Toronto
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The word shame could be heard several blocks around St. Jamestown in Toronto as thousands of Canadians rallied to show their disapproval of the government's immigration policies and the corporations who benefit from temporary workers.
The immigration issue is becoming an important topic once again. The United States observes the recent law in
Arizona that was declared by Governor Jan Brewer, which attempts to fiercely crack down on illegal immigration. In Canada, refugees and immigrants feel the immigration policies currently in place are racist and are designed to marginalize them.
May Day No One is Illegal Rally
Under cloudy skies and rain, thousands of people rallied in Toronto’s St. Jamestown to bring attention to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government’s policies towards immigration and how corporations are exploiting immigrant workers.
On
May Day, thousands of attendees yelled out the word shame to describe how the government of Canada should feel for their exploitation, mistreatment and supercilious immigration policies. Speakers also pointed out how many businesses are taking advantages of immigrant workers who are paid under the minimum wage.
No One is Illegal accuses Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kennedy of lying when he recently proposed a
number of changes to the immigration system, which the group states the processing time has gone up to 19.5 months from 11.5 months and “the backlog is in the thousands.”
“I know many people who work for $6 per hour, for $3 an hour. I tell the government: for shame!” Proclaimed one female speaker at the No One is Illegal rally. Another speaker said “For a government that constantly claims they’re for family values, they haven’t showed it at all.”
Since 2004, No One is Illegal has addressed their concerns in rallies and marches. Six years ago, the group marched from Montreal to Ottawa. In 2006, Toronto hosted its first May Day of Action and last year the Yonge-Dundas Square was taken over by the organization.
Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration. Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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No One is Illegal wants the end of deportations and detentions, undocumented to access important services without the fear of being deported, an end to the exploitation of temporary workers and the recognition of indigenous sovereignty.
They also want “imperialist wars and occupation” and secret trials to come to an immediate conclusion.
“We work to oppose these policies, as well as the international economic policies that create the conditions of poverty and war that force migration. At the same time, it is part of our ongoing work to support and build alliances with Indigenous peoples in their fight against colonialism, displacement and the ongoing occupation of their land,” the website states.
Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration. Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Flyers were handed out to list one’s rights with immigration officers. One point mentioned: “Citizens cannot be arrested by immigration officers under any circumstance.” Another passage says “people without status can only be arrested if the immigration officers knows your name, and has reason to believe you are inadmissible and they have reasons to believe you are either a danger to the public or unlikely show up for hearings, appointments or removal.”
The leaflets also urged people to ask immigration officers why they are being stopped and to speak to your lawyer, community member or immigration consultant before you answer any questions or sign any papers.
Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration.
Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Thousands of people gathered in St. Jamestown in downtown Toronto at Wellesley and Ontario to protest the government's policies on immigration. Many also promoted the ideologies of socialism and communism, while a group performed music.
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Throughout the demonstration, people took the opportunity to bring their own causes, ideologies and issues to those in attendance at the event. A large number of people called for the Islamic Republican of Iran government to come to an end, while others promoted socialism and communism. One group even showed their support for the
Communist Party of Iraq.
The
Socialist Party of Canada called for an end to capitalism because they feel a “tiny minority of super rich people” own land, resources, factories and other means, while “the rest of us” struggle to survive.
The
Communist Party of Canada and urged the federal government to tax corporations and cut military spending, “Uphold the spirit and significance of May Day! Workers and oppressed people of all countries united!”
“Now, in 2010, as the Conservative government arrests and deports our friends. As they tear apart our families. As they push us in to unsafe jobs. As they call us “bogus refugees” and “illegals”, and do it with a smile, we say no mas, no more,” states No One is Illegal website.
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