G20 Security

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

@Julie: The person I mentioned that had their card formatted was from Japan and doesn't have the best English. He didn't want to get into trouble and didn't know the law. I was pretty disappointed that it happened.

Talking to several friends who were taking photos last weekend at the protest it seems like it was a sad day for photographer. They were all subject to multiple searches and requests for ID; prevented from travelling around downtown; in some cases physically restrained; and generally treated as though they were criminals by the cops. I'm not a photographer but I think those that are should really take note of what happened last weekend if you want to keep doing what you love.

[Anonymous]

Matthew,

As a photographer I can understand why you'd want photogs to be careful in what they do.

But I find myself wondering about many other matters that are seemingly being ignored, such as the following:

1.  Why were people who are not accredited media following a group of anarchists who had already set police cars on fire and done damage to a tonne of property along the way?

2.  Where was peoples common sense?  It seems to me that people really didn't THINK about what they were getting themselves into, and are now complaining about the end results of their lack of judgement.

I knew all about the restrictions, not only downtown but at the airport as well, and felt absolutely no desire to venture close to either security zone to capture any type of image - even at the airport where all the planes were.  One must respect and obey the rules of law that come with this type of event.

We are truly blessed, in my opinion, to live in a country that allows us the freedom to live in peace with out very many demands placed on our citizenry.  A place where people are allowed to protest and aren't sent away forever and never heard from again.  At a time like this, that is what needs to be remembered.

[ravynne40]

Every radio station, every tv station, mentioned to avoid going downtown at all costs if it was not necessary, the general public WERE told they would be asked for ID...I personally don't think it was wise to protest even it if was peaceful...not at that time.  As for foreign tourists, its a shame they were treated unfairly so to speak but when you are talking about protecting leaders of the world and the properties they are holding their meetings in..I do not disagree with the security measures taken.  There are many things we have not been told about the events that happened during the summit.. A lot of the newscasters had to volunteer to be arrested to get out of the crowds, and yes even they were handcuffed and taken downtown.

My best friend works in one of the buildings that was on the outer perimeter of the "fence", they were told to work from home and NOT to come in, it was too risky. So when one of Canada's top lawyer firms tells you to stay home..you stay home right?

Everyone I saw on the tv had cameras, video cams and cell phone cameras going, as if they were expecting violence to happen..the small group that where detained weren't even from Toronto.

Its common sense...everyone can cry about being treated unfairly..but then again...they were warned prior to the events to stay away...what part of this doesn't make sense??

anyways its over and done..I'm sure the leaders will think twice before having another summit in the middle of a busy city like Toronto again.
just my 2 cents
Irene

[Julie]

I think birders have a special understanding of global citizenship, because the creatures we love transcend all borders and are deeply affected by decisions human beings around the world make. I guess I feel humanity as a whole is no different.

All the people I knew who went to the protests were there because we cared about the issues-- issues that sadly got lost because 100 people out of 15,000 were total idiots. For example, I was there because the G8 has promised again and again to improve funding and ARV access for desperately poor people living with AIDS. And they've generally broken those promises. Literally hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost to HIV-AIDS as a result.... Lives rich countries like ours could have saved  and didn't. Others were there because of concerns about inaction on climate change (another issue that should be important to birders!) and because of the continuing appalling levels of maternal and child health in poorer countries.

We have the right and indeed the responsibility to peacefully protest because we live in a democracy. If we don't use those rights, they will erode. And if we, who supposedly have such freedoms, cannot speak up for people who are in dire need of more and better aid, then who can? I don't plan to surrender my rights just because a bully boy like Harper imposes his jamboree on MY community for the weekend. Staying home is exactly what many global "leaders" want us to do.

As a friend told me: I am a global citizen, and today I am exercising my civic duty by protesting inaction on issues that are a concern for all humanity.

Thanks for listening.

[egret]

Hi Julie:

Yes, you have rights
and I agree

peaceful protests
and this must be allowed

My feeling, of course is
another location
should have been chosen

Best


Egret

[Lloyd]

Yeah. How about an army base, for example. Everyone can bunk down in the barracks. I'm just glad it's over and we're not likely to experience another one in this city.

[Axeman]

The thing is, if the security wasn't as high as it was, how much more would those individuals have done? I guess you're right, it was a very very small fraction of the protesters BUT it seems to be a group that infects every summit...that single cop cruiser should not have been burned...Steve's should not have had its windows broken...

Believe me, I have no love for a police state...but I love bullies even less...so I guess I feel that the legit protesters should be as angry with the violent protesters as they are with the police and government...I may not agree with the position of protesters but I defend their right to do it...as long as its not violent.

[Julie]

Steve's didn't have its windows broken, but in any case no windows should have been broken. Lots of videos emerging that show older men in crewcuts and heavy work boots, faces uncovered, stomping on police cars in a leisurely fashion with no fear of  the cameras. I assume there were paid provocateurs in the crowd as it's been proven that both the RCMP and the Quebec police use them.

Couldn't agree more that it should not have been here. Toronto councillors need to be asked why they didn't block it-- or if they could have. There's some evidence they weren't even informed until after it went public.

[Leslie]

I had to go to Algonquin Park June 24-25.  I've never seen the roads so empty, & this in high "pre-peak" season (the peak before summer holidays for people with kids).  My older son went out for an evening meal near Huntsville a few days earlier--he & his fellow camp staff were the only customers in the restaurant.  People near Huntsville were upset about the security fence (similar to the one in Toronto), disturbed about the planes that circled overhead all day, denied their mail & newspapers (presumably getting these out wasn't very important to the security types), and shocked at the six tanks, one posted on a hill with its guns aimed at the town.

Funny how security was warning everybody to stay away from the area, or that they might not be able to get through, or businesses might not be able to get supplies through (my younger son's graduation formal had to be rescheduled for this reason) while Harper is trying to tell our mayor that only those property-owners open for business as usual would be eligible for compensation for G20-related damage.

[Axeman]

So what was the final verdict on Lake Harper?