"I totally stand in solidarity with those facing charges, and all those who felt intimidation and were too afraid to come out [to the protests]," says Dave Bush, who was in Toronto during the G20 meetings in last June.

Bush and several others are enjoying a brunch of pancakes and tofu scramble at a Sunday fundraiser for legal costs for those arrested during the G20.

"A free society" says Bush "is one where we all have the ability to express our opinions without intimidation."

Elizabeth McCarville, a member of No One Is Illegal - Halifax (NOII-Halifax) and organizer of the brunch explains that the events surrounding the G20 meetings exposed Canada as a country that "criminalizes dissent and contradicts principles of democracy."

While the event was organized to assist those facing charges following the G20 protests, she hopes that the events of last June and continued discussion on the topic will broaden awareness about "those who face criminalization on a daily basis because of who they are or what they represent."

NOII-Halifax, along with NSPIRG, CKDU and SUNSCAD, is also busy preparing a live concert featuring Toronto-based soul-tech band LAL who's lyrics are inspired by the struggles of migrants and indigenous peoples.

Jane Kirby of NOII-Halifax says the purpose of having such events is to "draw attention to migrant and indigenous justice issues in a fun social way and hopefully reach out to a broader audience."

Both the brunch and the concert are events presented within the Alt 101: Alternative Orientation series. For details and other upcoming events visit http://alt101.ckdu.ca