Occupy Toronto (part 1)

I have been closely following the Occupy Wall Street protest movement as it unfolds in New York and throughout the world. On the 15th of October, occupation-style protests emerged across Canada. Today was my first day back in Toronto since then and I was eager to begin photographing the demonstrations. Below is a few photos I made today during a rally and march that made its way through downtown Toronto and eventually ended with a General Assembly at St. James Park.

To those who say that the "Occupy" movement suffers from a lack of direction and focus, I feel you should pay more attention. These events as incredibly uplifting and positive and the people involved in them are some of the greatest citizens of our country. This is because they care enough to go out and try to affect positive change, rather than sitting at home on the couch. The specific content of each individual person's message may differ, but the general direction is consistent. People are fed up with 1% of the world's population controlling the majority of the world's assets, natural resources and governments. It is the ever widening gap between the super wealthy and the other 99% of the human race that is fuelling this discontent. These issues are not going away any time soon, but as long as they exist, the world's population will remain outraged, whether it be in public or in private.

I plan to continue my coverage of the Occupy Toronto protests and make somewhat frequent blog updates for as long as I can.