Over 100 people gathered at River Osborne Community Centre at Noon on Thursday July 1st to demonstrate their solidarity with those detained, arrested and brutalized at the G20 summit and their opposition to the police state's repression of protest. Some called for a public inquiry while others insisted that all charges be dropped.

As CBC reported, the group chanted "our passion for freedom is stronger than their prisons," as it proceeded through the annual July 1st nationalist celebrations in Osborne Village. One demonstrator carried a sign on her back stating "solidarity with G20 resistance", while another held one that said "up with my stuff" and on the other side "down with your shit". While one hippie attempted to lead others in a singing of "Oh Canada" , a definite Anti-Nationalist/Anti-Colonial sentiment could be felt in parts of the crowd.

The mass formed a circle in the intersection of Osborne and Stradbrook and several speakers took the megaphone to deliver messages of support or to recount their stories of Toronto. Police lingered at the edges, unprepared for this speedily organized manifestation, unsure of how to react. 

Although the CTV story is only too eager to quote former mayoral candidate Kaj Hasselriis (who spoke at the event: "I'm sure the police could have controlled a few bad apples while keeping the peace for the legitimate protesters,") in his reactionary denunciation of a portion of the resistance, both a member of the New Socialist Group and a masked anarchist took the megaphone to speak out in favour of real solidarity and a refusal to allow the state to dictate the categories of "legitimate" and "bad" dissent.

The event was organized by members of The FemRev Collective, Winnipeg CopWatch, the Winnipeg Anarchist Black Cross and the Winnipeg New Socialist Group among others. The protests in Toronto against the G20 continue to serve as a catalyst for mobilization and discussion, and as inspiration for further resistance.