The hordes descend on the 'Curved Castle'

 'The masses are off their asses' 

Thousands of trade unionists and community members massed outside Toronto City Hall for a peaceful but spirited rally on the evening of Monday, September 26. Following the rally a symbolic 'gravy social' (mashed potatoes with the aforementioned garnish were served to attendees) was organized by Toronto Stop The Cuts Network.

On several occasions Nathan Phillips Square and the City Hall buildings were completely surrounded as mass picket lines were formed over the course of the event. Once again Council member Giorgio Mammoliti revealed the workings of his lizard brain when he described the huge crowd of ordinary Torontonians as 'the usual suspects'. (Yeah, right, Giorgio.)

As well, a massive banner was dropped from the elevated walkway on the south side of the square, remaining in place for close to an hour before organizers safely retrieved it. (pretty rare when it comes to banner drops - usually the cops get to them first!)

'Gravy Social'

A special session of City Council is currently examining the recent Core Services Review that recommended devastating cutbacks to many essential city resources.  While most of the cuts have been deferred until budget development begins in about two months' time following hundreds of deputations opposing them from members of the public, essentially nothing has changed - Ford and Co. are simply getting craftier in maneuvering their agenda through.

Last week a number of actions  happened at City Hall in response to the Ford agenda - on Thursday dozens of kids and their parents set up an affordable daycare outside the Mayor's office before invading Council Chambers and inducing Council members to 'pinky-swear' not to support the cuts before offering them snacks.

Last Friday members of AIDS Action Now! staged a mock funeral procession and die-in both inside and outside City Hall to protest planned cuts to HIV/AIDS resources in Toronto. This event was also well-attended despite driving rain.

Banner drop - I think this

made the message perfectly clear!