"Occupy Toronto", Part I: Day 17
“Occupy Toronto” is growing by the day. I have been part of this movement before we even settled-down in St. James Park, near the financial district, here in Toronto. There were general assemblies and training for specific duties all through-out the week before we began our occupation. I do think our persistence and perseverance has a lot to do with the fact that despite the circumstances, we are highly organized.
Visitors coming to St. James Park would quickly learn that we have medics, lawyers and security on site all through-out the day and night. There is a food tent, which serves roughly a thousand meals a day to anyone who is hungry, free of any cost – we only ask that the dishes are washed after use. We are indeed lucky to have St. James Anglican Cathedral on the west side of our occupation zone. The Dean, Mr. Douglas A. Stoute has written a letter which states that we (the occupiers) can remain on the private property of the church. Thus, it will not be easy for the Police Department or the Major to try to remove our camp.
Most people, like the Dean understand the reason why hundreds and hundreds of cities are occupied all over the world. To put it in the Dean’s words: “Their movement is part of a worldwide response to increasing economic disparity. Protests are taking place all over the globe”. And if one was to ask me, I’d simply say that: “enough is enough”.
No more corporate greed, no more corruption, bail-outs, lobbyists and crooks running societies … The time of making profit at any and all costs is over. More and more people are less inclined to believe in manufactured wars (such as the Iraq war for example), which only help the Military Industrial Complex and the bankers who fund them. As one of our slogans goes, “The people united will never be defeated!” We have begun to unite.
We are just in our third week, here at “Occupy Toronto” but we are doing fairly well. This past week-end, we just received three “walk-in” Mongolian Yurts, all paid by Unions. It is getting a little on the freezing side here and these structures will help through-out the winter. We are certainly not going anywhere – we’re just beginning to get comfortable; I know I am. My tent will probably turn into an igloo, if we get enough snow. It should be interesting.
The entire “Occupy Everywhere” movement is an on-going story. Many people would like to see an end to it, I know. We are not going to satisfy those people though. That is a reason why we have not chosen leaders or made specific points – we need to remain flexible, creative and persistent. Otherwise, we can end-up as yet another fourth or fifth, useless political party.
Since, my first blog about “Occupy Toronto” was taken-down by Hub-pages because I posted the full copy of the letter from the Dean of Toronto and Rector of St. James Cathedral, this is now my Part I. I will post a few photos to go along from the park and some marches which took place in the last couple of weeks but I do not see this blog as being structured in any way. There are specific issues which I will want to talk about regarding the “Occupy Toronto” movement but I will try to address them perhaps one at a time throughout my up-coming blogs. I also need to develop more of my rolls of film/photographs. I only have a few with me for now.
As a general rule, I am happy to answer any concerns, comments and/or questions about what is going on, since I am one of the occupiers and I have been living in my tent, down-town for about two weeks now. I am not always able to reply as fast as I used to, since I have no lap-top but I will do my best to check my email, as often as possible.
Cheers and all the best!
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Comments
Kisses and hugs!
- AUTHOR
Thank You so much Mrs. Storyteller. You have a most amazing Spirit. Much love!
I am going to research this tomorrow after my daughter leaves. Good for you!!!
- AUTHOR
Thank You so much for dropping-by Mrs. Storyteller. The honor is mine.
And yes, they moved us out with new by-laws ...
It's okay. We're still here, we're still united: we're the "Occupy Movement" and we are here to stay!
Cheers.
My Happy, I am proud to know you. I am sorry I was unaware that you were occupying Wall Street and wonder what happened to move you out? Sound a bit like the rest Of the movements that were shut down. I look forward to Part 2.
Genie, yes, but I like Aladdin better - he is cute - Genie is ... he can use a wish to become more handsome, I think.
But I have found a picture for you. You don't look like Aladdin there, but I like ti. (it!!! and ti, of course).
You know, my dear Aladdin (Al + Add + In) - I think my dream about having a school/orphanage will come true.
I DO BELIEVE IN IT SO STRONGLY NOW.
- AUTHOR
Haha! You're too funny Kallini!
Perhaps I can be the Genie since I do offer wishes once in a while. I will keep You informed. Cheers!
Mr. Happy, please let me know - because it is what I do NOW - I MISS (I (am?) MISS) Everything.
I am too busy...
I would like to know!
Thank you in advance.
I think I found a good name for you - Aladdin on a Magic Carpet.
- AUTHOR
Hello again Kallini,
sorry I missed You when You were there. The sad part is, I was around ...
I would like to correct your statement that "it was over". It is not over - that was just phase one. Haha! I'll write a blog to explain things better (very soon). All the best and thank You for stopping by!
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Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment Mr. Wesman!
There were lots of people playing music in the park; anything from guitars to accordions and of course, many drums.
In terms of pepper spray, I have managed to always stay away from it but I did get engulfed in a cloud of tear gas at the Summit of the Americas in 2001, in Quebec City and if it wasn't for the Red Cross, I am not sure if I would have made it out in one piece lol
After the G20 in Toronto last summer, when the police abused their powers in many ways, things are a little calmer. For now anyway ...
Dear Mr. Happy, I have visited "Occupy Toronto" one day prior to its dismantlement and then when it was over.
I had fun.
Nice!
I spied that dude with that suburst acoustic guitar in that one picture, and damned if I don't want to hear me some good old traditional protest music now for Thanksgiving!
Gosh, I'd hate to be the moron cop who pepper sprayed Mr. Happy!!!
Hope nothing like that comes your way.
Looking forward to seeing the rest. Have a good trip and thanks for your comments!
- AUTHOR
Thank you for stopping-by Mrs. Carolinemd21.
All the "Occupy" cities have their own character, I think but we do share many similar concerns and we are all occupying in solidarity with one-another.
I am thankful that you enjoyed my photos. I have a few more films to develop but I am flying-out tomorrow morning so, no more blogs for me for a week ...
I will attend to a Part II on my return.
Many thanks and all the best!
Great article and photos! The photos are very powerful. I have visited Occupy Chicago and nothing I saw there was as moving as your photos of Occupy Toronto. Voted up!
- AUTHOR
The only thing that is important is "The Law of One", Kallini - http://www.lawofone.info/
Cheers!
Yes, but I know this particular ... and I receive only those from ...
That is why I am so sure. But it does not matter. I would lose self-respect if I did things like that. But maybe it is not important.
What is important? Nothing.
- AUTHOR
Haha, Kallini ... there have been times when I read a blog and I agreed with all that was said. In such cases, I must admit, I have previously left comments such as: "Great piece of writing. Cheers!"
I don't know ... it is what it is.
You make me laugh! Thanks! : )
I am sorry to spoil your mmm..., but "great post...thanks" is one of our favourite kind of responses. I do it like that, go to one of the offenders posts and say the exact same thing:
"Great post.. Thanks"
I don't think this hubber posts any other. Not on my hubs. Ok, it made me laugh. People.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment Mrs. Htodd. Much appreciated! : )
Great post...Thanks
- AUTHOR
Mr. Spirit Whisperer,
I do not have the luxury of using my energy to create heat. I need it for other things. : )
I am glad you enjoyed my post. All the very best!
- AUTHOR
Toronto Rigdens - we honestly could not do it without your support. All the people who have given us donations of all sorts, have helped tremendously in making this entire movement possible. I cannot thank you enough!
"The people united will never be defeated!"
- AUTHOR
Good to see you stop-by too Kallini.
I think since you are here, you can eventually come-by and visit me in the park. I would be more than happy to show you around.
All the best!
Thank you for your support too Paradise. In my opinion all the "Occupy" groups have quite a similar structure. Even the websites are the same: http://occupyto.org/, http://occupydenver.org/, http://www.occupyfrankfurt.de/ ... etc.
Isn't that so amazing?
- AUTHOR
Nice to see you again Petra!
I think the movement has already worked-out good in many ways. We have started a global conversation. More and more people are becoming aware of their condition as manufacturing and consuming zombies, by the day.
My generation will certainly continue the fight. When I was a teenager, I was told my revolutionary thinking was a phase and that my ideological thinking would fade away. Such statements only encouraged me more to keep true to the good path: to keep fighting for justice and fairness.
Multumesc mult pentru supportul dat! Ne trebuie.
Cheers!
- AUTHOR
lol Mr. CJ - you have the right idea. Indeed there will be electric/propane heaters in those yurts. Thank you for your support!
Mr. Diogenes, I think the situation in London is quite delicate - everyone's trying to save their own skin. Perhaps when people realize we are all one, things will move along much smoother. We are all one - it is the "Law of One".
All the best!
Mr. Amillar, sadly enough no politician has come to talk to us ... we're getting the silent treatment for now ...
Many thanks for dropping by!
I am glad you posted this again and thank you for keeping us informed. You are doing something very special and it is a credit to you all that you do this in such a dignified and organised manner. I love the photgraphs and especially the words on the banner above: "none are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." Good luck and this is a good opportunity to practice heating your body using the power of the mind like the Iceman video clip you sent me! May the Great Spirit Wakan Tanka guide you and protect you my friend.
On behalf of my husband and I (and our housebound pets), THANK YOU for braving the weather for our cause. :) We will keep bringing our extra clean blankets to help keep spirits warm as the nights get colder... Hooray for yurts!
Many of us are appreciating our humble abodes knowing you are standing up for those who can't! Keep up the good work.
As always, stay safe, keep calm and remain rational! Hugs to everyone guarding our belief - that fairness is for all.
This is a lot like "Occupy Wall Street" in the USA. It really is a meaningful demonstration of human solidarity in the current times.
Mr. Happy, I had no idea what was happening.
Frankly, I don't know what to say except for that I am happy that you made me aware of these developments.
There must be a reason we have met - two revolutionary spirits, different, yet...
Happy to see you back, Mr. Happy, and glad to see you are not giving up as far as HP censorphip is concerned (part of the F*ing media, so do you expect!)and I know you will never give up on the occupy movement!
I am proud of you and the rest of the protesters and I really, really hope this is going to make a difference and a change for the better. God is on your side!
I wondered what had happened to your last hub Mr Happy. BTW, they say that igloos can be very snug, warm and cheaper to heat than this house.
The struggle for democracy is indeed "an on-going story", and, ‘we, the people’, have the on-going responsibility to keep going on about it - ad nauseam - whether it nauseates the b*ggars or not. Politicians are only human after all, but I wonder how many have joined you in your igloo.
Hi Our demonstrators outside St Pauls have been given two days to pack up and go, though i don't think they will. No doubt our moronic riot police will enjoy another outing. Two of the church faggots have already resigned. Nothing like having god on your side! Bob
A nice little wood burning stove in each of the yurts will see you through the winter. Good luck to you all, and my heart goes out to you in your brave effort to alert the world to the on-going injustices that are being perpetrated in the name of the 1%.
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