By Dimitrije Martinovic
(Dimitrije is a staff journalist with the FOCUS Media Arts Centre)

Regent Park and the surrounding neighbourhoods of Moss Park and St. James Town, are some of the most  diverse neighbourhoods in Toronto. These neighbourhoods are also home to a significant population of indigenous residents.  Toronto itself is situated on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Both locally and nationally there a is heightened awareness regarding the legacy of systemic racism perpetrated by White European settlers against the Native people during the period of colonization (1788 - 1901), and which even today persist in many facets of contemporary life, including the commemoration of key historical figures who contributed directly to various oppressive and discriminatory practices; such as the resident school system (1870 – 1997).

As a resident of Regent Park, Miguel Avila Valarde has been a prominent figure in numerous resident organizations, including Community Benefits Coalition and the Regent Park Neighbourhood Association.  Miguel is also the tenant representative his building. Born in Peru, Miguel is of indigenous background, and identifies as an activist who speaks on issues related to social justice.  

On August 14, 2021, Miguel attended a rally in Hamilton, Ontario to protest the City of Hamilton's decision not remove the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald that was located in Gore Park.  Sir John A. Macdonald is the first Prime Minister of Canada and among other things, is considered to be one of the architects of the Residential School System. At the rally, it is alleged that Miguel played a definitive role in taking down and destroying the statue.

Public opinion is divided on the removal of historical statues of public figures who have been linked to racism, colonialism and genocide. While some jurisdictions have removed these statues, others have not – with some jurisdictions electing instead to erect contextualizing plaques.   The refusal to remove statues has led opposing and often marginalized citizen groups and individuals to take matter in to their own hands involving actions such as defacing, destroying or removing offending statues. These actions have sparked anger by others who oppose the destruction of public property, and claim that the removal of statues are attempts to  'rewrite' and 'erase' certain parts of history.  

On August 15, 2021, Toronto Police arrested Miguel at his home and was formally charged by Hamilton Police Services for Mischief Over $5000.00 related to his role in taking down the statue.  While it is uncertain whether Miguel is actually claiming responsibility, he along with Hamilton rally organizer Jordan Carrier, both insist that the action was justified.  Both Miguel and Jordan argue that the recent discovery of buried indigenous children in resident schools all across of Canada, lack of action on missing and murdered Indigenous women,  the slow pace of implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the clearing out of homeless encampments along with the failure of apathetic decision makers at the municipal, provincial and federal level to address social justice issues - are all reasons that compels Indigenous people's and their allies to take action into their own hands.

This story has evolved in the weeks following the arrest of Miguel Avila Valarde. Watch the video to hear more of the interview with  Miguel as well as with Jordan Carrier.  The video also features an interviews with  Ari Goldkind, a Toronto Criminal Layer who strongly opposes the destruction of statues and 'rewriting' history.