Monday, April 10, 2006

[Canada] Rosedale residents prepare for a demonstration

from CTV

Residents of a wealthy and normally quiet Toronto neighbourhood prepared for a noisy evening on Saturday as members of an anti-poverty group organized a demonstration demanding a 40 per cent increase in welfare rates.

The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) organized a march through Rosedale to, according to their website, "tell them we want our money back."

The demonstration was designed to get the attention of the Ontario government. OCAP is calling the planned 2 per cent increase in welfare rates an insult and they are demanding a 40 per cent increase be implemented right away.

Residents in the area say OCAP has a right to demonstrate.

"I think everybody should have an opportunity to protest against things that they feel are being wronged, as long as it's a justified protest," one Rosedale resident told CTV's Galit Solomon.

OCAP organized a June 2000 demonstration at Queen's Park that turned into a riot. In other incidents, members have been charged with crimes such as vandalism. The reputation is not being ignored.

The group said the plan for Saturday's demonstration was to keep it peaceful.

But police were not taking any chances and brought in extra officers to keep a close watch over the evening's events.

"It will be more than we normally have … and that's because of the expansive geography of Rosedale," Staff Sgt. Heinz Kuck said.

Police said they did not expect trouble, but offered tips to residents on how to protect themselves and their property. They suggested vehicles be parked inside garages and people should stay inside with the doors locks and alarm systems turned on.

The extra security did not impress demonstration organizers who said poor neighbourhoods do not receive the same level of attention.

"People in poor communities can suffer in obscurity, but if you ruffle the feathers of a wealthy neighbourhood it seems every public resource available can be put towards protecting them," OCAP founder John Clarke said.

Organizers would not disclose the exact route of the demonstration, but said they planned to stop by the homes of some prominent Torontonians.

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