Show Up Toronto - August 12, 2025
Hi comrades,
Happy Tuesday! I wanted to call out Civic Spark, a two-day conference this coming weekend aimed at connecting organizers, technologists, mutual aid networks, and anyone else who cares about improving public life. I will be hosting a panel speaking to fellow tech workers who have successfully built platforms and tools for community organizations about their experience doing so - I'd love to see you there! If cost is a hardship, let me know and we can try to work something out.
Thanks for showing up.
Jenny
Take heart: Doug Ford's Bill-33 is trying to mandate the use of police officers in schools, despite consistent evidence of the harm this causes to Indigenous, Black, and other marginalized students and their families. Last week, the Toronto Police Service indicated they would not be bringing back the program to dedicate officers to school surveillance regardless of the bill's passage. While the bill itself is still a huge threat, TPS's reluctance to restart the program is evidence that community organizing can greatly impact public attitudes and support. Policing-Free Schools has been doing great organizing around this, and is hosting a great series of back-to-school teach-ins for parents, teachers, and students on how to join the fight.
Take action: It was easy to miss this amidst our constant onslaught of news: a few weeks ago migrant organizations released a comprehensive new report involving over 500 migrant workers that shows that the federal government's proposal to "improve" temporary foreign worker programs will actually worsen conditions for vulnerable workers, allowing employers to steal more than $15,000 a year from workers. Canada's temporary foreign worker programs have been called "a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery" by the UN. The Migrant Rights Network is asking supporters to reach out to their MPs as well as Mark Carney to demand permanent status for all migrant workers, and also join the multi-movement mobilization Draw The Line on September 20th across the country.
⭐️ = events updated since the last newsletter
Events this week
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
⭐️ 12-1PM — Ending Your Tenancy Workshop (Virtual)
Hosted by Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations - Thinking of moving out of your apartment? This workshop answers common questions such as: how much notice to give, the difference between an assignment and sublet, going to court to end your tenancy agreement, and lots more.
⭐️ 4-6PM — Phone Bank for an Arms Embargo (Virtual)
Hosted by Canadian Freelance Union - Come phonebank with Labour for Palestine activists and support Unifor's call for an arms embargo now!
⭐️ 5-7PM — Cross-Toronto Day of Action for Arms Embargo (Across Toronto)
Hosted by Arms Embargo Now - Multiple neighbourhood organizations are joining together for a day of action across Toronto. Neighbours are rallying outside of subway stations to bang pots and pans, canvass neighbours, and demand that Canada stop arming Israel’s genocide. Rallies will be outside Kipling, Royal York, Dundas West, Dufferin, St George, Broadview, Chester, Pape, Greenwood, Coxwell, Woodbine, and Main Station subways.
5:30-7PM — Black & Indigenous Youth Share Circle (21 Cecil St)
Hosted by Rising From our Roots - This biweekly share circle, hosted by two Afro-Indigenous youth will help build connection, sense of community, and interact in meaningful conversations with voices that matter. The share circle will allow for Black and Indigenous youth to engage and share lived experiences, accomplishments, and tribulations. This session is in-person.
⭐️ 6-8PM — Volunteer to Demand School Meals for All (Main Street Station)
Hosted by Progress Toronto - Mayor Chow and Toronto City Council have voted to expand school meals, but to feed all students, the Ford government must match the city’s investment. We urge the provincial government to provide funding for a universal school meal program to ensure students do not go hungry. Join Progress Toronto in speaking to residents across Toronto on the street, at farmers’ market, and festivals to help them tell the Ford government to fund school meals.
⭐️ 6-8PM — Community Book Discussion: Policing Black Lives (EarlyON Centre, Jane Finch Mall)
Hosted by Jane Finch Action Against Poverty - Join JFAAP and Jane Finch Political Conversation Cafe for a community book discussion on Chapter 8 of Robyn Maynard's Policing Black Lives: The (Mis)Education of Black Youth: Anti-blackness in the school system. Food and drinks will be provided, and youth are encouraged to join!
⭐️ 6-8PM — Harm Reduction Advocacy Open Meeting (College Street United Church)
Hosted by Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective Toronto - Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective is hosting an open working group meeting for anyone who’s interested in working on the art installation/vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day. This a great way to get involved in organizing and learn new skills! If you have any, please bring black and purple fabric!
⭐️ 7-9PM — Civic Hacknight - Building VolunteerHub (Hybrid)
Hosted by Civic Tech Toronto - Civic Tech Toronto's weekly hacknights bring together Torontonians who want to improve the city through design, tech, and data. tech, and data. This week will showcase VolunteerHub, a civic platform that connects volunteers with meaningful local opportunities. The presentation will be followed by the usual breakout group sessions.
⭐️ 7-9PM — All Eyes On Gaza Vigil (CTV Headquarters, 299 St W)
Hosted by Palestinian Youth Movement - Come join PYM for a vigil to honour the lives of reporter Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, videographers Moamen Aliwa and Ibrahim Zaher, operator Mohammed Noufal, and Anas’ nephew Mosaab Sharif murdered by Israel. For almost 2 years, media outlets like CTV have chosen to remain complicit in the genocide by continuing to censor, obfuscate and neglect the truth being broadcast from on the ground, and by failing to stand for the protection of their fellow journalists. Demand an end to the shameful complicity of the media.
⭐️ 7-10PM — Give Peace Trivia A Chance (Blood Brothers Brewery, 165 Geary Ave)
Hosted by Toronto Association for Peace and Solidarity - Fundraiser trivia in support of Peace of the Pie: People’s Hearings on Military Spending. Come for 6 rounds of trivia focused on peace and anti-imperialism and meet likeminded neighbours. Entry fee includes food.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
11AM-2PM — Gaza Family Reunification Weekly Sit-In (25 St Clair Ave E)
Hosted by Gazan Canadians - Join The Gazan Canadians League for a weekly sit-in to demand that the Canadian government evacuate their family members from Gaza immediately. All are welcome at this family-friendly event. There will be music and art, and signs to hold.
2:30-4:30PM — Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing Workshop (St James Town Community Centre)
Hosted by The Neighbourhood Organization - Join for a free workshop on rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing and learn about requirements and eligibility for applying for these housing units.
⭐️ 4-7PM — Prisoner's Justice Day Rescreening and Letter Writing (Wildseed Centre)
Hosted by Wildseed Centre - If you couldn't make it to a Prisoner's Justice Day event, join Wildseed Centre and the A. Dutty Boukman bookclub for a rescreening of PJDTV2025, a three hour livestream involving a range of interviews with abolitionist organizers, formerly incarcerated people, scholars and artists. Shortly after 5PM, attendees will be guided through a discussion on political prisoners, then invited to write a letter to someone who is incarcerated. Refreshments and writing materials will be provided.
⭐️ 8-10PM — Draw The Line Mass Organizing Call (Virtual)
Hosted by Draw The Line - Join 350 Canada, Migrant Rights Network, Seniors for Climate, CAN-Rac, Indigenous Climate Action, World Beyond War and more to hear from union leaders, migrant justice organizers and Indigenous land defenders on why we’re uniting on Sept 20 to Draw the Line: For People. For Peace. For the Planet. Speakers will include David Suzuki, Syed Hussan, Eriel Deranger, Rachel Small, and JP Hornick. Let's build a historic alliance to fight back.
Thursday, August 14, 2025
⭐️ 5-7PM — Kandi Making and Trading Workshop (21 Strickland Ave)
Hosted by Pieces to Pathways - Community Dinner is a social, drop-in space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 16-29 with lived experience of substance use. Come grab a meal, get harm reduction supplies, connect with peers, and make and trade some candy.
6-9PM — The Green Summit (Metro Hall, 55 John)
Hosted by Immigrant Women in Business - The Green Summit is an annual, one-day networking event dedicated to driving sustainability, innovation, and collaboration with meaningful discussions and actionable solutions for a more sustainable world.
6-7:30PM — Students United Against Banks Intake Call (Virtual)
Hosted by Change Course - Join Change Course for an intake call to learn more about the Banks Off Campus campaign! Students are feeling the effects of climate chaos NOW and big banks like RBC are funding it. Together students have the power to stop the flow of money to projects that violate Indigenous rights and wreck our futures.
6-8PM — Weaving Wages: Basahan workshop & Labour rights Primer (Kababayan Multicultural Centre)
Hosted by Radyo Migrante - Join Radyo Migrante for a hands-on workshop to weave basahan (handmade rags from cloth scraps) and learn about the stories behind them. While crafting, learn about labour issues and the right to a livable wage in the Philippines and abroad.
⭐️ 6-9:30PM — UNION Screening with Tech Worker's Coalition Canada (300 Campbell Ave)
Hosted by Tech Worker's Coalition Canada - Come for a screening of UNION, the award-winning documentary behind how Amazon warehouse workers won their union drive with the Amazon Labor Union, and discuss joining forces with your fellow tech workers to change the direction of the industry for the better.
⭐️ 6-8PM — Co-work to Express Support for National Standards for N95s (Virtual)
Hosted by Safe Air Collective - The Canadian Standards Agency is looking for feedback on supporting respirators in healthcare settings. Come join this body doubling drop-in session to register and comment on this proposed updates with other activists.
⭐️ 6-9PM — Environmental Justice and Planting Workshop (Unit 101B, 260 Carlaw Ave)
Hosted by Shoot For Peace - Join Shoot for Peace and the Black Environmentalist Initiative for an interactive indoor workshop to explore the importance of environmentalism, community care, and food sovereignty. Whether you're a beginner or already have a green thumb, you'll leave with the tools and knowledge to start planting your own produce and building a more sustainable future, right from your home or community.
Friday, August 15, 2025
5:30-8PM — WAC Summer Social (Christie Pits Park)
Hosted by Workers Action Centre - Join WAC after work for fun in the park! Connect with other workers organizing for decent work. Bring your favourite picnic blanket & snacks to share, if you can! To be kind to the environment, please bring your water bottle and reusable utensils & dishes.
Saturday, August 16, 2025
⭐️ 9AM-4PM — Civic Spark (Myhal Centre, U of T)
Hosted by Civic Spark - Civic Tech Toronto, U of T's Centre for Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Engineering and 1RG are hosting a two-day gathering for people who care about the future of public life. This event is aimed at organizers, technologists, public servants, mutual aid networks, researchers, designers, and community leaders from across North America to get together to share stories, challenge asssumptions, and explore what works when building for civic impact.
⭐️ 11AM-12:30PM — KMCLT Walking Tour: Food Futures: Taste the Market’s Resistance (Kensington Ave. and Dundas St)
Hosted by Kensington Market Community Land Trust - This walking tour honours the immigrant-owned food businesses that have defined Kensington’s flavour and spirit across generations. Each stop is an invitation to hear the histories of migration, entrepreneurship, and cultural care embedded in these storefronts. Alongside the KMCLT’s efforts to protect these essential spaces, you’ll hear directly from owners (prepared in advance) about their personal and community histories—what it took to establish a foothold in the Market, and what it takes to stay.
3-5:30PM — Solidarity Academy for Asian Workers: Organize and Take Action (105-1911 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough)
Hosted by Solidarity Academy for Asian Workers - Part 2 of a two-part bilingual “Solidarity Academy for Asian Workers” workshop series, designed and led by Chinese community worker leaders. This is a space created by workers, for workers to speak up, build power, and take collective action against unfair treatment and exploitation in the workplace. Come meet other Asian workers, share your stories, and take part in building a stronger, united voice for justice!Food, activites, draws, TTC fare, and volunteer hours provided.
⭐️ 3-6PM — Arms Embargo Now Rally (Yonge & Dundas)
Hosted by Palestinian Youth Movement - Calling for all people of conscience to take action, to join us on the streets, and to demand Canada stop sending weapons to Israel now! Gaza is being starved, bombarded, and kept under a brutal siege by the zionist entity, all while Canada greenlights their violence and enables the genocide of Palestinians by sending weapons and arms components to Israel. End the genocide, end the occupation, arms embargo now!
⭐️ 3:30-5:30PM — Poetry Book Launch and Gathering (Grange Park)
Hosted by Canada-Philippines Solidarity Organization - Join CPSO for the book launch of "50: Poems by Roger Felix Salditos," a collection of works from a revolutionary whose life was cut short by Philippine state forces. Known as Maya Daniel, he was a poet, a cultural worker, and an organizer who stood with the peasants and Indigenous communities of Panay. There will be poetry readings, guest speakers, cultural performances, and a potluck!
Sunday, August 17, 2025
⭐️ 9-11AM — Solidarity Ride In Support of Arms Embargo (Queen's Park)
Hosted by Great Ride of Return Toronto - Toronto's second solidarity bike ride in support of Palestinians under siege and the Gaza Sunbirds. Make your stance known - speak out and show up to protest the ongoing genocide. Donations to the Gaza Sunbirds suggested.
⭐️ 11AM-2PM — Spring's Book & Bake Sale (720 Spadina, #202)
Hosted by Spring Magazine - Come to Spring's annual Toronto book and bake sale! Anyone that has been the last couple of years knows this sale rocks. We have gotten a huge influx of used titles, many of them quite rare. Lots left-wing books for the best deals you can imagine, as well as baked goods in support of our fundraising campaign. Come to browse, eat, or just hang out!
⭐️ 1-2:30PM — Friends and Families for Safe Streets Peer Support Meeting (401 Richmond St W, Room 215)
Hosted by Friends and Families for Safe Streets - Peer support group meetings for adults over the age of 18 who are bereaved through the death of a family member or friend by road violence, and for those who are recovering/have recovered from traumatic injury in a collision with a vehicle. If you are struggling in the aftermath of road violence, you are not alone. Virtual option available.
1-4PM — Migrant Community Picnic & Fundraiser (Viewmount Park)
Hosted by Migrants Resource Centre Canada - MRCC is hosting a summer picnic & fundraiser for clients, volunteers, partners and supporters for a day out to share yummy meals together, enjoy games and goodies, and create a space for folks looking to get involved in migrant justice. Bring loose change for the MRCC coin drive to fund this essential work.
⭐️ 1-1PM — Community Welcome Day (Mississauga Valley Park)
Hosted by Palestinian Youth Movement - Come help Droplets of Mercy welcome families evacuated from Gaza to the community. This day is all about connection, fun, and community care. Featuring henna and face painting, kids colouring, wood painting, and resources for Gazan newcomers!
⭐️ 3-5PM — Teach-In: Rejecting Narratives of 'Relationship-Building' between Police and Young People (Virtual)
Hosted by Policing-Free Schools - Join Policing-Free Schools for a back-to-school digital teach-in led by Professor Alexandre Da Costa, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. This session will be going in-depth about one of the false narratives used across the country to normalize policing-in-schools and facilitate police access to children and youth, and how the narrative of 'Relationship Building' between youth and police is treated as a normative good and sustains the persistence of policing-in-schools.
⭐️ 5-7PM — Marx in the Park (Trinity Bellwoods Park)
Hosted by Communist Party of Canada Campus Club - Come learn about dialectical materialism as a worldview and meet other socialists. All reading materials provided.
Monday, August 18, 2025
12:30-1:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (Virtual)
Hosted by Toronto Zaps For Palestine - Join with organizers from coast to coast in calling, emailing, and faxing demands to newly elected officials to stop Canada's complicity in the genocide.
6:30-8:30PM — Pedagogy in Pandemic Times (Virtual)
Hosted by Workshops for Gaza - This workshop offers practical tools and strategies for adult educators of all kinds interested in the transformative potential of online teaching. How can we steward and hold trauma-informed learning communities without the sensory input of an in-person space? What does anti-colonial education mean in a “landless” modality that relies on global and local infrastructures of extraction, exploitation and death?
⭐️ 7-8PM — Basic Tenants Rights Workshop (Virtual)
Hosted by Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations - Join FMTA for a free and interactive workshop to learn about leases and illegal clauses, rules around tenant increases, how to ask for repairs, how evictions do and don't work, and lots more.
9-10PM — Democratic Socialists of Canada Orientation (Virtual)
Hosted by Democratic Socialists of Canada - In this one-hour session, you will listen to a brief presentation outlining the DSC's mission, structure, and activities, and learn how to get involved in your local Chapter. Following the presentation, there will be a discussion period and the organizers will answer any questions you may have.
Down the road
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
⭐️ 6-8PM — Housing Rights and Tenant Organizing: No Demovictions (The 519)
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
7-9PM — Civic Hacknight – Open Tools for Transparent Government (Hybrid)
⭐️ 7-8PM — Looking For Housing Workshop (Virtual)
2-3PM — Collaborate With Progressive Content Creators in Canada (Virtual)
⭐️ 3-5PM — Teach-In: Policing Through Technological Surveillance (Virtual)
5:30-8PM — WAC Movie Night: A Bug’s Life (The Hub, 2660 Eglington Ave E)
⭐️ 6-9PM — Decolonizing History and Personal Memory: a View From the Global South (31 Wellesley Street E)
Thursday, August 21, 2025
⭐️ 7:30-9PM — Resource Movement Virtual Open House (Virtual)
⭐️ 6-8PM — Health Worker Organizing Meeting (Virtual)
Friday, August 22, 2025
⭐️ 3-4PM — Teach-In: Policing Through Caring Professions & Carceral 'Care' (Virtual)
Saturday, August 23, 2025
10AM-4PM — WAC Tamil Members Summer Picnic (5555 Steeles Ave E)
⭐️ 11AM-12:30PM — KMCLT Walking Tour: Counterculture Cartographies: Mapping Rebellion in the Market (Kensington Ave. and Dundas St)
12-3PM — Sprout Gathering for Food Sovereignty: Making Seed Balls (Regent Park)
1-7PM — Gaza Is the Compass (Mississauga Valley Park)
⭐️ 2-4:30PM — Building Power in the East (Scarborough Civic Centre)
Sunday, August 24, 2025
10-11AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
1-6PM — People’s Fair (31 Wellesley St E)
Monday, August 25, 2025
⭐️ 12-1PM — Basic Tenants Rights Workshop (Virtual)
⭐️ 12-1PM — Weekly Kill Bill 5 Phone Zap (Virtual)
12:30-1:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (Virtual)
⭐️ 3-5PM — Organizing Against Policing-In-Schools (Virtual)
⭐️ 3-5PM — Organizing Against Policing-In-Schools (Virtual)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
⭐️ 7-8:30PM — Lessons & Legacy: Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution (Friends House, 60 Lowther St)
⭐️ 12-1PM — Rules About Rent Explained Workshop (Virtual)
5:30-7PM — Black & Indigenous Youth Share Circle (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
7-9PM — Pan-Canadian Worker’s Organizing Meeting (Virtual)
7-9PM — Civic Hacknight – Toronto’s PayIT System (Hybrid)
7-9PM — Groundings in Little Xaymaca (1672 Eglington Ave W)
8-11PM — Pals 4 Palestine (CC’s, 1564 Danforth Ave)
11AM-2PM — Policing-Free Schools Teach-In & Rally (Queen’s Park South Lawn)
⭐️ 6-8PM — Safer Together: Building Stronger Communities Through Connection (Unit 105 - 1911 Kennedy Road)
Thursday, August 28, 2025
⭐️ 1:30-3:30PM — Better Transit, Better Streets (1911 Finch Ave W)
Monday, September 1, 2025
7-8PM — Mutual Aid Training (Virtual)
9:30AM-12:30PM — Labour Day Parade (Queen St W & University Ave)
⭐️ 12-1PM — Weekly Kill Bill 5 Phone Zap (Virtual)
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
7-8PM — Democratic Socialists of Canada Orientation (Virtual)
For the full up-to-date event listing, visit the Show Up Toronto website. If you find this newsletter useful, I would love for you to:
- Forward it to a friend
- Tell me if you go to an event
- Send me other organizing events in the city I may have missed
You can reach me by replying directly, or by emailing organize@showuptoronto.ca.