Thousands march through downtown Toronto to protest Doug Ford's OSAP cuts
From Yonge-Dundas Square to the front lawn of Queen's Park, Toronto is currently filled with the voices of students dissenting against cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
This #osap protest is huge #TOpoli #ontpoli #Toronto pic.twitter.com/rtFW18Oe1x
— Brian B. (@BrianGTB) January 25, 2019
"In 2012, the Quebec government decided to raise tuition rates. In response, a quarter of a million students took to the streets to demand change," reads a Facebook event for today's protest in Toronto. "The result was a halting of tuition increases."
"This year, The Ontario government has decided to target our right to education through the recent OSAP reform," it continues. "All students will be affected, and now it is our time to tell the government that we will not sit in silence."
There are here and they are loud. Thousands of students at Yonge-Dundas square have started their chants. #DefendOSAP #WeAreTheStudents pic.twitter.com/VDOdkHtUtZ
— Brianna Taylor (@briannatheghost) January 25, 2019
More than 4,400 people marked themselves as "attending" the protest on Facebook, and it looks like at least half of them actually showed up (not bad, as far as Facebook events go.)
100s, likely 1000+ students & community allies are gathered again,now at Dundas Sq. Demonstrators demand #DougFord reverse the proposed cuts to #OSAP, including end of grade period, cancellation of campus fees which fund services & student groups. #WeAreTheStudents #onpse #onpoli pic.twitter.com/QsXf9a36ns
— Kevin Taghabon (@KevinTaghabon) January 25, 2019
The rally began at Yonge-Dundas Square around 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
Students won't take these OSAP cuts lying down. What started at Yonge and Dundas Square reached Queen's Park loud and proud! #wethestudents #defendOSAP pic.twitter.com/2gsJyD8AJp
— Christopher Arndt (@ArndtJournalism) January 25, 2019
Students and their supporters brought along clever (and savage) signs of support for the cause.
We march not just for ourselves but rather for others who can't march for themselves. We need to work together, not against each other, to solve these issues.#advocacy #defendosap #OSAP#equity@CBCToronto @CTVToronto @UofTMeds @JustinTrudeau @OMSAofficial @ONeducation pic.twitter.com/0VW8SIGuoX
— Jason Kwan (@jkwanjr) January 25, 2019
Some of them more creative than others.
My gf at the osap protest in Toronto !!!!! #cuttheshit #OSAP #fordcuts @maxx_lamarche pic.twitter.com/1VqRfTy7gs
— Erin Bergeron Savard (@coolerinbs) January 25, 2019
#minimalism #DefendOSAP pic.twitter.com/k6iueg2WPD
— Robert Wale (@robert_wale) January 25, 2019
"Just stop." - Cody from Durham College, addressing the provincial government. #wethestudents #defendOSAP pic.twitter.com/l8pR8vFaw5
— Christopher Arndt (@ArndtJournalism) January 25, 2019
Next, the group marchined in unison to Queen’s Park...
Protest happening on Dundas Street West, denouncing @fordnation’s recent OSAP cuts.#Toronto#OSAP pic.twitter.com/uZs8Bq4daU
— عادِل السَّمُّور 🇶🇦🇵🇸 (@adelsammour_) January 25, 2019
Chanting all the while.
A couple students outside my window sound like they disagree with @fordnation re OSAP cuts #onpoli pic.twitter.com/liVZnU4p6f
— Mohsen Seddigh (@Mohsen_Seddigh) January 25, 2019
There, the peaceful protest has resumed.
Students are protesting today at Queen’s Park to #SaveOSAP. I believe in an Ontario where any student can go to uni/college without worrying how to pay for tuition. Thats why we changed OSAP to provide free-tuition.@fordnation is targeting students who need help the most. #ONPoli pic.twitter.com/TnR2KAYa2h
— Michael Coteau (@coteau) January 25, 2019
Speakers such as NDP and opposition leader Andrea Horwath are lending support to the many young demonstraters.
Opposition leader @AndreaHorwath speaking! #onpoli #OSAP #freeeducation #WeAreTheStudents @psacnat @PSACOntario @CFSON @WesternSOGS @kernaghant @PeggySattlerNDP @TArmstrongNDP pic.twitter.com/CQ74oD29NO
— TA/PD Union@ Western (@PSAC610) January 25, 2019
Those who weren't able to make it downtown held rallies of their own in support of the movement.
Let's not forget: #Educationisaright.
— SSF Seneca@York (@SSFSenecaYork) January 25, 2019
Seneca students deserve the opportunity to continue their education without financial distress. We stand in solidarity with students and support their march against OSAP changes
#SaveOSAP #onpoli @SenecaMedia @CBCToronto @CP24 @blogTO pic.twitter.com/3HSHQ8Mq1X
And it's not only students in Toronto.
Students are outraged; we took to the streets! ✊🏼@UWindsor students rallied today to defend our right to a public education! We told Ford that students will not stand by and watch as he cuts our OSAP and our universities' funding.
— Angela Zhu (@AngelaofTC) January 24, 2019
Student debt is high enough. #wearethestudents pic.twitter.com/wKHGFQZLH1
The call to restore critical funding to university and college students who need it is echoing across the entire province today.
"education is one of the greatest democratizing forces in the world" @kernaghant #SaveOSAP #FreeTuition #SaveEducation "Education is an investment in our people, in the future" pic.twitter.com/P8dUi4gs5f
— Nicole Fice (@nicolefice) January 25, 2019
The students were scheduled to continue fighting the power until 4:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon, but their demonstrations show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
Huge turnout today in front of #QueensPark. #Students and allies protesting against #DougFord’s #OSAP cuts.
— Nasser Haidar (@nasserhaidar) January 25, 2019
Windchill temperature of -17 degrees did not stop any of these people from standing up for themselves. #ONpoli pic.twitter.com/izpiCpFi2y
