Guest Blog: "L'Onde de Choc Solidaire," by J.

Here's a guest post from my husband and partner, known to some of you through his photo website and to others  as the "J." of this blog. Enjoy!

From the back room where I work the persistent chatter of voices was the first tipoff that something was happening, the second the deep-throated drum beat that came and went. Finally, after a couple of hours it dawned on me that these sounds were not a normal demonstration. I got up from my desk and walked to the front window.

I now am accustomed to seeing demonstrators marching down our street, but peering out I was still surprised. This was not the political manifestation, but a meta-demonstration fed by dozens and dozens of bright yellow school buses which ringed most of the periphery of the 100 hectare park. Many of the buses had hand-lettered placards identifying where the students were from, and from each bus issued a demonstration unit: students, flags, costumes, posters, drums – the raw tools of political dissent. Yearly (since 1970) this event is organized by Oxfam-Québec (far right column, "Marche 2/3 2008") and involves about 15,000 students. This year's theme was "Provoque l’onde de choc solidaire/Provoke a Shockwave of Solidarity." I decided that the work that had been keeping me to the back room wasn't that important after all and grabbed my camera.

   

Inside the park the day was actually winding down, and the marchers were heading back to their buses. Still there were several thousand high school students. I had a role to play as well: spectator! As groups would pass the posters and banners would snap towards me (the spectator!) As such I was the only element not in generous supply. The theme of the demonstration was equitable distribution for each person of the world economy, and the injustices of the current system. From my point of view I was intent on watching and couldn't help but notice many things, but especially the teachers embedded in each group. Marching too as demonstrators with their students, undifferentiated except for their age, it was they who were transmitting the precious genetic code of political engagement to their already receptive students.

The signs in the photo above read " Later is Too Late" and "To recycle is to Predict the Future."

Click on the photos for larger versions, and here's a viewer for more photos from the day.

Comments

[marja-leena]

Oh how wonderful to see J's photos and words here! Inspiring to see our youth out there and showing that they are our hope for the future. I love the multicultural faces. Thanks, J, and more please!

[kaycie]

I find this fascinating, J. Do the schools arrange the kids' participation? I can't imagine any type of demonstration supported by the schools here in Oklahoma.

[dale]

wonderful!

[Jean]

Such a beautiful, heart-lifting spectacle. Thank you, thank you for sharing it with us!

[Dave]

Fascinating stuff, though I'm afraid that officially sanctioned demonstrations are the opposite of heart-lifting to me. Of all the many things I hated in public school, the worst was mandatory fun.

[-s]

Yes, learning to participate in a 'manif' or demonstration seems to be part of school culture in Montréal. I have seen classes of primary school children in Parc Lafontaine brandishing signs. It is all very far from my own school days where any questioning was firmly quelched.

-s

[language hat]

"It is all very far from my own school days where any questioning was firmly quelched."

What happens if kids question these demonstrations?

[Natalie]

Great photos and colours, Jon, and good to know you were there spectating! The kids certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves and if they will spread the message to their own kids eventually that's all to the good too. I especially like the "Plus Tard C'est Trop Tard" (later is too late) banner just seen behind the orange "Recycler..." sign.

[Jean]

Well, they don't look too unhappy about it... or maybe they just liked being photographed by an obviously 'proper' photographer.

[beth]

We're curious, too, about how the schools go about encouraging/sanctioning/whatever these expressions. It seemed like the kids had had free reign to form groups and choose a topic they cared about - it was a big range, from environmental issues to violence against women - study it, and make some sort of statement. I really doubt that anyone was "forced" to participate - but maybe some Canadian readers would have some insight??

[Dave]

Interesting that Hat and I had similar reactions. We anarchists are so predictable, aren't we? :)