Hi friends and neighbours,

A pile of you joined the newsletter after last week's email! Welcome! It is always lovely to know that something I've written is resonating. I also want to take a moment to remind folks that the best way to support Show Up is to go to the events I highlight and use it to find and strengthen your local community bonds, and the second-best way to support Show Up is to tell lots of people about it so that others can too. I said when I started this project that I believe more people are good than not, and I have only grown more sure of this conviction in the intervening months. We just need to learn to be in community with one another.

Newer readers might not know that the website is where you can get the latest up-to-date events at any time - occasionally there's last-minute updates that don't make it into the newsletter. There's an RSS feed that will provide a list of the following day's events one day ahead of time, an iCal feed that you can subscribe to with any calendar app and automatically receive all events (warning: this is slightly overwhelming), as well as a Bluesky bot and a Mastodon bot that post event reminders a few hours before each thing happens. The goal is to for this data to be accessible in as many form as possible without platform lock-in.

Not every week's newsletter is a manifesto, for better or for worse. Some weeks we just do the work and get on with things. City Council votes on the budget on February 10th - Progress Toronto and TTC Riders both have lots of virtual and in-person outreach events this week for you to get involved in talking to your fellow neighbours about supporting affordable housing, eviction defense, and transit funding. There's also an in-person rally at City Hall next Tuesday ahead of the vote being held by a coalition of groups.

If you're free this Friday and Saturday, Ripple Community Collective is looking for support with a Winter Warming Drive. They need both monetary and material donations, folks to help with prep on Friday, and driving on Saturday. DM them on Instagram to get involved, or send e-transfers to ripplecommunitycollective@gmail.com directly. They do fantastic and consistent outreach work.

Last but certainly not least, the Senate is debating Bill C-12 tomorrow. This is a hugely damaging bill that has already passed the house that will give the federal government significantly more leeway to mass cancel work permits, deny refugee protection, and share people's personal information with no oversight and no appeal. Contact your senators today and demand that they vote against it.

Thank you for showing up.

Jenny

Events this week

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 🔗

11AM — Learning from the Land (Virtual)
Ontario Nature - Featuring presenters from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation and the National Healing Forest Initiative, this session will explore land-based learning and National Healing Forests as approaches to strengthening relationships between people, land, and community.

5:30PM — Flyering for Affordable Transit (Victoria Park Subway Station)
TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders and Progress Toronto and talk to your neighbours about how to take action for affordable transit in the City Budget!

5:30PM — Virtual Phonebank for 2026 Budget (Virtual)
Progress Toronto - Join Progress Toronto in talking with your neighbours to push for increased investments in programs that prevent evictions, support renters, and improve transit ahead of the 2026 City Budget vote.

6PM — Major Transit Station Areas Zoning Town Hall – North York (5110 Yonge St)
City of Toronto - The City of Toronto is updating zoning by-laws near major transit areas (near subway, Go, and streetcar stops) to allow for higher density. Join a town hall to hear more about changes and provide feedback.

6PM — Organizing in Critical Times (Virtual)
The Hub - Reflecting on their experience in the defense of an illegal abortion clinic, combative syndicalism in the Quebec student movement, the fight for Palestinian liberation, and a successful neighbourhood campaign against the construction of a glass factory, panelists will share insights they’ve gleaned from decades of grassroots organizing.

6PM — U of T Trash Team: Home Waste Audit (Virtual)
U of T Trash Team - This February, the popular University of Toronto Trash Team's Home Waste Audit returns and invites you to challenge yourself to reduce your waste as you increase your waste literacy! Join this webinar to learn how to participate!

6:30PM — Disrupting Propaganda (Available Upon Registration)
ELDV for Palestine - Come disrupt the zionist entity’s 150 million dollar propaganda machine with ELDV4Palestine, Hana Shafi, and Joey Nicholson at this zine and poetry workshop! Proceeds go to a fundraiser for a family in Gaza.

7PM — No Neutrals There (Virtual)
People’s Voice - Webinar discussion and Q&A with author Jeff Schuhrke on his new book "No Neutrals There: US Labor, Zionism and the Struggle for Palestine" with guest speaker Hassan Husseini, Labour 4 Palestine National Steering Committee.

7PM — Civic Meetup - Mining public datasets (Hybrid)
Civic Tech Toronto - Civic Tech Toronto's weekly meetups bring together Torontonians who want to improve the city through design, tech, and data. This week, hear from public advocate Tom Slee about a work-in-progress to present lobbying databases in a useful form. Followed by project breakout sessions.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 🔗

2PM — Labour Organizing Workshop (York Lanes Mall)
Democratic Socialists of Canada - In this two hour, interactive session you will learn: what organizing is, both as a general approach to enacting change, and in the context of the workplace specifically. You’ll learn the basics of labour organizing and how to win better conditions and more worker power!

5PM — Wednesdays 4 Palestine (Danforth and Pape)
Wednesdays 4 Palestine - Every Wednesday afternoon in East Toronto. Flags and signs are provided.

5:45PM — Doorknocking for Palestine (Available upon RSVP)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Davenport 4 Palestine is doorknocking in the neighbourhood to mobilize neighbours in support of a real arms embargo. No experience is necessary, you'll be paired up with a seasoned doorknocker. RSVP by emailing at davenport4palestine@gmail.com.

6:30PM — Know Your Rights: Empowering Youth to Understand Policing in Schools (Virtual)
Be the Change - Learn what to say, what to do, and what your rights are when dealing with police, school officials, and online situations. Learn about police searches and consent, police in schools and student rights, online safety and cyberbullying, and Bill 33.

6:30PM — Electrification (with the Experts): Heat Pump Prep (Virtual)
Toronto Home Energy Network - Toronto's #1 polluter is gas furnaces. Heat pumps are a big upgrade for your home and the environment, but getting there takes a bit of thought. Our speakers will walk you through the prep work to set your home up for electrification.

6:30PM — Grief Skill Building & Discussion Group (452 College St)
Radical Intersectional Grief Support - In-person grief support group for people impacted by the drug poisoning crisis. Pay what you can – trades welcome!

7PM — Phone Zap for Affordable Transit (Virtual)
TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders and Environmental Defence Canada and call your neighbours about how to take action for affordable transit in the City Budget!

7PM — Extraction Extinction: Ending the Fossil Fuel Era (Virtual)
Amnesty International Canada - An urgent online mobilization session about Canada’s role in fossil fuel financing and how you can take action. Leave with a toolkit to help you engage your Member of Parliament and push for a Canada free from fossil fuel finance.

Thursday, February 5, 2026 🔗

5PM — Black History Month Showcase (255 Spadina)
Canada Black Music Archives - Join the Canada Black Music Archives for their annual Black History Month event, showcasing Toronto's premium soul and R&B artists.

5:30PM — Flyering for Affordable Transit (Lawrence Subway Station)
TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders and Progress Toronto and talk to your neighbours about how to take action for affordable transit in the City Budget!

5:30PM — Virtual Phonebank for 2026 Budget (Virtual)
Progress Toronto - Join Progress Toronto in talking with your neighbours to push for increased investments in programs that prevent evictions, support renters, and improve transit ahead of the 2026 City Budget vote.

7PM — Organizing Amazon book launch (College St United Church)
Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education - Amazon workers in Coventry, England have won breakthrough wage gains through years of strikes and organizing. This new book documents these achievements and the militant, grasroots methods behind them. Featuring the author and a delegation of organizers!

7PM — PHP4P Community Meeting (Available upon registration)
Parkdale-High Park for Palestine - Join this hybrid community meeting and learn how to help out with Parkdale-High Park for Palestine's work organizing neighbours in the community!

7PM — Who Paid the Pipers of Western Marxism? (Wildseed Centre)
Popular Front Canada - Join author and philosopher Gabriel Rockhill on his book tour in Toronto. This work explores ideas that are essential to understanding the challenges and necessities in building a socialist movement—especially for those of us living in the West. Starting with a talk from the author, followed by a discussion with a guest panel and an audience Q&A.

7PM — Quiz for a Cause: Fundraiser for Legal Centre for Palestine (967 College St)
ESNA Law - Join ESNA Law at Society Clubhouse for a night of fun and fundraising with an trivia event supporting the Legal Centre for Palestine!

7PM — Black History Month Trivia Series (13 Suns Ethiopian Cafe)
Horizon Academy - Join an interactive and community-driven experience designed to celebrate Black history, culture, and excellence through learning, dialogue, and fun. Questions span arts and culture, music, sports, activism, and influential leaders, making every round both fun and competitive.

Friday, February 6, 2026 🔗

1PM — The Rise of Climate Denialism & Use of Social Media Webinar (Virtual)
Sustainability Network - Why are anti-climate messages resonating at a time when extreme weather disasters are escalating and solutions to the crisis have never been stronger? What can people who care deeply about a liveable planet do to counter their influence?

2PM — Fridays 4 Palestine (Yonge and Bloor)
Fridays4Palestine - Come show your support for Palestinians every Friday at the Israel Consulate. Stand up for human rights and say no to genocide.

3PM — Will the US Invade? (Virtual)
Canada’s National Observer - As tensions rise south of the border, questions about Canada’s sovereignty are no longer theoretical. Canada's National Observer will examine what a real threat from the United States could look like, how vulnerable Canada truly is and whether the federal government is prepared to defend the country’s interests.

6PM — Climate for Palestine Organizing Meeting (Virtual)
Climate For Palestine Toronto - Join members of Climate4Palestine Toronto to strategize for the upcoming Day of Action on ending arms export loopholes and calling for a true Arms Embargo on February 17.

6:30PM — A Celebration of Black History through Music (Hybrid)
University of Toronto Faculty of Music - Join Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin, visiting Guest Scholar, Clinician, and Performer (Berklee College of Music), for an immersive evening exploring the heritage, techniques, and styles of Black American music.

Saturday, February 7, 2026 🔗

9:30AM — Black History Nature Walk (James Garden)
Black Canadian Hikers and Hoodman 2 Manhood - A wintery historical nature walk featuring oral storytelling and shared reflection. Together, explore the rich Black Canadian history of Daddy John Hall, a Jamaican Mohawk man born free around 1783 near Amherstburg, Ontario, to an escaped-slave mother and an Ojibwe father.

11:30AM — Free Clothing Swap (The Hub)
Scarborough Environmental Association - Whether it's a new fit for yourself or a loved one, drop by this clothing swap to find something unique. Family friendly event, all welcome!

1PM — BDS Leafletting (900 Dufferin St)
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!

1PM — Canvassing for 2026 Budget (Victoria Park Subway Station)
Progress Toronto - Join Progress Toronto in talking with your neighbours to push for increased investments in programs that prevent evictions, support renters, and improve transit ahead of the 2026 City Budget vote.

1PM — Protect Our Homes ACORN Virtual Meeting (Virtual)
ACORN Canada - Bringing ACORN members together from across the country to learn about our national housing campaigns and next steps to winning affordable housing for all!

6PM — The Revolution of 1936-1939 In Palestine Reading Group Part 2 (Available upon registration)
Palestinian Youth Movement -

Sunday, February 8, 2026 🔗

10AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
Tech Worker’s Coalition Canada - Drop by for a virtual coffee hour on Sunday mornings to chat with fellow tech workers about what’s on your mind and to learn more about the Tech Worker’s Coalition.

11AM — Sundays 4 Palestine (Bathurst and Sheppard)
Sundays4Palestine - Weekly counterprotest to the Zionist community that comes out to celebrate the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Flags and signs provided.

11AM — Gaza Square (371 Wallace Ave)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Davenport 4 Palestine invites you to come hang out at Gaza square on Sunday mornings with hot chocolate and coffee, buttons and posters, lawn signs and colourful chalk. Come say hi and meet your fellow neighbours/organizers!

12PM — Canvassing for 2026 Budget (Broadview Station)
Progress Toronto - Join Progress Toronto in talking with your neighbours to push for increased investments in programs that prevent evictions, support renters, and improve transit ahead of the 2026 City Budget vote.

1PM — Friends and Families for Safe Streets Peer Support Meeting (401 Richmond St W, Room 375)
Friends and Families for Safe Streets - Peer support group meetings for adults who are bereaved through the death of a family member or friend by road violence, and for those who are recovering from traumatic injury in a collision with a vehicle. If you are struggling, you are not alone.

1PM — Strong Towns Toronto’s Monthly Meeting (The 519)
Strong Towns Toronto - ​Come meet other folks interested in urbanism and community building at Strong Towns Toronto's monthly meeting! Get involved in grassroots advocacy to make Toronto a safer, more people-oriented, more financially resilient city.

2PM — Toronto Aces and Aros Art Exchange (519 Church St)
Toronto Aces and Aros - Join to play a fun little game to trade hand-made works and meet your community! Please bring a small piece of art work or craft item that you made (and can part with!), and you'll go home with someone else’s handiwork. Beginners welcome!

3PM — Canvassing for 2026 Budget (Main Street Station)
Progress Toronto - Join Progress Toronto in talking with your neighbours to push for increased investments in programs that prevent evictions, support renters, and improve transit ahead of the 2026 City Budget vote.

Monday, February 9, 2026 🔗

12PM — Liberation for Littles (Rania El Mugammar)
Rania - ​This free workshop is for parents, caregivers, auncles, grandparents, guardians, and all who want to be in liberatory community with children. Discuss how to explain our current conditions to little ones, how to equip them (and ourselves) and how to organize alongside them to resist and transform our realities.

12:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (Virtual)
Toronto Zaps For Palestine - Join with organizers from coast to coast in calling, emailing, and faxing demands to elected officials for a full two-way arms embargo to stop Canada's complicity in the genocide.

6PM — Major Transit Station Areas Zoning Town Hall – Scarborough (150 Borough Dr)
City of Toronto - The City of Toronto is updating zoning by-laws near major transit areas (near subway, Go, and streetcar stops) to allow for higher density. Join a town hall to hear more about changes and provide feedback.

6:45PM — TWC Canada Book Club: Recoding Power (Bahen Centre for Information Technology)
Tech Worker's Coalition Canada - Join TWC Canada in reading Chapters 3 and 4 of Recoding Power - Tactics for Mobilizing Tech Workers by Sidney A. Rothstein. This book addresses how mobilization and organization from tech workers can force changes in companies and push for positive uses of technology.

Down the road

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 🔗

12PM — Fund Our City Rally (Toronto City Hall)
5PM — East End Acts Monthly Vigil (Main and Danforth)
6PM — Streetknit Tuesday (103 Bellevue)
6PM — Fabric Mending Workshop (739 Palmerston)
7PM — E-bikes: an evening discussion (412 Bloor St)

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 🔗

12PM — Stand up for Workers at York Region Children’s Aid (16915 Leslie St)
5:45PM — Doorknocking for Palestine (Available upon RSVP)
6PM — Wayfinding: Civics (1RG)
6:30PM — Creative Tactics & Action Planning Training (Virtual)

Thursday, February 12, 2026 🔗

7PM — Growing From Seed Webinar (Virtual)
12PM — How Climate News Builds Momentum for Action (Virtual)
2PM — Regional Assessment: The Path to More Efficient, Effective and Trustworthy Project Decisions? (Virtual)
6PM — Tenant Assembly: Kensington and Chinatown (103 Bellevue)
6PM — TfD Monthly Volunteer Planning Meeting (Virtual)
6PM — Abolition Workshop (Virtual)
6:30PM — Digital Sovereignty, Convivial Tools (32 Lisgar)

Friday, February 13, 2026 🔗

7PM — Notes Toward a Digital Workers’ Inquiry book launch (Friends House)
7PM — Black History Month Trivia Series (13 Suns Ethiopian Cafe)
2PM — Fridays 4 Palestine (Yonge and Bloor)

Saturday, February 14, 2026 🔗

1PM — BDS Leafletting (900 Dufferin St)

Sunday, February 15, 2026 🔗

10AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
11AM — Gaza Square (371 Wallace Ave)
2PM — Introduction to Socialism (Available upon registration)
2PM — Revolutionary study series: Marx on the metabolic rift (427 Bloor St W)

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 🔗

8PM — Social Production of Science Reading Group – Module 4 (Virtual)
9PM — DSA Orientation (Virtual)

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 🔗

7PM — East End Acts Canvassing Training (Virtual)

Friday, February 20, 2026 🔗

6PM — Toronto Spring Monthly Meeting (720 Spadina Ave)
6PM — Abolition Workshop: Collective of Child Welfare Survivors (Virtual)

Sunday, February 22, 2026 🔗

7PM — Take Action for Conservation Authorities (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.