Yesterday morning activists from around Ontario converged on Toronto's financial district to protest growing poverty in Canada and around the world by attempting to temporarily shut down the country's fiancial center. The confrontational protests began before daybreak and disrupted some activity on Toronto's Bay Street. The demonstrations lasted several hours before marchers joined street parties and rallies. The protests nearly coincided with the announcement by Ontario Premier Mike Harris that he will step down as soon as his Progressive Conservative Party can choose a new leader (likely in the spring), citing personal reasons. Canadian activists have long criticized Harris for instituting policies that have allowed poverty to grow exponentially in Canada. Harris has insisted that his reforms have spurred Ontario's economy.
Today's protest was the kickoff of the "fall campaign of economic disruption" by the Ontario Common Front, a coalition of over 75 anti-povery and social justice organizations, that will "attempt to create a political crisis for the Tory government by shutting down the profit system in this province." As organizers from the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, one of the members of the Ontario Common Front, declared the event a success, debate continued about OCAP's tactics.
Visit IMC-Ontario regularly for coverage of yesterday's actions and ongoing social justice issues in Canada.
A first-hand overview of the October 16 actions.
