Remembering the Metro Days of Action
As Ontario faces a new round of neoliberal attacks on workers, the poor, racialized, and other marginalized communities it is important to draw lessons from past struggles. Watch video »
As Ontario faces a new round of neoliberal attacks on workers, the poor, racialized, and other marginalized communities it is important to draw lessons from past struggles.
For two days in October 1996, Toronto was shut down with massive protests against the harsh new policies of Mike Harris’ Conservative government. That was one of eleven Days of Action across Ontario in those years. As Ontario faces shockingly similar initiatives from the Doug Ford government in 2018, it’s time to reflect on what was tried and what was accomplished in confronting a neoliberal agenda two decades ago.
Moderated by Maryanna Lewyckyj. Presentations by:
- Doug Nesbitt has written a PhD dissertation on the Ontario Days of Action and is an editor at Rankandfile.ca.
- Bill Howes worked for the Toronto and York Region Labour Council for many years and was a key organizer of the Metro Days of Action.
- “Resistance in Concert” – recorded during the Metro Days of Action – in Toronto, 26 October 1996. Performances by: Bass is Base, Arlene Mantle, Lillian Allen, Bruce Cockburn, Billy Bragg. Metro Days of Action co-chairs: Linda Torney and Margaret Hancock.
Also of interest: Organize, Educate, Resist.
Organized by Toronto Workers’ History Project. Recorded in Toronto, 12 November 2018.
