Occupations spread to Streets and Squares across Canada

Tim McSorley — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:15:24 +0000

A look at Occupy actions from coast-to-coast

On Saturday, October 15, thousands of people across Canada joined the international day of Occupy Together: a call for people around the world to join Occupy Wall Street, an encampment in the heart of New York City's financial district and home to many of the companies that people now hold partly to blame for the ongoing economic crisis.

The Wall Street occupation, which began on September 17, has its own roots in the uprisings and occupations of central plazas across the Middle East and Europe over the past year. These movements are perhaps best exemplified by the Egyptian revolution, where people held their ground in Tahrir Square until the fall of then-president Hosni Mubarak.

The Occupy movement has since spread around the world, and taken on distinct characteristics and demands in each country—and each city— Canada is no exception. Recognizing that Canada is a colonial nation established on occupied Native land, many have called for Decolonize Canada to also become a rallying cry.

But like Occupy Wall Street, for many a radical change to the economy and the government are the main motivations for their participation. “What are people waking up to? We are waking up to a world where all young people and working class people have no future,” said Fightback member Farshad Azadian, to applause from the gathered assembly. “The conditions for our people are getting worse and worse, while bankers and industrialists are making huge amounts of profit and getting government hands outs, tax breaks, and bail-outs," he said. "What we are saying is we’re not having it.”

Below is a collection of photos from Occupy actions across Canada.

The photos above were taken by Caelie (Vancouver), Andy Crosby (Ottawa), Mike Barber (Toronto), Alheli Picazo (Calgary), Mike Barber (Toronto), Caelie (Vancouver), Darren Ell (Montréal), Caelie (Vancouver), Miles Howe (Halifax), Hillary Lindsay (Halifax), and posted to Media Co-op locals across the country.

Looking for more coast-to-coast coverage of the Occupy movement? View—and add—ongoing coverage in the Media Co-op's Occupy site.

Occupy Vancouver graffiti

Ottawa March

Mohawk flag Toronto

Banker Hall Calgary

Expect Resistance Toronto

Vancouver GA

General Assembly Montreal

Vancouver tents

Sleeping out in Halifax

Halifax food tent

The Dominion - Media Co-op contributors

Occupations spread to Streets and Squares across Canada