Celebrating African-Caribbean culture and taking politics to the street
On August 4, more than a hundred CUPE Ontario members jumped up and danced in the streets in full masquerade at the annual Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana).
With a new banner, bandannas and leaflets, CUPE members brought Carnival's political past into the present, calling for a better Ontario that includes employment equity, anti-racist education and police accountability.
Members spent months preparing for the parade, building elaborate costumes. The "Hope for Tomorrow" theme included six sections and took spectators from a natural paradise through the ravages of corporate greed and pollution, then to people fighting back to protect the environment and restoring natural beauty and hope.
Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow joined the CUPE Ontario contingent.
"The carnival brings all of us together," Chow said. "It's a unifying party where you can dance on the street; we're celebrating Caribbean culture and new music."
Click Here to see the photos of CUPE Ontario at Carnival 2012
Click Here to visit the CUPE Ontario Racial Justice / Anti Racism Committee site
To share this page just click on the social network icon of your choice.