We students, staff and faculty at Ryerson University would like to express our solidarity with the Occupy Toronto movement. We support its call for real democracy and genuine economic, social and environmental justice in the face of the economic crisis. We believe that Occupy Toronto can make an important contribution to the fight against the austerity agenda of cutbacks, layoffs, privatization and the casualisation of labour. This crisis and the measures adopted by governments will affect the future of the 99%, including the Ryerson community. As Ryerson community members, we know that the privatization of post-secondary education through funding cuts and tuition fee increases has forced students into record levels of debt. In the current economic climate, students will find it harder than ever to find good jobs and many will carry these debts for decades to come. We believe the movement serves an important educational function in highlighting the way the economic system works for the profits of the few. We endorse the development of teach-ins and activities to support Occupy Toronto and its goals at Ryerson University. Finally, we strongly support the right of Occupiers to remain at St. James Park and march in the streets. We oppose any attempt to remove them as an attack on freedom of expression.