TORONTO, June 24, 2011 - During the G20 meetings in June 2010 the world was shocked by the police brutality, corporate exploitation and state repression witnessed in downtown Toronto. Yet for racialized peoples, indigenous peoples, poor people, migrant workers, and many others who live, work and organize in Toronto, this is an everyday reality. Our communities have been, and continue to be, in a state of emergency because governments insist on securing corporate profits at our expense -- public services for people are cut, while corporations and cops get more money. Our streets are bleeding and the government of Canada and its allied institutions are responsible.

Montreal, June 21, 2011 -- Today, Montrealer Jaggi Singh, a member of the Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC), was sentenced for "inciting" people to tear down the G20 security fence in Toronto. Last April 28th, he pleaded guilty to "counselling" to tear down the illegitimate fence that shielded the heads of state of the G20 from popular rage on June 26th and 27th, 2010 in Toronto. The Crown has asked the judge to impose an exemplary sentence of six months' imprisonment, while admitting that no sentence, even the harshest, could make Jaggi change his political views. The stated purpose of this extremely severe sentence, in the words of Crown counsel, is "to send a clear message" to other activists. Jaggi's lawyer, Peter Rosenthal, asked the Court to impose a token fine of $10.

Ideas are being put on trial in Canada. This became clear sitting in the courtroom at Toronto's Old City Hall on Thursday, April 28.

Jaggi Singh, one of the nation's most prominent anti-capitalist activists, pleaded guilty to urging people to take down the $5-million G20 summit fence erected in downtown Toronto last June. He was officially charged with "counselling to commit mischief over $5,000."

Nathalie Des Rosiers, general counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and James Clancy, the National Union of Public and General Employees's national president, spoke to rabble.ca about the release of a report by the CCLA and the NUPGE based on public hearings on the G20 mass arrests. The hearings were held in Toronto and Montreal last November.