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Police harass and intimidate activists and community members
Toronto – Two community activists and organizer were arrested, intimidated and detained for hours at a converted film studio earlier today. Elaborate charges were placed upon them. All the unfounded charges have now been dropped and the two organizers are free.
“The G20’s so-called leaders will arrive here in a week. Why are there over a hundred police, as well as crowd control units surrounding a public demonstration focusing on poverty issues?” asked Syed Hussan, who was at the demonstration.
4 activists were also harassed and pushed around and their flag poles were seized without notice.
“With hundreds of flags flying in Toronto due to the World Cup, seizing flag poles seems really excessive,” added Syed Hussan.
The demonstration was organized by a group of autonomous anti-poverty organizations, SOS, KCAP and SAFE. A gas station was symbolically occupied for a few minutes with the march finally heading to Children’s Aids Services HQ.
“The ESSO station and shop was occupied for a reason. ESSO is one of the 70 corporations that were bailed out during this crisis that has impoverished communities and ensured the survival of the rich,” said Claudia Calabro at the demonstration. “The G20 has given over a billion dollars in subsidies to oil and gas companies like ESSO just this year – these companies are responsible for massive ecological destruction and must be held accountable.”
“As community organizers, we see the direct effects of global capitalism on our friends and loved ones, who are being denied food, childcare, affordable housing, harm reduction information and other basic rights,” said Kelly Rose, one of the organizers of the rally. “These rights are not something that will be awarded to us by a higher power, they are something that we will reclaim through action and community building.”
The focus on Tuesday is on Gender Justice, Queer Right and dis/ability rights. For details, visit http://g20.torontomobilize.org
Source: http://g20.torontomobilize.org/node/314