Tenants Form Human Shield Outside Toronto Building To Protect Resident From Eviction

Many Toronto residents have faced housing insecurity since the start of the pandemic. Though, one eviction in Toronto is currently being protested. A group of residents in East York are physically blocking police from enforcing an eviction.*

Members of the People's Defence organization participated in a protest outside of Goodwood Park Residences on Monday afternoon.*

For over five days, residents of Goodwood Park have been patrolling the building property, prepared for evictions enforcements, as some residents have found themselves unable to make rent payments during the pandemic.

Today, this came to a boiling point when police arrived to evict a tenant.

Narcity spoke to Samuel Nithiananthan of People's Defence Toronto, who is at the demonstration.

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“During the COVID-19 pandemic, there should be no evictions,” says Nithiananthan. “People should not find themselves on the street.” 

Neighbours and activists alike have formed a blockade to intervene. 

Nithiananthan explained that this particular resident has suffered from health issues. 

According to Keep Your Rent Toronto, 14 police officers were on the scene.

“John Tory has said that the police are not responsible for enforcing evictions,” he continued, “so why are there two dozen police here?” 

"Sheriffs attended the location to conduct an eviction when they were stopped by a group of people," Toronto Police told Narcity.

"Police officers were called to keep the peace."

Peoples Defence Toronto demanded that no Goodwood Park residence be removed from their homes today, and that police should leave immediately.

Last month, Peoples Defence Toronto occupied the office of a landlord trying to forcibly remove residents.

The landlord of Crescent Place, owned and managed by Pinedale Properties, denied the legitimacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also refused to properly sanitize shared areas and was illegally trying to evict tenants, according to the organization.

In past briefings, Mayor John Tory has told the media that he has no power to stop evictions.

In response, Peoples Defence Toronto is calling for "unprecedented measures in unprecedented times."

*This article has been updated.