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Syndicate
Excellent tactical move on the part of QuAIA... I hope it is followed up by a statement out of PT which will say, albeit in more diplomatic language, "Fuck you, we will not pre-emptively ban anyone!" and then demand that both Ford and Mammoliti be tested for rabies and quarantined if necessary. I hope that when the asshat's motion is debated, repeated reference is made to the City's own report (see link in post #23 above) and he gets laughed out of the chamber.
Xtra: Pride funding likely safe
Briarpatch: Sanitizing Pride
How much funding is at risk?
"In 2010, PT received a $123,807 grant and about $250,000 worth of in-kind services from the city, including garbage cleanup and policing."
From here.
Thats not even a rounding error in the city budget is it?
What is Toronto policy on event grants and in-kind services? Is Toronto's position on political use of city sponsored events a matter of even-handed policy or is the Pride event a political football?
In other words, does the city grant funds to other venues or events that include and activist component or is the politicisation of the Pride event the only event that Toronto city is concerned about?
I guess it depends on what you define as political.
The City's monetary and in-kind contributions to Pride are pretty insignificant, to both the City and to a lesser extent, to Pride.
The City of Toronto funds museums, which are hugely political with an enormous political agenda, and no I'm not being funny.
They also fund special events like a Canada Day event every year, enough said.
They fund Summerlicious and Winterlicious, which are basically extended advertising and marketing campaigns for upscale restaurants. Certainly not a free event open to all.
Pride brings in tens of millions of dollars into the city every year. Through tourism (hotels, cabs, restaurants) and locals spending in bars and restaurants.
If this was really about money, Mayor Tight Purse Strings Asshole Fuckwad wouldn't give a shit. It's about ideology. QUAIA is a smokescreen.
Very progressive ass chewing
You must practice.
If this funding is relatively insignificant, why not find other funding and refuse to give the TPSAFs a soapbox? Make Pride a successful event in spite of the city. Leave them on the outside looking in AND, explaining why.
Years of practice, dahhling.
I think they need the city for permits, garbage, po-po, etc. But that's a great idea.
The funding is insignificant for the City. Is is fairly significant for Pride. Finding other funding might well eman going cap in hand to the wealthiest donors in the LGBT communities. The Salah Bashir Pride Parade?
The City's proposed funding cut was also, of course, an example of vicious attacks designed to shut down open debate. Sometimes those are worth standing up to, maybe? (Even though I agree with the growing community consensus for a stripped-down, less corporate, more activist and free-speechy Pride.)
It's not unusual for creepy guys with videocameras to film the Dyke March hoping to get some boobie shots. It's much more unusual for one of the to be a city councillor.
Giorgio Mammoliti and his camcorder want to axe city funding for Pride Week.
The city councillor says he captured an anti-Israeli group chanting the controversial phrase “Israeli Apartheid” during Saturday’s Dyke Parade.
i think i am going to go tomorrow and hold a sign reading israelie aparthied.
i think i am going to go tomorrow and hold a sign reading israelie aparthied
You might want to keep in mind that you would not likely be the person bearing the brunt of any blowback from that action. The rule in question is a funding stipulation, not a criminal law. So, it's not like you will personally get arrested for waving around that sign. Rather, someone will probably just take your picture, and post it on the internet or in the media. Then, some Ford flunky on council can use it as proof as to why Pride should be de-funded.
I have no problem with an Israeli Apartheid sign being waved around, at Pride or anywhere else. Just that, if you're going to make a poltical statement that could jeopardize the future of Pride(while costing you comparatively little) you might want to clear it with the other interested parties first.
Doff the cap and move along, don't forget your place. Yes sir I understand, where is the designated protest area?
Apparently blackmail is an effective political tool guaranteed to drive a wedge in the movement as people take sides on whether or not to do as the blackmailer says.
Slightly less surprising coming from a man whose rampant homophobia has been on display in the past. Mammoliti was simply aching to find someone, *anyone*, to say or shout 'Israeli Apartheid' (and unless Pride organizers had mind control over all paraders, that is simply impossible to stop). Whether he found someone is open to debate, since his recorded footage has not yet surfaced. He is the archetype of those bigots and homophobes eager to use the Israeli issue as cover for them to parade their antediluvian beliefs.
Doff the cap and move along, don't forget your place. Yes sir I understand, where is the designated protest area?
Apparently blackmail is an effective political tool guaranteed to drive a wedge in the movement as people take sides on whether or not to do as the blackmailer says.
I'm not neccessarily saying that people shouldn't buck the funding stipulations. Just that if you do, it would probably be a good idea to consult with other people who would be effected by any loss of funding.
It's kind of like if you're an actor in a theatre troupe that gets government funding, but one of the conditions of the funding is that the word "fuck" doesn't get uttered on stage. Okay, so you think that the stipulation is prudish and absurd(and I'd agree). But, before you go on stage and let out an unscripted torrent of "fuck this and fuck that", you might want to mention your plan to the other members of the troupe to make sure the group as a whole is prepared to absorb the consequences. Otherwise, you're just being the big hero for a few seconds, while allowing the collective to deal with a blowback they weren't neccessarily prepared for.
I never intended to march in the parade, so I don't know why it would matter or not if I hold a sign reading Israelie apartheid as an individual attending the pride event. Pride doesn't belong to the Pride organizer. The street is public to everyone.
Anyways I didn't go because I had better things to do. I attended trans pride on Friday and that was enough for me. I also think its quite dangerous to hold a sign reading israelie apartheid, so it takes some courage regardless if I can be arrested or not. I remember holding such a sign 2 years ago in Pride, as an individual (not part of any organization or marchers) and I have people yelling at me, and bottles were thrown at marchers identified as queers against israelie apartheid , so yeah there are risks.
And as a transgender woman of color , I resent the idea that I have to risk my own personal safety in order to express my belief about human rights for Palestinians (or anyone) at a pride event. I think pride should be about feeling safe, and championing human rights for everyone, and I don't like bigots fucking with my pride and telling me what can or cannot come out of my mouth. (literally speaking)
I dont care about being a hero, i want to keep my pride at pride.
I don't think that things like a movements day to strut its stuff needs a fucking director with a megaphone telling people what to say and what not to say. But then I think movements should be organic not orchestrated.
Any ideas who the director is in your scenario? IMO it is the homophobic asshole who will be directing the Pride Day if you let him. Not my town not my parade so I am only commenting.
Mammoliti admits defeat in 2011, stockpiles ammo for 2012.
I'm no expert on Toronto politics, but this Matlow character seems to have the same view of workers' rights as he does of the rights of queers to support Palestinians. Can't you Torontonians send him packing or something?
Evil powerful union boss threatens terrible things to hapless city councillor for just expressing his innocent opinion in a little tweet
Nice to see the union playing into Ford's hands and driving councillors into his camp
I don't think so. Matlow was below the belt. Ford's going down fast. Who pricked him? It's windy tonight.
Nothing really counts until the next election. He has all that time to truly offend everyone or pull a last minute rabbit andget relected
True that. Thanks for the reminder.
Sorry just a tad cynical these days
True. Never, ever underestimate an incumbent in municipal politics. It's a weird thing when they don't get re-elected.
Oh it must be that time of year, they are moving to defund Toronto Pride, again.... what is with you Central Canadian Overlords anyway?
On a related note, why is it that Rabble has nothing in their searchable data base about this latest attempt for the City of Toronto to stifle free speech by members of the LGBT communities?
It's getting to be an annual event, part of Pride. Before the training of volunteers and the setting up of booths, we must have the ritual threat to city funding. It gets more boring every year, at least until council actually does something more than send nasty letters.
It's getting to be an annual event, part of Pride. Before the training of volunteers and the setting up of booths, we must have the ritual threat to city funding. It gets more boring every year, at least until council actually does something more than send nasty letters.