By Fred Alvarado & Humaira Rahman
(Fred and Humaira are journalist for the Focus Media Arts Centre)

Welcome to the inaugural RPTV Weekly News Show. In this weekly news show hosted by RPTV reporters, Fred Alvarado and Humaira Rahman, we present news that impacts on Regent Park and other surrounding communities located in the Down Town East communities of Toronto. Episode one for the week of August 23, 2021 features: the arrest of a Regent Park resident Miguel Avila Velarde for his involvement in toppling a statue of John A. Macdonald; Information about Covid-19 and vaccine clinics in the area; and Regent Park Revitalization Meet and Greet;  the Peace & Unity in the Community Event; the Regent Park Cultural Bazaar; and the Moss Park Market .  See following for more details.  

Miguel Avila Velarde arrested for been involved in the toppling of Sir. John A. Macdonald statute in Downtown Hamilton.

Miguel Avila Velarde, was arrested and released by Hamilton Police on Wednesday August 18th. Avila Velarde was charged with Mischief over $5000 for being one of four suspects involved in the pulling down of Sir. John A. Macdonald statue located in Gore Park, Hamilton where nearly 200 people attended an indigenous freedom rally on Saturday August 14, 2021.  Miguel Avila Velarde is a long time outspoken indigenous and tenant activist who joined the Hamilton event in solidarity. Avila Velarde was one of many attendees that helped pulled the statue down that day. The statue was painted red, damaged with an angle grinder and hammer.

Canada’s first prime minister, John A Macdonald, had a pivotal role in the creation of the residential school system that has been since labelled by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as an act of “cultural genocide” against First Nations, Metis, Inuit and Metis. Miguel Avila said the statues as they were standing reminded indigenous communities of decades of trauma and pain suffered amid colonialism.

Miguel Avila Velarde is set to appear in court in October.

Weekly update of Covid-19 and Neighbourhood vaccination clinics.

The City of Toronto is encouraging families with children born in 2009 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at City-run vaccination clinics.
The Province of Ontario announced that  all youth born in 2009 are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations immediately. Everyone born in 2009 or earlier requiring a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine can walk in to any City-run clinic. 

The City of Toronto has also announced mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for its employees. The All members of the Toronto Public Service will be required to disclose and provide proof of vaccination status by September 13. Staff who have not been vaccinated or who do not disclose their vaccination status by September 13 will be required to attend mandatory education on the benefits of vaccination. These unvaccinated individuals will then need to provide proof of first dose no later than September 30. As of October 30, all City staff will be required to have received their first and second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccine Clinics in the Neighbourhood:
·Sherbourne Neighbourhood Vaccine Clinic for residents of 155 Sherbourne Street, Regent Park and Moss Park neighbourhoods.
·St. James Town Late Night Vaccine Clinic for residents of St. James Town at St. James Town Community Corner (200 Wellesley St. E).

Regent Park Revitalization Phases 4 and 5 Meet & Greets

Toronto Community Housing (TCH) and TRIDEL is seeking resident involvement into the Regent Park Revitalization Phases 4 & 5 Master Plan. The master plan will outline where new buildings, roads, parks and pedestrian connections will be in the neighborhood. It will also outline the construction phasing and other community design features. The master planning process will include community engagement, research and information gathering, design exercises and workshops, and coordination between consultants to develop the vision of the master plan. The process will begin in the coming months.
TCH and TRIDEL will be holding Meet and Greet events in the Big Park on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, from 5 pm – 8 pm in the Big Park and Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 5 pm – 8 pm in the Regent Park Athletics Field.  City Councillor Wong-Tam will also be present.   

Peace and Unity in the Community

Peace and Unity in the Community event, took place from August 18th – 21’st, in the Regent Park Athletics Field.  The 4-day event was organized by Peoples Elite, a grassroots organization based out of Regent Park. The aim of this event was to bring organizations together, build on community and help young people. The young people that attended this event were able to join in on a number of workshops, ranging from Yoga and elevator pitches to basketball.  The four-day event, wrapped up with a 3 on 3 basketball tournament.

Regent Park Cultural Bazaar

The Cultural Bazaar is an event that happens every Friday on the corner of Dundas and Sumach, across the Pam McConnell Aquatic Center. This event starts at 4 pm and ends at 8 pm. You can shop locally and support dozens of artisans and designers. During this event, you can get  henna done by local henna artists in the community, shop for jewelry, purchase cultural foods and desserts or even relax and grab some ice cream.  The final event of the summer will be happening this Friday, August 27th. Please make sure to come and support local businesses!

Moss Park Market

Moss Park, a low-income community comprised of social housing, homelessness and low-income renters has always been a community struggling with food in-security and lack of healthy food options. The Moss Park Market, is a shipping container grocery store located on 260 Queen St E. This market will be open every Saturday from 11 - 4 pm. The Moss Park Market will feature live free music performances. The purpose of this market is to tackle food inaccessibility in Moss Park and the surrounding communities by being able to grab a fresh fruit or vegetable basket for just $5 and or pay it forward to someone who can’t afford one.