Show Up Toronto - July 1, 2025
Hi comrades,
It's Canada Day, and I have no idea what to say about it. Nations are collective mythologies enforced by brutal imperialist violence, and in 2025 it seems especially absurd to pretend they have any moral valence. The entity known as Canada occupying Turtle Island has never lived up to the myth it has told us about itself, and those with the power to govern this land continue to pillage its resources, abuse its people, and silence its defenders much as they ever have.
I also can't shake the feeling that we cannot allow the idea of the nation to be the sole domain of the white supremacist, the capitalist, the colonialist, the genocider. There is no world in which national borders do not imply the violence of their maintenance. But there is a world in which the gap between the reality and the PR of the Canadian nation is a little less cavernous, if we are willing to work to make it so. That's the world I'm thinking of today.
If you have today off, I urge you to show up to one of the actions at Queen's Park - there's one at 10am and one at 2pm - in defense of Indigenous rights. If you can't make it out, take a moment to read about Bill C-2, an awful bit of anti-migrant and anti-civil liberties legislation currently making its way through the House, and contact your MP to tell them that this is not the Canada you want.
Stay cool, stay hydrated. And thanks for showing up.
Jenny
⭐️ = events updated since the last newsletter
Events this week
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
⭐️ 10AM-1PM — The 7th Fire Youth: Call to Action (1 Queen's Park)
Hosted by Okiniwak - Okiniwak is a youth-led movement standing against Bill 5 and Bill C-5—legislation threatening First Nations rights, lands, and futures. This is more than a rally, it’s an awakening that will be led by First Nations youth, lighting the path of the 7th Fire.
⭐️ 11AM-5PM — Indigenous Solidarity Through Art (115 Church St)
Hosted by Native Arts Society - Support Indigenous artists and survivors. Come for an art show by Gary Paul Martin (Fort Albany First Nation) and live art by Sam Boucher (Fort William First Nation). Accepting gift card donations for Deer Lake First Nation. They will be making their way home soon, many driving there and will need the cards for the trip.
⭐️ 2-5PM — Kill Bill 5 Rally (94 Queen's Park)
Hosted by Coalition of Indigenous activists - This is an urgent call to action at Queen's Park against the government's recent flood of bills (Bill 5, Bill 97, Bill 54, Bill 14 and 15, Bill-C5, Bill-C2) trampling on Indigenous rights and environmental protections! Indigenous grassroots groups calls on Indigenous communities, leaders, and allies to stand up against the Liberal and Conservative governments and their recent attack on Indigenous people and the environment. Join a coalition of grassroots Indigenous activists and allies to gather to rally and march - bring your loud voices, banners, flags, hand drums, & instruments.
⭐️ 5-11PM — What's Left? Canada Day Solidarity Fundraiser (Houndstooth, 818 College St)
Hosted by What's Left Toronto - A PWYC solidarity fundraiser with proceeds going towards Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction and other local harm reduction and solidarity groups. Market at 5pm, music at 8pm. Featuring live music, DJs, tables from local activists and orgs, and more.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
⭐️ 6-8PM — Repeal Bill 5 – Leafleting Action in Scarborough Centre (Warden Ave & Lawrence Ave East)
Hosted by Scarborough Environmental Association - MPP David Smith voted to sell out our environment and workers’ rights to mining executives by supporting Bill 5 — but Scarborough Centre is pushing back. Join in for two days of action to leaflet and raise awareness in the community. Let’s let neighbours know what’s at stake and how we can stand together to protect our wildlife.
7-9PM — Ontario Provincial Digital Teach-In (Virtual)
Hosted by Policing-Free Schools - Join Policing-Free Schools to learn about Bill 33, ‘Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025’ which will mandate the presence of police in schools across the province. Learn about ways to get involved, call-to-actions and upcoming initiatives that work to reduce harm and provide care!
Thursday, July 3, 2025
⭐️ 4-6PM — Repeal Bill 5 Rally Outside MPP David Smith's Office (2063 Lawrence Ave East)
Hosted by Scarborough Environmental Association - MPP David Smith voted in favour of passing Bill 5— a dangerous bill that guts the Endangered Species Act, removes protections for green spaces, workers' safety and regulation, and violates Indigenous Treaties. Bill 5 gives Ford and the Provincial government unchecked power to seize land, and David Smith allowed it to happen. Join in to demand accountability from MPP David Smith, who represents Scarborough—Center and supported passing Bill 5.
6-7PM — Know Your Rights at Work Workshop (English) (Virtual)
Hosted by Workers Action Centre - All Ontario workers have rights at work. Regardless of whether we are part-time workers, work for cash or are a migrant worker. But if we are going to stand up for our rights, we first need to know what they are.
⭐️ 7-9PM — Community Organizing Webinar (Virtual)
Hosted by Davenport 4 Palestine - Join Davenport for Palestine and brush up on your community organizing and outreach skills! This webinar will teach you strategies for conversations at the door, on the phone, and more! D4P will go over types of conversations, tips for quick rebuttals, and ways to engage neighbours in the fight for a free Palestine. There will also be practice conversations with seasoned pros to help solidify learnings. All are welcome, wherever you live! Email davenport4palestine@gmail.com to register for the Zoom link.
Saturday, July 5, 2025
⭐️ 11AM-1PM — Bike Lane Protest (High Park, North Gate)
Hosted by Fridays for Future Toronto - Join Fridays For Future Toronto, a group of youth joining together to demand climate justice a livable future for a protest against specific businesses that have significant ties to the anti-bike-lane movement.
⭐️ 1-5PM — Toronto Disability Pride March (Queen's Park)
Hosted by Toronto Disability Pride March - Disability as a category was created to reinforce racism and colonisation, and it is the only minority group that anyone can join at any time. We march with the understanding that our liberation is interconnected and inextricable from the fights for liberation worldwide. We come together as a group of disabled people to fight for our liberation, to take up space in a world designed to hide us, and to fight for our Disabled kin everywhere. Alongside protest, pride and joy are radical forms of resistance.
7-11PM — Spring Karaoke Night (Available upon registration (Toronto))
Hosted by Spring Magazine - Join Spring Toronto Branch’s for their annual karaoke fundraiser to support Spring’s organizing activities. This PWYC event will also feature snacks and a raffle. Shower singers welcome!
Sunday, July 6, 2025
⭐️ 10AM-12PM — Community Clean-Up & Upcycling (Weston Lions Park)
Hosted by Humber River Pals - Join Humber River Pals for a Community Clean Up & Upcycling Day at Weston Lions Park to clean the ravine and explore creative ways to give old items new life. All supplies and refreshments provided. Let's protect the Humber, build community, and reimagine waste together.
⭐️ 2-4PM — History of Revolution: The Paris Commune and the Working Class (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.
⭐️ 2PM-1AM — Anishinaabeg Palestine Alliance Potluck Picnic (Christie Pits Park)
Hosted by Anishinaabeg Palestine Alliance - Henna, crafts, sharing circle and more! Learn about the work to build relationships between Palestinians in the diaspora and Anishinaabeg in Treaty 3. Participate in conversations about joint struggle, what it means to you, how to be in relationship through shared struggle. Families encouraged to join! RSVP by emailing anishinaabegpalestinealliance@gmail.com
Monday, July 7, 2025
1-2PM — Canada Is Burning: What You Need To Know (Virtual)
Hosted by Forests Canada - Across Canada, wildfires continue to burn. Rising global temperatures and decreased precipitation are contributing to extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent, more severe, and increasingly more difficult to manage. Join Forests Canada for an expert panel about wildfires in Canada – why they are happening, what is being done, and what should be done.
1:30-3:30PM — Unions x C4H: Building Cultural Power Together (Virtual)
Hosted by Social Good Collective - Join the Social Good Collective for a strategic briefing on Creators4Humanity—an emerging cultural infrastructure designed to mobilize content creators as a values-aligned force for collective change. This call will focus on how unions can plug in as members, sponsors, and other financial resources.
Down the road
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
4-8PM — Community Care Tuesdays @ Dufferin Grove (Dufferin Grove Park)
7-9PM — Civic Hacknight - Bikespace Project Updates (Hybrid)
⭐️ 7-9:30PM — Shut it, Uncle Bob: Talking to Racist Family, Friends & Loved Ones (Virtual)
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
⭐️ 7-9PM — Bill 5 Explained: What it Means and What We Can Do Now (Virtual)
Thursday, July 10, 2025
⭐️ 3:30-5PM — Parkdale Community Meeting (1499 Queen St W)
6-8:30PM — Uptown Climate Futures: (Re)indigenization (Earl Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst)
Friday, July 11, 2025
⭐️ 6-8PM — Toronto Spring Monthly Meeting (Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor St W)
Saturday, July 12, 2025
⭐️ 3-4:30PM — Covid Cautious Grief Space (Virtual)
Sunday, July 13, 2025
12-4PM — 2SLGBTQ+ Self-Defense Workshop (519 Church)
2-3:30PM — Strong Towns Toronto’s Monthly Meeting (The 519, 519 Church St)
5-7PM — Born Sacred: Poems for Palestine (315 Roncesvalles)
Monday, July 14, 2025
⭐️ 7-10PM — Witnessing and resisting: on the front lines of ethnic cleasing in Masafer Yatta (Downtown Toronto and online)
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
6:45-9PM — Housing Now (Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles)
7-9PM — Civic Hacknight - Connecting Canada (Hybrid)
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
⭐️ 7-9:30PM — Be So For Real: A Workshop for Confronting Misinformation, Disinformation & Polarization in Your Circles (Virtual)