Occupy Toronto, Part IV: Missed Us During The Winter?
I sure do wish we were missed this past winter because we are about to hit the streets again in a few days. On May 1st, for the International Worker’s Day, the Occupy Movement will rise-up from Frankfurt, Germany to Toronto, Canada to New York, United States (and many other places in between) and we will unite again to march in solidarity with all those who are willing to create a better world.
Our socio-political systems need major revising and/or restructuring. For now, all we have seen around the world are austerity measures which have dealt yet another blow to the middle class and to the common man who was already struggling due to the manufactured financial meltdown, which took place a couple of years ago. Many of us are no longer content with watching from the sidelines and putting our trust in that politicians are doing the right thing. So, back to the streets!
As of May 1st, here in Toronto we will re-occupy a downtown park and make ourselves comfortable for that night. I cannot say how long we will sleep on the streets again. It will be decided through consent amongst the occupiers and those who lend us the much needed support. I tend to think that many of us will continue the re-occupation longer than the twenty-four hours which have been decided for now. Time will tell.
For those who thought we vanished with the Christmas bells … We were just re-grouping and strengthening the ties. We are ready and willing to go for another round of applying pressure through peaceful means. Our representatives in government are more than encouraged to join the conversation on what needs to be done. Sitting-up on the Hill or in Ottawa and playing the benevolent despot game will not help.
Many of us do not see our governments as representative of the people. I for one (and I know many others feel as I do), believe that our governments have been high-jacked by interest groups and distorted by legal bribery, which has been labeled as lobbying. At some point, the line has to be drawn.
We cannot continue on the same path. The path of thoughtless consumption, of greed, of profit at any and all costs … this must end. The other choice will be perhaps extinction as we are digging our hole deeper and deeper with time. Moral corrosion has translated in social and environmental decay. We can walk a different path but we must will it! And we must stand in solidarity, as many of us as possible.
Join us in May, wherever You are! The Occupy Movement is either in your city or a city near You. Thank You for your support in advance. All the best!
