A passerby looks at signs placed at the end of the Women's March in Toronto. Photo: Caroline Chan.
Thousands of people across Canada participated in Women’s March events this past weekend. Estimates landed at 60,000 in Toronto, 15,000 in Vancouver, 5,000 in Montreal and Calgary, 6,000 in Ottawa, 4,000 in Edmonton. More than a thousand each gathered in Halifax and Winnipeg, and many more gathered in cities like Fredericton, Charlottetown, Yellowknife, Saskatoon and Whitehorse.
Protest signage to inspire, critique and resist was on ample view, some created by professional artists, others by amateurs, using photography, painting, performance, textiles and more.
Canadian artist Marcel Dzama posted images of his Picabia-influenced protest poster at the New York march on Instagram. Gwitchin artist Jeneen Frei Njootli put forward the Rematriate Collective message in a poster at the Toronto march. A painterly piece in the Montreal demonstration featured the words “Trump d’oeil,” and pictured Trump with stars in his eyes. Halifax’s former poet laureate, El Jones, performed a new piece, “Still We Rise,” on the steps of the city’s Grand Parade.
At the end of many marches, demonstrators left their signs on public display, forming impromptu exhibitions, and/or found them distributed on social media. Here are some of the many signs, symbols, actions and performances that stood out for our editorial team.
This was brilliant! #lovetrumpshate #fucktrump #womensmarchto
A photo posted by Adri (@jeepgiiirl) on Jan 22, 2017 at 7:37pm PST
@delighted_bobo striking fear ???????????????? rg from @lolw_to
A photo posted by Louise Reimer (@louisereimer) on Jan 21, 2017 at 3:25pm PST
A photo posted by Louise Reimer (@louisereimer) on Jan 21, 2017 at 2:19pm PST
A photo posted by LAURA DAWE (@daweski) on Jan 21, 2017 at 11:29am PST
Absolutely Mega. Via John Early #womensmarch #losangeles
A photo posted by George Stroumboulopoulos (@strombo) on Jan 21, 2017 at 9:58pm PST
A photo posted by CarHoe (@queerintheoven) on Jan 21, 2017 at 1:53pm PST
✊???? @lelagnuse #StrongResilientIndigenous #Reno
A photo posted by Strong Resilient Indigenous (@reclaimyourpower) on Jan 21, 2017 at 3:49pm PST
???????????? #regram @zoe_whittall
A photo posted by VIVEK SHRAYA ???? (@vivekshraya) on Jan 21, 2017 at 12:46pm PST
A photo posted by JUSTSEEDS✨ (@justseeds) on Jan 22, 2017 at 1:24pm PST
A photo posted by Allyson Mitchell (@creeplez) on Jan 21, 2017 at 10:11am PST
A photo posted by karan mehta (@jnrgrizz) on Jan 21, 2017 at 6:32pm PST
@quawno #rematriate I’m wearing @daytona_tatiana earrings
A photo posted by Jeneen Frei Njootli (@jfreinjootli) on Jan 21, 2017 at 9:06am PST
A photo posted by CARLY MICKELA PARKS (@carlymickela) on Jan 21, 2017 at 8:23am PST
A photo posted by Kate Massey (@masseykate) on Jan 21, 2017 at 3:44pm PST
A photo posted by Tony Tracy (@tonytracy) on Jan 21, 2017 at 1:52pm PST
@realdonaldtrump #womensmarch #halifax
A photo posted by Rebecca Pearson (@beckrp) on Jan 21, 2017 at 12:16pm PST
A photo posted by Erin Steinberg (@erin_steinberg) on Jan 23, 2017 at 4:46am PST
A photo posted by Sadia (@sadiarafiquddin) on Jan 22, 2017 at 12:04pm PST
A photo posted by Rachel S (@rachel_schaftybaum) on Jan 21, 2017 at 1:59pm PST
One of my favourite signs comes compliments of the #Vancouver #WomensMarch. Sisters of the North, indeed! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xyzqQ3nB1s
— Toula Drimonis (@ToulasTake) January 23, 2017
This toddler was at #WomensMarch in #Vancouver with his parents. His father told me, “I’m a feminist. And he is, too.” pic.twitter.com/LVWevn1zvz
— Sarah MacDonald (@CTVSarah) January 21, 2017
Most Saturdays, my bus to work is empty. Today, it’s jam-packed, 90% women & friendly as heck for #Vancouver #WomensMarch. pic.twitter.com/u0SlLs3DHf
— Nick Eagland (@nickeagland) January 21, 2017
Also #WomenMarchTO features the funeral for the patriarchy. A coffin with rose petals here in Nathan Phillips Square. ???? pic.twitter.com/RMowZT19Dg
— Elamin Abdelmahmoud (@elamin88) January 21, 2017
Kathryn, 43, is a textile artist. She has a child with special needs and couldn’t stand the hate speech. #womensmarchtoronto pic.twitter.com/xvn5SxAmiq
— Jane Lytvynenko (@JaneLytv) January 21, 2017
Nancy and her daughter Hannah are here to fight for clean water in their home town of Tottenham, ON. #womensmarchtoronto pic.twitter.com/dGEksR8H4a
— Jane Lytvynenko (@JaneLytv) January 21, 2017
Statues made political. #womensmarchtoronto pic.twitter.com/6J0ZcbzXso
— Jane Lytvynenko (@JaneLytv) January 21, 2017
More than 1000 people filled the Grand Parade in #Halifax Saturday to rally in support of the #WomensMarch on Washington (for @xpress_local) pic.twitter.com/GzfTfC6vBd
— Christian Laforce (@Lafotoz) January 21, 2017
Hey Twitter users…#WomensMarch #yyc #Calgary pic.twitter.com/wpFUBpmoe0
— Kate Adach (@KateMedia) January 21, 2017
Anyways here’s winnipeg!! #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/zOgr3KSVIv
— becca (@SAlL0RMARS) January 21, 2017
Edmonton standing strong #WomensMarch #Yeg pic.twitter.com/eIYsIaoPOK
— David.N.O (@Themadbomber187) January 21, 2017
Such spirit and love at #WomensMarch in #Ottawa today pic.twitter.com/VsDhctGmaT
— Jen Pedersen (@ottawa_jen) January 21, 2017
I was hoping for a “Cunts Against Trump” sign but this is great and I’ll take it. #WomensMarchTO pic.twitter.com/0KhBr3UsdG
— Tabatha Southey (@TabathaSouthey) January 21, 2017
This is a great look on Sir John A. Thanks @CBCStephanie #WomensMarch #charlottetown #pei pic.twitter.com/nad4zNpiVz
— Elizabeth McMillan (@elizmcmillan) January 21, 2017
