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Toronto Video Activist Collective |
Tell Stephen Harper: Bring Omar Khadr back to Canada! -- July 26, 2008 |
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VIDEOS - Democracy NOW!: Guantanamo's Child: The Untold Story of Omar Khadr - Pt. I |
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Guantanamo's Child: The Untold Story of Omar Khadr - Pt. II |
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RALLY AND MARCH from the U.S. Consulate TTC: Osgoode or St. Patrick Canadian citizen Omar Khadr is the only Western national left in Guantanamo Bay, and the first child-soldier to be prosecuted in more than a hundred years. Khadr was only 15 years-old when he was captured by US forces in Afghanistan and later transported to the infamous US prison where he has now spent more than a quarter of his life. Khadr faces trial by US military tribunal in October 2008. Recently released video footage reveals the kind of mistreatment that Khadr has experienced in Guantanamo Bay, where the US has been accused of practicing torture on detainees. Other reports show that Khadr was subjected to extreme forms of sleep deprivation, a form of torture, including a practice called the "frequent flyer program" in which he was woken every three hours and moved to a different cell for 24 hours a day over a three-week period. Worse still, court documents reveal that the Canadian government was aware of the abuse suffered by Khadr at the hands of US authorities yet continued to assure the Canadian public that he was being well treated. The fact that Omar Khadr is still being held in Guantanamo Bay is a national disgrace, and an international embarrassment for all Canadians. Despite the growing evidence of Khadr's mistreatment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has shamefully refused to bring Khadr back to Canada. Instead, Harper has said he supports a US military trial for Khadr, and will not seek his release from Guantanamo Bay. Join us on July 26 to tell Stephen Harper: "Bring Omar Khadr back to Canada!" Demonstrate your opposition to our government's decision to abandon a Canadian citizen in Guantanamo Bay, and show your support for civil liberties and international law. To endorse, please e-mail stopthewar[at]sympatico.ca.
Organized by: |
Community Unites to Defend First Nations and Indigenous Land Rights: Ontario Day of Action -- May 26, 2008 |
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VIDEO - Free Bob Lovelace and the KI 6: |
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QUEEN'S PARK ACTION: - Respect the right of First Nations to say no to economic exploitation and environmental destruction. On May 26th Indigenous communities and their allies will gather at Queen's Park to uphold our duty to protect the land, forest, water, and air and to promote respect for the rights of Indigenous people to say no to economic exploitation and environmental destruction. It is time to end the jailing and harassment of Indigenous people for protecting mother earth and traditional ways.
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) website: | World Against War: International Day of Action - 5th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq -- March 15, 2008 |
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VIDEO: Inconvenient Truths - Canada's War in Afghanistan |
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DON'T EXTEND IT. END IT. - Take to the streets on March 15 to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. TORONTO ACTIONS: Join the campaign to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq: United for Peace & Justice (United States): En français (pour Québec): |
International Climate Change Day of Action -- December 8, 2007 |
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KYOTO NOW! - Take to the streets on December 8 to Stop Climate Chaos. TORONTO ACTIONS: Eco-Fair at the University of Toronto (same day) For local and international actions: |
Anti-Poverty Day of Action -- September 26, 2007 |
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Anti-Poverty activists, along with trade unionists, community organizations, community health providers and low-income and homeless people, will be demonstrating to challenge all parties of the Provincial Government during the Ontario general election to immediately increase social assistance rates, immediately increase the minimum wage, build affordable/social housing now, and provide access without fear to government services for non-status people: Don't Ask/Don't Tell. There will be a city-wide convergence at Queen's Park at 2pm, with participating organizations doing their own unique actions and feeder marches. The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty is organizing a Mass Panhandle and March: Toronto Anti-Poverty (TAP): Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP): |
TVAC will join protests against Bush in Canada -- August 2007 |
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Members of the Toronto Video Activist Collective will be joining protests against the upcoming meeting of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderón that takes place August 20-21 in Montebello, Quebec. There are plans for a giant demonstration in Ottawa on August 19, 2007, a teach-in, and even a bike caravan from Ottawa to Montebello where the leaders will meet. Activists across Turtle Island (Canada) and Quebec will be protesting the regressive Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America, a continental corporate-military harmonization pact, as well as the crimes against humanity of the War of Terror - including the disastrous military occupations and bombings of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Lebanon, and beyond. Call to action: En français: Toronto organizing and buses: Info on the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America: |
New videos highlight growing support for U.S. War Resisters in Canada -- June 28, 2007 |
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Liberal leader Stéphane Dion supports U.S. War Resisters in Canada: |
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Over 15,000 Canadians support U.S. War Resisters |
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More info: Since Bush's so-called 'surge' of new troops in Iraq, an increasing number of Americans have been coming to Canada refusing to fight in the illegal and immoral war in Iraq. They are joining a growing number of soldiers of conscience all across Canada, that started with the arrival of Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey in 2004. Many of these new war resisters have already served months or even a year in Iraq. They have witnessed first-hand the destruction and illegality of the occupation, and have decided to follow their consciences and come to Canada. These Absent Without Leave (or AWOL) Americans soldiers face time in military jail and even the death penalty in the U.S. for their actions in support of international law and against the criminal and deadly foreign military policy of the Bush Administration. U.S. War Resisters today are seeking a provision that will allow them to stay in Canada. During the Vietnam War, Canada proudly opened its doors to over 50,000 American military deserters and draft dodgers - a decision that defined our nation and brought significant cultural, political and economic benefits. Please show your support by visiting the War Resisters Support Campaign website below, signing the national petition, and getting involved in local support campaign groups in your city or region. Support U.S. War Resisters in Canada: |
Outreach to Barrick Gold shareholders in Canada -- May 2, 2007 |
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NOTICE: Due to a serious legal challenge by the Canadian mining company Barrick Gold, YouTube has decided to remove this video permanently. Lawyers for the activists who appeared in the banned video are currently reviewing the situation. As shareholders for Barrick Gold met at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, activists attempted to peacefully distribute an alternative report on Barrick's mining practices. Toronto police arrested two peaceful activists for being on a sidewalk and handing out literature. This action is part of the May 2, 2007 International Day of Action Against Barrick Gold. Later that same day, as promoted, activists and supporters peacefully demonstrated outside Barrick's corporate headquarters at 161 Bay Street in Toronto. More info: |
Over 10,000 in Toronto protest bombing of Lebanon, Palestine -- July 22, 2006 |
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Well over 10,000 people--including Jews, Arabs, Muslims, and Christians--united together in a massive protest organized in less than a week. 
With hundreds of civilians killed, nearly 1 million refugees, and endless bombing of non-military targets, the streets filled with those opposed to this horrific aggression by the state of Israel. 
Muslim and Jewish religious leaders locked arms and hands in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon. 
Watch TVAC's video collage of this huge demo. 
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Toronto rallies in support of U.S. Army Specialist Suzanne Swift -- July 15, 2006 |
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The War Resisters Support Campaign, the Iraq Veterans Against the War
(Toronto Chapter), and peace activists rallied across from the U.S.
Consulate in downtown Toronto, Canada today in support of U.S. Army
Specialist Suzanne Swift, a veteran of the Iraqi War and a survivor
of systemic sexual assault during her military service. To watch the video,
(in quicktime format) click here. Supporters are calling for an honorable discharge for Swift, who was sexually abused by her sergeant while doing her duty in Iraq as a military police officer. This local protest in Toronto is part of actions taking place all
across the U.S. in support of Spc. Swift on July 15.
suzanneswift.org July 10, 2006 "Suzanne joined the Army with stars in her eyes. She was told she would see far away travel, be trained as a military police officer and when she got out she would be given money for college. Hell of a deal. Not once did the recruiter mention the deadly statistics for women in the military and how going to war dehumanizes many soldiers to a point where they think that raping and harassing women is acceptable behavior." To read the rest of the letter, click here For more information and to sign the petition: War Resisters Support Campaign: |
War, Poverty, HIV/AIDS, Climate Chaos... and Hope? |
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Want to help promote thought-provoking, accessible, independent media? Want to change the world with video? Look no further! Join the Toronto Video Activist Collective (TVAC). Help spread the word about TVAC in your neighbourhood, workplace, or school. The more people become involved in groups like TVAC, the more we will be able to counter the misinformation and outright lies of the corporate media. To download the poster, click here. CAMERAPEOPLE NEEDED URGENT NEED: VIDEO EDITORS TVAC has been producing groundbreaking grassroots activist video since 1998, including the feature Tear Gas Holiday (2003), covering the historic Quebec City protests of 2001, as well as the popular VideoActive compilation series. We are amateurs and professionals, camerapeople, editors, web designers, and activists, dedicated to making video that compels people to think, and more importantly, to act. We aim to produce video that inspires and educates - activist-friendly media. Become a Video Activist! |
VideoActive 5: Coming Soon -- Summer, 2006 |
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VideoActive 5 is coming... A collage of activist video, cartoons and experimental pieces, VideoActive is an ongoing Video Zine series TVAC publishes on VHS and DVD. TVAC has produced four VideoActive tapes thus far, and they can all be ordered directly from TVAC distribution. VideoActive 5 covers the oppression and resistance you didn't even know was going on, no thanks to the evening news, and is sure to inspire. Stay tuned... 
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Toronto Rallies in Support of Six Nations -- April 28, 2006 |
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"The Women, being Title Holders to all lands of Turtle Island, assert
our constitutional jurisdiction over the Haldimand Tract. We have
never and cannot give up our land or our sovereignty." On Friday, April 28, Six Nations held a protest at King's College Circle at the University of Toronto to protest a debate featuring Jim Prentice, the Minister of Indian Affairs, on "Aboriginal Self Government". Over 200 people in Toronto rallied at Hart House Circle at the University of Toronto in support of the Six Nations on April 26, 2006. Minister Prentice cancelled his participation in the debate. 
Speakers from Six Nations, other First Nations, as well as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), No One is Illegal, U of T Arab Students Collective, and the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty spoke at the rally. 
Jacqueline House from the Six Nations gives the crowd an overview of the situation. Watch Now. FACT: 95% of Six Nation's territory as originally allocated in the treaty has been seized and "developed" over the years. 
The Six Nations are grateful for all the external and community support they are receiving. And they are requesting our continued monitoring, lobbying and action to make sure justice is served. Up-to-date information on Six Nations, and how you can help: Six Nations radio: On the web: For more information: Autonomy & Solidarity |
TVAC Video Featured by Chinese Canadian National Council -- April, 2006 |
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The Chinese Canadian National Council's new website, the Asian Canadian Culture Online Project, features TVAC's Justice for Jeffrey video, as part of their efforts to highlight "talented and emerging artists". |
Justice for Jeffrey -- October 16, 2005 |
Video Update: Justice for Jeffrey protest On May 21, 2004, Jeffrey Reodica was shot three times by a plainclothes officer that resulted in his death. The officer was cleared of any wrong doing by the SIU, but the report itself was incomplete and contradictory. One year after Jeffrey's death, the Roedica family still waits for a promised coroner's report. In order to apply pressure on the Provincial Coroner, the Reodica family organized a demonstration/peace rally in honour of Jeffrey. View the video: |
Tear Gas Holiday -- Next Screenings -- November 14, 2003 |
Tear Gas Holiday: Québec City Summit 2001 Here are the screenings for Tear Gas Holiday, to happen in the next few days: Monday, November 17th, 9pm Monday, November 17th, 6pm Tuesday, November 18th, 7:30pm |
Tear Gas Holiday now on VHS! -- October 30, 2003 |
Tear Gas Holiday: Québec City Summit 2001
The premiere screening of Tear Gas Holiday at the Bloor Cinema, on October 8th, 2003 in Toronto was a smashing success! Here's what people are saying: "A phenomenal new documentary." — Heidi Rayden, CINEphile, CIUT 89.5FM "A powerful account of a transformative moment in Canadian history, told through the tear gas filled eyes of those who were on the front lines." — Naomi Klein, author, No Logo "A heart-felt, hand-held view from the streets, this tape captures authentic and disparate voices of the movement. Prepare to be energized!" — John Greyson, Director of Lilies, Proteus, and The Law of Enclosures. "Tear Gas Holiday is informative, inspirational, and quite often very funny." — Jeff Watson, Director "TVAC does a remarkable job of capturing the mood of the activists and the Quebec population towards the protests. Warm and cuddly feelings are stirred as teddy bears are catapulted across the hated fence, only to be met with rubber bullets." — Gloria Bergen, IndyMedia Ontario "I left the theatre wanting to show this video to everyone I know." How to Purchase VHS Tapes To purchase tapes for commercial or educational use with public performance rights; to rent for public screenings; and to obtain copies in other formats; contact:
To purchase tapes for individual use and for non-commercial community screenings, please contact
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TVAC releases Québec City Summit video - September 5, 2003 |
"A heart-felt, hand-held view from the streets, this tape captures authentic and disparate voices of the movement. Prepare to be energized!" — John Greyson, Director of Lilies, Proteus, and The Law of Enclosures. "A powerful account of a transformative moment in Canadian history, told through the tear gas filled eyes of those who were on the front lines." — Naomi Klein, author, No Logo TVAC announces the premiere of a new feature activist documentary entitled Tear Gas Holiday: Québec City Summit 2001. This fast-paced documentary captures the spirit of the political movement that shook the foundations of the global economic system in 2001. With stunning footage captured by nine independent videographers, Tear Gas Holiday tells the inside story of the activists who traveled to Québec City to protest at the Summit of the Americas. (view stills) Tear Gas Holiday combines striking images from the streets of Québec City with post 9-11 interviews with prominent activists, including Jaggi Singh, Naomi Klein, and Maude Barlow. Also appearing are Blanca Chancoso, José Bové, Judy Rebick, R.H. Thompson, Art Manuel, Svend Robinson, Erin George, Denise Campbell, and many others. Whether you are young or old, a moderate or a militant, peon or president -- you might be in this movie! Tear Gas Holiday is a must see for anyone who cares about the future of civil rights and democracy in the Americas. Premiere screening:
Wednesday, October 8th 9:15pm A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be used to support the Libertas Legal Collective for the legal defence of activists who were arrested at the protests. TVAC acknowledges the generous support of CAW/TCA towards the production costs of this film. |
TVAC releases new anti-war video - August 5, 2003 |
The Toronto Video Activist Collective (TVAC) is announcing the release of a new short-length video, Peace Now, featuring footage from a year of anti-war protests in Toronto and Ottawa, from September 2002 to April 2003. The 25-minute video features a chronological series of over ten clips from peace demonstrations including Toronto's contribution to the massive February 15th event, part of the largest coordinated international mobilization in history, and One Big No, the largest political arts event in Toronto in two decades. The video includes exclusive footage of such prominent individuals as Canadian musician Sarah Harmer, MuchMusic VJ Jennifer Hollett, Member of Parliament Dennis Mills, British author Tariq Ali, Canadian activist and journalist Judy Rebick, and housing advocate Cathy Crowe. The clips cover events organized by the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War co-sponsored by the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, Artists Against War, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, and supported by the labour movement, other non-governmental organizations and activist groups. The video combines the original footage from four independent video activists, edited by TVAC members David Hermolin and Alex Lisman. To order copies of the video, or for more information please contact: questions@tvac.ca |
Rock the WTO Action, Montreal, Quebec - July 26-30, 2003 |
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Montreal, Quebec in response to the meeting of the WTO 'Mini-Ministerial' in Montreal July 27-30. These meetings were to prepare for the 5th Ministerial of the WTO being held in Cancun, Mexico from September 10-14, 2003.
** Rock-the-WTO-Radio was broadcasting throughout the demonstrations, on the internet and on pirate radio 104.5 FM in Montreal. Check out the archives in case you missed it live ** |
Actions in Evian/Geneva - May 29-June 03, 2003 |
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GENEVA03 LiveStream is a temporary autonomous TV project setup to cover the actions surrounding the G8 summit in Evian, France and a concurrent meeting of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland from the perspective of media/tech activists and culture jammers. The broadcast is sent to the internet from the "Everybody is an Expert" van, which is equipped with state of the art ENG tools, operators, and a self-adjusting bi-directional sattelite dish! This stream is then picked up and rebroadcast all around the world, on websites like ours as well as being projected in bars, community centers, and in the streets of the protest: GENEVA03 LiveStream (streaming .ram, requires RealPlayer). To chat with organizers/activists go to channel #g8 on irc.indymedia.org *** NEWSFLASH *** [20:26 EST/JUNE.01.03] AUTONOMOUS MEDIA COLLECTIVE BESIEGED IN GENEVA. |
One Big No Peace Festival - April 12, 2003 |
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Huge crowds turned out for a 12-hour festival at Nathan Phillips Square opposing the invasion of Iraq. Various politically-conscious artists were available to lift spirits and spread the message of peace. The day was divided into a daytime event with many stages and a festival atmosphere, and a later five hour concert in the evening that included big names such as: Lillian Allen, DJ Denise Benson, Cowboy Junkies, Jian Ghomeshi, Sarah Harmer, Jacksoul, King Cobb Steelie, Lowest of the Low, Danny Michel, Nine Mile, Evalyn Parry, Robert Priest, Rheostatics, George Sawa, Lorraine Segato, Sarah Slean, Andy Stochansky, Women Ah Run Tings, and DJ Zahra. The One Big No Peace Festival was organized by Artists Against War and Coalition to Stop the War.
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International Day of Action for Peace - February 15, 2003 |
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Several TVACers were at the Toronto component of this day that included peace actions in 603 cities worldwide! Below are video clips of some of the people who spoke at the event. For more details on this most incredible day of action visit www.indymedia.org. |
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VIDEOACTIVE 4 AVAILABLE NOW - December 14, 2002 |
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TVAC is proud to announce the release of VideoActive 4 - our latest compilation of videos on protest, direct action, and dissent in Toronto and beyond. For more information, see our VideoActive page. |
POPE SQUAT BUSTED - November 1, 2002 |
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NOV. 2 UPDATE: Squat retaken! Read the IndyMedia story. |
VIDEO ACTIVISM GETS THE GOODS |
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Great news on the legal defense front. Matthew Behrens of Toronto
Action for Social Change and 6 others have received a NOT GUILTY
sentence
from the Ontario Power Generation action last year! Matthew said:
the judge must've said 3 or 4 times that "the video clearly
showed", "I saw this on the video" and stuff like
that.
We are continuing to do invaluable work for and in the activist
community
and these are the rare plum moments when our success is actually
measurable.
Yay! |
THE POPE SQUAT (for more visit OCAP and Ontario Indy Media) |
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G8 SUMMIT: A PLETHORA OF ACTIONS |
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Community Solidarity March
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G8 SUMMIT: WE'D RATHER WEAR NOTHING THAN WEAR GAP |
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As usual, George Devil U. Bush is up to no good and then along come TVAC to save the day.
340 demonstrators were arrested during the Day of Action, Monday July 28th, 2003. Block-style mass arrests reduced the strength of later actions that followed.
Interviews with demonstrators help to illustrate reasons for protesting against the WTO.
A video of
the 'green-zone' during Monday's Day of
Action, submitted by a member of the indymedia video group that worked together during the demonstration to
cover the events.
Abdul-Rehman Malik expresses sentiments of the movement that day.
A short excerpt of Sarah Harmer's performance.
The daytime events are covered in this montage cut to traditional Middle Eastern folk music.
A rough collage
of voices and images from the rally and march.
Nova
Khadduri, Iraqi high school student
Abdul
Rehman-Malik
Judy
Rebick, Toronto Social Forum, Rabble.ca
Jack Layton,
NDP leader
