Emancipation Day Proclaimation Demanded by Freedom Train Conductor

Look Down The Track Senators – Wanda’s Emancipation Train Is Heading For Ottawa.

By Stephen Weir

Wanda Thomas Bernard at the mike Union Station

Stand back  honourable members of the Senate. The Emancipation Train is heading to Ottawa and Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is going to blow her conductor’s whistle until Canada’s Upper House listens to the voices of the Caribbean and African American communities.

Dr. Bernard championed a bill proclaiming August 1^st Emancipation Day in Canada. Even though the legislation was passed by the Liberal Government and made it through two readings in the Senate, it failed to come up for the final vote before the Senate recessed.  The bill will not be brought back for a third and final reading.

At last Wednesday’s Freedom Train Ride in Toronto, the Nova Scotia senator said she is not going to give up.  Speaking to a crowd of close to 1,000 people inside TTC ‘s Union Station she told them  “I am 66 years old and I don’t have to retire (from the Senate) until I am 75. We will not give up anytime soon!”

 At Right: Libations - Aina-Nia Ayo'dele

For the seventh year in a row there was a special midnight subway train that took hundreds of people from Union Station to the Sheppard West Station. The symbolic special train left the station on July 31st and arrived at Sheppard just after midnight to celebrate the August 1^st Emancipation Day.

“This year was our seventh annual Freedom Train ride,” said organizer Itah Sadu.  “ It was an incredible journey and experience! This was second year that the Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, has joined us, but this was her first time as our honourary conductor. She had the whistle and gave the call to board the train.”

Train Arrives at Sheppard

Also taking part in the Freedom Train ceremonies  were poet George Elliott Clarke, City Councillor Michael Thompson and community organizer Adisa S. Oji. Councillor Thompson brought greetings and a plaque on behalf of the city and Mr. Oji was presented with the Community Resilience Award. 

Last week’s train ride marked two important things.  The Underground Railroad which brought former slaves to Canada in the 19^th century and the 185th anniversary of Emancipation Day on August 1, when the British Empire abolished slavery in 1834.  

The Senator hopes that she will be back next August 1^st with an official Federal Government signed Emancipation Day proclamation!

“All Aboard the Freedom Train” Tuesday night. Toronto. 10.30 PM Union Station

Jean Augustine (left). Rita Cox (far right) at last year's ride

When Conductor Rita Cox blows the whistle a thousand people will take a ride on Toronto’s Freedom Train.

Rita Cox, a longtime Toronto Caribbean community leader, is getting ready to blow her whistle and yell “All Aboard the Freedom Train” as Toronto gets set to mark Emancipation Day.  For the sixth year in a row there will be a special midnight TTC train that will take hundreds of people to the Sheppard West Station on July 31^st to celebrate the August 1^st date.

It all begins July 31st at 10:45pm at Toronto’s Union subway station. “We will be boarding the Underground Freedom Train at 11:30pm and travelling straight to Sheppard West subway station (previously Downsview station), arriving there at 12:15am on August 1st,” explained organizer Itah Sadu. “ The date is internationally acclaimed as Emancipation Day.” 
“This year’s sixth annual Freedom Train ride will be an incredible journey and experience about the Underground Railroad and the history of Emancipation Day,” She told the Caribbean Camera. “Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:45pm at Union subway station and half-an-hour later Dr. Rita Cox, our honourary conductor, will give the call to board the train.”

People will gather by the Brookfield Rotunda TTC entrance on the main floor of Union Station.  Last year over 1,000 people took the train to Sheppard West Station.

As people board the train there will be drumming, spoken word and songs will be sung, along with a tribute to the resilience of the many who travelled along the Underground Railway, seeking freedom in Canada. During the ride there will be a moment of silence called over the train’s intercom.
Rita Cox is often dubbed “Canada’s Icon”.  Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, the Master Storyteller, Author and Retired Librarian is a member of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Festival Management Committee.  She has won numerous awards, including the 1996 Canadian Library Association Public Service Award and the Black Achievement Award. In 1997, Dr. Cox was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her outstanding work in storytelling and literacy. She is also the recipient of honourary degrees from York and Wilfrid Laurier universities.

Also on board Tuesday night will be: Dr. Edith Lorimar, producer Fatima Mohamed and Master Drummer Muhtadi Thomas and Muhtadi International Drumming,

Everyone is welcome to join us on this Underground Freedom Train Ride to celebrate Emancipation Day. People will need a regular TTC ticket for admission and come prepared for being part of a very unique subway ride. Sixth annual Underground Freedom Train Ride t-shirts are available for purchase at A Different Booklist store, prior to the ride. Further information - available at A Different Booklist 416-538-0889 or by following on twitter @FreedomTrainTOR.