Comrade Marcel
17th November 2004, 01:23
Report from the OCAP “Housing Takeover” on November 13th, 2004
Mikhail Rodsky
11/15/2004
There is no question that the huge lack of housing and destruction of social programs has led to vast homelessness and as a result many homeless deaths here in Toronto and all across Ontario. In response to the refusal by our government to build social housing and provide for the homeless and poor, many groups, especially OCAP have under taken various tasks in order for the people to supply themselves with these means. One tactic is taking over empty buildings - which many exist in the city of Toronto, that otherwise just sit there and rot - and opening them up to the homeless.
Young Left believes it is a terrible injustice for empty buildings to exist well people sleep in the streets, as any roof over your head is better than no roof at all, even if the building is not completely equipped for housing. In the past, people have been able to fix up abandoned buildings using their own labour, time, and equipment, totally on voluntary bases without needing the billions of dollars our government says it doesn’t have for housing. Imagine what the people could do eradicate homelessness with the support of a Socialist government!
300 Comrades from various organizations including OCAP, Young Left, Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Collective, RCP-OC, CPC-ML, and others took part in the squat action on Sunday November 13th in the afternoon.
Preparing to march, many people gathered in and outside of All Saints Church, discussing with each other many topics, including what they thought might happen that day, well others distributed legal information with a number to call for legal advice in case of arrest, and others distributed picket signs. Many sat inside to a free meal served by OCAP of hearty Beef strew, rice, salad, and freshly baked bread – still warm – donated by the Dufferin Bakery.
Gaetan Heroux (OCAP) and others spoke about the current situation of homeless people in Toronto, and the spread of tuberculosis. Comrades expressed outrage through cries of “shame!” at how so many people have unnecessarily died in the streets simply because of the cold, or other circumstances that could have been prevented if these people had access to homes and the care they deserve.
We began our march down Queen St. E. going westbound, and I stayed near the centre of the march with some comrades, all of us holding red flags. Unfortunately, as I happen to be on bail, I planned to participate in the march but not to occupy the squat for risk of arrest that could land me in “the slammer” for some time.
We marched to Church St., and than north, where we received loud cheers and happy waves from people in the Gay community.
Our Chants included “Housing NOW!”, “David Miller get a grip, you homeless hating piece of shit!”, and “More squats, less cops!” among others.
We made an abrupt turn one street north of Bloor, which caught the police off guard as they rushed to stay to the front of the march, leaving one lane open for traffic. One Comrade’s sign was apparently to close for comfort for one police officer – badge #5311 - who told her she “better move”; she ignored him and defiantly showed him the middle finger, and was threatened by this pig that he would “break that fucking finger off” if she didn’t move away.
As we reached Jarvis we turned southbound, and as half of the marching crowd started moving past the building located at 590 Jarvis Ave, when suddenly people from the middle of the crowd began charging in the front doors of the building, catching police totally of guard. Instinctively, I also ran inside of the building. Once inside, I realized that not enough people where in for us to be able to hold the squat, and that I could end up in jail if I was caught inside, as I am currently on bail for various charges relating to another demonstration last month.
The building, - located directly across the street from Roger’s Communications head office – was once Metro Police Head Quarters, and is currently not in use but is equipped with running water hot and cold, heating and electricity.
The pigs began to brutally push there way through using whatever force necessary, in order to block anymore people from entering the building. As I saw a struggle ensue, I was able to squeeze through and make my way out of the building, just barely missing (but catching a whiff of) the cloud of pepper spray that police began dousing people with.
One Comrade was sprayed right in her mouth by a pig well shouting a slogan, as she was gasping for breath this “officer of the law” smiled; others were sprayed in the face badly and needed medical attention from those who where on-hand to provide first aid.
For some time, things looked good as the flag of 590 Jarvis Ave was changed and replaced with the Black and Red Anarcho-Communist flag, and various banners where dropped from open windows. Loud cheers came from all around, accompanied by chants of “If they won’t build it, we will take it!”
But police somehow found a way in the back door, and pushed their way through, punching one Comrade in the face. Some were told they could leave the building immediately and not be charged. Others chose to stay inside, and were arrested and charged with trespassing.
When cops brought out those they arrested into their patty wagons, the crowd tried to form a chain and used shopping carts and other items to try and block the police. The police had to pull the patty wagon around to the back of the building in order to make arrests, with load shouts of “Shame on the pigs”.
An OCAP speaker talked about how last month they where able to steal thousands of dollars worth of groceries from upscale supermarkets and redistribute it to poor and homeless people, and that these actions will only continue so long as it is required.
Eventually everyone left and went back to All-Saints Church in order to discuss and plan future actions and have a free meal.
OCAP reported that “All 14 people arrested at the demonstration yesterday have now been released from police custody. 13 were released from 51 Division last night, and 1 (Gaetan Heroux - MR) was released following a bail hearing this morning. Most are charged with trespassing.” Gaetan Heroux was also charged with obstruct police.
OCAP and other social justice groups vow to keep up the fight for housing. Young Left and Comrades will not rest until the goal of socialist society in Canada has been achieved.
Mikhail Rodsky
11/15/2004
There is no question that the huge lack of housing and destruction of social programs has led to vast homelessness and as a result many homeless deaths here in Toronto and all across Ontario. In response to the refusal by our government to build social housing and provide for the homeless and poor, many groups, especially OCAP have under taken various tasks in order for the people to supply themselves with these means. One tactic is taking over empty buildings - which many exist in the city of Toronto, that otherwise just sit there and rot - and opening them up to the homeless.
Young Left believes it is a terrible injustice for empty buildings to exist well people sleep in the streets, as any roof over your head is better than no roof at all, even if the building is not completely equipped for housing. In the past, people have been able to fix up abandoned buildings using their own labour, time, and equipment, totally on voluntary bases without needing the billions of dollars our government says it doesn’t have for housing. Imagine what the people could do eradicate homelessness with the support of a Socialist government!
300 Comrades from various organizations including OCAP, Young Left, Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Collective, RCP-OC, CPC-ML, and others took part in the squat action on Sunday November 13th in the afternoon.
Preparing to march, many people gathered in and outside of All Saints Church, discussing with each other many topics, including what they thought might happen that day, well others distributed legal information with a number to call for legal advice in case of arrest, and others distributed picket signs. Many sat inside to a free meal served by OCAP of hearty Beef strew, rice, salad, and freshly baked bread – still warm – donated by the Dufferin Bakery.
Gaetan Heroux (OCAP) and others spoke about the current situation of homeless people in Toronto, and the spread of tuberculosis. Comrades expressed outrage through cries of “shame!” at how so many people have unnecessarily died in the streets simply because of the cold, or other circumstances that could have been prevented if these people had access to homes and the care they deserve.
We began our march down Queen St. E. going westbound, and I stayed near the centre of the march with some comrades, all of us holding red flags. Unfortunately, as I happen to be on bail, I planned to participate in the march but not to occupy the squat for risk of arrest that could land me in “the slammer” for some time.
We marched to Church St., and than north, where we received loud cheers and happy waves from people in the Gay community.
Our Chants included “Housing NOW!”, “David Miller get a grip, you homeless hating piece of shit!”, and “More squats, less cops!” among others.
We made an abrupt turn one street north of Bloor, which caught the police off guard as they rushed to stay to the front of the march, leaving one lane open for traffic. One Comrade’s sign was apparently to close for comfort for one police officer – badge #5311 - who told her she “better move”; she ignored him and defiantly showed him the middle finger, and was threatened by this pig that he would “break that fucking finger off” if she didn’t move away.
As we reached Jarvis we turned southbound, and as half of the marching crowd started moving past the building located at 590 Jarvis Ave, when suddenly people from the middle of the crowd began charging in the front doors of the building, catching police totally of guard. Instinctively, I also ran inside of the building. Once inside, I realized that not enough people where in for us to be able to hold the squat, and that I could end up in jail if I was caught inside, as I am currently on bail for various charges relating to another demonstration last month.
The building, - located directly across the street from Roger’s Communications head office – was once Metro Police Head Quarters, and is currently not in use but is equipped with running water hot and cold, heating and electricity.
The pigs began to brutally push there way through using whatever force necessary, in order to block anymore people from entering the building. As I saw a struggle ensue, I was able to squeeze through and make my way out of the building, just barely missing (but catching a whiff of) the cloud of pepper spray that police began dousing people with.
One Comrade was sprayed right in her mouth by a pig well shouting a slogan, as she was gasping for breath this “officer of the law” smiled; others were sprayed in the face badly and needed medical attention from those who where on-hand to provide first aid.
For some time, things looked good as the flag of 590 Jarvis Ave was changed and replaced with the Black and Red Anarcho-Communist flag, and various banners where dropped from open windows. Loud cheers came from all around, accompanied by chants of “If they won’t build it, we will take it!”
But police somehow found a way in the back door, and pushed their way through, punching one Comrade in the face. Some were told they could leave the building immediately and not be charged. Others chose to stay inside, and were arrested and charged with trespassing.
When cops brought out those they arrested into their patty wagons, the crowd tried to form a chain and used shopping carts and other items to try and block the police. The police had to pull the patty wagon around to the back of the building in order to make arrests, with load shouts of “Shame on the pigs”.
An OCAP speaker talked about how last month they where able to steal thousands of dollars worth of groceries from upscale supermarkets and redistribute it to poor and homeless people, and that these actions will only continue so long as it is required.
Eventually everyone left and went back to All-Saints Church in order to discuss and plan future actions and have a free meal.
OCAP reported that “All 14 people arrested at the demonstration yesterday have now been released from police custody. 13 were released from 51 Division last night, and 1 (Gaetan Heroux - MR) was released following a bail hearing this morning. Most are charged with trespassing.” Gaetan Heroux was also charged with obstruct police.
OCAP and other social justice groups vow to keep up the fight for housing. Young Left and Comrades will not rest until the goal of socialist society in Canada has been achieved.