Why an activist campaigned for 15 years against Toronto’s illegal billboards | Witness Documentary

Dave Meslin, a 47-year-old Canadian activist, is known for his campaigns to defend public space from commercial interests. For 15 years, he has been lobbying Toronto to remove illegal billboards from neighbourhoods across the city.
He assembles a team of volunteers, including his 11-year-old niece, to gather intelligence and strategise on how to bring down the billboards. They are prepared to do whatever it takes to reclaim a local green space.
As the Billboard Squad clashes with power, bureaucracy and inertia, Dave grapples with the emotional complexities of activism.
The Billboard Squad is a film by Cat Mills and Felicity Justrabo.
More from Witness on:
RUclips: aje.io/WitnessRUclips
Facebook: / ajwitness
Twitter: / ajwitness
Instagram: / ajwitness
Website: aje.io/Witness

[@catmills4775]

Awesome to see this up here!

[@TomTschritter]

Great video, we need more people and more videos just like this, thanks to all involved

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Many thanks for your comment, dear Tom.

[@TomTschritter]

@@aljazeeraenglish You're most welcome and thanks again.

[@jbyrd2516]

Fabulous!

[@cofeebeing]

"You can't fight City Hall". Yes. You can. Being a David against a pile of Goliaths not easy. Not impossible.

[@MarilynKay]

This documentary really hits home. We need more civic action and civility.

[@azamkazam9591]

Mez! Good to see you again. Take care of yourself.

[@lauraalopez]

He’s doing great work. We need more people that passionate about improving our society.

[@emmahealey5871]

Wow, this was not what I was expecting! So interesting.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

🙌

[@catmills4775]

Thanks, Emma!

[@sallymoen7932]

This is a unique documentary. Well done, AlJazeera.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thank you, dear Sally! 🙌

[@TheDJChillMiner]

Well done Cat Mills and Felicity Justrabo!

[@regular-joe]

It's insane that the city has to go to court to remove objects that were erected in violation of city laws. The company had no lawful permit - the city takes the billboard down, at the company's expense! No discussion!

[@Hchris101]

Very good documentary I enjor

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Many thanks. If you're interested in our Witness series, find out more here: ruclips.net/p/PL6698BA1F3CDC7323

[@prdoyle]

Go Mez!

[@Aj.Officiall-MXX]

A bad day in Toronto is still better than a good day anywhere else. Let the city set you free. My favrotie things is going where I have never been. You can leave Toronto but it will never leave you.🇨🇦

[@aspiring...]

I have never seen billboard all over the place like that. In he bushes?

[@jackbarhillel1065]

Wow. North America really morphed into something close to Steve Cut's 'Happiness' dystopian world. For one thing I'm often releived not to live there. ... For another, that's what it takes to be the world leading economy...

[@lauraalopez]

I just watched the John Carpenter film ‘They Live’. It’s a similar theme.

[@5daboz]

16:37 A SQURREL!!!

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Nice catch! 👏

[@007nadineL]

It's ridiculous to expect civil servants to do work they don't have to do.
.

[@ButthurtImmigrant]

How can I reach Dave?

[@ButthurtImmigrant]

5:20 😂😂😂

[@ButthurtImmigrant]

1:22 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ButthurtImmigrant]

24:53 I have an idea 💡 I will make the government fix the issue.

[@TK-_-GZ]

Algorithmic punch

[@audge1984]

Why are these tools wearing masks? 🤔

[@v.prestorpnrcrtlcrt2096]

Nice children's show. AJ let down.

[@juniorrivera8248]

nothing will change 🤔🫣

[@007nadineL]

Great free video. Thank you. 😉😂😉😉😄😂😉😄😋😉😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😉😂😃😃😉😁😉😃😁😁😃😉😉😃😁😉😃😂😉😂😃😉😋😃😙😋😄😉😃😋