Sunday, September 13, 2015

PEGIDA Counter-protest Planned In Toronto

From an email we received earlier:

EMERGENCY DEMO: SHUT DOWN “PEGIDA Canada” ! 
### Please Circulate Widely ####

On Saturday, September 19th, the racist and xenophobic “PEGIDA Canada” are planning to make their second appearance on the streets. After a humiliating defeat in Montreal earlier this year, the far-right group will attempt to rally and march in Toronto, beginning at 1PM in Queens Park.

In Germany the PEGIDA (Patriotische Europäer Gegen die Islamisierung des Abendlandes, or Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West) movement managed to draw tens of thousands to the streets in reactionary fervor against 'Islamization'. PEGIDA Canada draws on the same tired nationalist rhetoric. They claim they are not racist, they simply are “protecting Canadian culture” by targeting Muslims and calling for tougher immigration laws.

Amidst the current humanitarian crisis on the borders and the broadening struggle for the rights of refugees and migrants, it is crucial we do not allow far-right groups the space to organize and mount a backlash. PEGIDA Canada is a new development in Southern Ontario and there is reason to believe this rally may draw more supporters and be better organized than their Montreal counterparts.

Join us on September 19th at 12PM SHARP to give PEGIDA the welcome it deserves – we will rally on University Ave and College St (Queen’s Park Station on the Yellow Line). Bring flags, banners, noise makers, and friends while we put our words to action and demonstrate our strength. We will send a clear message to PEGIDA and their would-be fellow travelers: You will not organize in our streets!

REFUGEES WELCOME! 
AGAINST FASCISM / AGAINST BORDERS!

2 comments:

  1. Your lucky I'm busy that day I would love a chance to smash some sharp's.

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  2. Although I sympathize with your views/concerns, I do support free speech and not think you have any right to take that away from someone simply because you do not agree with someone else's political views. Of course, free-speech does give you the right to voice your opposition, but it does not give you the right to tell someone that they are not entitled to the fundamental freedoms rights stated in our Charter. Fighting against racism is great, but being Anti-Free Speech? Not so much.

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