Raise the Hammer

Loks like a great turnout. Wish I could be there.

The program's completed now. I've seen estimates ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 attendees.

Unfortunately none of this will matter to that idiot Bettman. I am boycotting the NHL until there is at least another team in Canada. How many of you are with me???

I am with you Capitalist!

I think 5,000 people is pushing the estimate of the people in attendance at the rally this afternoon. I'd estimate 3,000 - tops. I was at the rally, and the whole time I thought way more people should have been there. Minimum 10,000. Where was everybody?

3500 people is a remarkable turnout considering the court decision earlier this week. No fairweather fans here. Good on all who showed up.

A boycott against the leafs goes without saying. They are the real problem. A boycott against the sabres is sadly necessary. Wish that could be avoided but if it comes down to us or them...

... a lot of people have jobs far from the core, and/or don't work shifts. which is likely where this crowd came from.

or they coulda been recently laid off? who knows... but there is def. a large crowd who wishes they were there (such as myself)

but how do you estimate? who knows what a crowd of 3000 looks like compared to 5000?

i am proud to see the turnout though! lets hope it means something...

cheers

I think it's possible that many more than 3,500 showed up. I went and while I was there several hundred people were coming and going at one time. Really hard to guess the numbers, not even sure how they calculated 3,500.

I do think Friday @ noon played a major role. Hamilton's businesses aren't the same laid-back take-the-rest-of-Friday-off type of businesses as can be seen in Toronto.

Also surprisingly satisfied with the turnout of about 3000. Too bad The Canadian Press (where all 'mainstream' media outlets get their news) was reporting only 'hundreds' of people. That's the story in the National Media right now.

I would have also loved to have been there today, but alas, I have a job. One that is not Downtown Hamilton -- I know I'm not the only one in this boat. Had they made today a 'Make it Seven' Holiday, the crowd would have been at least 3 times the size.

However, we know the only reason it was chosen for a Friday Afternoon @ Noon was for media exposure purposes -- it NEEDED to make the Evening News :(

Synxer: "Hamilton's businesses aren't the same laid-back take-the-rest-of-Friday-off type of businesses as can be seen in Toronto. "

Really?? Go check out the patios at Hess from noon onwards on Fridays. LOL.

>> Really?? Go check out the patios at Hess from noon onwards on Fridays. LOL.

What about, like every single bar in TO on a Friday? Hess is a small example by measure.

oh yea i forgot to mention...

it's so great to see the Jackson Square plaza actually being used as a civic square and community gathering space!!!!

maybe thats where the Stanley Cup parties can be held? :P

Overheard that same comment, what an amazing space Jackson Square plaza is, as I approached the rally. Speaker hadn't been up there in years. Too bad they don't use it more, was the same conclusion.

I recalled the poorly attended Shakespeare on the roof theatrical series of a few years back. Seem to recall too, a number of free, noon-hour musical events advertised for the Jackson Square lid too.

My previous trip up top, 2-3 years back, was to scout out different views of the city. I was planning a writing course to encourage stories that present our urban landscape in unfamiliar ways. The view from up there, I thought, might inspire ideas. Back then I found only a smattering of cigarette-escapees from the office tours littering the landscape. Nobody was looking up, or out. I'm guessing that hasn't changed. Certainly nobody too the writing course.

My point? Hamiltonians don't know their own city (and I'm prepared to admit there's a lot about it I don't know either.) We're constantly surprised by ourselves, and then we go home to our familiar patterns. This town needs more Mark Fentons. And more Mark Fenton readers.

To get back on topic: Jackson Square rooftop is Hamilton's Brazilia.

the best thing about this blog entry is the new videos that are showing everytime I log in. LOL.

From ariel coverage of fires to big mouth politicians...it's pretty entertaining.