Occupier Encampment Continues To Stand For Social Justice

By Mark Taliano and Tori Crispo

Pulitzer Prize winning author Chris Hedges, in Death Of The Liberal Class, says “to live in the fullest sense of the word, to exist as free and independent human beings means to defy injustice.”

The occupier encampment hanging in there in Toronto. Photo courtesy of Mark Taliano.

Occupiers at St. James Park, Toronto, and the growing number of people who support the Occupiers Movement, are productively and peacefully fighting societal injustices, and for this, they should be proud.

They should be thanked, as well!

One glaring injustice is media coverage. Much of the media suggests that the park is attracting the homeless. Yes, say the Occupiers, this is true, but what isn’t mentioned is that the park and its adjoining Anglican church has always been a refuge for the homeless. The church has always had a “Good Food Box” program to feed the needy. A box would cost about $3.00 and the food would help sustain them. Currently, the Occupy people are preparing and serving about 1,000 meals a day.  As Reverend Stoute from the church explains; “You’re downtown. There’s going to be people who are fragile. That’s not a product of the Occupy protest. That’s a product of living in the city.”
Occupiers are doing the best they can with what they have, and that means cleaning up.  Prior to the “occupation” one could find empty syringes and drug paraphenalia at the park.  That isn’t the case now. In fact, the park now hosts tourists and even school visits.  The Occupy movement is, after all, history in the making.

Another misconception is the response from the business community. Typically, those who make the most noise get the most attention, and that truism applies here as well.  One local business that is dissatisfied with the park has garnered much media attention,  but again, that isn’t the whole story.  The “Occupiers” requested a voice at a meeting to discuss concerns, but they weren’t welcome.  Had they been invited, a reasonable solution may well have been negotiated, especially since the protesters are all about open communication, dialogue, and pro-active approaches to conflict resolution.  The numerous local businesses which likely profit from the occupation (coffee shops, markets etc.) have been more than generous.  Mark, a native protestor of Objiway descent, explains that instead of throwing food away, these businesses will donate it to the Park.  Such acts of charity also align themselves with the theme of sustainability in the park.

Probably one of the most remarkable aspects of the park is the character and intelligence of the “occupiers” themselves. They are invariably articulate and thoughtful, and this is part of the dynamic that keeps them together, despite the inevitable set-backs.

Bet and Saraiah are not atypical examples of people at the park, and here are their stories:

Bet, a young man in his early twenties, was a key player in the creation of the St. James Park library.  Most days, he can be found reading inside the library Yurt, or discussing any number of issues with others.  His clothes are bedraggled and somewhat threadbare, but his eyes are alive, and his words are generous and expansive.  He proudly describes the growing community of activists, and the challenges that they face.  Like any community, there are some residents who have mental health and other issues, but he offers that these people are being managed rather than rejected and discarded. Mr. Ford should take note.

When asked how long they might stay, he suggested that they will likely stay throughout the winter, and beyond. Bet can no longer afford university.  His most recent job, which offered little over minimum wage, doesn’t offer him many alternatives, but he is happy at St. James Park.  He is being exposed to discussions and ideas that he wouldn’t ordinarily be having in an otherwise atomized world, and he is enriched by it.  He is making a difference, he is fighting injustice, and he is alive.

Suraiah Suhar is a young Afghan woman who also supports the movement.  She represents the group Afghans For Peace.  She has a strong voice, and a confident, compelling presence, but her bright eyes belie her sorrow when they well up as she speaks of her homeland.  Canadian troops are still there, and thousands of innocent civilians have died during the war.  She noted a sign that said “Ignorance is Their Power”, and she urges that we (continue) to take action so that, tomorrow, we can say that we did not sit back and be silent.  She wants Peace and Prosperity, Not War and Austerity.

Afghanistan is currently home to NATO troops, Warlords, and the Taliban, but the enemy, Al Qaeda, has long since departed.   Canadians would do well to listen to Suraiah’s voice.

The slogan “Peace and Prosperity,” not “War and Austerity,” aligns itself with the “myth of scarcity”.  Canada has already spent over $11 billion on the war in Afghanistan, and our country is becoming more militarized every day. Certainly, some of these funds could, and should, be diverted to affordable housing, health care, green technology, education, and so on, to address some very real enemies that too many Canadians are regularly facing at home.

The efforts of Mark, Stephanie, Bet, Suraia, and thousands of others are already making a difference. Their moral activism is selfless and empowering.

They are alive!

Mark Taliano and Tori Crispo are residents of Niagara, Ontario and frequent contributors to Niagara At Large.

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