Community Update by the Community Solidarity Network Post G20 – Arrests, Intimidation and Ongoing Resistance
This report has been a long time coming. Many people that spent the last year as the Toronto Community Mobilization Network, putting together the infrastructure for the Convergence have been arrested, beaten, and intimidated. Many of our most beloved and central organizers are under house arrest conditions while many others in the city have leaped forward to join the resistance.
August 20, Toronto—G20 defendants Leah Henderson, Alex Hundert and Erik Lankin appeared in Court yesterday for bail appeal hearings. They are accused of "conspiracy" and the Crown is alleging they are responsible for demonstrations on June 26 during the G20 Summit in Toronto. All three were arrested early on June 26.
The G20 has left Toronto but approximately 250 people are still facing charges. Almost all these people have to appear in court on August 23 and we need to work to support them. There's only a week left to get organized so please reply as soon as possible!
Billeting
Over 100 people will be coming from outside Toronto so we urgently need to coordinate housing for these people.
July 26, 2010,
One month after the G20 Convergence.
Since September 2009, we’ve worked to challenge, disrupt and abolish the G8/G20. We used the fleeting moment of the G8/G20 summit to further organize Toronto’s community struggles against the impact of colonial, capitalist policies that seek to weaken us everyday.
And we succeeded.
From June 21 to 27, 2010, nearly 40,000 people took to the streets, gathered in discussion, watched movies, set up a tent city, danced and fought. This in itself is a victory.
The Toronto Community Mobilization Network and Defence Fund are calling on our friends, our comrades and strangers to hold fundraising events in support of the legal defence of the 17 community organizers facing the most serious charges stemming from G20 protests, as well as the hundreds of people facing lesser charges.
We need to support all of those arrested during the G20 summit and continue to mobilize and build greater solidarity among our communities.
The Toronto Community Mobilization Network is gravely disappointed with the recent decision by Toronto Police to further waste resources by releasing a Top 10 G20 Most Wanted List at a media circus in downtown Toronto on Wednesday.
The Toronto Community Mobilization Network is calling on the public to come forward with photos, video, and eye witness accounts of police violence against civilians during the G20 summits in Toronto. This evidence will be used to ensure that there are consequences for all those who beat and injured people, and for the masterminds who conspired to plan and give orders for the widespread police violence and repression that was experienced by thousands on the streets.
During the G20 Summit, thousands of concerned individuals took to the streets to exercise their civil rights and voice their opposition to the meetings. We showed our power in numbers and in the strength of our convictions. The challenge we posed to the oppressive policies of the G20 caused their billion dollar bodyguards to wage war on all those who voiced their dissent. Thousands of us experienced extreme police violence and intimidation. Hundreds of us were arrested and detained under abysmal conditions. Many of us are still in custody. We will not let them convince us that some of our comrades are less deserving. We will not assist them in dividing our movement, in scapegoating our people, or in attacking our organizations and allies.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair's press conference on Tuesday June 29th is a continuation of the police department's public relations campaign to silence and criminalize the work of those speaking out against the G20 and the Toronto Community Mobilization Network.
Press Statement - Toronto Community Mobilization Network
The G8/G20 are anti-democratic illegitimate institutions that inflict daily violence on our communities. Everywhere the G8 and G20 have met to further their exploitative agendas – from London to Pittsburgh to Toronto - they have faced huge opposition from local communities. The kind of mass resistance we have seen in Toronto has and will continue to follow them wherever they go.
THERE IS A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 PM IN FRONT OF THE PARKDALE LIBRARY AT 1303 QUEEN ST W, at 3 PM
Under increasing police intimidation and violence, the Toronto Communinty Mobilization Network is holding an emergency press conference at 1303 QUEEN ST W, at 3 PM, to discuss the legal abnormalities and willful disregard for due process which are occuring on our streets as we speak. Random and unlawful searches are occuring across the city, community organizers are targeted and the police presence on all streets is overwhelming.
Friends, comrades, and allies’ are being detained. Homes have been raided, people have been snatched, and arrested in the streets. At least 300 of our allies are being held at 629 Eastern Ave, at a film studio that has bee converted into a temporary prison for G8/G20 those resisting the G8/G20.
We need to show our comrades and friends that we support each other, and show that we can’t be divided by fear.
We are intending this to be a low-risk solidarity rally to demonstrate our support:
Emomotimi Azorbo is Deaf and under arrest as of yesterday afternoon. Emomotimi has done nothing wrong. It is a travesty of justice that he has been denied access to an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter up until this moment. He is in a very vulnerable position and needs our support. This is an urgent plea for each and everyone of you to please come to court.
We've gotten word that messages of support are coming from the Deaf community all across the world including:
Press Statement @ 8:45pm
at the N.E. corner of Allen Gardens- Burns statue,
Tent City Location.
Statement on police impunity with Dave Vasey and others.
Contact media line: 647-454-2443 for more information
The Toronto Community Mobilization Network is disseminating information about a controversial new provision under the Ontario Public Works Protection Act which has designated the area inside and within 5 metres of the security perimeter as a “public work” from June 21st to 28th to 2010. This means that police officers can ask individuals to identify themselves, provide their address, and to state the purpose for which they desire to enter the public work.
Environmental and Climate Justice Activists Take a Toxic Tour of Toronto Expose Canada, G8 and G20 leaders’ record on mining, climate and environmental injustice
21 June, 11:20 pm
Police harass and intimidate activists and community members
For Up To Date Info, follow us on Twitter @g20mobilize
Alternative Media: http://2010.mediacoop.ca/
Monday: Income Equity/Community Control Over Resources/Migrant Justice/End
War and Occupation
Toronto – Two community activists and organizer were arrested, intimidated
and detained for hours at a converted film studio earlier today. Elaborate
EVERYBODY TO THE STREETS!
21 JUNE 2010, TORONTO
OCCUPIED TURTLE ISLAND
We make no demands on the violent repressive rich men that come to ourcity this week.
We ask nothing of the oppressive, illegitimate and non-representative G8,G20 and B20.
We expect only lies from the incompetent, banks, corporations and the so-called G20 leaders.
The worlds we wish to live in will be of our making.
Our hopes and our rage will shatter injustice where ever it arises.
Our courage, our solidarity and our unity will create transformative solutions.
“Toronto Community Mobilization Network launches Themed Day of Resistance - Migrant Justice, an End to War and Occupation & Income Equity and Community Control Over Resources - and the Toronto Alternative Media Centre Opens Its Doors”
The Toronto Community Mobilization Network is providing logistical support and infrastructure for the mulitiple days of actions, themed days of resistance and events as people protest for the abolishment of the G8/G20. We'll be coordinating food, medics, legal observation and support, and assistance with communications to the media.
Since the coming week we will be busy doing this work, the best place to find up to date news coverage on the mobilizations and what is happening on the ground will be: http://2010.mediacoop.ca/
Listen to an interview with Toronto Community Mobilization Network spokesperson to hear about the issues that bring the network together and why people are protesting the illegitimate Groups of 8 and 20 and their incompetent work with 20 financial ministers, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
If organizations, people, committees, etc. would like to book the convergence space at any time from June 15 to June 29th, please email convergencespacebookings@gmail.com with the following information:
1) Name and contact information
2) Organization/Committee/Collection (if any)
3) Date requested
4) Time requested (start to finish)
5) Turnout expected
Location:
G8 CONVERGENCE SPACE
1266 QUEEN STREET WEST
(just west off Noble)
17 JUNE 2010
==== 10AM - 12PM: OPEN UP THE SPACE
==== 12PM - 8PM: TALK ABOUT G20 DAY
==== 8PM - 11PM: PARTY !!!!
OPEN UP THE SPACE: 10am
Come out and hear activists and community members talk about why we need to cancel the G8/G20! Get inspired, check out our new space and help us set up!
The full program and a graphic schedule of the Summit weekend is available for download here.
*******************************************************
Volunteer orientations:
Thursday June 10th, 7pm, Room G, Student Campus Centre, 55 Gould Street
Monday June 14th, 7pm, Thomas Lounge, Student Campus Centre, 55 Gould Street.
So often we lose sight that the masses of demonstrators are not just the demonstrators' but are also our neighbors, our colleagues at work, friends of our friends and relatives, and many of the people working every day to&nb
This year the so-called leaders of the 20 most powerful countries will attempt to push around our communities here in Toronto. And this year in June we will stop them!
Here are the speaker bios for those who spoke at the June 8th press conference. To contact them, please send a specific request to tcmn.media@gmail.com and we will do our best to put you in touch.
1) Kevin Tilley
Legal Support
Summit Legal Project/Law Union's Movement Defense Committee
Toronto – At a press conference today to highlight community organizing in the face of police intimidation, over a hundred Toronto police officers were present in an effort to further intimidate the people resisting the G8/G20 policies.
“There were 11 full cop cars, 16 bikes, 14 horses, 3 multi-passenger vans, Emergency Task Force with automatic weapons, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosives Team equalling over a hundred cops” says Sharmeen Khan of the Toronto Community Mobilization Network.
With just a few weeks away, we need supporters to communicate with us
their housing needs OR if folks can open their homes to comrades. We will
do our best to accommodate people, but the sooner we can organize this
before folks arrive, the better!
1) Statement re: prevention and preparing to come to Toronto 2) Update/Recommendations Re: LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) 3) Sexual Assault Policy 4) Trainings Updates 5) Request for Tent and Van/Vehicle for G20 week
Many of the actions during the G8/G20 are being organized around or welcome an affinity group structure. We encourage people to form affinity groups with trusted friends, lovers, comrades, etc.
ART MAKING/PERFORMANCE/SOUND EVERY WEDNESDAY!
6-9 PM
100 St. George (Sydney Smith)
Geography Grad Students' Room
Room SSH621A, accessed through room SSH619
IN THE BASEMENT
Elevator in the lobby
Things we want to do:
- make stuff
- brainstorm catchy anti-G20 slogans
- design t-shirts with these slogans
- talk about art actions
- plan for arts other than visual arts
- start making puppets
Seventh Community Mobilization Network Open Planning Meeting for G8/20
Resistance in Toronto
29 May, 2010
11am – 1pm
Steelworkers Hall
25 Cecil Street
Hearing so much about the G20 but don’t know how to plug in? The open planning meetings are a great way to meet folks, hear updates and get a sense of what is needed from various committees.
We will be giving updates on schedules, distributing posters and flyers and discussing logistical details.
This statement is being released by the Toronto Community Mobilization Network after being incorrectly quoted and incorrectly represented in the mainstream media.
Please forward to alternative media sites, social justice listservs, on blogs and other social media.
The Toronto Community Mobilization Network is *not* an umbrella group. The Toronto Community Mobilization Network is *not *organizing any actions.
TORONTO— An umbrella group concerned with various social issues says it plans to protest the G8 and G20 summits because the leaders do not represent the interests of ordinary people.
Organizer Adonis El-Jamal says the governments of the countries involved are interested in saving banks, but not people's livelihoods.
Toronto Community Mobilization Network Press Conference & T-Shirt Making! Find Out WHY people are mobilizing against the G8/G20
When: Thursday, May 20, 2010 Time: 10am – 11am Where: Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
Why:
Come to the first Toronto Community Mobilization Network press
conference and hear about the issues - reasons why people are
mobilizing against the G8/G20. Hear from community organizers,
Add another acronym to the list of meetings involving key policy makers in Ontario next month. We know about the one-day Group of Eight, or G8, gathering in Huntsville, to be followed by the two-day Group of 20, or G20, meeting in Toronto. Now, the Department of Finance said Monday there will be a “B20″ meeting in Toronto, as well, in which G20 finance ministers meet face-to-face with two business leaders from each of the 20 countries. The gathering will be held on the eve of the G20, on June 25 and 26.
Parents with young children at child-care centres in the downtown core have been advised to keep their kids at home on the days immediately before and after the G20 summit in June.
-Fence to start going up in the beginning of June.
-Suggested prelimary boundaries of red zone fence: Wellington to the North, Front to the South, Bay to the East, and Rees to the West.
-King and Bay to be closed as of Friday June 25th.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/31323683/G8-G20-General-Information-Notice
Queen’s Park North has been designated as the official protest spot for the G20 Summit to be hosted in Toronto this June, police announced Thursday afternoon.
The decision came after outcry from members of the community when Trinity-Bellwoods Park was originally slated as the protest spot.
INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE COMING FROM THE UNITED STATES TO CANADA TO ATTEND THE CONVERGENCE AGAINST THE G8/G20 (June, 2010)
*The following is for informational purposes only. This is NOT legal advice.*
The G8 (Group of 8) and G20 (Group of 20) leaders are meeting in Ontario from June 25-27, 2010. Toronto-based communities and organizations of women, people of colour, indigenous peoples, the poor, the working class, queer and trans people and disabled people are organizing a people’s convergence of actions, marches, workshops and meetings in Toronto at that time.
Security officials may have stepped down from their plan to confine g20 protesters to a downtown Toronto park but a coalition of activists say officials shouldn't try to set up another protest zone.
TORONTO — Activists planning to protest next month's G20 Summit said Friday they will continue to organize demonstrations at various locations throughout the city, despite plans by officials to confine protests to one "designated speech area" in downtown Toronto.
While the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games unfolded at BC Place on Feb. 12, about 1,500 people marched through Vancouver's streets, ushering in days of demonstrations.
From April 26-28th the G8 Development Ministers will meet in Halifax. A community and labour coalition has been formed to oppose the G8’s agenda. The economic policies of the G8 are directly responsible for the economic and environmental crises that impact the lives of millions of people around the world.
The Halifax G8 Welcoming Committee is organizing a rally and a picket to demonstrate against the G8.
Prospects of finalising a new binding agreement on climate change by the end of the year are "slim", according to UN climate convention chief Yvo de Boer.
I have the privilege to forward this public Call Out on behalf of the “Defenders of the Land” for support and action regarding Canada hosting the G8/G20 on June 24, 2010. The Defenders are a movement of independent indigenous bodies that defend Aboriginal and Treaty territories from destructive commercial and industrial development.
The G20 is invading Toronto from June 25th to 27th, 2010. This is a callout to militant queers everywhere; trans people, dykes, homos, faggots, cocksuckers, and genderfuckers: come to ATTACK!
The so called ‘leaders’ and bankers of the twenty richest countries are meeting in Huntsville and Toronto on 25-27 June 2010. They are meeting to make decisions that will exploit even more people and the environment. They want to ensure that the systems that increase colonization, wars and displacement are maintained. In direct resistance, we are coming together to create a just world that puts people before corporate and elite profit.
You didn’t think Riot 2010 was over yet, did you? Day to day, the tentacles of global capitalism threaten to choke the life from us, and opportunities to attack its nucleus rarely present themselves. Rest assured that when the G20 comes within striking distance this June, we won’t miss.
Please contribute to the legal defence fund. Ways to donate:
1) Transfer funds to:
OPIRG York
transit number 00646
institution number 842
account number 3542240
Use your online bank account or contact your bank directly to transfer funds. Please put "G20 legal defence" in the memo.
2) Write a cheque
Cheques (payable to 'Toronto Community Mobilization Network' OR OPIRG York, with 'G20 legal defence' on the subject line) can be mailed to:
Toronto Community Mobilization Network
360A Bloor Street W
PO Box 68557
Toronto, ON M5S 1X0
3) Donate by PayPal
Make sure to put 'G20 legal defence' in the "Add special instructions for the Merchant" section. Donation link is above.
