A rally was held in Parkdale on Saturday to defend the residents of 55 Triller Avenue from eviction.

Hundreds of people showed up to support residents who have been threatened with eviction after organizing to ask for basic repairs and better conditions from their landlord. The protest was the result of action by community group Parkdale Organize.

MNO joined hundreds of Toronto tenants who came out this morning to defend tenants at 55 Triller pic.twitter.com/kHQ2TMZ8TF

— Mabelle Neighbourhood Organization (@MabelleNeighbo1) March 27, 2021

Last year, Starlight Investments purchased the building and since then tenants have complained about inadequate heating, water shutoffs, pest treatment, and repair requests being ignored by the new owners. 

Proud of my neighbours at 55 Triller for organizing and standing up against their landlord. Took my family out to stand with them in solidarity ✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/aEeZEc28YJ

— Samuel Mason (@_samuelmason) March 27, 2021

These problems have led to an alarming increase in vacant units which residents of the building say has destroyed the sense of community it once had.

Earlier this month, eviction forms were delivered to three tenant organizers of 55 Triller, accusing them of illegal acts after they attempted to deliver letters to management regarding concerns over the many issues tenants were facing.

Goodwood joined Parkdale today to defend peoples rights to organize in a Tenants Union!! 55 Triller tenants have been served N6 notices! Starlight hopes to stop Tenants from organizing with more threats of eviction!! https://t.co/6CzeqDUMPH

— Goodwood Tenants Union (@ParkGoodwood) March 27, 2021

The organizers requested that one tenant be allowed to speak to management about their letter and discuss ways to improve the situation. Management responded by locking themselves in their office and calling the police.

So many folks here in solidarity with the tenants of 55 Triller #NoCovidEvictions pic.twitter.com/OpBS7SDdiG

— james campbell (@campbelljam2) March 27, 2021

"This is a clear attempt by a landlord and their lawyers to criminalize organizing. It is a sign that landlords view the unwillingness of tenants to accept unsafe, unhealthy, abusive or predatory living conditions to be a criminally dangerous act that should be punished with homelessness," said Bryan Doherty of Parkdale Organize. "Tenants will not stand for this."

today the people of parkdale said enough is enough in solidarity with our neighbours at 55 triller @ParkdaleOrg pic.twitter.com/EIA1nblhGY

— Bryan Mc Govern (@McGbryan) March 27, 2021

Tenants all over the city have begun forming associations to protect themselves from shady landlords. Now, protesters are reinforcing the idea that organizing is not a crime while supporting their neighbours who find themselves in a similar situation.

Our neighbours are under attack. What do we do? Stand up fight back!

Solidarity with my neighbours at 55 Triller who are being attacked by their landlord simply for organizing and demanding better. Organizing is not a crime! @ParkdaleOrg for ways to support folks at 55 Triller. pic.twitter.com/Q0xGfzRQoV

— Paul Taylor (@PaulTaylorTO) March 27, 2021

It remains to be seen what will come of the eviction notices, though having hundreds of supporters fighting for your rights is sure to bolster the spirits of this Parkdale community.