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21-Jun-2002

Canadian military react against peace vigils

by: Homes not Bombs

Toronto: Faced with opening its doors to the homeless of Toronto or continuing to remain a war training camp, the officials in charge of Toronto's Moss Park Armoury have made a choice which is loud and clear: bombs, not homes.

The dozen individuals from Homes not Bombs arriving for the second of their ongoing Tuesday evening vigils at the armoury entrance were intrigued by a new sign on the barbed wire fence which surrounds the property. "Security Zone in Effect," reads the hastily prepared document strung to the fence, with the proviso that "only authorized Canadian Forces personnel may enter."

When we asked one of the reservists why this was happening, he explained, "It's because of you guys."
Apparently stung by the "breach of security" which occurred last week, when a half dozen people were able to enter the armoury and conduct an impromptu teach-in for some teenage recruits on poverty and its connection to Canada's war economy, the military was taking no chances.
"We find it sad that three weeks after Toronto city council called for the opening of Fort York Armoury, or some similar facility, to act as an emergency shelter for the homeless, the response is to declare Moss Park off-limits to anyone who might suggest a peaceful, community-building alternative for this facility," said a member of Homes not Bombs.

Members of Homes not Bombs spoke with dozens of homeless people who walked by the vigil site, many agreeing with the idea that the armoury be turned not just into temporary emergency shelter, but into permanent housing for people on low incomes. The new campaign is already getting under the skin of the military, which seems to have issued orders not to fraternize with the members of the vigil group. Visibly agitated troops entered the facility, some hurling verbal abuse, others shaking their heads, and in sharp contrast to last week's vigil, none stopped to speak with us.

We are continuing our letter writing efforts to ensure federal politicians have Moss Park declared surplus, have the building turned over to the city of Toronto, and then to groups who will provide the kind of housing that will truly make a difference to people living in the margins of society. To get more info on how you can help out with this part of the equation, drop us a line.

Contact
Homes not Bombs
PO Box 73620, 509 St. Clair Ave. West,
Toronto, ON M6C 1C0, Canada
+1 416 651 5800, tasc@web.ca

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