Hey everyone. It's been more than four months and 14 of us continue to face ridicules criminal charges for our alleged participation in a supposedly 'violent' sit-in demanding for affordable student housing and an eradication of user-fees (aka tuition fees). The police, specifically campus police, have continued with the harassment and surveillance of student activists.

If anyone happens to be in Toronto and don't have work, please come out to support us. More information at http://linchpin.ca/content/Education/Court-Support-Thur-Aug-21st-845am ...

Aug 21, 2008 - 8:45AM
Old City Hall (Bay and Queen), Court Room 111

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Court Support for the Fight Fees 14
When: Thursday, August 21st
Time: 8:45 am
Where: Old City Hall (60 Queen St. West)
Court Room 111
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Its been almost 4 months since the University of Toronto has pressed criminal charges against 14 university students, alumni, and staff as well as pursuing Student Code of Conduct investigations against 13 students. With September just around the corner, U of T is not backing down and these charges are still hanging over the heads of the 14 students and community members.

University of Toronto Administration threatens Code of Student Conduct against student representatives speaking out against tuition fee increases

TORONTO, May 8 /CNW/ - Student representatives at the University of Toronto have received letters threatening Code of Student Conduct sanctions after peaking out against tuition fee increases. Those threatened include the President of the University of Toronto Students' Union (U.T.S.U.), the former U.T.S.U. Vice-President University Affairs, an executive member of the Arts and Science Students' Union (ASSU) and a student governor.

Some have questioned the relation between residence rental fee increases and access to education, but if we take into consideration the social context it is clear that there is a direct connection.

One suggestion brought up was that residence housing is a privilege, not a right, and therefore it is unreasonable to demand that it should be affordable. Assuming this argument is correct, and it isn't, we must ask the question about privilege for who? If residence living does add to the educational experience, why should it only be open to the upper class? In essence, this assumption suggests that our education system should be two-tiered, with 'privileges' provided to the rich, while the poorer students are left behind.

EMERGENCY RALLY TO DEFEND STUDENTS' RIGHTS
Tuesday March 25, 4:10 PM
Simcoe Hall (27 King's College Circle)
University of Toronto
Map: http://tinyurl.com/2oatgu
ACTION ITEM: Statements of solidarity and support; endorse and organize a contingent for the rally.

Join us in a peaceful demonstration outside the University of Toronto's administration building to protest police aggression against students and rising fees: Tuesday March 25, 4:10 PM, outside Simcoe Hall (27 King's College
Circle).

Press Release

University of Toronto Students Occupy President's Office
Police violence used to force students out

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2008 – Toronto

March 20, 2008 thirty-five University of Toronto students occupied Simcoe Hall, the home of the President's Office, to protest a 20% fee increase. The nonviolent sit-in was accompanied with a peaceful rally outside the building—until the police began brutalizing those inside. This was captured by multiple video cameras.