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Story Publication logo September 9, 2019

Activism in Practice: Grassy Narrows and River Run 2019

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A group of elders help to lead the Grassy Narrows community march through Toronto. Image by Shelby Gilson. Canada, 2019.
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Since the 1970s, the people of Grassy Narrows in Ontario, Canada, have fought for access to clean...

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Grassy Narrows community members stand together at their River Run event in Toronto. Image by Shelby Gilson. Canada, 2019.
Grassy Narrows community members stand together at their River Run event in Toronto. Image by Shelby Gilson. Canada, 2019.

On June 20, 2019, members of Grassy Narrows First Nation and their supporters took to the streets of Toronto to protest their suffering at the 2019 River Run event—a march and protest organized by Grassy Narrows community members and their supporters.

Since the 1970s, the people of Grassy Narrows have suffered from the effects of industrial pollution in their river system—mercury poisoning. Aware of the issue facing the community, the current Canadian government promised to build the community a "mercury home," where victims of mercury poisoning could receive care and treatment, but little has been done to make this happen. Due to the upcoming federal election, it is crucial to ensure that the government takes action on this promise, and that mission was a significant point of concern during the events of River Run. On the streets of Toronto, Grassy Narrows fought for justice.

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