G20
I don't support violence, and the acts that have been committed by a portion of the protesters today in Toronto are not justifiable or productive. Incitement of fear rarely brings positive change to society. For the same reason, it must be recognized that actions of the police have also been unjustifiable and fueled by fear-mongering.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that:
Everyone has the fundamental right to ... (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication...(c)freedom of peaceful assembly...
It also states the following:
LIFE, LIBERTY AND SECURITY OF PERSON.
7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
SEARCH OR SEIZURE.
8. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.
DETENTION OR IMPRISONMENT.
9. Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.
I believe these rights to be held in high esteem by Canadians. These freedoms and protections have become part of our identity as a country of liberty and democracy. To suppress these rights, even temporarily, is appalling to me.
The right to unreasonable search was removed temporary, and quietly. Many were searched without knowing this right had been temporarily suspended within a 5 metre range of the security area. If they refused, they risked arrest. This was allowed only for the g20. Many were searched outside of this 5 metre radius.
Mounted police stampeded horses into the crowds today in Queen's Park, the designated protest zone. At 9 PM, Craig Kielburger (reporting for CP24) was describing in real-time how he was watching a protester in Queen's Park, who had been inciting no violence, be pushed to the ground and pummeled by three officers.
CP24 showed scenes in which ordinary, non-violent protesters were nearly out-numbered by police surrounding them with two walls across Queen St. They proceeded to beat their batons on their shields and close in on the protesters from the East and West sides. When questioned, Bill Blair stated that rubber bullets were not in use today, but when confronted with the fact that photos were surfacing of some, recasted his comment to say that they hadn't been specifically shot at anyone. Tear gas was used. Torontoist posted a picture of a woman bruised by a police baton.
Police continued through out the evening to use scare tactics to drive protesters from the streets - including from the designated protest grounds. They did not supply citizens with alternative protest grounds.
The media has been suppressed, with a CTV producer being arrested on air, and two national post photographers also being detained arbitrarily.
Later, both CP24 and chief of police Bill Blair stated that they believed police had "acted with restraint" through out the day.
It is easy during outbreaks of violence to slip into blaming one side or another, but there were more than just two groups present today. This is not a black-and-white situation of violent protesters vs. honorable police officers. There are corrupt and despicable elements of both sides, and most peaceful protesters can recognize this fact. Just as it is foolish to chant "fuck the police", it is foolish to look at protest itself to be the cause for all negativity that has occurred today. There are corrupt groups and behaviours in each population and members of both have resorted to unnecessary, unlawful and unproductive actions today.
And for that, I am immensely disappointed.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that:
Everyone has the fundamental right to ... (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication...(c)freedom of peaceful assembly...
It also states the following:
LIFE, LIBERTY AND SECURITY OF PERSON.
7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
SEARCH OR SEIZURE.
8. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.
DETENTION OR IMPRISONMENT.
9. Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.
I believe these rights to be held in high esteem by Canadians. These freedoms and protections have become part of our identity as a country of liberty and democracy. To suppress these rights, even temporarily, is appalling to me.
The right to unreasonable search was removed temporary, and quietly. Many were searched without knowing this right had been temporarily suspended within a 5 metre range of the security area. If they refused, they risked arrest. This was allowed only for the g20. Many were searched outside of this 5 metre radius.
Mounted police stampeded horses into the crowds today in Queen's Park, the designated protest zone. At 9 PM, Craig Kielburger (reporting for CP24) was describing in real-time how he was watching a protester in Queen's Park, who had been inciting no violence, be pushed to the ground and pummeled by three officers.
CP24 showed scenes in which ordinary, non-violent protesters were nearly out-numbered by police surrounding them with two walls across Queen St. They proceeded to beat their batons on their shields and close in on the protesters from the East and West sides. When questioned, Bill Blair stated that rubber bullets were not in use today, but when confronted with the fact that photos were surfacing of some, recasted his comment to say that they hadn't been specifically shot at anyone. Tear gas was used. Torontoist posted a picture of a woman bruised by a police baton.
Police continued through out the evening to use scare tactics to drive protesters from the streets - including from the designated protest grounds. They did not supply citizens with alternative protest grounds.
The media has been suppressed, with a CTV producer being arrested on air, and two national post photographers also being detained arbitrarily.
Later, both CP24 and chief of police Bill Blair stated that they believed police had "acted with restraint" through out the day.
It is easy during outbreaks of violence to slip into blaming one side or another, but there were more than just two groups present today. This is not a black-and-white situation of violent protesters vs. honorable police officers. There are corrupt and despicable elements of both sides, and most peaceful protesters can recognize this fact. Just as it is foolish to chant "fuck the police", it is foolish to look at protest itself to be the cause for all negativity that has occurred today. There are corrupt groups and behaviours in each population and members of both have resorted to unnecessary, unlawful and unproductive actions today.
And for that, I am immensely disappointed.