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If CSIS/the police’s conduct leading up to and during the G28/G20 Summit makes you mad enough to do something, check out Saturday’s Day of Action for Civil Liberties.

Call out below:

July 10 Day of Action for Civil Liberties

Demand an Independent Public Inquiry
Defend Civil Liberties

MASS RALLY & MARCH

Saturday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m.
Queen’s Park, Toronto

Event on Facebook: http://bit.ly/dvW2SY

During the G20 Summit in Toronto on June 26 and 27, more than $1.2 billion was spent on a reported 20,000 police and security officers, a 5-metre fence, and new weapons designed to stifle dissent and silence public opposition.

Despite threats of new crowd dispersal weapons and dubious claims that police were granted extraordinary powers of search and arrest, over 25,000 people peacefully marched to question the legitimacy of the G20 and call on Canada to take action on the economy, jobs, public services, global poverty, climate change, Indigenous rights, migrant and undocumented workers’ rights, women’s rights, human rights, peace, inequality and social justice.

Under the pretext of stopping vandalism, the police descended upon peaceful protesters and confused passers-by with force that was disproportionate, arbitrary and excessive, and that included raids, rubber bullets, tear gas and pre-emptive detentions. In total, more than 1,000 people were detained based on dubious charges, in the largest mass arrest in Canadian history.

Demonstrate your opposition to the excessive use of police force and the unprecedented curtailment of civil liberties. Demand an independent public inquiry. Join the Day of Action for Civil Liberties in towns and cities across Canada and Québec on July 10, 2010. To endorse, please see the official call-out below.

CALL-OUT FOR JULY 10 DAY OF ACTION FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES

A broad cross-section of civil society organizations has called a Pan-Canadian Day of Action for Civil Liberties for July 10 to voice opposition to the excessive use of police force and an unprecedented curtailment of civil liberties during the G20 summit in Toronto.

Over $1.2 billion was spent on security that was used to limit the freedoms of people to protest peacefully and speak out for social justice during the Summit. More than 1,000 people were detained based on dubious legislation that purportedly granted sweeping new powers to the police.

Over 25,000 people marched on Saturday, June 26 to raise legitimate criticisms about the G20 and its agenda. The police use of force was disproportionate, arbitrary and excessive, and included mass arrests and pre-emptive detentions. It served to stifle dissent and distract the public’s attention from bigger questions, including: the economy, jobs, public services, global poverty, climate change, Indigenous rights, migrant and undocumented workers’ rights, women’s rights, human rights, peace, inequality and social justice.

On July 10, a Day of Action for Civil Liberties will take place in towns and cities across Canada and Québec to demand an independent public inquiry into the excessive use of police force, the deployment of tens of thousands of security agents and the denial of basic rights such as the freedoms of assembly and expression.

Community members and organisations in other regions are encouraged to organise their own local events on the same day, to pressure all levels of government to support civil liberties.

For information or to endorse, email [email protected].

Krystalline Kraus

krystalline kraus is an intrepid explorer and reporter from Toronto, Canada. A veteran activist and journalist for rabble.ca, she needs no aviator goggles, gas mask or red cape but proceeds fearlessly...