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 CivilLibertiesNOW@gmail.com.

ORGANISATIONS ENDORSING THE DAY OF ACTION

(this list will be updated regularly)

Canadians Advocating Political Participation (CAPP)

Canadian Arab Federation (CAF)

Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA)

Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)

Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)

Canadian Peace Alliance (CPA)

Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario (CUPE Ontario)

Council of Canadians

Educators for Peace and Justice

Greenpeace Canada

Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)

Steelworkers? Toronto Area Council

Toronto and York Region Labour Council