Idle No More, Black Lives Matter protesters occupy Toronto Indigenous and Northern Affairs office
Protesters have been occupying the Toronto office of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) since mid-morning, demanding that the federal government take action following a recent spate of suicide attempts in Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario.
As many as 20 members of Idle No More and Black Lives Matter flooded the office at Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue East. They say they are standing in solidarity with the Attawapiskat community, which declared a state of emergency Saturday following reports of 11 suicide attempts in one day alone last weekend. There are also reports of more than 100 suicide attempts and at least one death since September, in the remote community of nearly 2,000.
Protesters refuse to leave the premises until INAC officials speak with them directly.
"We would like to hear that they are doing more than just sending social workers after the fact. There are so many issues at stake," protester Carrie Lester told CBC Toronto by phone. Lester said it is not enough and protesters want to see the federal government taking more action.
My thoughts on this current event, its crazy how first nations still aren't getting the help they need, just how the Beothuk were pushed off their land, hunted and forced to starvation.
As many as 20 members of Idle No More and Black Lives Matter flooded the office at Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue East. They say they are standing in solidarity with the Attawapiskat community, which declared a state of emergency Saturday following reports of 11 suicide attempts in one day alone last weekend. There are also reports of more than 100 suicide attempts and at least one death since September, in the remote community of nearly 2,000.
Protesters refuse to leave the premises until INAC officials speak with them directly.
"We would like to hear that they are doing more than just sending social workers after the fact. There are so many issues at stake," protester Carrie Lester told CBC Toronto by phone. Lester said it is not enough and protesters want to see the federal government taking more action.
My thoughts on this current event, its crazy how first nations still aren't getting the help they need, just how the Beothuk were pushed off their land, hunted and forced to starvation.