Breaking News — Banner Drop for #May1TO. A good day to call-in sick!
[Photo by David Coombs]
Toronto — As the Austerity budget in Ontario goes to vote, activists from No One Is Illegal – Toronto and Occupy Toronto issued a call for a mass protest and day of action on May Day (May 1), 2012.
A 30 feet x 7 feet banner was dropped off a highway crossing early Tuesday morning, cheekily telling early morning motorists to call-in sick on May Day, when immigrant and worker rights groups and Occupy movements across North America will be marching together against the attacks of the 1%.
Though capitalism and corporate greed have infected much of Toronto since the late 19th century, its most virulent form, “Austerity” has only recently turned in to a a pan-damn-emic.
“Most Torontonians are sick and could use a day off” explained Lana Goldberg of Occupy Toronto.
“People are suffering with Harperitis and have serious headaches from Fordotrophy, which makes it really hard to work and make a living. They should call in sick on May 1st and come to the rally and march. A nice day in the sun will help.”
Sunlight is the primary source of Vitamin D for people in North America, which is necessary for healthy living and good for one’s skin. Sunlight also increases serotonin, and balances the body’s circadian rhythm.
“Though sunlight is a temporary cure for our current maladies, a good dose of protest could really help people recover,” added Yogi Acharya of No One Is Illegal – Toronto, who has been organizing May Day demonstrations in Toronto since 2006. “The Spring season in 2011 saw a surprising break-through in many parts of the world against these illnesses – we are hoping that Spring 2012 will be similar in Toronto.”
Activists have assembled a list of common ailments that people can call-in sick to take the day off. These include Harper-flu, Fordotrophy, Capitalism, Borderitis and the most parasitic one, Colonialism.
Symptoms include homelessness, unemployment, loss of immigration status, poverty, hunger, feelings of powerlessness, fear, apathy, boredom, cultural decay, loss of identity, deportations, loss of free speech, incarceration, and/or revolutionary thoughts.
It is unclear whether calling-in sick is still legal in Canada. In early April, the Canada Industrial Relations Board deemed that Air Canada pilots calling in sick a few weeks ago were engaging in an illegal strike. Rumours have also surfaced that multiple washroom breaks might soon also be declared illegal.
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No One Is Illegal – Toronto Video for Rally & March:
http://youtu.be/hYsLnVm4HWA
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Occupy Toronto: http://on.fb.me/IWjJtL & http://occupyto.org/
NOII-TO: http://on.fb.me/MAY1TO & http://bit.ly/May1TO
M1M: http://on.fb.me/HJLQwd & http://mayfirstmovement.wordpress.com
PLANS FOR MAY DAY 2012.
Occupy Toronto: Chess Game
12pm, more details to be announced
Occupy Gardens: Garden Party Potluck
2pm, Queens Park
http://www.facebook.com/events/176239905831606/
#May1TO: Rally & March
4pm, City Hall
See NOII, OT and M1M links above.
Cultural Celebration
7pm, Alexandra Park
See NOII, OT and M1M links above.
24 hour re-occupation: “Occupy the Heart of the Beast”
9pm, departs from Alexandra Park
http://www.facebook.com/events/440329979314259/
All actions organized autonomously or in coalitions, and posted here in solidarity. Please note that plans may change radically and may not be updated here. Please check links above for most up to date information.
#30#
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