Show Up Toronto - August 5, 2025
Hi comrades,
If you had yesterday off, I hope you had a good long weekend. I used extra time off to do some work on the site: now, if you navigate between weeks, the URL will automatically update to include the date you're looking at. This means if you want to send an event that's happening in the future to a friend, you can now link directly to that week. This week's events are here, for example.
We've also now now migrated to a server that is physically located in Toronto. The slow march to decouple from American tech continues.
If you find this newsletter or the website useful, the best thing you can do to support it is to tell people about it!
Thanks for showing up.
Jenny
Take heart: Toronto tenants in three apartment buildings fighting an above-guideline increase (AGI) in their rent won an important ruling at the Landlord and Tenant Board last week. Tenants argued that a substantial portion of the costs that were being used to justify the AGI were in service of selling or redeveloping the site, which the tenants should not be on the hook for, and the LTB agreed to the tune of $295,000. Organizers say this sets a precedent that other landlords will also be unable to claim similar costs for their AGI cases.
Take action: Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand has responded to the grassroots report released last week that demonstrates that Canada is still arming Israel. And by responded, I mean "spent a lot of time denying things that were not claimed by the report and avoided addressing its substance". Check whether your MP has signed onto the Arms Embargo Now pledge, and if not, call them to demand that they act now to stop our government's complicity in genocide (scripts available at that link).
⭐️ = events updated since the last newsletter
Events this week
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
⭐️ 2-3PM — Arms Embargo Now Press Conference (180 Queen St W)
Hosted by Arms Embargo Now - Tune in to the press conference where the Arms Embargo Now and Palestinian Youth Movement will be responding to Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s denial of their report findings that Canada has been supplying arms to weapons to Israel for the past two years, despite what politicians have claimed. Press conference will also be livestreamed on Instagram.
⭐️ 6-8PM — No Cops In School: (Re)Imagining Education Without Policing (EarlyON, Jane Finch Mall)
Hosted by Jane Finch Action Against Poverty - Come hear featured speakers Robyn Maynard and Andrea Vásquez Jiménez address the different facets of the school-to-prison pipeline. Topics will include the profiling of Black students, how police-in-schools programs endanger Black and racialized children and youth, and how policing-free schools are a necessary step in dismantling the school–prison nexus and co-creating liberatory education.
⭐️ 7-9PM — Civic Hacknight - Technologists For Democracy (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. This week, Khasir Hean will speak about Technologists for Democracy, a diverse group of Canadians who want to spur positive technological change for social good. TfD gives a voice to the tech workers who don’t want to be tech bros - technologists with a conscience. Breakout group to work on civic tech projects to follow.
⭐️ 7-8:30PM — Webinar on Heatwaves: protecting health in a climate crisis (Virtual)
Hosted by Canadian Doctors for Medicare - Canada is heating up twice as fast as the global average. Extreme heat is putting increasing strain on our health and health systems. Join Canadian Doctors for Medicare to learn about ways to cope with heat and how better medicare could save lives.
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
⭐️ 12-2PM — IRCC: Bring Gazan Families to Safety (5343 Dundas St W)
Hosted by Gazan Canadians - Join The Gazan Canadians League for a sit-in in front of the IRCC Office to amplify their demand that the Canadian government evacuate their family members from Gaza immediately. The sit-ins have garnered press nation-wide and we need to keep the momentum, and the pressure going.
4:30-9PM — Commemoration Ceremony on the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Nathan Phillips Square)
Hosted by Hiroshima Nagasaki Day Coalition - Save the date for a commemoration ceremony of the 80t anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hear from atomic bomb survivor and international peace activist Setsuko Thurlow. More events to be announced.
⭐️ 5:30-6PM — Bikechain Volunteer Orientation (230 College St)
Hosted by Bikechain - Bikechain is an educational bicycle repair space serving the University of Toronto and the public, offering a variety of free services to students. Come by to learn about how to volunteer at Bikechain and give back to the community – no experience required.
6-8PM — Renovictions: Our Homes, Our Rights (105-1911 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough)
Hosted by Scarborough Civic Action Network - A free community workshop on how to protect your home and stand up to displacement in Toronto. Hear from speakers with the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA), Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR), and Rights to Housing Toronto (R2HTO). Topics will include what renovictions are, your legal rights, how to advocate, and resources for helping you stay housed.
⭐️ 6:30-7:30PM — Charlie’s Freewheels Volunteer Orientation (242.5 Queen St E)
Hosted by Charlie’s Freewheels - Charlie’s Freewheels empowers youth by teaching them how to build their own bicycles and ride them safely. Join in for our Volunteer Orientation to learn how you can get involved!
⭐️ 7-9PM — How to Start a Divestment Campaign (Virtual)
Hosted by Just Peace Advocates - Join Just Peace Advocates and organizers from Retired Teachers Divest, Queers for Palestine Toronto, No Arms in the Arts, and the Coalition du Québec URGENCE Palestine to learn how to develop an impactful divestment campaign! This session will discuss how to find information and analyze data, develop a strategy and pick targets, and assessing campaign impact.
Thursday, August 7, 2025
3-7PM — Volunteer to Demand School Meals for All (Dufferin Grove Park)
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.
⭐️ 7-10PM — Democratic Socialists of Canada Open Mic Night (Danu Social House)
Hosted by Democratic Socialists of Canada - Looking for an audience? Want to try something new? Come hang out at DSC's Open Mic! It's free for performers and attendees alike, and everyone's welcome! Share your stuff, meet people who care about this city, and experience performances by members and friends of the DSC!
Friday, August 8, 2025
⭐️ 1-6PM — Pop-up Market in Support of Kill Bill 5 Encampment (Queen’s Park North Lawn)
Hosted by Nagweyaab Ishkode - Nagweyaab Ishkode is hosting a pop-up market and fundraiser in support of the ongoing encampment at Queen’s Park protesting Bill 5’s trampling of environmental and indigenous rigts. Come out and support this youth two-spirit women-led movement, bring your friends, and learn how to advocate against Bill 5!
⭐️ 1-3PM — Joint Bill 5 and C5 Rally (Queen’s Park)
Hosted by Okiniwak, Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseego-Stamok, Youth Rising Together - Calling on all youth, youth councils, youth organizations, war chiefs, warriors societies, headpeople, community members, leadership, knowledge keepers, dancers, singers, and allies to come for a joint rally to stand against Bill 5 and C5. Let Canada know that we will not be legislated out of our rights.
⭐️ 5:30-6:30PM — York Online Organizing Meeting (Virtual)
Hosted by Justice for Workers - Come for a planning call of the York Region Justice for Workers committee to help strategize on next steps. The committee is excited about organizing local canvassing events, Workers' Cafés and even a Know Your Rights workshop at some point in the fall!
6-8PM — Toronto Spring Monthly Meeting (Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor St W)
Hosted by Spring Magazine - August edition of Spring Magazine’s monthly chapter organizing meeting in Toronto. Come hear about current campaigns and actions and discuss key political issues and socialist strategies and tactics for becoming effective organizers.
6-11PM — The Teacher: Outdoor Screening + Souq (Christie Pits Park)
Hosted by Toronto Palestine Film Festival - TPFF’s annual Outdoor Screening & Souq will feature the award-winning film The Teacher by Farah Nabulsi. Grab your blankets, chairs, and bring your friends for an evening of Palestinian community, culture, food and cinema. The Teacher features a Palestinian school teacher (Saleh Bakri) who struggles to reconcile his life-threatening commitment to political resistance with his emotional support for one of his students and the chance of a new romantic relationship with a British volunteer worker.
Saturday, August 9, 2025
⭐️ 9AM-12PM — Volunteer to Demand School Meals for All (Scarborough Town Centre)
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.
⭐️ 10AM-5PM — Rise Up for Gaza (TBD)
Hosted by Palestinian Youth Movement - Save the date: activists across the world are calling for a Global Day of Action on Saturday, August 9th. Join us in taking to the streets and demanding an end to the brutal US-backed Israeli siege and genocide in Gaza. Calling on all people of conscience to take action, join a protest, organize sit-ins, flyer neighborhoods and workplaces and more.
12-5PM — Council Fire’s 8th Annual Youth Gathering (Regent Park)
Hosted by Toronto Council Fire - Everyone is welcome to Toronto Council Fire’s 8th Annual Youth Gathering! Join in for a full day of community, culture, connection, and celebration. This gathering honours youth, uplifts community, and brings us together in a good way.
1-2PM — BDS Leafletting (900 Dufferin St)
Hosted by Davenport 4 Palestine - Join Davenport 4 Palestine for the weekly BDS leafleting campaign at Dufferin Mall. Meet outside south entrance and buddy up – no experience necessary!
⭐️ 1-5PM — Pan-African Women’s Day (70 Canuck Ave)
Hosted by All-African People’s Revolutionary Party - Come for the 63rd Pan-African Women’s Day to celebrate achievements of revolutionary African (Black) women! This is an outdoor event with free food, music, cultural performance, and powerful panel discsusions.
3-5:30PM — Solidarity Academy for Asian Workers: Speak Up & Be Heard (105-1911 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough)
Hosted by Solidarity Academy for Asian Workers - Part 1 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.
⭐️ 3-5PM — Arms Embargo Now Townhall Meeting & Strategy Session (Location available upon registration)
Hosted by Arms Embargo Now - In light of the breaking report that exposes and proves, without a shadow of doubt, Canada’s complicity in Israel’s war machine, now is the time to act. Join Arms Embargo Now’s urgent Town Hall to strategize towards a two-way arms embargo on Israel and better equip ourselves to confront the Zionist, imperial war machine. The Town Hall will include speakers and a panel discussion with labour leaders & community organizers, followed by critical community discussions and planning towards next steps to take action.
⭐️ 3-6PM — Yintah Film Screening & Discussion (2017 Weston Rd)
Hosted by All Peoples Fighting Oppression - Join All Peoples Fighting Oppression for a free film screening and discussion of Yintah, a feature-length documentary on the Wet’suwet’en fight for sovereignty. Light refreshments will be provided, donations of cash and non-perishable food items encouraged.
⭐️ 3-5PM — Vigil for Gaza (Ireland Park)
Hosted by Irish 4 Palestine - Gaza is being intentionally starved by the Zionist Occupation and our governments are active contributors to this genocide. Irish4Palestine calls on the community of Irish people and those of Irish descent living on Turtle Island and beyond to stand in collective anger, grief and solidarity with the people in Gaza.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
⭐️ 10-11AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
Hosted by Tech Worker’s Coalition - Drop by for a virtual coffee hour on Sunday mornings this August. A group of local tech workers are gauging interest in building and sustaining a TWC presence in Canada and this is a chance to connect, share ideas, and start imagining what organizing together could look like. Hope to see you there!
11AM-5PM — The Disability Arts Festival (Wychwood Barns)
Hosted by The Disability Collective - Join The Disability Collective for The Disability Arts Festival. Shop for work created solely by disabled artists, participate in community-building games and activities, listen to live music from disabled musicians, and enjoy food & drinks from community vendors! This disability-centred event is your accessible one-stop shop for all the summer fun you could wish for!
11AM-1PM — Gaza Square (371 Wallace Ave)
Hosted by Davenport 4 Palestine - Join Davenport 4 Palestine and High Park for Palestine every Sunday for hot chocolate, coffee, buttons and posters, lawn signs and colourful chalk. Come say hi and meet your fellow neighbours/organizers and continue to build safety in the community.
12-8PM — Palestine Day Toronto (JC Saddington Park, Mississauga)
Hosted by Roads to Liberation - Join for a full-day solidarity of culture, resilience, and community. From food and performances to learning and connection, this is a day to return to the feeling of home—no matter how far you are.
1-5PM — Prisoner’s Justice Day Toronto (Grange Park)
Hosted by Incarcerated Voters Ontario - This year marks 50 years since Prisoners’ Justice Day began inside the walls of Millhaven Institution—launched by prisoners refusing food and work to honour the life and death of Eddie Nalon, and later Bobby Landers. What started as a prisoner-led act of resistance has grown into a powerful annual call to remember every life lost inside, and to fight like hell for the living. Come gather at Grange Park to honour this legacy, uplift the voices of prisoners and their loved ones, and organize toward a future without cages.
⭐️ 1-5PM — Skate & Paint 4 Palestine (Christie Skate Park)
Hosted by Queer Art Therapy and others - Come to Christie Pits Skatepark to skate, paint a community art project, and enjoy some food. All skaters welcome, bring broken decks and old parts for the art project! Proceeds will go to Skatepal, an initiative supporting young people in Palestine through skateboarding.
2-3:30PM — Strong Towns Toronto's Monthly Meeting (The 519, 519 Church St)
Hosted by Strong Towns Toronto - Monthly meeting to meet other urbanism-minded folks in the city who want to engage in grassroots advocacy around transit and housing.
2-4PM — History of Revolution Pt 3: Challenging empires decolonization and independence (427 Bloor St W)
Hosted by International Socialists - The waves of protest and strikes we see around the world show the nucleus of what can be a revolutionary movement to overthrow the billionaires. But how do we get there? What are the characteristics of successful revolutions in the past? Join the International Socialists for this summer study series on the History of Revolution for a better understanding of how we smash capitalism and bring about a society where people and the planet come before profit.
2:30-7:30PM — Sketch-a-thon Fundraiser for Spring Magazine (Christie Pits Park)
Hosted by Spring Magazine - Tired of AI slop? For a suggested donation, get a hand-drawn portrait and raise funds for Spring Magazine to continue their vital fight for workers and social justice.
Monday, August 11, 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 elected officials to stop Canada's complicity in the genocide.
⭐️ 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.
⭐️ 7-9PM — Student Mobilization Committee Open Meeting (252 Bloor St W)
Hosted by Student Mobilization Committee - All across Canada education is under attack. Increasing tuition, worsening quality, funding cuts, staff cuts, program cuts. Any student is invited to join the fight for free education for all at a public meeting of the Student Mobilization Committee.
Down the road
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
5:30-7PM — Black & Indigenous Youth Share Circle (21 Cecil St)
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
11AM-2PM — Gaza Family Reunification Weekly Sit-In (25 St Clair Ave E)
2:30-4:30PM — Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing Workshop (St James Town Community Centre)
Thursday, August 14, 2025
6-9PM — The Green Summit (Metro Hall, 55 John)
⭐️ 6-7:30PM — Students United Against Banks Intake Call (Virtual)
⭐️ 6-8PM — Weaving Wages: Basahan workshop & Labour rights Primer (Kababayan Multicultural Centre)
Friday, August 15, 2025
5:30-8PM — WAC Summer Social (Christie Pits Park)
Saturday, August 16, 2025
⭐️ 10AM-5PM — Civic Spark (Myhal Centre, U of T)
3-5:30PM — Solidarity Academy for Asian Workers: Organize and Take Action (105-1911 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough)
Sunday, August 17, 2025
⭐️ 10-11AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
11AM-2PM — Spring's Book & Bake Sale (720 Spadina, #202)
1-2:30PM — Friends and Families for Safe Streets Peer Support Meeting (401 Richmond St W, Room 215)
⭐️ 1-4PM — Migrant Community Picnic & Fundraiser (Viewmount Park)
Monday, August 18, 2025
⭐️ 12:30-1:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (Virtual)
⭐️ 6:30-8:30PM — Pedagogy in Pandemic Times (Virtual)
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
⭐️ 9-10PM — Democratic Socialists of Canada Orientation (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
⭐️ 7-9PM — Civic Hacknight – Open Tools for Transparent Government (Hybrid)
2-3PM — Collaborate With Progressive Content Creators in Canada (Virtual)
5:30-8PM — WAC Movie Night: A Bug’s Life (The Hub, 2660 Eglington Ave E)
Saturday, August 23, 2025
⭐️ 10AM-4PM — WAC Tamil Members Summer Picnic (5555 Steeles Ave E)
12-3PM — Sprout Gathering for Food Sovereignty: Making Seed Balls (Regent Park)
⭐️ 1-7PM — Gaza Is the Compass (Mississauga Valley Park)
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
⭐️ 12:30-1:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (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.