Morning Brew: Nasty ads emerge to conclude mayoral campaigns, accused G20 ringleader arrested again, women "take back the night," Toronto 18 ringleader to be sentenced today, where to vote
It's finally here: election day. And what better way to leave a sour taste in everyone's mouths than a series of smear ads emerging just before voters hit the polls? A Tamil radio ad aired this weekend encouraging voters to cast their ballots for Rob Ford because he is straight. The ads involved two characters discussing who they plan on voting for, one character saying, "I am Tamil. We have a religion and culture. Take Rob Ford: His wife is a woman." Posters also emerged along the Danforth and in the Beaches asking, "Should Muslim vote for him who married a man?" Rob Ford used Twitter to respond to the ads, saying, "I do not condone the recent Tamil Radio ad. I support diversity & have no issue with others' lifestyle choices."
Accused G20 ringleader Alex Hundert was arrested yet again over the weekend, this latest arrest being his the third in the past five months. Hundert's lawyer didn't confirm the reason for this latest arrest, but said he was arrested on a "new charge." Activist group Toronto Community Mobilization Network released a statement saying Hundert's rearrest "is yet another attempt to intimidate and harass Alex and other anti-G20 organizers." Hundert faces three counts of conspiracy related to activities during the G20 summit, and was released on bail just over a week ago after being arrested a second time for breaching bail conditions. As part of his Oct. 13 bail conditions, Hundert is not allowed to speak to the media.
Hundreds of women gathered at Yonge and Dundas Friday night as part of the 30th annual Take Back the Night Event. Hosted by the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre and Multicultural Women Against Rape, the event seeks to bring awareness to issues of violence against women and children. This year's event was titled, "30 years of Struggle, Resistance, Liberation," and only women and children were allowed to participate in the march.
The ringleader of the so-called Toronto 18 is to be sentenced in a Brampton courtroom today. Fahim Ahmad, who pleaded guilty to participating in a terrorist group, was arrested as part of a June 2006 raid where 17 people were arrested for allegedly planning to bomb areas of Toronto and Ottawa (an 18th person was detained two months later). The defence is asking for about 12 years in prison for Ahmad, while the Crown is seeking 18 years to life.
And, in case you don't know where to vote today, remember that you can use the address form on the city's Toronto Votes website or location-based maps provided by Vote.ca. A variety of proper ID is accepted, with the key being that you can produce your name, signature and Toronto address (check the link for more info).
Photo by Danielle Scott in the blogTO Flickr pool.
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