York University with CUPE3903 in the wake of the University using the cops as strike breakers and the arrests on the Sentinel Road picket a couple of weeks ago.
Not only will we be subjected to the same leapfrogging nonsense as the last few weeks, the cops are threatening organizers with a $10,000 fine for being on the truck; to arrest anyone who climbs at today's action; and the crowd is full of plain clothes cops.
Today it is snowing, and I'm inside. In fact, as I dictate this, I'm sitting in a hot bath with epsom salts soothing my aches and pains.
The night before last I was sleeping (well, sitting actually, as I did/could not sleep) outside, my choice, as part of a protest about houselessness in the City of Toronto.
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It's not the first time I have "slept rough" with unhoused people, but it has been because I have been requested to fulfill a role as a Legal Observer from the Movement Defence Committee, in case of interactions with police.
As a Black woman, when I have privilege in certain contexts, it is extremely apparent to me. And no, it's not ❝Black privilege❞ as certain #wypipo like to complain about when white privilege is commented on.
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First of all, and it annoys me to have to cover this ground repeatedly, the PRIVILEGE in question is "privilege" vis-à-vis rights, not "privilege" as in wealth.
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1️⃣ The first privilege, and this will probably confuse those of you who insist upon hearing privilege as in wealth, is that I have dedicated camping gear (and it is camping gear, as opposed to what I'm relying upon to save my God damn life every night) designed for winter camping, AND I've had the luxury to learn how to use it properly in non-emergency situations.
Even then, not being able to use a wood stove or start a fire, made things deeply unpleasant. It reached -13°C at one point, and the cold coming up from the cement was brutal, even through the reflectix. I gave one roll of reflectix to someone who was sleeping directly on the ground.
It was windy, and even with my hammock sock over top of my entire setup, I could feel convection happening. The fact that I EVEN KNOW the difference between convective cooling (the wind pulling the warmed air away from your immediate space) versus conductive cooling (the cement sucking the heat from your body) and how to compensate for it, is part of that privilege.
Hmmm I'm going to make this into a thread instead of a one post novel.
Kicking off a Legal Observing Marathon with a Defund the Police Party at Nathan Phillips Square.
Loaded down with stuff to give away: warm clothing (gently-used and freshly washed); tent and accompanying camping gear that I no longer use now that I am a tree-sleeper; then a dash over to Street Knit to pickup warm knitted gear to bring back.
Making a dash over to Street Knit to pick up more warm gear, because every single one of the items in the big bags of hats, scarves, and sweaters that I brought are all gone.
Mercifully, others have also brought lots.
Please bring used but still warm coats, sleeping bags, or other gear by if you have them.
If you are able, please head to St Stephen-in-the-Fields for encampment defence.
This is what the city would rather do than to let unhoused people sleep in safety and peace. Shelter workers were literally sending people to this encampment a month ago.
They will undoubtedly also blame the pending death of the tree on the encampment, too.
3/🧵
It's endlessly horrifying to me just how deeply so many people need other people to suffer in order to feel good about themselves.
This shitty capitalist system NEEDS there to be unhoused and struggling people BOTH as a warning to those who would reject trading their short healthy years for shit wages, but also as a marker for those so dissociated from what actually makes them happy of their "success" — at least they have a roof over their head.
No, actually, it is NOT the measure of a good person that you can sufficiently follow the rules of a garbage society to earn enough to eat.
You are most definitely NOT a good person when you are totally fine with SOMEONE ELSE living hand to mouth.
As part of the International Action to Stop Arming Israel, L3 Harris in North York has been blockaded by a group coordinated by Labour Against the Arms Trade, Labour for Palestine, and World Beyond War.
L3 Harris manufactures some of the smaller parts for bombs and other weapons used by Israel.
Similar actions are taking place across the country including in Ottawa, where Lockheed Martin is also being blockaded.
National Day of Action 100K for Gaza Toronto Saturday, November 4 2PM US Consulate 360 University Avenue End Canadian Complicity Ceasefire Now Life the siege on Gaza
NOVEMBER 4 - CANADA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION Ceasefire Now! End Canadian Complicity! Lift the Siege on Gaza! ALBERTA Calgary 12pm, Tomkins Park Edmonton 2pm, Churchill Square BRITISH COLUMBIA Nanaimo 2pm, Maffeo Sutton Park Vancouver 2pm, Vancouver Art Gallery Victoria 1pm, Legislative Assembly MANITOBA Winnipeg 1pm, US Consulate NEW BRUNSWICK Fredericton 12pm, City Hall NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR St John's 1:30pm, Harbourside Park NOVA SCOTIA Halifax 2pm, Province House 7pm, Park Victoria Sydney 1pm ONTARIO Guelph 11am, City Hall Kingston 2pm, City Hall London 11am, City Hall Markham 2pm, Markham City Centre Mississauga 4pm, Mississauga City Hall Ottawa 2pm. Parliament Hill Thunderbay 3pm, Hillcrest Park Toronto 2pm, US Consulate Windsor 2pm, Sunset & University PEl Charlottetown 2pm, Cenotaph QUEBEC Montreal 2pm, Place-des-Arts Quebec City 2pm, Place de l'Université-du- SASKATCHEWAN Regina Royal Saskatchewan Museum Saskatoon 2.30pm, City Hall additions/ corrections: @PalSolidaritySitin
Wow, i opt to sleep in on this lovely, quiet so far spice-free day, and Signal bursts into flames!
That's the single most-shared screenshot I have ever seen! I am never going to have to explain the dangers of #CarymaNgo and her sexpest #CreepySpouseInDaHouse EVER AGAIN!
That's not just shooting yourself in the foot; it's like launching a rocket-propelled grenade at it.
Oh, who's this she's having a friendly chat with? 🤷🏾♀️
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A man in Dinsmore who sparked a lengthy standoff with the Mounties after allegedly making threats and barricading himself inside a home with weapons had posted hours of video content online about conspiracy theories leading up to his arrest.
According to RCMP spokesman Rob King, the 35-year-old man was taken into custody early Thursday morning after what became an hours-long standoff. Police said the incident began around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday after officers responded to the home, about three hours northwest of Regina, due to reports that a man was making threats online.
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Up today:
📣 📣 📣 📣 📣 #Toronto Protest:
End the Genocide in Gaza
Sunday, October 29th
2:00 p.m.
U.S. Consulate
📣 📣 📣 📣 📣
Time to get my butt in gear!
Passing along info for today's action.
if you're attending, some (gentle-but-firm) reminders:
I. cover up - undercovers, fascists, and zionists have been seen to be covertly filming/photographing attendees + organizers alike; keeping yourself covered (masks, hair, etc.) will help keep EVERYONE safe; collective safety LEADS TO individual safety, and vice versa.
photography - if/when taking photos/videos (as a supporter), try your best to not get participants' faces in your frame - especially those that are racialized/ targeted/otherwise marginalized.
on the ground- if you're supporting logistically maintain situational awareness (see: number 1) at all times - you don't know who's around, so be mindful when relaying communications with your comrades.
solidarity - bring your Palestine flags, any banners, signage, AND YOUR KEFFIYEH.
The same people behind the so-called “1 Million March” last month are planning once again to rally
➡️ Saturday, October 21st, 2023 in Queen’s Park ⬅️ for their “right” to abuse youth.
🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
NEW START TIME FOR
THE COUNTER IS 9:30 AM
🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
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Abdulsalam has promoted the "million
man marches" by making appearances on far-right convoy-adjacent livestreams and podcasts. Earlier this month, Abdulsalam posted a statement on behalf of Hands Off Our Kids that claimed: "This is a movement for the children and straight families."
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And:
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The event has been promoted by right-wing alternative media sources like Rebel Media, True North and the Post Millennial, as well as fringe sources like
convoy livestreamer Chris Dacey and convicted criminal Kevin J. Johnston.
The march has also been endorsed by a number of hardline social conservative groups and influencers, including Take Back Alberta, 4MyCanada, Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson and the anti-abortion group Campaign Life Coalition.
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