Groundswell of support

Groundswell of support

TORONTO–The Justice for Jeffrey Reodica campaign has been met with a groundswell of support from various individuals and organizations both in the Filipino-Canadian and other communities. For the past two weeks following the townhall meeting on May 31 at the Scarborough Civic Centre Council Chamber, a series of events have been organized – some planned, some spontaneous – by supporters of the campaign, not only in the Filipino community, but in the greater multicultural community.
An increasing number of organizations have joined the Justice for Jeffrey Reodica Coalition that was formed by volunteers to pursue the campaign for truth and justice in the fatal shooting of the 17-year old Grade 11student by a Toronto police officer.

Among the organizatons that have pledged full support are the biggest Filipino-Canadian organizations and networks, among them Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (composed of over 20 member organizations) – the Philippine Independence Day Council (an umbrella organization of various associations), the Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton, the National Congress of Filipino Canadians, and the Philippine Network for Justice and Peace. Other groups that have joined the Coalition are Philippine Heritage Band, Lucena City Association, and Leytenos Association of Ontario. The United People of Color is among the first multicultural groups to have joined the coalition. Various other organizations in the Filipino and other communities have also enlisted their full participation and support for the coalition’s campaign for justice.

National organizations as well as groups in other provinces in Canada have extended their support in various ways. The latest development was the support of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada – a nationwide organization of more than 80 ethnic publications and organizations in the broadcast industry. During its monthly meeting by its board and regular members held Monday, June 14, at Queen’s Park, Thomas Saras, president, put in a motion to support the campaign and demand a public inquiry about the incident. The motion was seconded and everyone present voted in its favor. In this regard, the organization will write letters to Toronto Mayor David Miller and Ontario Premiere Dalton McGuinty, and Toronto Police Services.

Consul General Alejandro Mosquera in a meeting of Consuls General with Toronto Mayor David Miller recently, mentioned to the mayor the community is concerned about the Jeffrey Reodica incident and asked whether the mayor was considering meeting with the Justice for Jeffrey Reodica Coalition. Mosquera said Miller would meet the Coalition and his staff was doing the schedule.

Other major developments:

Sunday, June 13–Kalayaan Picnic–Willie Reodica, Jeffrey’s father; Mel Catre, chair of the Justice for Jeffrey Reodica Coalition, and Sonny Lauzon, member of the coordinating committee were given the chance to speak during the program held at Mississauga Valley Park. The Coalition’s banner was displayed during the parade held earlier; a table was set up with Jeffrey’s photo and the coalition banner, where hundreds of picnic goers signed the petition asking for a public inquiry, with many of them contributing in various amounts, as part of the fund-raising campaign mainly to help cover legal expenses.

Saturday, June 12–Pistahan sa Toronto, organized by Filipino Centre Toronto – Four paragraphs from the open letter, “Let Us Unite for Truth and Justice” was read during the program by the master of ceremonies, amidst a crowd that stood in silence to listen to the message. Representatives of the Coalition were not allowed to speak before the crowd. Many people signed the open letter in support of the call for truth and justice.

At the gala night dinner dance by Kalayaan and PIDC attended by guests from various organizations, politicians, the media, and leaders from other ethnic organizations, Jeffrey’s name was mentioned during the prayer recited before dinner by Ching Quejas, president of Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre.

Friday, June 11–Justice For Jeffrey Youth Meeting, supported by the Toronto Youth Cabinet, at the Scarborough Civic Centre Council Chambers–Youth expressed their views and feelings about the shooting of Jeffrey by Toronto police, and how it has impacted their lives. Many expressed feelings of distrust, fear, and anger at the police after what had happened. Many expressed resentment at the way youth were being targeted by the police as gangs, simply because of the way they dress or the way they stick together as friends. Many felt they no longer feel safe in their neighbourhoods and in the City. The group decided to form a youth committee to be part of the Justice for Jeffrey Reodica campaign.

Thursday, June 10–Rally at Queen’s Park in support of the Justice for Jeffrey campaign–Five organizations organized a peaceful rally to support the Justice for Jeffrey campaign. Speeches were delivered by representatives of the organizations, among them Dudley Laws of the Black Action Defense Committee, who spoke against police brutality and the targeting of minority youth by police. Poems were recited by leading Spoken Word artists Spin and Isis. Statements of sympathy and support for the Reodica family were read. The group marched to the Police headquarters on College St., east of Yonge St. where the rally was continued. Other rally organizers were: The Coalition Against War and Racism, The Philippine Network for Justice and Peace, Pueblo Unido and Young Left.
Wednesday, June 10, Mass and Vigil, St. Rose of Lima, Scarborough.

Meanwhile, statements of support from various organizations all over the country have been submitted to the Coalition and to the website created by Joel Reodica. Among the latest received Tuesday, June 15, is the joint statement of workers, nurses, women’s, justice, human rights and Philippine solidarity organizations from Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal.