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News & Notes

Legal Observer Training (Online): July 28, 2020; 6:30-8:30pm

The Movement Defence Committee provides legal support to groups and communities organizing against oppression and for more just futures. In the last five months people across Ontario, alongside people around the world, have been rising up and demanding justice. Just this year, the MDC has provided legal support at 50+ protests and direct actions including those calling for defunding the police, safe and affordable shelter for all, and Wet’suwet’en solidarity actions. The MDC tries to show up for all groups who request legal observers and who are working against oppression, and we need to grow… Read More »Legal Observer Training (Online): July 28, 2020; 6:30-8:30pm

G20 Summit Toronto by James D. Schwartz

Flashback: The Role of the MDC at the G20 (Video)

As part of the 10th Anniversary commemoration of the largest mass arrests in Canadian history at the G20 Summit in Toronto a series of videos was re-released. In this video, Mike Leitold talks about 2010 Toronto G20 experiences from legal support perspective, Movement Defence Committee (20min). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh4IIGa1hdE See more at the #myG20story hashtag on  Twitter.

Fonseca: Ten years after the G20 mass arrests, a moment for change

From the opinion piece in the Ottawa Citizen: …Peaceful protesters were brutally assaulted by officers, many of whom were in plain clothes or, if in uniform, who removed their name tags to prevent accountability. Hundreds more were unlawfully detained on the streets for hours in mass “kettling” operations, even as heavy rain poured down. At least nine journalists were assaulted, detained and arrested, by the police. It was “fortunate that, in all the confusion, there were no deaths,” Ontario’s police watchdog later wrote in his damning review. On the second day of the summit, we… Read More »Fonseca: Ten years after the G20 mass arrests, a moment for change

Steps to get legal support from MDC at your action

IMPORTANT: Our phone is not on 24/7, we only turn it on when it has been requested of us by organizers and we have responded that we are able to provide legal support by phone for the action. Please do not communicate or post on social media that we will be providing legal support for your action until we have confirmed that we will be able to provide legal support.

Information for Parents at Protests

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Bringing your child to an event/action can be a positive experience for both you and your child, as a first example (or a reminder) of the value of and possibilities for collective action. There are, however, particular concerns about bringing your child to an event/action. It may be that police will target parents with children, especially at high-risk actions. Although this is VERY UNLIKELY, you might want to be prepared. RESEARCH THE EVENT/ ACTION AHEAD OF TIME The decision to bring your child may depend on the nature of the event. Ask organizers for a… Read More »Information for Parents at Protests

Know Your Rights: A guide for activists

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Know Your Rights. Updates for the April 2021 Stay-at-Home Order If you are in Ontario during the COVID-19 Lockdown, please check: Legal F.A.Q.on COVID Police Powers COVID Update:KYR & Police Powers Original content follows: This guide is intended to provide you with an overview of your rights when dealing with the police. Knowing your basic rights and the common charges that are leveled against protesters can help you in your interactions with the police. However, our rights in theory are very different from our rights in practice. It is important to recognize that the police… Read More »Know Your Rights: A guide for activists

Callout for Feedback & Input on Developing Court Support Resources

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From the G20, to Occupy Toronto to Indigenous struggles, we have seen the way that the State uses the court system and criminal charges to divide our movements and drive our communities apart. The Movement Defence Committee is seeking to develop new resources to support community members and activists as they go through legal and court processes. We are soliciting feedback from individuals and groups about what kinds of supports, information and resources would assist with navigating the legal process and court system. If you have been targeted by the State or if you have… Read More »Callout for Feedback & Input on Developing Court Support Resources

Upcoming deadline for potential G20-related legal action

Reminder: if you have a potential claim or legal action against the police arising out of the G20, there is a two year statute of limitations period which is quickly approaching. Generally speaking, any legal claims must be initiated within two years of the date upon which the acts complained of took place, otherwise the claim may be out of time. We also write to let you know that we may have documentation and/or witnesses to assist you with your claim. If you are bringing a claim against police or other state agents arising out… Read More »Upcoming deadline for potential G20-related legal action

A Statement of Support for G20 Defendants from the Movement Defence Committee (MDC)

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We write to express our ongoing support and solidarity for the G20 defendants. We support the decision of the G20 defendants to enter into a plea agreement with the Crown. We also wish to express our deep sadness and dismay that key community organizers will be serving potentially lengthy jail sentences. As lawyers, law students and legal workers who work with and support social movements, we recognize that there may be limited opportunities for victories before the courts. Both historically and in the present, the legal system, including criminal charges against activists, have often been… Read More »A Statement of Support for G20 Defendants from the Movement Defence Committee (MDC)

Legal Support for Occupy Toronto

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The MDC is providing legal support on an ongiong basis for Occupy Toronto. If you’ve been ARRESTED at Occupy Toronto or have witnessed an ARREST, please call 416-833-6137 or TTY: 416-619-0422. If you receive a TICKET during Occupy Toronto, folow the instructions on the back of the tickets and choose the TRIAL OPTION. Feel free to send us an e-mail using the Contact Us page to report your ticket. If there is sufficient interest we will conduct a workshop on how to fight your ticket. Stay tuned for for updates on continuing Legal Support.