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From Toronto to Guangdong, We Fight Together
Friday, June 25th, over 4000 people took to the streets of Toronto to fight the G20
On Friday June 25th Toronto saw a proud and vibrant march of up to 4000 people take to the streets under the collective banner of <Justice for Our Communities: No to G8/G20! Yes to Taking Back Our City!>. Despite many people being subjected to illegal searches, threats of being charged with trespassing, and an extreme police presence, the march began at Allan Gardens at 2:30pm with powerful speeches from members of No One is Illegal and the Ontario Coalition against Poverty (OCAP). John Clarke from OCAP passionately stirred the crowd. “Let it be clear. We are not just fighting for the people of Toronto and Ontario, we are fighting as part of a larger movement of social resistance…I would like to think that right now on some flickering internet screen in some hell hole dormitory sweatshop in Guangdong province in China, they are gathered around and saying “their fight is our fight!” And we will fight together!”.
The jubilant march included those fighting against poverty, ableism, and borders. Music snaked through the crowd with not one but two lively samba troops, an anarchist marching band, as well as a sound-truck pumping out motivating beats. Kelly, a member of Disability Action Movement Now (DAMN), explained to The Spoke why she came out. “I think people with disabilities due to policy are some of the most vulnerable people in our city, and a meeting of the elite, rich and powerful is a perfect opportunity to come together and fight back and not take it sitting down.”
Judith Weisman, marching strong in her golden years, is active in numerous groups who organize against the occupation of Palestine and came out because of the price tag for security. “ I wasn’t expecting to come out to any of the actions, but when I heard the amount of money-$1 Billion- and heard what they were doing, I was so enraged that I thought I had to do something, so I came to march!”.
After a few long pauses due to police interference, blocking movement and hours of taking to the streets, at 7:15pm the massive demonstration returned to Allan Gardens to begin a community meal and tent city.
Topics: Solidarity
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