Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

 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 govern...

Conductor Jean tells fellow train riders to never give up The Honourable Jean Augustine (pictured below) probably didn't have to say anything except All-A-Board,  but a 1,000 people waiting to board the TTC Freedom Train wanted to hear what the first  Black Canadian woman to serve as a federal Minister of the Crown and Member of Parliament had to say .  Standing on steps inside Union Station she told the crowd that things are better now than during the days of Canadian slavery, but warned them there is still a long road ahead. The former politican and now community activist was the honouorary conductor of   last Sunday night's  Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride. The ride is back on track and in-person this year after being derailed for two years by Covid. The annual train ride aboard a special TTC train took some 1,000 people on a non-stop ride from Union Station to the Sheppard Station to have a midnight “happening” to mark Emancipation Day. It wa...

Slave Clothes On The Mink Mile? Only on Emancipation Day   Photos and story by Stephen Weir:  According to well-known activist, organizer and owner of Canada’s largest diversity bookstore,  Itah Sadu  what happened on Sunday on Bloor Street was neither a demonstration nor a parade.  Maybe not but the Mas models, actors in chains wearing slave clothing and children holding Black Power signs walked the  Mink Mile  on Sunday afternoon – it was an August 1 st   Emancipation Day  to remember.   “No, this was an act of love,” explained Sadu. “ We billed it as  E mancipation on Bloor  -- an animation of the  Bloor Street Cultural Corridor  from Yonge and Bloor (aka the Mink Mile) to Christie and Bloor adding to the all the terrific August First Emancipation Day activities here in Toronto.” Actors in slave clothing carry their chains  Yonge & Bloor in Toronto It started after lunch at one of the busiest intersections...

Bloor Street's Emancipation Flex. All part of the August 1st Emancipation Event held downtown “This was an act of love,” explained event organizer Itah Sadu. “ We billed it as Emancipation on Bloor -- an animation of the Bloor Street Cultural Corridor from Yonge and Bloor (aka the Mink Mile) to Christie and Bloor adding to the all the terrific August First Emancipation Day activities held here in Toronto. photo and cutline by sweir sweir

Friday night's Toronto Freedom Train Rattles Across The Internet By Stephen Weir Carnival’s Virtual Road was not the only weekend online event that drew cellphone audiences here in Toronto. A virtual underground railroad ride, drew viewers, albeit at a much smaller scale than Saturday's digital Toronto Caribbean Carnival. ( Pictured above - last year's train ride - Sheppard Station) On Friday night the 15th annual Freedom Train to mark Emancipation Day was live online and drew a larger following in cyber space than it usually does with an actual packed midnight subway train trip! Itah Sadu and the A Different Booklist Cultural Centre community organized the ride that brought in supporters from as far away as Ghana. Traditionally people come out to ride a train from Union Station to Downsview to mark both the Emancipation Act and to honour those who rode the Underground Railroad to freedom from the USA. The live event attracts 1,000 people, Friday’s live YouTube broadcast ...

Miss Dolly, David Rudder and  Macomere Fifi  Are All On Board for the Friday July 31 st  Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride  Live and Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2020 ...  This year’s 15 th  annual Freedom Train Ride is going live and virtual! Get on board live on A Different Booklist Cultural Centre’s YouTube page beginning at 10:45 PM on the eve of Emancipation day, Friday July 31st, 202.0 The  Emancipation Day “Underground Freedom Train” Ride  is symbolic of the role of the Underground Railroad within Canada’s history. This train ride is recognition of the historic date of  Emancipation Day  on August 1 st  when slavery was abolished in the British Empire. It is also a celebration of the power and potential of the peoples of African descent. A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC)  and the 2020  Freedom Train Ride Committee  are pleased to announce this year's Cond...

Virus forces Annual Ride For Freedom to Travel Virtually in 2020 Canada’s 8th annual Ride For Freedom is coming to a Smart Phone near year for 2020.  Scheduled to take place on August 1st, the train ride to mark Emancipation Day, is happening this year online! Held every year in Toronto, the Annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride,  usually sees over 1,000 people take a midnight subway ride from Union Station to Sheppard station.  The TTC has always provided the special midnight train and a volunteer crew, and people from all across the country have come to the city to ride the rail. But, because of Covis 19, the train will not be leaving the station in 2020. Itah Sadu "We are excited about bringing the train ride to a virtual platform and the world's stage," said Itah Sadu, Founder and Chair of the Freedom Train Ride Committee. "This year we are connecting with people nationally and internationally with the theme of diasporic crossings ...