Multiple protests against anti-black racism took place in downtown Toronto on June 6 and 7, 2020.
(iPhone image captured near Lawrence and Avenue Road)
The protests followed in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and many other horrible events that unfolded in the United States, but were also in response to the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet here in Toronto, who died while police were present.
(iPhone image captured the morning of June 6th, 2020)
Out of concern for violent actions taking place during these protests, many businesses in downtown Toronto boarded up their storefronts. Thankfully these fears were misplaced, and no such violence took place.
(iPhone image captured the morning of June 6th, 2020)
In my previous blog post I shared images of a boarded up Toronto that I took with my phone on the morning of Saturday June 6th, 2020.
Aritzia
In this post I share images taken in the late afternoon of Saturday June 6th.
The majority of images in this post were taken with my DSLR (Nikon D750). A few others were taken on my iPhone or on film, and I have indicated this below those images.
Sign outside of Aritzia: "How Does Canada Treat Its Indigenous"
Sign outside of Aritzia: "Canadians Are Racist Too" (iPhone image)
A group of friends read and discuss the signs outside of Aritzia.
Scotiabank
Van Cleef & Arpels (a view of Birks Jewelry Store)
Maison Birks
All Merchandise Has Been Removed
Banana Republic
Sephora
Sephora Sign
Welcome to the Future
Holt Renfrew Men
The Most Reliable Way
Hermes
Beam of Shadow
Royal De Versailles
Dolce & Gabbana
While outside Dolce & Gabbana I met Charlene Ashby.
As Charlene was approaching, I heard her expressing her feelings about the stores being boarded, so I started a conversation with her.
Charlene had come downtown to shop and expressed how she's "disgusted" and "disappointed" at the stores being boarded up and closed for the weekend.
I learned that Charlene has lived in Toronto for 25 years, and had appeared on Kenny & Spenny when they came downtown to film for an episode.
Charlene mentioned that "right now I'm trying to set something up with Drake, because Drake knows me" and how Drake's "on Instagram right behind me".
Alternate portrait of Charlene
(Kodak Gold 200 film, taken with my Canon Sure Shot Look)
I enjoyed meeting Charlene. She carried on her way, and so did I with my photos...
J. Crew
Mulberry
Mulberry sign
Winners / HomeSense
Cartier
Gucci
Escada
Bloor - View From Above
Max Mara
Mont Blanc
I crossed the road to the north side of Bloor and headed east...
Louis Vuitton
Tiffany & Co.
I chatted with a security guard* outside Intermix.
She was on a long shift - which saw no violence - and was looking forward to finishing.
(*Unfortunately I misplaced her name, so cannot share it here. I will update this post if I find it.)
Winners / HomeSense
Brooks Brothers
J. Crew
I crossed back to the south side of Bloor for a few moments, as there was something about the light and colours there that caught my eye...
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana
(Fujica GS645W camera with expired 120mm Kodak Portra 400 film)
Royal De Versailles
Royal De Versailles
Hermes
Holt Renfrew Men
Holt Renfrew sign
I headed north into Yorkville...
lululemon
lululemon sign
lululemon
(Kodak Gold 200 film - taken with my Canon Sure Shot Look camera)
Yes We're Open
Brunello Cucinelli
Versace
Versace
(Fujica GS645W on expired 120mm Kodak Portra 400 film)
Chanel
Christian Louboutin (red store in background)
Yorkville is always great for spotting beautiful cars. The 1958-62 model Corvette - as seen above - is one of my favourite classic cars.
I headed back to Bloor and east towards Yonge...
Harry Rosen
Banana Republic
Banana Republic sign
Nordstrom Rack
(Kodak Gold 200 film, taken with my Canon Sure Shot Look)
I'll end with this image...
Welcome to the Future
Click here to see part one of this blog post.
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Thanks for looking and stay well!