Numerous young people were among those demonstrating; they generally are very politicized about the situation in their families' former homeland. People with megaphones led various chants. Here, the Tamil and Canadian flags are back-lit at Front Street near University Avenue. ____ The Toronto area is home to over 200,000 Tamils -- the largest population outside of Sri Lanka. About 100,000 of them -- close to half -- took part in a huge protest in Toronto, forming a "human chain" around a large part of the downtown, bounded by Yonge, Bloor, Queen's Park / University, and Front. It was very much a family event, where the typical protesters were mom, dad, grandma, the kids, and so on. The demonstrators fear for the lives and well-being of their families and friends back in their homeland, and believe that a genocide is underway there, where the Sri Lankan military has recently gained the upper hand over the rebel Tamil Tigers (LTTE, or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). The military has captured all territory previously held by the Tigers, barring journalists and cutting off all telecommunications -- so we have no way of knowing what is happening there. Most Toronto Tamils have been unable to communicate with their relatives in Sri Lanka, and don't even know if they are alive or dead. The demonstrators strongly oppose the Sri Lankan military incursion, and support the LTTE. They want the Canadian government to reverse its position that the LTTE is a terrorist organization, and to impose sanctions against the Sri Lankan government. The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for an independent Tamil homeland for the last 30 years, against the government and military of Sri Lanka, which is controlled by majority Sinhalese. The LTTE are seen by many as a terrorist organization, for carrying out suicide bombings, targeted assassinations, and other attacks on not only military and political targets, but civilian, as well. Tamils both in Sri Lanka and abroad, however, overwhelmingly support the LTTE and see them as freedom fighters and legitimate representatives of the Tamil people. Through its 30-year war for independence, the Tigers have controlled territory and functioned as a de facto government. Certainly there have been unjust killings and human rights abuses on both sides of this conflict (to what degree and in what balance, I don't know), a cycle of violence with all too many victims. Canada and about 30 other countries have officially labeled the LTTE as a "terrorist" organization. Perhaps they are, but then, "terrorism" as a term is not very meaningful -- you could define it as organized and politically-motivated violence without the "legitimacy" of government. We do not use the same term when governments commit comparable killings on an even larger scale. "Terrorism" is a term that has been applied to everyone from the most dangerous mass murderers to Nelson Mandela. I am sure that, by the current definition, the revolutionaries who fought in the 1770s for the U.S. to be independent from Britain, would also be considered "terrorists". Does the end justify violent means? Maybe sometimes it does, but I much prefer the approach of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, wherever it is possible. I was offered a Tamil flag, but I declined, because I am not fond of nationalism and flags -- especially a flag with rifles on it. But I do give credit to the Tamil community of Toronto for their strong commitment, shown in a demonstration that was very well organized and -- most importantly -- very peaceful.

I'd had a productive day today and decided to treat myself to a photo stroll by going to one of the most beautiful places in the county of my residence. This is the campus where I went during my first two years of college. I've been coming here about once a week for the last month or so, waiting for the cherry trees to blossom. And wow, have they ever! I didn't remember there being quite so many of them and was really pleasantly surprised at the display. Now that I'm looking at this shot at home on my computer, I'm really wishing I had made more of an effort to pick up the lovely reflections, might have to go back tomorrow. It doesn't seem to matter if I use the viewfinder or liveview, I'm almost always surprised at what ends up in my compositions!!! Lately it has been so difficult to chose a single photo to share!!! One of the many blessings of a fading spring. I use the word fading because it has already reached 80 degrees here, which is summer, by my personal definition!