The People's Court

Placing Austerity and its Political Representatives on Trial

TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - PSAC will be holding a "People's Court" at 1pm in front of the Toronto Court House at 361 University Avenue (at Armoury St). We are placing the austerity agenda and its political representatives, including Harper, Hudak, McGuinty and Ford on trial for their anti-worker agendas and sweeping cuts to public services communities rely upon.

Community leaders, labour unions, social justice advocates and the public will be able to participate in this interactive trial, where we will here witness testimony of the damaging effects of austerity. Furthermore, this trial will allow the public to deliberate on the evidence provided and announce a verdict on the fate of these politicians.

"People are frustrated with our political leaders, who by taking away public and social services, are abandoning families during a very difficult economic time", states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario. "We are witnessing the loss of a generation of hard fought social gains, which is making it harder for ordinary people to make it day to day".

No matter what level of government you are speaking of, federal, provincial or municipal, the same theme of austerity is weakening the services that Canadians depend upon. The People's Court is part of PSAC's National Day of Action, and is one event among many occurring across Canada.

When:	Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 1pm
Where:	In front of the Toronto Court House at 361 University Avenue (at Armoury St), Toronto
Speakers:	Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President Raul Burbano, Common Frontiers Magdalena Diaz, Toronto Stop the Cuts Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario John Cartwright, President, Toronto and York Region Labour Council and many others…

This event has been endorsed by: Community Alliance for Social Justice, Gabriela Ontario, Toronto Stop the Cuts, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, Asian Canadian Labour Alliance, Migrante Ontario, Mayworks, Rabble.ca, Justicia for Migrant Workers, Common Front, Greater Toronto Worker Workers' Assembly, Workers United, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Federation of Students, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Independent Women Workers, Latin American Trade Union Coalition, Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network, Toronto and York Region District Labour Council, and the Ontario Federation of Labour.

SOURCE: Public Service Alliance of Canada - Ontario

Lino Vieira, Communications Officer,        
Cell - 416-577-0238