1. There is nothing criminal about keeping your rent or organizing with your neighbours in support of keeping rent.

What about taking action against landlords? Is there something criminal about phone zaps or protests outside landlords’ homes?

The answer is no. #keepyourrent

2. The criminal law generally applies to conduct that causes harm to others.

For example, if you punch someone you could be charged with assault. If you threaten to punch someone or to destroy their property you could be charged with uttering a threat.

#keepyourrent

3. If you repeatedly say things to a person that makes them fear for their safety you could be charged with criminal harassment if that person’s fear is “reasonable.”

These examples share one common element – actual or threatened harm to another person. #keepyourrent

4. This element is missing from phone zaps, social media posts, and protests outside landlords’ homes or businesses. These actions are exercises in free assembly.

They publicize tenants’ struggles while exposing landlords to the force of criticism and solidarity.

#keepyourrent

5. There is nothing criminal about participating in these actions.

Landlords or police who threaten tenants with criminal charges are making a false threat. Those charges will not stick in court. Tenants should not be intimidated by them.

#keepyourrent