Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  Amah Harris will blow the whistle on the Emancipation Underground Freedom Train as  Conductor July 31st !,000 riders will get on board Conductor Amah Harris will blow the whistle as the Emancipation Underground Freedom Train lays new tracks from Union Station to Downsview Park Station. Held during Toronto's vibrant Carnival season, this annual moving event celebrates Emancipation Day by bringing together over 1,000 people in a profound display of heritage and unity. This year marks the eleventh collaboration between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, formerly known as A Different Booklist Cultural Centre. The event offers an immersive underground experience via Toronto’s subway system, symbolizing the historic underground railroad journey. Open to all Canadians, the ride costs only the price of a token, making it an accessible opportunity for reflection and celebration. The Emancipation Day "Underground Freedom Train" Ride begins on...

 New Good Luck tradition  from  Toronto's Demi-Monde Always thought that if you can get a TTC transfer at 1 second after midnight on January 1st you will be blessed with good luck in the new year. Put it to the test. Bundled up at 11.45 on the last night of 2023 and walked down to the Eglinton subway station at Yonge St. Got there with a coupla minutes to spare. Just me, a female busker playing an electric piano and any song I wanted to hear and a couple of TTC employees. I stood by the transfer machine and took this picture of me pressing the transfer machine at year's end, and here is the lucky transfer I got a second later a second into 2024. One TTC employee clapped and banged fists with me. Got home and checked a lottery ticket my wife had got me for Xmas. Won $50 so obviously I was right about the first transfer luck power. Still have two unused transfers on my desk. Don't ask, they aren't for sale.

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...

  July 31st., 2022 - 11.00 PM The Annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride Is Back On Track at Toronto's   Union Station  The Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride is back on track and in-person this year. The annual train ride aboard a private TTC train takes 1,000 people on a ride to mark Emancipation Day. The 2022 Conductor will be the  Honourable Elder Dr. Jean Augustine as she blows the whistle to start the 2022  Toronto Underground Freedom Train Ride at 11.00 PM on July 31 st  at Union Station. Everyone is welcome to get on board this annual Toronto Freedom Train ride as the people of this city recognise the challenges and opportunities provided by Canada’s proclaimed Emancipation Day. The ride will be an incredible journey and experience about the Underground Railroad, the route enslaved Africans used to escape American slave plantations, seeking freedom in Canada and ultimately Emancipation Day on August 1 st . The ...

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 ...