Occupy Toronto?

[Seresan]

I expect that there are a far many more "Americans" than "Canadians" here, but I'm still wondering about other people's take on the situation here.

BRIEF SUMMARY:
*The Social Democrats did their best ever in the previous federal election.
*Plenty of "Canadians" are upset about losing jobs to America and others.
*Canadians seem to be voting less (apathy or hopelessness?)
*The quotes that I'm seeing coming from the movement are focusing mainly on 'democracy' and 'corruption', and the only one that even mentions Marxism is saying that he doesn't want to come across as one.

Is it just me, or does it look like a vanguard party could be quite useful right about now? I'm interested in learning about the telltale signs of class unrest.

[The Stalinator]

Hell no on the last one: I went to Occupy Toronto. At least half the groups I saw demonstrating there were socialist or Marxist. Massive red banners everywhere. Most peoples' signs were anti-capitalist in some shape or form. This is in absolutely no way an anti-socialist demonstration.

[Seresan]

I didn't mean to suggest that it was anti-socialist so much as to say that any socialist elements are either not being represented in the media that i've come across, or they are simply non-existent. sounds like the former.

[The Stalinator]

Nah. There were huge communist demonstrations. You should really stop by there. It was an awesome atmosphere.

[Seresan]

But more to the point... would you say there is any real revolutionary potential in the air right now?

[The Stalinator]

But more to the point... would you say there is any real revolutionary potential in the air right now?

I didn't expect to see many socialist groups there. I was awfully proud. People were handing out free manifestos and copies of Trotsky and Lenin, et cetera. However, when I logged on to all the major news sources, there were absolutely no pictures of these guys. Did see a lot of those two guys holding up the Ron Paul sign though...

I'm no expert, I'm very new to Marxism and a shitty learner at that. I don't know if there's any revolutionary potential if absolutely every major news source is hiding our part of the movement, since most people do learn about politics from these kinds of media. (at least from what I've seen.)

[Seresan]

That sucks... We need to be more vocal/mainstream, methinks.

I mean, I didn't have any idea what Marxism was (and hated it blindly, like most sheep) until I watched a Montreal-based movie about a guy who thought he was Trotsky's reincarnation. If it weren't for that movie, and the wikipedia article that followed, I'd have had no reason to look into the subject any more than I had to for history class.

Infiltrating the media/creating a popular alternative should be a top priority for the leftists, shouldnt it?

[Blackscare]

Infiltrating the media/creating a popular alternative should be a top priority for the leftists, shouldnt it?

I don't think that any hardline leftist is going to be able to 'infiltrate' the media, unless they plan to just be there for shits and giggles and never actually voice their opinions. The range of ideologies allowed to be represented in the mainstream media is pretty tightly controlled and fairly narrow. We should be encouraging people to turn off their TV's, not trying to 'infiltrate' and give the Glenn Beck weirdos more fodder for their conspiracy theories.

[NewLeft]

I did not attend occupy Toronto, but I did see anarchists in the photos on media sites.

[GatesofLenin]

I didn't expect to see many socialist groups there. I was awfully proud. People were handing out free manifestos and copies of Trotsky and Lenin, et cetera. However, when I logged on to all the major news sources, there were absolutely no pictures of these guys. Did see a lot of those two guys holding up the Ron Paul sign though...

I'm no expert, I'm very new to Marxism and a shitty learner at that. I don't know if there's any revolutionary potential if absolutely every major news source is hiding our part of the movement, since most people do learn about politics from these kinds of media. (at least from what I've seen.)

News outlets in Canada are more controlled than the US! Only the CBC would state "dangerous stories to the current system" but the current govt in power, PC party, wants to axe their $1.6 billion yearly allotment so expect some brown-nosing by the CBC execs.

[The Stalinator]

Holy fuck. Checked out more media outlets my cousin recommended that were allegedly better: absolutely nothing covering those communist demonstrations. Nice picture of a guy holding a sign saying "KARL MARX WAS WRONG" and testimonies from people insisting they weren't socialists, though.

Fucking hell. Moral of the story is, don't judge Occupy til you actually see it.

I personally liked the Workers' Party of Iran people. One of the people holding up their sign was getting really into it. He actually started doing a sort of call-and-respond thing. When he cried out "SOCIALISM?!" I pretty much heard that entire section of the park cheering.

Marxist groups there were really nice. I had to leave early, but I'm definitely coming back once I've got the time. Would like to stay overnight for a few days. Really hoping this does last into December like they claim it will.

[Seresan]

Hopefully I'll go to it eventually... And I'll see what I can do about correcting the media coverage myself.

[Luc]

What organisations are there?

Is it only Leninist and Trotskyist types?

[blake 3:17]

Just back from it. Brilliant. The Greater Toronto Workers Assembly met to figure out how we could participate and support OccupyTO. We're trying to provide as much material support as possible, build bridges between ongoing labour struggles and the Occupation, and help keep the whole thing going forward.

I was so impressed with how clean it was! And the general vibe was very positive, sane and friendly. A few of the sectarian groups were around but they seemed to be acting in good faith and discussing politics in a healthy way.

OccupyToronto could use some pretty basic support. They are accepting financial donations but would prefer to receive services or goods. They really really need access to a commercial kitchen. They also need water (the bigger the container the better) and many incidentals. I donated some freshly laundered clothes and towels and some bits of office supply stuff (tape, pens, etc).

If you're in the area please come by! People are really happy to be building a better world!