City
Occupy Toronto granted interim injunction
The Occupy Toronto movement has been granted an interim injunction against eviction. A judge will consider the constitutional issues posed by the protesters at St. James Park and deliver a decision by Saturday. In the meantime, the interim ruling states that no new tents be set up at the park. A hearing has been scheduled for Friday morning at 10 a.m. at which time both sides — the occupiers and the City of Toronto — will be able to present arguments. Until the judge rules on the matter, the City in not permitted to enforce the eviction notices that were distributed earlier today.
A rally is planned at St. James Park at 11 p.m. tonight.
Update (7:45 p.m.):
Here's a copy of Justice David Brown's decision regarding the interim injunction (PDF). Wading through the legalese, the crucial issue appears to be the "balance of inconvenience," which takes into account "the damage each party alleges it will suffer" as well as the general public interest. Here's a glimpse at the arguments that were presented today (for context, follow the link to the full report).
Photo by Tom Ryaboi
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Its every ones park.
Not any more yours than anyone's.
Deal with it. ;)
@Dear hippies - if you want to get into the argument that these people "leeching" off of tax payers, why not turn the argument around? At least these people had/have/will have jobs at some point in their lives and have paid taxes all their life (HST, income, etc.) while your dog can be seen as the leeching off of past, present, and future citizen's money in all of this since it will never contribute anything to society, it will never hold down any job, it will never pay taxes, an it can never become a real citizen and participate in our democracy.
For the most part the other comments here are shrill senseless and unreasoned. Of no value what so ever.
I hate the thought of violence in response to a message that tends to promote fairness, both economic and political.
now, dear hippies tells the truth. these sacks of sh^t shd have no right to squat in public places. protest, sure, but set up home, no. dear ronnie shd surround them with firetrucks and hose the jezuz out of them. good for their hygiene, good for the park's hygiene.
everything is being washed out in broad 'we're the 99%' and 'you're a disgusting hippie' strokes.
for shame.
All is a see is a lot of sawing logs while I grin and bear what passes for public transportation on King.
They can assemble all they want - but a tent city - notsomuch.
I'm not sure if the last part of your post was a joke or being sarcastic, but if you were actually serious, how exactly is the Occupy movement costing anyone time and money? It's just the occupiers using their own time and money, unless you decided to donate to them. In that case, why did you donate to them if you don't support them?
Good luck occupiers. If you do get kicked out then I would recommend holding daily assemblies in Queens Park or City Hall (both public spaces) to continue your discussions for as long as you need.
What is the message exactly ? That you'd rather punish the independent business owners in the area of St. James Park by reducing their income by at least 30%...and therefore reducing the hours/income of their employees ?!
If you want to protest, why not do it after you finish your days work/schooling and go and vote. I think that is our hard-fought and cherished right in this great country.
Go back to your welfare cheques and taxpayer-sponsored housing units!
to society than in the past...
Also I am pretty sure the only reason they are sleeping in the park is because they are too cheap to commute to Queen's park to protest each day. Honestly is $6 too much to spend each day to commute.
Oh wait none of these ppl have jobs.....