Free Syria Rally

Everything was happening on Saturday in Toronto. I saw plenty of flags fluttering in the breeze at the corner of Yonge and Dundas, just outside the Eaton Centre. People were rallying for Syrian Freedom.

G20 Anniversary Rally

The front lawn of Queen's Park filled with peaceful protesters marking the anniversary of the G20 Summit blowing into town. Music and posters filled the air in front of the Provincial Legislature building before speeches started and chants joined the items filling the air.

As a bonus there were free protest t-shirts which said G20 REDUX Fundamental Freedoms Festival June 25, 2011 on the back and 'I went to the G20 and all I got was... Arrested, Kettled, Clubbed, Politicized and a fill in the blank' option.

The police presence was a lot friendlier this time around. And there were a lot of leaflets being passed around. I even saw the Communist Party banner, although I think that is a weird choice because they would proably stifle democratic free speech and peaceful protests.

Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour, talks to the protesters

Listening to the radio the rally turned into a march that wound around City streets heading ultimately towards the Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters on College Street.

See lots more photos of the rally after the jump.

The front line is every where

Our Charter arrested at G20

Celebrating Croatia Day

Protect Fundamental Freedoms - Defend Civil Liberties

This is not a weapon, It's free speech

Still Not Violent t-shirt

No Police State

There were lots of bubbles

Getting the perimeter rope ready - 'Weapons free zone'

I think this Jack Russell dog was protesting the police canine unit, he had an illegal butt sniff and was abused with calls of "bad, bad doggie".

G20 Anniversary

This weekend will mark the one year anniversary of the G20 2010 Summit held in downtown Toronto and to celebrate the happy memories there will be a 2pm rally on June 25, 2011 at Queen's Park. Bring an anniversary card and cupcakes in lieu of cakes and presents. 'Protest your right to protest'!

There have been calls for inquiries and investigations but society isn't necessarily interested in exposing the reasons behind some of the decisions made during the protests. Many still believe that anyone downtown was responsible for the rioting and they deserved whatever they got. My shock was finding how easy it was to lose your rights and start to fear the police and politicians. There were few people held responsible for the issues that developed throughout the summit, whether it was the Black Bloc or the authorities, and only a few gained notice beyond the Toronto G20 weekend - except maybe for Officer 'Bubbles'.

Freedom Festival and March 2011

At first I thought it was going to rain in Queens Park as the storm clouds grew thick and grey. I slowly came to realize it wasn't rain clouds at all, it was the copious quantities of medicinal herb and resulting smoke that hung low to the ground during Freedom Festival 2011 (see 2010 pictures here). The pied piper, or bong smokers, drew young and old alike, but mostly young, to the north yard of Ontario's political heartland where they protested some of the current laws and their voices rang out in support of free speech. Starting before noon the venders began to set up and get the food and merchandise ready for the onslaught of festival attendees. In a little under two hours the sparse group in the park began to number in the thousands.

Streams of people came to Queens Park from bus stations, subways and other points and the park began to bulge at the seams. People seemed to be pretty mellow.

At 2:00pm an extremely large group gathered and headed out of the park (the front of the parade pictured below), north on University, then east on Bloor, south on Yonge and finally west on Wellesley.  The people were well organized by orange shirt volunteers and well supported by the Toronto police.

The police mounted unit waited at Wellesley and Yonge and helped to keep the protest on track and away from the Yonge-Dundas area.

The organized march was very peaceful and and was escorted by plenty of bike police who ensured that the route would keep away from the Eaton Centre area and back to the small forest of Queens Park. Tired marchers (there was a lot of coughing) returned to the bathrooms and snacks that so many craved (for some reason) they could also listen to some great music from some local bands scheduled until 7pm.

See lots more pictures after the jump (click Read More >>, below).

Friends on the way to the festival. Rapper Belsito is 3rd from right

Going south on Yonge Street

Tattoo

Zombies promoting THE ROCK ONS, Sunday May 15 at ALL STARS.

Stage and festival banner

There seemed to be a lot of solid doggie support.

Mohawk

Two thumbs up from mascot

Free Love sign

Playing with a bubble pipe

The cleanup crew follows the parade

Bell still sucks!

I sit here, lonely and sad, in the lovely Roxy Cafe in small town Acton enjoying a tasty large latte and enjoying the free wireless. My internet loss continues now, I am sure, into its third week. Bell cannot seem to get their act in gear and get the vital part out to me. I call every second day, angry white man, disappointed and blue, and they tell me things that are less than the truth. The last guy finally admitted they hadn't sent anything out - but they will this time!

Maybe their crappy service and high prices are why there are a number of sites on the world wide web such as http://bellcanadasucks.com/, http://www.bellcanadasucks.ca/, and the ever popular post "Dear God I hate Bell Canada".

Because we've had enough - Slutwalk Toronto

The 'because we've had enough' Slutwalk Toronto 2011 begins with 1:30pm speeches and the 2:00pm march from Queens Park South on Sunday, April 3rd and finishing at Toronto Police Headquarters (40 College Street). All these photos are from talented photographer and blogger Joe Hamilton of 'Your Average Joe' blog - you can see more of his photos on his post here.

The Toronto Police representative's suggestion that how women dress contributes to their victimization has galvanized many women to correctly point out that the perpetrator is at fault, not the victim. The well attended Slutwalk was a chance for people to publicly show their support for women and their right to dress as they please.

Heather Jarvis, co-founder of the walk.

The Slutwalk in front of Police Headquarters.

Jane Doe addresses the large group of marchers.

See more photos of the protest march after the jump (click on Read More >>, below).