EMANCIPATION ON BLOOR STREET

Harbinger of parades to come in Toronto this week

The cars honked, the bikers waved, and merchants came out of their Bloor Street stores to offer encouragement. TV news crews filmed the drummers drumming.

Tuesday afternoon's weather was perfect for the second annual Emancipation on Bloor event. The blue skies, moderate summer temperatures, and a slight wind to cool the 50 individuals, all dressed in white, marching on the sidewalks of one of Toronto's busiest streets made it all worthwhile.

It was the day after the night before for most of the participants. Following The Underground Freedom Train Ride, which ended in the early hours of Tuesday, and attending a Blackhurst funding announcement at noon, the dedicated members of the community took to Bloor Street to march to the sounds of Pan Man Pat's walking pan band from the Blackhurst Cultural Centre near Bloor and Bathurst to the Christie Pits Park.

Participants were asked to wear white and come with wrapped heads, and most did so. The event commemorated an important milestone for descendants of enslaved Africans. "It marks the abolition of slavery and honours the resilience of African peoples throughout the Diaspora," said organizer Itah Sadu.

The parade started at 12:30 pm and ended two hours later with a circle drumming performance in the park.