The beat of drums and joyous celebration attracted protesters and bystanders to Victoria Square for the first day of Occupy Montreal. The rain and harsh weather seemed not to stop hundreds of Montrealers from marching through the streets of the downtown area in opposition to reckless corporate greed, in the spirit of events launched a month ago in New York City. Even as the chilly wind blew in, many were determined to stay the night, as they set up their tents and prepared for the evening. The sight was one of awe-inspiring solidarity, as volunteers prepared and handed out food, warm blankets and even in certain cases extra tents for those willing to stay. It was a beautiful sight: one of peaceful comradery, celebratory dancing and round-table discussion. Quite simply, it was an event I couldn’t miss!
For more information, visit OccupyTogether.org or your nearest city’s ongoing protest.
Dear Francis,
These are wonderful photographs. A joy to behold. You’ve really captured the mood of these anti-Wall Street demonstrations: a strange (and seemingly illogical) admixture of hopefulness and despair.
John
I’m very glad you like them! Be sure to pass them along to all you judge interested in the ongoing protest!
Really fine pics Francis. They will be passed on for sure. Are the pics ‘representative’ of most of the people who were there? If so, hope the movement gets more straight people like me and the postman climbing statues again! The strength of the movement will be its broad based support and participation. Bring on the butchers and bus drivers, secretaries and janitors. I have problems with the 99% slogan…I don’t trust the managers, corporate lawyers, professionals etc who administer and keep the system functioning. They are really privileged and paid well by the capitalist class for their services. I would be careful with Mr. and Mrs 91%!
Thanks for the pics. I don’t see much dispair.
Paul
Hey Paul,
I’m not sure if the pictures are exactly representative of the people there, although they do give you a good idea of the demographic; you had mainly students, hippies and homeless people occupying the Square. There were also lots of activists, families with kids, and ordinary working people. It was, however, a beautiful example of cooperation and mutual tolerance: you had people of all cultures, the blind, the old, and the young, coming together to mark their discontent.
I believe the protests in different parts of the world (they went on in over 1000 cities across 80 countries), namely the United-States, had more of a unified cause though: they were against the unfettered speculation of Wall Street and corporate greed, whereas Montreal’s protest seemed to be too all over the place. Some protesters were advocating Communism, others Quebec Separatism, and yet others Aboriginal Rights.
We have yet to see how this will all turn out!
Alexis and Francis, I find the portrait of Alexis perfectly reflects the skepticism he was feeling. That’s a legitimate response, though perhaps over-intellectualized in the context of a common-sense movement. The differences in what people there support matter less than what they object to, which is profit at the cost of lives and environment, and bank-state collusion. There is middle ground. It’s still possible to invest ethically – not all wealth comes from corrupt businesses, and you don’t have to be corrupt or greedy to run a business well, with the interests of workers, suppliers, environment and global/local community at heart.