PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA TAKES UNDERGROUND FREEDOM TRAIN RIDE
Justin Rode That Train (we are not kidding)
Photos by stephen weir and KJ Mullins
I want to dispel a growing urban myth. Despite what people are saying, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did, in fact, ride the Underground Freedom Train on July 31st. The voice that they heard over the subway train’s speaker system on Monday night WAS NOT a recording of the PM’s voice; that was him in person (and I have included a picture to prove it).
For the past ten years, Itah Sadu a bookstore owner, community leader, and the driving force behind the newly emerging Blackhurst Cultural Centre has spearheaded the Underground Freedom Train Ride and Emancipation ceremony in conjunction with the TTC. The late-night event provides an actual non-stop underground experience via the subway system, representing the underground railroad journey. The ride ends at Downsview Station a few minutes after midnight with an outdoor service marking the dropping of the 19th-century Emancipation Act by the British government.
This year it all began at 10.30 in the evening of the last day in July- Monday night - when hundreds and hundreds of people jammed into Union Station to hear speeches, listen to spiritual songs sung by a choral group, and move to the sounds of Caribbean drummers. One of the many speakers was Toronto’s new mayor, Olivia Chow (Toronto’s first non-white Mayor), who came out to the event and spoke from the steps of the station. During her talk, she proclaimed that August is now Emancipation Month in Toronto.
It was supposed to be a surprise; Justin Trudeau just wanted to pop in and show his support to the community. A few minutes after the ceremonies began, there was a certain amount of consulting of watches by the organizers. It was obvious that Trudeau and company was going to miss the train.
The Prime Minister's team had been told the train’s schedule. The Freedom Train had to leave the station at 11.45 pm sharp to reach the Downsview Station in time. Even the Red Rocket doesn’t wait for any man (or woman).
Fifteen minutes before midnight, the sweaty throng (it was hot in there!) moved downstairs to the subway platform. The empty subway train was just for the Freedom Ride. Volunteer TTC personnel gently shoehorned close to a thousand riders into the train.
In other years, the non-stop ride to Downsview, was a time for singing of spirituals (and the odd Bob Marley song thown in) moments of reflection and a few well-known community leaders speaking about the significance of the date. This time a familiar voice came over the train loudspeaker system. It was Justin Trudeau’s voice loud and clear.
"It is a moment to reflect and to celebrate," he told the packed train. "A moment to reflect on all those who came before, all those who fought for freedom and all those who continue to inspire us every day to do more to stand up, to be better allies," he said.
The Prime Minister spoke for about five minutes from the front of the train before starting a walk through the train to greet the riders. It was a great idea, but the throng of well-wishers and selfie-takers slowed the PM's progress down. When the train arrived in Downsview, and people disembarked and went upstairs to a parkette in front of the station, they were unaware of the greatness in their midst.
The PM was a popular man. He never made it from the train to the outdoor event. He was besieged by five media crews and people wanting selfies. He left the station just as people started reboarding the train for the ride home.
"I loved his speech," more than one passenger said to me. "Too bad he didn't come in person." Oh, Doubting Thomases, he did come. Check out the picture.
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