Supporter Groups Protest - Possible Death of BMO Field as SSS

[Jack]

"We", all the Toronto FC Supporter Groups, believe is time we turn our concerns into actions. The possibility of BMO Field losing its SSS label and being shared with the Argos is a very real possibility and something that we are aware that could become a reality.

So no longer in our minds this is something that we can forget, dismiss and move on, we need to take actions, and not only during one game but actions during the season and offseason. Actions that will ensure we have done all possible to avoid this scenario.

I want to be clear, TFC, BMO Field Staff and more so the Argos are not the enemy, we are protesting the possibilty of our BMO Field will no longer be a SSS in seasons to come. For some this may be an Anti-Argo movement, but we don't want to look it just as that.

During these protests we encourage everyone to join in and participate, but we also ask you to keep the banners civil, clean and classy. You don't achieve much with vulgar language, it shows poorly on you and on what we are trying to achieve.

Enough talk and on with the action...


Protest - Start Point

Protest Date: All-Star Game

Protest:

- Everybody wears black. We are asking all TFC Supporters to wear a black tshirt for this game.
- NO Supporter banners, only "anti-argo" or anti-pigskin football banners.


Why the All-Star Game?

Well, no game will have more media exposure than all-star game, not only that something like this would get coverage over the media not just in Canada but USA and also would put some pressure on the City of Toronto, and MLS in general.

Most people are not willing to do anything during a TFC for many reasons that there is no point on illustrating, so an ALL-STAR game is also the best way since TFC is not directly involved. So is not like we are turning our backs on the team.


This is just the start, we will keep everyone posted of other initiatives that will be happening during the season...one protest, one game, is not enough to get our voices heard and solve our issues...so this is the beginning.

We need you in order to make this happen...so we are asking you for your support!!!!!

[Parkdale]

I found a place in Parkdale that sells that old 'astroturf' for really cheap.
Imagine an entire roll of it turned into a S.O.SSS banner?

that has a nice ring to it...... Save Our Soccer Specific Stadium (or just Save our Stadium)

[flatpicker]

astroturf banner?
I like...

hmmm... not a very exciting first post for me...

[Jack]

Wow... big issue with the name here.

[flatpicker]

ummm... so I see...
Leave it to me to stir shit up from the get go!

[jayeden]

i am seeing that on many the whole color coding in brackets..its happening on the mian page under newst members too...

:|

[flatpicker]

seems fixed now...

[flatpicker]

now i(of on"__? the fir#t li|\ of thread wa$ in th= Name Here

[Jays9293]

I thought we were going to lynch Marc or something

[Hooligan69]

Great idea. Now to find me a ticket for the All-Star Game.

[BigLou]

Yea I am so in on this. Garber has even stated SS stadiums are the ones that make money over shared stadiums. Also the league is moving towards all SSS as evidenced by RSL and NYRB(are shite) getting their own soccer specific stadiums.

[MisterMacphisto]

My first post on the new forums!!

I am so wearing all black to the All Star game.

[MartinUtd]

I wonder if Toronto were to put in an successful bid for the Summer Olympics then would this solve our problem? A leftover Olympic stadium would be the perfect venue for a CFL team given the size of the field they use.

Toronto placed 2nd in the running for what are now going to be the Beijing games this summer so is it not inconceivable that we could land it on our next bid. According to wikipedia:

On July 10, 2007 it was revealed that the Canadian Olympic Committee had begun work on a potential bid for the 2020 or 2024 games for Toronto, the capital of Ontario and largest city in Canada.[39] This would be Toronto's third bid for the summer Olympic games, after unsuccessful bids for the 1996 and 2008 games.

If the proposed TTC expansions actually get off the ground then I can't see any reason why we couldn't use this opportunity as a bargaining chip in discussions. After all, it would fit in with the cities plans for upgraded infrastructure and tourism plans.
It's a long way off but I could see something like this paying dividends if there were a long term outlook involved.

[The Kingpin]

I'm certain I will be able to help out from a PR perspective on this one. We should also look into 'flash mob' scenarios as well. Well my first post is an 'anti-social' one... What would you expect.

[TFC Via Buffalo]

I'm in.

Now, are we looking for total black, or are TFC scarves allowed?

[GabrielHurl]

Steve Goff of the Washington Post has a blog up about the situation

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/

[Azerban]

Steve Goff of the Washington Post has a blog up about the situation

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/

From the comments;

They should throw black streamers.

Aces.

[Shaughno]

You know I'm in. Fuck this shit, it was built as a SSS and it should fucking stay that way.

On a more serious note, wouldn't this affect our standing with compliance to the MLS's SSS rule?

[Red CB Toronto]

There is no rule saying what were built as SSS's can not host other sports, Home Depot is the most likely spot of the United Football League team in L.A.

[Shaughno]

Also, I appreciate the thought for the All Star game... but why wait 2 months to do this? Why not have a giant black banner for the LA game. We could unveil it during the anthems of every game up to and including the All Star game.

I just think that if we don't get started on this protest soon, it may be too late. July is still a ways a way and may be too late by that point IMO.

[Wagner]

Do we have more evidence than Cohon on the fan590 saying he'd like to see an exhibition game?
do we know for sure staff went to Crapchester to learn how to remove lines?

i'm all for a good protest.
but I want to be sure.

Also, isn't the field too short? and the capital/infrastructure costs are so huge....
like isn't the beer garden their for a reason?

[Razor]

if i can get my hands on some tickets to the all-star game, i will definitely join in on the protest.

[TFC John]

I know it was just a FIFA imposed accommodation, but last summer during the U-20 World Cup the building was called the National Soccer Stadium. If (or when) we talk to the press about this we should push the idea that Canada finally has a national stadium solely devoted to football.

We have already made the biggest concession to non-football purists by settling for Field Turf in our shrine. We cannot allow blasphemers to play "their sport" in our house.

[GabrielHurl]

Also, I appreciate the thought for the All Star game... but why wait 2 months to do this? Why not have a giant black banner for the LA game. We could unveil it during the anthems of every game up to and including the All Star game.

I just think that if we don't get started on this protest soon, it may be too late. July is still a ways a way and may be too late by that point IMO.

I think the ASG will be the culmination of the protest.

[TO DEVILS]

Also, I appreciate the thought for the All Star game... but why wait 2 months to do this? Why not have a giant black banner for the LA game. We could unveil it during the anthems of every game up to and including the All Star game.

I just think that if we don't get started on this protest soon, it may be too late. July is still a ways a way and may be too late by that point IMO.

You need to build hype around it in order to be effective, a big banner against LA in game only being televised by CBC would do little.

Like any good porn flick you need to build up towards the money shot, and this is what we are doing.

You start now with the banners and such, get the word out that the first big display of disaproval is coming and we get the media on our side on this since their help is crucial.

Then the all-star is the money shot.

Having said that the initiatives won't end there, that is just the start of something big.....one big display....more actions will be planned out and organized through out the season and offseason.

But discussion on what we will be doing in the future will be kept private, discussing future plans in an open forum will defeat the purpose behind them and deminish the impact that we hope to achieve by them.

[Shaughno]

I agree and that's pretty much what I'm saying. We need to start it now. Then use the ASG as the hyped up protest.


And you know I love a good porn flick.

[Red CB Toronto]

If you want to be serious anymore porn references comparing what is being down to filming a XXX film is not the way to go. Act like you are a Bay St. PR type when typing, that is how you have to present yourself in situations like this.

[GabrielHurl]

If you want to be serious anymore porn references comparing what is being down to filming a XXX film is not the way to go. Act like you are a Bay St. PR type when typing, that is how you have to present yourself in situations like this.

dude *whoosh*

[arsenal]

You guys going to start a website for the cause?

[TO DEVILS]

If you want to be serious anymore porn references comparing what is being down to filming a XXX film is not the way to go. Act like you are a Bay St. PR type when typing, that is how you have to present yourself in situations like this.