Picket at the Toronto U.S. Consulate Demands:
No to War! Stop the Bombing of Afghanistan!

No sooner the U.S. and Britain began their bombing attacks on Afghanistan, some 200 people converged on the U.S. Consulate in Toronto on October 7 to demand an end to the bombing, declaring that war is not a response to terrorism. This attack is the unleashing of terror against the people of Afghanistan, they said. Placards demanded "Canada Get Out of NATO and NORAD," "Stop the War," "End the Imperialist New World Order" and "Fight for the Rights of All." Members of Mobilization for Global Justice, Ryerson Coalition Against Racism and War, Metro and District Labour Council, the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) were joined by contingents of students from York University and the University of Toronoto. Speakers from the Ontario Common Front, the CFS, the Coalition Against War and Racism and Mobilization for Global Justice addressed participants. Many cars passing the consulate honked their support for the demonstrators.

As the picket grew, the Metro Toronto Police requested that the organizers move across University Avenue. Chants went up of "Freedom to Assemble," "Freedom of Speech," and "Hell No, We Won't Go!" After briefly harassing the speakers at the megaphone, the police backed off and the picket continued, ending after an hour and a half. Throughout the picket, vigorous discussion was carried among the participants, including on the question of how the events of September 11 were being used to attack and further criminalize the political movement of the people.