Black Torontonians Savagely Snatch all of the Toronto Police Services' Edges at #BLMTOTentCity as Protest Nears 100 Hours

TORONTO, March 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Black activists in Toronto are giving themselves a collective two snaps for continuing to speak truth to power about anti-Black racism even in the face of police brutality. Today, activists camping out at Police Headquarters announced that legal action would be taken against Toronto Police Service (TPS) for violating Ms. Jean Montaque's Charter rights. The TPS illegally entered and searched the Black grandmother's home without a warrant and terrorized her family.

This is the fifth day of #BLMTOTentCity, and activists have been highlighting various forms of anti-Black racism in the city. The TPS has responded by taking activists' sources of heat and shelter in freezing temperatures. The activists are also being subjected to 24-hour surveillance and were brutally attacked by police on the second night of their protest.

"Black Toronto, get your life, because we exhibiting some truly raucous savagery out here," said Alexandria Williams, Black Lives Matter – Toronto Co-Founder. "They keep thinking they're wearing us down with these wack tactics. But they just strengthening our resolve."

In addition to the lawsuit announced today, Black Lives Matter – Toronto has announced an outdoor bashment to occur at 10:00 p.m. in celebration of 100 hours of protest and the restoration of Afrofest to a two-day festival.

"These waste politicians don't even have the courage to face us, though," said Yusra Khogali, co-founder of Black Lives Matter – Toronto. "But we don't need them to celebrate our beautiful Blackness. Black fam of Toronto, come through at 10:00 p.m. It's about to get lit."

Black Lives Matter – Toronto released these demands related to the #BLMTOTentCity action:

• The immediate release of the name(s) of the officer(s) who killed Andrew Loku
• Charges to be laid against the officers who killed Mr. Loku.
• The immediate and public release of any video footage from the apartment complex where Andrew Loku was murdered.
• The adoption of the African Canadian Legal Clinic's demand for a coroner's inquest into the death of Andrew Loku.
• An overhaul of the province's Special Investigations Unit, in consultation with families of victims of Police violence, the Black community, and the community at large.
• A commitment to the full elimination of carding, including: the deletion of all previously recorded data, reframing of regulations to prohibitions, consistent implementation policy amongst different police boards, and concrete disciplinary measures for officers who continue to card.
• The immediate release of the name(s) of the officer who killed Alex Wettlaufer, and charges to be laid accordingly.

Black Lives Matter-Toronto is the Toronto chapter of the ‪#‎BlackLivesMatter network, an international organization and movement fighting anti-Black racism and state-sanctioned violence.

#BLMTOtentcity

SOURCE Black Lives Matter - Toronto

For inquiries, contact: Sandy Hudson at [email protected] or 416-722-8842; Rodney Diverlus at [email protected] or 647-456-8476