Toronto 500- History in the Making

Toronto- June 28, 2010: 500 detainees? Police brutality? 

 

I saw the videos last night on youtube and facebook, did you? Better yet, were you there? The footage left me totally dumbfounded and incensed.  This police like state, with its new G20 law, was reason enough to march from Bay and College in front of the Police headquarters to Queen’s Park in peaceful protest of how rights were infringed upon this past weekend, how peaceful activists were unjustly arrested, detained and held.

The rally kicked off with Toronto’s very own poster girl for the anti-globalization movement, Naomi Klein, who was “pissed off” with her city (left). An hour later, thousands of us  marched along Dundas to University, accompanied by a talented samba band and chanting “Our streets, our city”, and made our way to City Hall. Police followed the march hastily on their bikes, on the sidewalk, might I add, breaking by-laws in front of our eyes! Some role models! The protesters on the other hand, were peaceful, dancing, chatting and taking lots of photos and video footage. By 9 pm we ended up at Queen’s Park to pause, before people made their way to the detention centre for the remainder of the evening (I didn't make it. I was tired!!)

The last minute turn out for this rally was phenomenal. This afternoon I got two emails from pretty big list-serves (No One is Illegal) and one facebook message. And when I got there, the crowd somewhat surprised me. A lot of young, 20 to 30-year-old-hip-somethings who hadn’t necessarily been demonstrating this past weekend at G20 events. There were some folk out today whom I would normally consider apathetic when it comes to politics…(ie: since when did rallies become so trendy…or is that just Toronto as my friend who was visiting from DC last weekend pointed out? Her observation being that "people in Toronto look really well put together"). Is something shifting? Maybe this was a good wake up call. Maybe it has raised people’s consciousness around the concepts of, even just democracy, or what it means to be entitled to civil liberties. Or maybe it’s easier to take action on and speak out against injustices that are, at the heart of it, very local.  Or maybe today happened because people realize that Apathy really is boring! Social commentary aside (I can't help it really), the support for the detained today was monumental. The rally was intimate, and the solidarity in this one event created, for those 4 hours, a sense of community that Toronto -big city and all- lacks. Today's event really was an inspiring act of collective consciousness.

My only question is, how do we ensure that this level of heightened awareness continues to permeate our everyday lives? Being able to participate in today's rally was a privilege, when brutality, harassment and systemic violence is a lived daily experience for people who are racialized, Indigenous, transgendered, living in poverty, underhoused, affected by mental health issues, and so on and so forth. When vulnerable women whose lives are linked with the justice system face this sort of harrassment and abuse within jails and from law enforcement officers every day. It’s too easy to keep walking by people on the street, to not think twice because it’s happening in 'Jane & Finch' because you live downtown, to refer people to the right social services and think you’ve done your part. 

For more thoughts on what happened at the G20 being a microcosm of larger scale, systemic injustice that's been playing out on Canadian soil for years, click here. 

If you happened to watch the mainstream media that focused on the black block, and were immediately turned off by the idea of demonstrating and protesting, read this for some perspective.

I took lots of video on my i phone...but can't get it uploaded it yet...(you are letting me down 3G network). Still photos, however, are awesome and courteous of photographer friend D.L. (great work!!) 

S.

Update

11pm Sunday: things seem to be calming down. Police have spent the day indiscriminately arresting and then freeing anyone who appears to be getting in their way - people singing O Canada, Irish tourists trying to cross the street, peace studies students meeting friends.

What did we miss while we were blinded by burning cars and mass arrests?

Toronto the Riotous

I had plans this weekend!

I had tickets to see Thao and Mirah at the Horseshoe Tavern Saturday night. I wasn't sure how I'd get to the city from the 'burbs, but by golly I was gonna try.

Saturday morning, I was monitoring the traffic situation. Then, by afternoon, traffic was no longer the issue.

Seriously Toronto? You throw a rock at a local Starbucks and the world is supposed to sit up and realize corporate industry isn't the answer? No one even heard any of the other protests - peaceful people who had planned important things to say.

By 7pm, I still had a little hope. Thao's Twitter feed said:

Thaogetstaydown: TORONTO! we know there are riots and fires and very serious looking police but we are still playing the show. G-21 summit. COME ON DOWN.

Then CP24 showed the 4th burning police cruiser, flames visible in front of Steven's Music Store, across the street from the Horseshoe Tavern. So I checked Thao's twitter again:


Thaogetstaydown: ACTUALLY they just set another car on fire outside the venue so stay tuned.


Thaogetstaydown: Toronto Show cancelled. thanks to all who might have come but we don't want you to be set on fire.


Thaogetstaydown: see you another time when wealth is more equally distributed.

So Saturday was a write-off.

Still monitoring Sunday. Police seem to be asserting their expensive presence today. Since they let violent black-clads rampage the city yesterday untouched, they decided to make up for it by arresting peaceful protesters having sit-ins today.

I know I am far from being seriously affected by the riots and protests. But I had plans for Saturday night.

e

What Intersection is this?

Great way to test out the camera on my new i phone - pics of Toronto on a day where the sky seemed endless. Fully noted that i phone camera kind of sucks. Photos come out under-exposed and there is no zoom! Should have waited for the 4G....

Email me if you can figure out where I'm standing: but.good.different@gmail.com . Hint: West...

Starving for Waffles

I have a new best friend.

Her name is Waffles.

Don't get my wrong, Benny and I are still pals. But Waffles are so crispy and fluffy, and they can do anything! Including Benny!

Starving Artist, over at 584 Lansdowne, has brought Brunch to new levels by highlighting waffles on pretty much their entire menu. They have a sweet waffle section with fresh fruit and chocolate and ice cream - already known to be delicious. But they dare to dance with the benedict!? and the sandwich!?

Who wants toast when you can drench an adorable mini waffle in maple syrup?

Plus you can simultaneously shove waffles in your mouth and appreciate hip local art. Check out their website for info on live music and DJ nights too!

5.75 out of 6.1

e

Reason #51

...Because the most pimped out cab ride drives around our very own East End soliciting passengers keen for a little something else....

If you're East of Broadview and you're lucky enough to snag a cab with a neon blue sign that flashes "East End", you'll be greeted by: 

• A shrine-like ensemble of hundreds of figurines and collectibles acting as keepers of cab ride paradise
• Mini disco balls and flashing lights on the ceiling
• Two TVs with music videos of Michael Jackson's Thriller for your viewing pleasure
• Surround sound audio system to add to the "coolness" factor
• 10 magazines hanging off the back of the front seats for your reading pleasure
• An assortment of toys to entertain your kids, as if the collectibles aren't enough
• Neon-flashing "Welcome" sign to make you feel really at home
• And the great company of a cabbie who's been striving for 10 years to make his ride the pimpest ride ever. 

 One more reason to love Toronto now.

S.

Gotta love the TTC

Hot, sticky air, sidewalks full of people walking home, strangers talking to one another, multiple buses hogging the roads, back to back, moving metres per minute, spilling over with bodies...Clogged up traffic, exhaust fumes mixed with street meat smoke...bikes, skateboards, cars and motorcyles all sharing lanes, cars honking, people yelling.....It really could be anywhere but Toronto- Bangkok? Dehli? Nairobi? 

This was the tone, temperature and temperament when I biked home tonight from the Danforth. What caused this ruckus? The TTC broke down. This is one of my favourite Toronto phenomena. When the TTC breaks down. When masses of people are forced to exit subway stations and take slow moving shuttle buses to their destinations. Strangers suddenly start talking to one another about how inefficient the TTC is, how inconvenient this rupture in their journey is, how long it's taking for TTC officials to get shuttle buses along. People start talking about where they live, where they're headed, where they're coming from. Dialogue ensues. You learn a little bit more about your potential neighbour. Those who are closer to their final destination actually take it upon themselves to walk home; streets become busier, noisier, more energetic. Granted a lot of the energy is negative- misery does love company. But all the better, right?

I love it. 

Lucky for me I was on bike tonight and got to watch it from afar. 

Here's to Torontonians bonding...

S.