The Carnival Weekend in Toronto Started with the annual Underground Railroad Freedom Ride

MPP Jill Andrew Rides The Train with a 1,000 others

The 2024 Carnival Weekend Began With a Special Underground Train Ride

Stephen Weir

Drummers pounded out the countdown just before midnight. It was seconds before the start of August 1st. Drones lit the sky above the Downsview subway station with hearts and words of love. Singing. Cheering. It was all part of the 11th annual Underground Freedom Train ride in Toronto.

No Justin Trudeau wasn’t there, that was last year. And judging by the size of the turnout last Wednesday night, there wouldn’t have been a shoehorn big enough to squeeze him into the dedicated subway train that carried close to a thousand people from Union Station to Downsview Station to honour the Underground Railroad of the1850s and to mark the arrival of Canada’s Emancipation Day.

The official launch was handled by the honourary whistle-blowing conductor, Amah Harris (above left). The distinguished educator, producer, mentor, playwright, and researcher led this year’s journey. With roots in Dominica’s Kalinago region, Amah brings a rich cultural heritage to her work, which includes a documentary on the African origins of masquerade from Africa to the Caribbean and the diaspora.

Harris and others started the evening off on a temporary stage set up within Union Station.

She gave her conductor’s address before a growing crowd eager to take part in the Freedom Train ride. She was joined at the microphone by Itah Sadu, the manager of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre and the founder of the Train Ride 11 years ago.

Mayor Olivia Chow and TTC Chief People Officer Shakira Naraine also welcomed the train riders. The TTC supplied the subway train and an army of employees (many were volunteers) to help people on and off the train and, of course to drive it!

This special subway train travelled nonstop to Downsview Station. On the ride, there was much singing of traditional spirituals and Bob Marley songs. Lilian Allen, Toronto’s Poet Laureate, read a poem she wrote for the ride.

There were a few performers and speakers on the train who didn’t make it to the front to address the crowd through the conductor’s phone because the aisles of the cars were jammed with people blocking their way!

While the messages heard were a powerful reminder of the history, legacy, and significance of Emancipation, extending the spirit of the Underground Railroad and celebrating the resilience exemplified by Harriet Tubman, there were reminders that while Canada welcomed Black people escaping American slavery that between 1629 and 1834, there were more than 4,000 enslaved Black people in the British and French colonies that became Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, PEI, and New Brunswick.

When the train arrived at Downsview Station, the passengers disembarked and went outside to a TTC parkette to mark the start of Emancipation Day at midnight. Music, dancing, and speeches filled the night.

This year, for the first time, drones flew in the air near the gathering, lighting up the sky with inspirational words and the Canadian Maple Leaf.

The drone lights also spelled out the name of the late Louis March in the sky, while on the TTC parkette stage, the founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement was eulogized. March died Saturday, July 20, at Sunnybrook Hospital, with his wife and son by his side. He was 68.

The Scarborough resident was a long-time volunteer with the Freedom Train and the Blackhurst Cultural Centre. He worked with youth and families and championed the cause of non-violence, offering solutions and appearing on platforms, including public meetings and television shows.

When March’s name faded from the sky, a red Maple Leaf reappeared, and everyone sang the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

“As the train rolled back to Toronto’s Union Station this year, it carried with it the hopes, dreams, and resilient spirit of those who fought for freedom, reminding us all of the ongoing journey towards equality and justice,” recalled Itah Sadu on social media after the event.