Intimidation Tactics Will Not Stop a Peopleʼs Movement

Intimidation Tactics Will Not Stop a Peopleʼs Movement

The few will never strangle the voices of the many

Toronto—As the meetings of the self-appointed, global organizing committee of violence (the G8 and G20 Summits) draws closer, immigrant, working and poor communities, Indigenous people, women, queer and disAbled folk are continuing to organize in the face of police intimidation, harassment and CSIS visits to organize for a world free of poverty, violence and environmental havoc. 

“The Toronto Police have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on fences and harmful toys meant to control and even bring physical pain to people in the city, whether they are organizing or not,” says Aruna Boodram of the Toronto Community Mobilization Network. “The expensive weapons purchased by the Toronto Police are used to fight wars, and now they can be found on our streets, aimed at

everyday people. Why are the cops targeting everyday people going about their daily business?”

“People in low income and marginalized communities often talk of being overpoliced, and now we are seeing this on a larger scale,” says Maryam Adrangi of the Toronto Community Mobilization Network. “Putting thousands of cops on the streets, and giving them permission to use weapons of war against people living in the city, creates feelings of fear and despair, not security.” 

Boodram adds, “Over the past few weeks, police have been targeting organizers and community workers by coming to their workplaces and meetings, visiting their homes and following them. These intimidation tactics are symptomatic of a society that puts overwhelming resources into policing and repression rather than providing people with what they really need – food, housing, healthcare, social services, and access to opportunities.”

A press conference and picket is being organized at 222 Bremner Boulevard, near the corner of Front Street and Bremner Boulevard, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 10:30 am. 

Community Members and Organizers from the Toronto Community Mobilization Network, legal spokespeople from of the Summit Legal Project of the Movement Defense Committee of the Law Union of Ontario, friends of people intimidated by Toronto Police, and people that have been harassed by CSIS and the ISU, will be in attendance. The Summit Legal Project will be releasing a full list of all ISU and CSIS visits on G8/G20 organizers.

- 30 -

The Toronto Community Mobilization Network is a network of individuals and community organizations coming together to support mobilizations for Indigenous Sovereignty and Self-Determination, Environmental and Climate Justice, Migrant Justice and an End to War and Occupation, Income Equity and Community Control over Resources, Gender Justice and Queer and disAbility rights through protests, creative actions and educational events.

For more information, contact the Media Liaisons | 647 454 2443 | tcmn.media@gmail.com