Help Miguel With His Legal Costs
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Help Miguel (Activist & Indigenous Land Defender) With His Legal Costs
My name is Miguel Avila-Velarde. I am a father of 3 kids and I live in Toronto (Canada). I have been a peaceful activist and Indigenous ally and land defender for the last 13 years.
In 2021, at Trinity Bellwood Park, I helped to hold down a ceremonial sacred fire to remember the 215 Indigenous child graves found in British Columbia. The police violently raided the ceremony, put out the fire, and kicked out everyone off the park. My girlfriend and I were violently arrested on June 22. I was later ticketed for protesting (in Toronto and Hamilton) the injustices being perpetrated against the Indigenous peoples of Canada (especially the Wet'suwet'en peoples in British Columbia).
I am asking for financial donations for my ongoing legal costs. I attempted to seek a legal aid certificate but I could not secure it due to the nature of my legal case. I understand in COVID-19 times we do not have a lot to share. But if you could find a few dollars to share I would appreciate it.
If you believe in Indigenous sovereignty and community led healing, please contribute. Every amount helps. If you cannot make a donation, you can support my activism work by sharing the fundraiser with your friends and networks.
Megwetch
My 3 kids and I
A Little More About Me
I am originally from Peru and I have lived in Toronto for the last 30 years. I fell on hard times after I was terminated unjustly from my job at the Toronto Zoo in 2009. I lost everything (my home, car, family, and health) after I was terminated. I became homeless with my dog Fido and I was living on the streets. Over the years I have tried to find meaningful jobs but I could not because my disability worsened. I now suffer from a variety of health issues so I am unable to work. I have a low fixed income and I suffer from poverty.
After I was terminated I realized that there was missing a strong voice to speak for victims of injustice so I decided to become that voice as a fierce social justice activist. Since I was terminated I especially am that voice at City Hall council and City committees. I have demanded the City reform its policies such as (1) its lack of funding for adequate social housing for low income people and (2) its lack of adequate shelters for homeless people who are dying especially due to drug overdoses.
Now during the COVID-19 pandemic I demand the City reform its policies which suffer low income people. I force the City to acknowledge the following three unacceptable consequences of its policies. First, people are losing their jobs and they are forced to either pay their rent or buy food. Second, landlords are evicting their tenants who have no choice but to live in parks because housing shelters are overloaded. Third, during the summer of 2021 the City started a campaign to violently remove these homeless people from parks and the police violently arrested peaceful protestors (such as myself) of this campaign. I add that 40% of these homeless people are from Indigenous backgrounds and as an Indigenous ally I stayed with them to ensure they got proper housing as promised to them by the City.
My girlfriend and I
My name is Miguel Avila-Velarde. I am a father of 3 kids and I live in Toronto (Canada). I have been a peaceful activist and Indigenous ally and land defender for the last 13 years.
In 2021, at Trinity Bellwood Park, I helped to hold down a ceremonial sacred fire to remember the 215 Indigenous child graves found in British Columbia. The police violently raided the ceremony, put out the fire, and kicked out everyone off the park. My girlfriend and I were violently arrested on June 22. I was later ticketed for protesting (in Toronto and Hamilton) the injustices being perpetrated against the Indigenous peoples of Canada (especially the Wet'suwet'en peoples in British Columbia).
I am asking for financial donations for my ongoing legal costs. I attempted to seek a legal aid certificate but I could not secure it due to the nature of my legal case. I understand in COVID-19 times we do not have a lot to share. But if you could find a few dollars to share I would appreciate it.
If you believe in Indigenous sovereignty and community led healing, please contribute. Every amount helps. If you cannot make a donation, you can support my activism work by sharing the fundraiser with your friends and networks.
Megwetch
My 3 kids and I
A Little More About Me
I am originally from Peru and I have lived in Toronto for the last 30 years. I fell on hard times after I was terminated unjustly from my job at the Toronto Zoo in 2009. I lost everything (my home, car, family, and health) after I was terminated. I became homeless with my dog Fido and I was living on the streets. Over the years I have tried to find meaningful jobs but I could not because my disability worsened. I now suffer from a variety of health issues so I am unable to work. I have a low fixed income and I suffer from poverty.
After I was terminated I realized that there was missing a strong voice to speak for victims of injustice so I decided to become that voice as a fierce social justice activist. Since I was terminated I especially am that voice at City Hall council and City committees. I have demanded the City reform its policies such as (1) its lack of funding for adequate social housing for low income people and (2) its lack of adequate shelters for homeless people who are dying especially due to drug overdoses.
Now during the COVID-19 pandemic I demand the City reform its policies which suffer low income people. I force the City to acknowledge the following three unacceptable consequences of its policies. First, people are losing their jobs and they are forced to either pay their rent or buy food. Second, landlords are evicting their tenants who have no choice but to live in parks because housing shelters are overloaded. Third, during the summer of 2021 the City started a campaign to violently remove these homeless people from parks and the police violently arrested peaceful protestors (such as myself) of this campaign. I add that 40% of these homeless people are from Indigenous backgrounds and as an Indigenous ally I stayed with them to ensure they got proper housing as promised to them by the City.
My girlfriend and I
Organizer
Miguel Avila-Velarde
Organizer
Toronto, ON