Support remaining 'Fight Fees 2'

Court to hear Motion on Violation of Charter rights

Community Release - Toronto
Rally at Old City Hall
Wednesday, August 5th, 10:00 a.m.

Seventeen months of delayed justice will be challenged in court on August 5^th. The remaining two of the Fight Fees 14 will present a Charter Challenge on the basis of the right to trial without unreasonable delay. Join us at Old City Hall to send a clear community statement in support of Charter Rights and Justice.

The Toronto police, working with the University of Toronto Administration, have pressed charges in what appears to be an attempt to criminalize dissent and discourage students from resisting unreasonable fee hikes. More than a year ago, 14 people, including students and allies were criminally charged for alleged involvement in a sit-in against fee increases at the University of Toronto.

Over a year later some pieces of relevant evidence (disclosure) still have not been provided. All but two of the 14 have had their charges stayed, withdrawn or have accepted peace bonds that limit their right to protest in campus buildings.

The remaining Fight Fees 2 will be presenting a motion to the Court on August 5th on the basis of violation of their Charter Rights under section 11(b), the right to be tried without reasonable delay. Two of the remaining accused, both of whom are major community advocates at U of T and former student governors, have refused to sign away their Charter Rights. Oriel Varga states,

I will not waive my own Charter Rights because of charges that clearly violate our basic and fundamental rights to freedom of expression and academic freedom. This matter should long ago have been thrown out by the Courts. The fact that over a year has passed without full disclosure and without a fair trial adds substantially to the growing list of Charter violations.

The community has overwhelmingly supported the Fight Fees 14. Students, organizations, unions, and over 115 professors thus far, have expressed their condemnation of the U of T regarding this blatant attempt to criminalize and silence dissent.

Joeita Gupta, Vice-President External of APUS and a student governor says,

Recently, U of T has pushed through Flat fees, which will mean those previously defined as part-time will witness a 66% fee increase. We need to stand up against fee hikes and the fundamental right to fight for access and justice on campus, and do so without the threat of police persecution.

The court date has finally been set for September 28-Oct 2, 2009. Supporters will come together on August 5th to stand in solidarity with the Fight Fees 2. Join us

and prove to UofT that criminalizing dissent will not silence opposition !

More information at http://fightfeescoalition.blogspot.com Contact: Joeita Gupta 416 918-1935

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