Rob Ford says it’s about time Occupy Toronto protesters moved on—but can the city actually evict them?
Mayor Rob Ford’s mysterious plan regarding the Occupy Toronto protesters is taking a while to hatch, but we do have some hints about where things may be heading. “Over the next few weeks, we will see an end to this matter,” Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said yesterday. Then, today, Ford noted ominously that “they’ve had a peaceful protest but I think it’s time that we ask them to leave. I think it’s time that we ask the protesters to move on.” But if Ford is indeed going to oust the protesters, things could get complicated. The Occupy camp is located next to St. James Cathedral, on a mix of city- and church-owned land, and one lawyer says that while the city maintains the “upper hand” in the situation, the church’s support for the protest might make things messy. Of course, the protesters won’t be easily deterred—a media relations officer indicated that there are “several venues in the downtown area” they can move if needed and the group will fight any attempt at eviction. Plus, we’ll wager that after they’ve received donations of generators, yurts, a professional food truck and portable toilets, there might be some legal folk willing to lend the occupiers a hand. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »
Oh brother! Apparently the Vancouver/London Cops need to show Toronto how it’s done! For heavens sake, protesters are usually pple out with signs telling the world how they feel about issues, to me these people are just a bunch of squatters and druggies taking advantage of another opportunity to feel like they can do whatever they want to! Get a life! The’re sleeping in tents on public property and shooting up or snorting will do nothing to change anything they are protesting about! I predict that they will not stop at drug abuse and things will only get worse in those camping spaces.
Have you been to occupy toronto?
After spending only 4 nights at the occupation (more to come) the mass media myth of drug abuse is overexagerated. Marches occur everyday, along with bank occupations and elite outlet occupations. Fully functioning services give the essentials (food, shelter, hygiene) and special needs (women’s safe space, legal, free store, kids zone, free school, cafe, and much more)are already established and thriving. Drugs and tents do exist, but not in the manner you percieve them. Drug abusers are limited and are socially confronted by the GA. Tents exists because we need a place to sleep. After my long day of marching, refilling the donated hand-wash stations and dishes I like to relax in my tent with my friends and recap the day.
Rob Ford wants to shut down the occupation on a basis of ”they’ve made their point”, nothing about hygeine or tent spacing. I personally feel that this occupation is not finished making a point (being the systematic violence that capitalism functions on, and more) and that it’s point will not be made until a non-violent system (or no system at all) is in place.
Anyhow, hope that helps…