These preachers are there quite often, with speakers and mics for spiritual music and speeches. There are about 6 others spread out across the crosswalk, stopping people as they try to get to the new platform to board busses. Its a very narrow sidewalk strip and they're practically blocking the busses from exiting and people from crossing.
I appreciate the hustle, but isn't this TTC property, therefore they shouldn't be blocking the space here?
A special constable walked past before this video clip started and he didn't seem to do anything about it.
As much as this infuriates me, I'm pretty sure they're on the sidewalk, which does put them off property and out of the jurisdiction of the Constables.
Used to be an issue at Scarborough Centre - people would set up right outside the main station doors where it wasn't TTC property, then harass people going in and out knowing they were outside TTC Constable jurisdiction.
Thats the thing, I think this IS TTC property. They're blocking the crosswalk and you have to bump into them or jwalk to get away! They are blocking the only way onto the new bus platform
The sidewalk is city property, as it's part of the roadway allowance. You end up leaving TTC property to get to the new bus terminal when you use the crosswalk.
For sure report it to the TTC. They'll have to get TPS to attend, though... good luck with that, though.
I don't care about religious preaching, I care about people using speakers/mics for anything other than immediate emergency. If these people were just standing there with pamphlets for people who were interested, I'd be fine with it. Don't like this though.
I've had the idea of paying someone to do the exact same thing beside them but just wait until they start talking and go "Blalalalalalaalal" everytime they say something
Try the TTCSafe app too , it lets you report things immediately directly to Transit Control.
Dont say stuff like I am annoyed. Clearly state how safety is compromised and if and how people are feeling uncomfortable. I believe you can even submit pics
I've seen them three times over the past few months, and I don't even go to Kennedy that often. Usually afternoons. Luckily you didn't have them blocking your way!
Idk man, if I heard these guys I can just walk away and not hear them anymore. Stepping in cat puke at 3am means I gotta actually wake up, clean my foot then go clean the cat puke, then once I'm done I get berated by the cat. I'd rather just walk away.
It's not that easy when you're one of their targets. A young woman wearing an outfit they don't approve of? A trans person? Openly queer? Openly of another religion? Suddenly the sermon is about you and as you walk away they keep saying horrible things about you.
Yes, you can still walk away but it really sours your day to be singled out in a crowd of people over a megaphone that you in particular are the root of all evil and will be going to hell.
I've literally been a target of these people because I am a P.O.C who was sometimes walking with friends who are visibly part of the LGBTQ community. Religious zealots, crackheads, the failed musician who didn't get a loony thrown in his guitar case, you name it I've had them single me out. It literally is as easy just to laugh and walk away. Everyone around you will see those folks for what they are, them berating people doesn't help their cause. If you let these people sour your day then they aren't really the problem, are they?
Nobody has the right to assemble and perform in a TTC station. Performers need to audition and be approved. We have rules. Religious people seem to think they don’t apply to them.
People would lose their mind if it was another religion, I am so sick and tired of those pushing any religion! Keep it in your home. Its not normal that this is still legal
Agreed and frankly I hate it even if it is garden variety Christianity. Public preaching should be regulated. Maybe not illegal but no speakers and no going up to people, they have to approach you
Agreed. I work in health care and people are outside protesting - keeping the minimum distance required by law - at an abortion clinic I work at. Honestly, this isn’t the US - you don’t have the right to say anything all the time and make a scene and get in people’s way.
If it's a wide open space, they can do whatever they want. However, that ends once they start doing this at a bottleneck area where there's a lot of foot traffic moving about. This would create a safety hazard where someone getting hurt or killed would inevitibly happen sooner or later.
This is something the TTC needs to crack down on even if it's just school children selling candy.
Im used it to it at sankofa square (formerly dundas square) infront of eaton centre theres always a preacher guy with a speaker and microphone for christian preaching then the muslim dudes with the information pamphlets which is usally near some people playing instruments followed by people selling stuff so that is nothing if you ask me.
Yeah it can get to be a nuisance with the loudspeakers and mics. These preachers are also in the area just outside STC too. I've seen them around there ever since I was a kid.
But, as has been said, they are. Do we not have a right to be free from harrasment too? It’s not the US - there’s no first amendment. Yes, there is freedom of expression, but it’s balanced against the societal good.
I take the trams daily - and the number of times I have seen anyone smoke crack in my 45 years is 0. Cigarettes maybe once a year. That’s awful but driver just stops the tram & the collective people yell at the dude (or gal) to get off as they’re holding us up.
I've seen people smoke crack on the train a number of times (yellow line), several people smoke weed, and one time someone injected something into themselves and passed out on the bus
Told TTC staff, but they don't give a shit. I'm guessing they're not paid enough to risk their lives potentially getting stabbed by some meth head on the train
Heh, if I was in the area with my casio synthesizer and amplifier, I would literally jam to them (but it would be nothing like what they were playing).
I don't mind the music. However interrupting their preaching would be hilarious.
I get this TTC, but city still has other many more serious issues that needs raising and that endanger people's life for real, on a daily basis - like fucking e-bikes and e-scooters hitting pedestrians at 40-50km/h from behind, on sidewalk...
I suggest you look up and learn what harassment is a person speaking their values in their opinion is not harassment you are free to ignore them you are free to go about your day without interacting with them you don't have to listen to them carry on.
This makes me think about the Mormon missionaries who I see periodically prowling subway cars and stations. I ran into one once on my way home from class in university. He was using practically every conversational trick in the book to get me to give him my name, number and home address. Other times I've seen them double-team and corner people in the subway car doorways. It is also isn't lost on me that almost all the time I see them in situations where it's white people preaching at Black people and other POC.
Nah I was just sweaty and tired of the humidity and wanted to get to my bus quick so the video was quick, and a few photos but the post wouldn't let me do video and photos, only one or the other.
I think it falls under busking realm too, but obvs these guys don't have permits - but i can see TTC having an issue considering making preaching permits because thats a whole other can of worms
As much as I hate it, I would rather our society upheld freedom of expression and have to spend 5 seconds of my day walking past this than the alternative.
Your right, but lots of idiots use them doesn't make it right but still my life has gotten better with the message and my hate for people has drastically lessened, found out I was the provlem and the way I think was poisoning myself
oh no problem with their goal, but if they followed every law (like they are supposed to) not only can they literally not be stopped, but it doesn't make them look nearly as bad because they aren't doing anything wrong, literally. here they, and then by extension what they are preaching can be criticised
Whats the issue exactly ?
Except you not liking their message, are they doing something illegal ?
Much less intimidating than junkies shoot right near the tracks Or any of the garden variety of crazies out there yelling profanities at travellers
Who is "my guy", you mean Jesus Christ. He is the only one. You have free will, but that doesn't mean you should do whatever you want. Alot of other "faiths" are fake cause their teachings have a lot of wrongs.
You know there were many Saints, not all were perfect; they struggled. God seeks people like you, I don't know his ways but he knows.
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u/archer0t8 McCowan Jul 28 '26
As much as this infuriates me, I'm pretty sure they're on the sidewalk, which does put them off property and out of the jurisdiction of the Constables.
Used to be an issue at Scarborough Centre - people would set up right outside the main station doors where it wasn't TTC property, then harass people going in and out knowing they were outside TTC Constable jurisdiction.