Solidarity can be defined as deep relational ties between individuals and groups who share struggles and long-term commitments to mutually supporting one another; unity between and across individuals, communities, or movements who are experiencing oppression and/or have made a conscious commitment to challenging a situation of injustice, violence, or tyranny. - Sally Scholz, adapted by Michelle Xie [1]
Examples of solidarity
The Another Toronto is Possible Coalition
Many organizers and land defenders who are fighting against systems of oppression have recognized that their struggles originate from the same systems of power. For example, groups in Toronto came together to form a coalition that summarizes and fights for their collective interests.
The groups act in solidarity with one another to build more impactful actions, whether it be collaborating on organizing an action or coming out to support the actions of other groups/communities.
Groups involved include Doctors for Defunding the Police, SURJ Toronto, No one is Illegal Toronto, No More Silence, No Pride in Policing, Toronto Indigenous Harm reduction, the Disability Justice Network of Ontario, Policing-Free Schools, Black Legal Action Centre, Maggie's and Butterfly. Together they are fighting in solidarity for a Toronto that includes all its residents. That is; Housing and care for unhoused neighbours, investments in healthy communities and real safety, defunding and abolishing police and safety for queer and trans communities.
Decolonial solidarity
This distributed organization sprung up in response to the rise of climate organizers targeting Canadian banks to divest from fossil fuels, and the recognition by Wet'suwet'en hereditary leaders of a common link between one major bank (RBC) and the CGL pipeline being built on their unceded territory without their consent.
Decolonial solidarity is made up of mostly settler Canadians, and all direction is taken from hereditary chief leadership. This is a form of solidarity that recognizes Indigenous sovereignty over their territory is a key piece of climate justice.
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