Media Advisory: CUPE Ontario joining Black Lives Matter demonstration Saturday

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 24, 2016) - Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, including President Fred Hahn, will join a growing list of anti-oppression groups at a Black Lives Matter demonstration against police violence this Saturday, outside the Toronto police headquarters on College Street.

The demonstration supports the ongoing Black Lives Matter Toronto tent city protest against anti-Black racism and police violence. "We support Black Lives Matter because this is about us - our members, our families, and our communities. Black CUPE members face anti-Black racism every day. But this is also about solidarity against oppression," said Hahn. "We are proud to stand with Aboriginal groups, the student movement, and other allies in the fight against anti-Black racism."

The hard work of the Black Lives Matters - Toronto Coalition has led to change, including the restoration of Afrofest to a two-day festival. But CUPE Ontario calls on Mayor John Tory, Chief Mark Saunders, and Premier Kathleen Wynne to take immediate action to implement Black Lives Matter Toronto's other essential demands:

• The release of the name(s) of the officer(s) who killed Andrew Loku.
• Charges to be laid against the officers who killed Andrew Loku.
• The immediate and public release of any video footage from the apartment complex of Andrew Loku on the night he was murdered.
• An apology to the family of Andrew Loku and monetary compensation.
• An overhaul of the Special Investigations Unit, with adequate consultation from families victimized by police violence, the Black community, and the community-at-large.

"The labour movement must not stand idly by in anti-racist struggles. CUPE Ontario is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Black Lives Matter Toronto in workplaces and communities in Toronto and beyond to hold our elected politicians to account and demand they implement changes to address anti-Black racism," said Hahn.

What: Solidarity demonstration to support BLMTO Tent City

When: Saturday, March 26, 4:00 p.m.

Where: Toronto Police Headquarters, 40 College Street

CUPE is Ontario's community union, with more than 250,000 members providing quality public services we all rely on, in every part of the province, every day. CUPE Ontario members are proud to work in social services, health care, municipalities, school boards, universities and airlines.