Last Thursday, April 11th, shareholders of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) met in Etobicoke at the Toronto Congress Centre (TCC). Close to the airport, an easy drive from downtown, and with tons of meeting rooms and event spaces, the TCC is a much sought after venue. I’ve attended conferences with some awesome speakers, met people I’d only previously known online, stood behind one of its podiums while sharing my own thoughts with others, and managed to get into some very interesting conversations with others who agreed with my thinking or were anxious to tell me how much they disdained my perspective. Some, I’ll admit, just ignored me which always, somehow, felt just plain rude. I don’t really care how famous you are; if you’re in the room, listen to the speaker or leave, preferably with your phone to your ear and running.
The RBC’s meeting wasn’t, apparently, about the conversations that could be had at the TCC. To avoid any unexpected conversations, in fact, the bank blocked access to the meeting to any but shareholders, a practice that, I’ve been told, is relatively new. Still, the desire to hear what even the shareholders had to say was limited; those in attendance who requested permission to address the meeting were required to do so in 60 seconds or less. Of course, that’s not a conversation; not much to respond to, I’d say. And, just to make sure no one got close enough to witness bank executives refusing to acknowledge or answer a question, RBC blocked access to the Congress Centre, itself, with a purchased police presence reinforced with strategically parked police cruisers blocking the driveway. Both driveways, in fact.
I know this because I was there.
Outside.
In the rain.
Taking pictures.
Of Toronto’s Red Rebels.
But most importantly …
standing witness to Wet’suwet’en Chief Na’moks, traditional leader of a people who have been under unremitting, and often violent surveillance by a special RCMP task force … the Community-Industry Response Group to whom you and I and other Canadians have, by now, paid over thirty million dollars despite their having no direct accountability to anyone other than themselves … empowered to protect the Royal Bank’s Coastal Gaslink investment which, despite promises to protect both land and water, is destroying Wet’suwet’en lands, forests, and waterways, share the humiliation of his 60 seconds, and the dismissal of everything he had no time to speak of, everything for which he gives every single moment of his life . . .
Did I mention it was raining?
Community-Industry Response Group was recently renamed the “Critical Response Unit” which would appear to disentangle it from the “Industry” to which it continues to provide its protection.
RCMP funding for Community-Industry Response Group to January 2023.
I’d love to hear what it is you’re thinking these days. About climate. About activism. About not knowing what or whether to do anything. About feeling alone or about sharing your feelings. About not feeling understood. About life being hard. About worrying about what comes next, even if you’re not going to be around to live through it. About being here. Now. The only now we will ever have. Send me a note. Leave a comment. Engage. Wherever. However. With me or whomever. Just don’t be alone.
That was a powerful email Gretta. I have been thinking about the eclipse and the crowds joined together in a time of awe. Why can't we be in awe of our small planet, our places on it, how to save it, stop fearing standing up for what we know is right. One person, ,much the same as another person and yet not really the same at all. Why? Where and how we live, how we have been brought up, whether we have the basic needs to live, some not really able to live with dignity, no one to love or be loved. I have priviledge, and I do not take that for granted ,so I am involved in justice issues, locally with our migrant workers, grandmothers to grandmothers work, community care. It is a drop in the bucket. What happens if Trump gets in or Poliviere.? That is very scary. our world is very scary, very dangerous, no awe to be found yet I cannot give up. Will stop and think about dinner prep- priviledge eh? Next birthday is 90, not much time left to help with changes that must be made. katharine
Never ends. Exploitation of people or resources. Reminds me of an ancient grape boycott in which I took my fair share of abuse. All variations on a theme.