To the People of Conscience of Fredericton:

2010 has proven to be a year to remember. We have seen the forces of capital, patriarchy, colonialism, racism, and imperialism assembled and on horrendous display in Canada, particularly in the forms of the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the recent G8 and G20 meetings. We have seen mechanisms of state repression and billion-dollar security budgets that would have seemed like conservative pipe dreams only a few years ago. The G20 in Toronto was the scene of the largest mass arrests in Canadian history with an estimated 1100 protesters, journalists, and bystanders arrested. The show of force by police was so large
that the city, during the G20 meetings, was dubbed "Torontonamo" by
commentators.

However, we have also seen a remarkable resistance. From radical journalists and Native Warriors, from anarchists and communists, from labour activists and queers and trans folk, to teenage hipsters and pensioners, we have fought back. The mobilizations against these decadent displays of oppression have been inspiring. These people have chosen to stand up and fight for themselves, our planet, and our future. Even today many of our friends, teachers, allies, partners, and comrades either sit in jail or have been released with draconian bail conditions. At least 19 community organizers are facing extremely serious charges, and this number will likely increase as more organizers are targeted.
The fact that these people are being charged with "conspiracy" for organizing legitimate opposition to the G20 sets a disturbing precedent for the future of activism, protest, and resistance in Canada. 

But, alas, we in Fredericton have been largely politically and geographically removed from these events. What is to be done here?

A small group of activists and organizers have met over the past few days to discuss exactly these issues and we have developed a proposal: we call for the immediate formation of a temporary and ad-hoc support committee for those people facing legal repercussions related to their participation in protests and demonstrations against the G20 in Toronto.

We would like this committee to be made up of both individuals and
organizations. Currently, interested individuals are campus-based, and we are thus seeking off-campus organizers in particular to join us. We would like the committee to both raise funds and provide education around the broader issues behind the G20, as well as the specific events that occurred in Huntsville and Toronto last month. We are calling for an open meeting on Sunday, August 8th at 7:00 at Conserver House (180 St. John St.).

If you would like to be involved but cannot make the meeting please email
g20fredericton[at]gmail.com. If you have money rather than time and/or energy please consider making a donation either to the committee or directly to the G20 defence fund (http://movementdefence.org/defencefund). 

In Solidarity,


The future Fredericton G20 Movement Defence Committee