.livestream.com/
Youtube videos - www.youtube.com/user/
Occupy Tororonto volunteers will be also joining our October monthly meeting (Oct 26) to give us an overview of the movement and update us on the continued occupation.
Check out more pics on our Facebook page.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Occupy Toronto!
With only one day away, many of you are probably wondering where we are headed and what the plan is! Well here you go!
We plan to rally at King St. and Bay St. at 10:00 AM. At 10:30 we will announcement about the location of the Occupation Zone. This is done to aid us in preventing police and municipal interference. If you cannot make it to King and Bay by 10:00, we recommend you stay connected to the internet and await for the announcement to hit the airwaves.
We look forward to seeing you all and cannot wait to work with all of you!
Today we plan. Tonight we rest. Tomorrow we take over.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Niger River: A River Under Seige
The Toronto Chapter is co-presenting Niger River : A River Under Seige on Sunday, Oct 16 at 3pm. We have 2 for 1 passes available; please contact us if you would like one, or would be interested in volunteering at our information table.
In the face of a rapidly changing climate and a growing population, resilience, adaptation and optimism help the people of the Niger River to cope with the devastating effects that desertification is having on local agriculture.
Explorer, climate journalist and star of the film Himalaya Alert at last year’s festival, Bernice Notenboom and her team embark on a 750-kilometre kayak expedition on the Bani and Niger Rivers towards Timbuktu, Mali to discover how the local Fulani, Bozo and Tuareq tribes are adapting to the changing weather conditions and the small-scale initiatives undertaken by local farmers, fishermen and herders to prepare for even more extreme conditions to come.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
September monthly meeting
Join us tonight from 7 - 9 p.m. as we discuss the upcoming provincial elections in light of important topics like the Mega-quarry, Health Care, Energy, Transit, Trade and Water.
Speakers include:
Megan Cobean, Ontario Health Coalition
Angela Bischoff, Ontario Clean Air Alliance
Jacob Louy, transit advocate
Mega-quarry Awareness group
Date: Wednesday, August 28
Time: 7 - 9 p.m.
Location: Toronto City Hall (100 Queen St. West), room 3
All welcome!
Speakers include:
Megan Cobean, Ontario Health Coalition
Angela Bischoff, Ontario Clean Air Alliance
Jacob Louy, transit advocate
Mega-quarry Awareness group
Date: Wednesday, August 28
Time: 7 - 9 p.m.
Location: Toronto City Hall (100 Queen St. West), room 3
All welcome!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
People's Assembly Fair - Saturday 27th August
We're busy prepping for the People's Assembly Fair next weekend (August 27). It'll be a fun filled day with live music, environmental & social justice workshops, interactive games, kids area, free food and more.
We'll be facilitating a workshop on CETA and how it will affect our local communities. Let's get the word out to our councillors that Toronto should declare itself exempt from CETA!
There's also going to be a nifty button making area at our table, so come create custom buttons and magnets!
See you at the Fair next Saturday.
We'll be facilitating a workshop on CETA and how it will affect our local communities. Let's get the word out to our councillors that Toronto should declare itself exempt from CETA!
There's also going to be a nifty button making area at our table, so come create custom buttons and magnets!
See you at the Fair next Saturday.
Time: 12 – 5 p.m.
Location: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin Street (south of Bloor) Cost: free!
It's almost time for the People's Assembly Fair! With free workshops, live music, free food, a kids center and more, it's going to be a lot fun for everyone. So come out, join the debate and be heard.
Bring some new faces and lets talk, be heard and create some action!
Be excited, we know we are!
Here are the things we have set up so far:
Clean Train Coalition - Interactive booth
Toronto Chapter of the Council of Canadians - C.E.T.A. Workshop and diy button making
Green Peace with Dix Sandbeck - The Economy and The Environment Workshop
Food Not Bombs - serving a vegan/vegetarian meal
Living Well Climate Justice Network - Discussion Based Seminar
Mega Quarry Awareness - Info Booth and A Discussion Based Seminar
Toronto Public Library Workers Union - Workshop, Info Booth and Kids story time.
People's Voice - Info Booth
Stop U of T Animal Research - Workshop
Toronto Environmental Alliance - Interactive Game
the zeitgeist Movement - Info Booth and Music
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network - Info Booth and Workshop
No One Is Illegal - Surprise Workshop
For more information vist the Toronto People's Assembly website or find us on Facebook
Bring some new faces and lets talk, be heard and create some action!
Be excited, we know we are!
Here are the things we have set up so far:
Clean Train Coalition - Interactive booth
Toronto Chapter of the Council of Canadians - C.E.T.A. Workshop and diy button making
Green Peace with Dix Sandbeck - The Economy and The Environment Workshop
Food Not Bombs - serving a vegan/vegetarian meal
Living Well Climate Justice Network - Discussion Based Seminar
Mega Quarry Awareness - Info Booth and A Discussion Based Seminar
Toronto Public Library Workers Union - Workshop, Info Booth and Kids story time.
People's Voice - Info Booth
Stop U of T Animal Research - Workshop
Toronto Environmental Alliance - Interactive Game
the zeitgeist Movement - Info Booth and Music
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network - Info Booth and Workshop
No One Is Illegal - Surprise Workshop
For more information vist the Toronto People's Assembly website or find us on Facebook
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