Toronto's Social Justice Warriors Hypocrisy Exposed

Meow everyone. My readers who know  me , do so,knowing me as one who is about as anti- anarchist as one can be . I firmly believe in law and order , I firmly believe that there is a need for authority and  believe firmly , that anarchy is indeed a fast track to ruin . However, today, I want to talk about a man , a legend in the anarchist community  who has departed us rather suddenly .  While this story is not about anarchy, in the case of the person in question, those who knew him,  knew that there was no separation between man  and the  anarchy in this man . Todays  story is about the passing,  and my personal reflections of Joel ( Joey ) Bokhaut .

Joey has departed to another place early Sept of this year .  There is some questions around his death which may never be answered , at least not publicly . On  or about Sept 05, 2015 Joey climbed a 200 foot grain elevator tower and some reason, either  jumped or fell  into  the river below . A jump or fall  into water at that height is like hitting concrete. Survival is not likely. Sadly, Joey did not survive this jump.

After reading only this little bit so far, those within the anarchist community who do know me,  and do read this blog,   may be shaking their heads here in disbelief that I sad sadly .  Over the past several years, I have gotten to know Joey reasonably well. In fact, we had several good , quality , respectful conversations . While certainly we were not friends , I believe that we shared a mutual respect for each other. Joey and I did share four  traits. The first one was that we held strongly to what we believed . Secondly, we  were both a ” go big or go home ” type of person. Thirdly, we were both highly driven, to the point that once were set out to do something, it was going to get done . Honesty was the forth trait.

Joey was an anarchists anarchist . He was highly respected within his community and what he said was taken seriously and usually adhered to . I recall one time, some years  ago, when Joey was still living in the famous anarchist house at 311  George street, he actually invited me to the house. I declined , out of respect, as clearly , while he did indicate that he would have to speak with the others first, however, his words had weight, my declining was actually out of respect for the fact that I knew the other occupants of the house , also anarchists, most of whom I  had come across many time times, would most certainly be highly uncomfortable with that idea.  I told that to Joey and he was highly appreciative my willingness and desire to respect that feelings of the others.  On the streets as a street action photographer, one who covers this group closely, we have always been adversaries . While I never took this adversarial approach personally ( with one exception ) I knew that others did. 

Joey was always a  ” go big or go home ” type of person. Everything he did, he did large .  I recall during the eviction of Occupy Toronto , Joey was the one, the ONLY one who stood up on top of the library tent as a last symbol of not willing to give it up freely . It would get  him arrested,  but it was something he felt he had to do, so he did it.

The above images also speak to his drive to do what he set out to do. However, Joey had another side to him that not many knew. I recall , one day, at city hall, seeing him and a young lady in his company, I asked him  if there was any objection to me taking their photograph . Both accepted. Tish Devoney did something with Joey that in the years I have known him, have never seen in him. She seemed to have this ability to channel his energy , to better focus it. I am not sure I can accurately describe this , however, Joey appeared less angry , more focused than I had seem in him . I recall Joey mentioning to me that he had a bit of savings and wanted to buy a small bit of land to settle down. While on the surface , this did not appear or sound like the Joey I had come to know, this was certainly in line , however, with what i observed as an effect that Tish had on him. I dont know what, if anything ever materialized out of this desire of his , but i do hope that he found some settling effect up north.

 If there was one quality that Joey had that was absolutely undeniable , it was his honesty. The Joey that I knew was a man of his word. Even if his word was to mean spending time in jail. Joey  was no stranger to the legal system, having spent 9 months in jail for G20 related charges . He was a cell mate of Byrone Sonne , that person who was aquited of explosives charges stemming from the G20.  Joey once told me , that he had to go up to a Thunder Bay to  serve out a local warrant against him.  He was in Toronto when he shared this with me, free to go about his business , but he felt obligated to head up there to do what had to be done. While I don’t respect unlawful conduct, I do respect one who does the right thing and faces the proverbial music , even it is will most certainly result in more jail time, as it did for Joey .

The events of his death are likely still under investigation , however, from the man I knew, I cannot see him as one to take his own life. I can, however see him possibly intoxicated , climbed up a tower and accidentally fell . I have learned that there may be an actual video of the exact events that took place. I hope, out of respect for Joey, this video, if it indeed does exist, never surfaces publicly . I never have, never will support or endorse  anarchy. Joey was an anarchists anarchist, as I stated above , however, he was that rare breed of anarchist who was also respectful  to those, even his adversaries if he in turn was shown respect. So Joey, where ever you are, I hope you found the peace you had sought out. Thank you also for showing me the respect you yourself wanted shown to you . We were never going to agree on your tactics. but we did agree to respect each other. For that , I thank you  . R.I.P  Joel  Bokhaut …………..