Atwater Library: Toben

Byron Toben Dept: Toben had recruited Tom Fox, a bass-baritone and Robeson expert, to pay tribute to the man through words and song. Toben figured that maybe 30 people might show for the event at the Atwater Library, according to Montreal Gazette. Unfortunately, about 25 people were left out in the cold that February evening. Toben believes he could have attracted even more and three years ago, Byron Toben undertook a personal mission. He wanted to present a tribute to Paul Robeson, the African-American scholar/ singer/athlete/actor/activist who had been described as a "forerunner and first proud African-American," but who was later blacklisted in the Cold War era. Not quite. Library officials had to lock the doors, after an over-capacity crowd of 100 people were packed in. They feared running afoul of fire regulations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.