After the Eviction

Grindhouse Wednesdays Raises Funds for Occupy Montreal

Fringe ArtsColin Harris — Published January 6, 2012

While there may not be a physical camp in Montreal’s financial sector anymore, Montreal’s chapter of the Occupy movement is still working towards their goals of direct democracy. Grindhouse Wednesdays, a film and music event active since 2009, hosted an Occupy Special with musical performances, improv and film to raise funds for the movement.

An intimate night at the Rialto Theatre began with short films documenting Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Montreal and Occupy Nova Scotia, as well as clips of news coverage of the protests, a speech by American Senator Bernie Sanders and an animated short film about the Federal Reserve entitled The American Dream.

Following the feature Grindhouse film Punishment Park, a pseudo-documentary criticizing American decisions during the Vietnam War, members hosted an open jam using consensus techniques from General Assemblies. To gauge audience approval of the direction of the jam, musicians would take a “temperature check” where the crowd could use their hands to show what directions things should go.

Occupy Montreal is currently setting up work spaces, and are running a portable kitchen. To keep up-to-date with general assemblies and other events, visit occupymontreal.org.