The Movement Defence Committee (MDC) is an autonomous working group of the Law Union of Ontario made up of legal workers, law students, activists, and lawyers which provides legal support to progressive organizations and activists in Toronto.
We recognize that members of oppressed groups are at higher risk when they encounter the law and we work to provide information and support that is specific to these groups. [ read more ]
In January of 2025, the Movement Defence Committee split into two sister organizations: the Movement Legal Defence Committee (MLDC) and Orange Hats (Legal Observers + in-person legal support). With our third sibling org, the Legal Support Committee, we are better able to connect activists to the supports they need.
The MDC will consider a request for support from any political organization, group or individual that is working to create progressive social change and which operates under basic anti-racist and anti-oppression principles.
Use the Request Support button (to the right or below, depending on your screen size) to open the form.
You can also get in touch with the MDC by sending us an email to lawunionmdc@gmail.com or movementdefence@protonmail.com.
Nothing is a hundred percent foolproof, but you can at least make it more trouble to access your info than the information is worth.
Phones and other devices are key tools for Legal Observers at actions, so here are some tips to do just that.
Interested in becoming a Legal Observer? Are you a community organizer who wants to know more about our Know Your Rights workshops?
Trainings are held intermittently and available upon request. Contact us at lawunionmdc@gmail.com or movementdefence@protonmail.com to discuss arranging a training.