TDRC Media Releases
Media advisory August 10, 2004
Anxiety Sweeps Through Homeless
As Eviction Notices Are Delivered to Squatters
At The Same Time As
Homeless People at City Hall Are Told
Verbally That They May Have To Leave Nathan Phillips Square By September
Even though there has been a rash of sympathetic articles and editorials regarding the crisis of homelessness, an ominous story is emerging. Squatters have been given eviction notices to vacate their make-shift homes near the Gardiner. Homeless people at City Hall have been told they may also have to leave soon.
Doug Holyday, the only councillor to go against City Council’s vote to declare homelessness a National Disaster, has been viciously speaking out against the poorest of the poor. He says that homeless people camped out of City Hall should “get a job.” He wants them swept out of sight.
The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) and the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC) will sponsor a community meal in solidarity with the homeless people who will have nowhere to go if they are removed from their present locations.
For months now police and city workers have been moving people from Toronto’s public parks. Many have ended up at City Hall or camped out in small groups. OCAP and TDRC call upon the City of Toronto and all levels of government to house and feed our people and to end the harassment.
For more information, contact TDRC
at tdrc@tdrc.net
or OCAP at ocap@tao.ca
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