Topic: G8/G20 June 2010 Protest Watch

[milnews.ca]

This from the Globe & Mail:

Police forces have entered into an alliance to deal with the threat of violent protest at Toronto’s G20 summit with as many as 10,000 uniformed officers and 1,000 private security guards teaming up to protect world leaders.

Federal contract tenders obtained by The Globe indicate a small army will descend on Canada's largest city this June, exceeding the estimated 6,000-police-officer presence at Vancouver’s 2010 Olympics.

The police security will come at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, although police officials would not confirm deployment numbers. Yet federal contract tenders posted online indicate how things are shaping up.

“For the G8 Summit [in Deerhurst, Ont.] the RCMP/OPP will require approximately 4,000 personnel with duty-related belongings to be transported at different dates, times and locations,” reads a contract tendered for shuttle buses. “For the G20 Summit, the RCMP will require approximately 5,600 personnel with duty-related belongings to be transported at different dates, times and locations.”

Spokeswoman RCMP Sergeant Michele Paradis said yesterday “we won’t ever give out the number,” of police assigned to the Group of 20 meetings, set to be held inside downtown’s Metro Convention Centre on the June 25 weekend, and the Group of Eight meeting that immediately precedes it at the Deerhurst Resort north of the city.

The RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit, to be buttressed by non-Mountie police officers seconded to the ISU, has the responsibility of protecting VIPs. And several specialized police units -- SWAT teams, intelligence analysts, motorcade escorts -- are expected to fly down from Deerhurst for the Toronto summit.

On top of all that, a new federal “letter of interest” seeks to hire a contractor who can provide airport-style security at various checkpoints.

“The contractor will be required to provide approximately 1,030 security screening personnel to perform pedestrian screening in designated areas,” the letter reads.

The tender doesn’t say where the guards will be stationed, but they are to be outfitted with “Magnetometers,” “walk-through metal detectors,” “X-Ray belt driven scanners” and “hand-held metal detectors.” ....

MERX search:  G8
MERX search:  G20

[milnews.ca]

A little bit of organizational detail, courtesy of xtra.ca - highlights mine:

Organizers are calling this summer’s G8 and G20 summits “the largest security event in Canadian history” — more expensive and elaborate, even, than the Vancouver Olympics. The federal government will spend at least $179 million on security, first at the Huntsville G8 Summit and then in Toronto, where the G20 will meet at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

It’s the cost of holding one of the world’s most divisive meetings in a major city, where dissenters cannot be kept out of sight. The G8 and G20 have become flashpoints for protests about social justice, environmentalism and anti-globalization.

Here in Toronto, activists have been planning for the meetings since last spring but kicked into high gear with a flurry of press releases in March. They are working hard to build something as different as possible from the exclusive closed-door meetings of the G8 and G20.

“The G8/G20 represent a small minority of wealthy countries in the world, and their priorities tend to reflect free-market neoliberal economics and imperialist security,” says Marya Folinsbee, coordinator of the G8/G20 People’s Summit, planned for June 18–27 in Toronto. “And so, at the People’s Summit, our intention is to make space available for the voices of diverse communities around Toronto and around the world, to challenge the supremacy of the G8 and G20.”

The People’s Summit is really a conference, backed by a steering committee that incorporates labour, environmental, student and social justice groups. Queers have already received shout-outs in the advance materials.

“I think the G20 is invading space that Pride Toronto created. The Pride festival is being impacted by the G20,” says Folinsbee. “But I think that really the People’s Summit is about solidarity amongst all people who are affected by the oppressive systems that are currently in place. It’s about system change.”

Organizers say they won't dictate the content of the summit, nor will they handle protest plans. A separate organization, the Toronto Community Mobilization Network, will run events and assist protesters.

“We’re supporting transportation, food, communications and logistics to people who are in agreement with our basic understanding,” says Syed Hussan, one of the group’s organizers. That understanding calls for “Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, income equity and community control over resources, migrant justice and an end to war and occupation, gender justice, queer rights and disability rights, and climate and environmental justice.”

What the understanding does not include, however, is any specific agreement on demonstration tactics — admittedly a difficult thing for any diverse group of activists to agree on.

“We believe that there’s a lot of violence that the G8 and G20 are inflicting on communities around the world, and it’s not our place to tell people how to respond to that,” says Hussan. “Our principles are respect and solidarity, respect for people’s responses to the injustice that they face.”

The network will help train marshals, medics and legal observers, help with postering and routing, and may provide some direct-action training.

Groups or individuals looking to submit programming for the People's Summit should check peoplessummit2010.ca for the next round of applications.

The Mobilization Network has no steering committee or affiliation with larger groups but rather a number of open committees. The next meeting will be held April 8, 6:30pm, at the 519 Community Centre. The next open planning meeting for the People’s Summit will be held April 20, 6:30pm, at the Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St.

Protest OSINT links here

[milnews.ca]

This, from the PMO:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service.

Len Edwards, currently Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, becomes Personal representative of the Prime Minister for the G-8 and G-20 Summits, effective June 4....

From Mr. Edwards' bio:

Leonard J. Edwards

Education

Master of History, University of Saskatchewan
Bachelor of History, University of Saskatchewan

Professional Experience

Since March 2007
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

2004-2007
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

2001 - 2004
Deputy Minister of International Trade

1998 - 2001
Ambassador of Canada to Japan

1994 - 1997
Assistant Deputy Minister, Asia and Pacific, then Assistant Deputy Minister, Trade and Economic Policy, Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1991 - 1994
Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Korea

1988 - 1991
Director General, Corporate Management Bureau, Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1983 - 1988
Counsellor, Canadian Permanent Mission to the United Nations (Geneva), then Executive Director, Summits Management Office, Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1978 - 1983
Deputy Director, Pacific Division and Northeast Asia Division, then Deputy Chairman, Secretariat for Policy Planning, International Affairs, Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1973 - 1978
First Secretary and Consul, Ankara, then Political Officer, NATO Secretariat, Brussels, Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1971 - 1973
Permanent Representative, Hanoi, then Desk Officer, East Asia Division, Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1969 - 1971
Foreign Service Officer, International Affairs; then Legal Advisor, Saigon, Foreign Affairs and International Trade

[milnews.ca]

This from the Canadian Press:

With the 2010 G8 summit just over two months away, civil society groups from around the world spent Friday meeting with G8 representatives in Vancouver.

Members from more than 60 non-governmental organizations, health, and labour groups met with G8 "sherpas," or top civil servants who advise their respective leaders.

Anti-poverty and climate-change advocates urged leaders to come to the June 25-27 summit in Huntsville, Ont., with meaningful ideas on how to combat poverty and global warming ....

[milnews.ca]

This, from the Toronto Sun, shared in accordance with the "fair dealing" provisions, Section 29, of the Copyright Act.

Canadian border officers are on alert for “professional agitators,” fearing they’ll cause trouble at the G8 and G20 Summits.

More than 10,000 cops — more than the 6,000 required at B.C. Winter Games — will form a security ring around the Metro Convention Centre to safeguard those attending the G20 on June 26-27. World leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, and hundreds of delegates will take part in the Toronto event.

The G8 will be held in Huntsville on June 25-26.

Border officials have circulated photos and are prepared to ban entry of hundreds of hard-core protestors.

Branded “professional agitators” by police agencies, they’re blamed for problems at a G20 summit in Pittsburgh last December, at a World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle in 1999, and Summit of the Americas in Quebec City in 2001.

Toronto city councillor Adam Vaughan has asked Ottawa to post a bond to cover potential damage caused by protesters.

“We haven’t heard anything back from them,” he added.

Vaughan said the event will cost taxpayers millions of dollars in overtime pay to city staff needed to perform summit-related work.

“Almost one-quarter of my ward (Trinity-Spadina, Ward 20) will be in a state of lockdown,” he said.

“There are many businesses and residents who will be affected by this.” Patrizia Giolti, of the Canada Border Services Agency, said officers examine a person’s background and criminal record before they’re allowed into the country.

“Planning to attend a lawful protest in Canada is not in itself grounds for being inadmissible,” said Giolti. “Admissibility of all travellers seeking to enter Canada is considered on a case-by-case basis.”

Giolti refused to discuss the agitators who are redflagged and banned from entering the country.

“Any traveller coming into Canada could be referred for secondary inspection,” she said. “Referrals may be made for a number of reasons.”

Ottawa is funding an RCMP-led task force called the Integrated Security Unit to oversee security for the G20 and the G8 summits.

“This is one of our largest security operations ever,” said RCMP Sgt. Michele Paradis. “Our aim is to showcase Huntsville and Toronto.”

Paradis said police will speak to protestors and urge them to picket peacefully.

Meaghan Gray, of a Toronto Police G20 Planning team, said officers aren’t allowed to take holidays during the summit and many will be patrolling the downtown area.

“Most officers may be downtown but no calls for help in the city will go unanswered,” Gray said on Tuesday. “Protesters who get out of hand will be met with a measured response.”

She said traffic along the Gardiner Expressway to Pearson airport will be subject to delays from motorcades transporting leaders or their delegates.

[milnews.ca]

Helicopters land at the foot of the CN Tower during a G20 practice exercise on Tuesday morning.
Photo by Steve Tustin/Toronto Star
This from the Toronto Star:

Downtown Toronto got a taste of security preparation for the upcoming G20 summit Tuesday morning as two military helicopters completed a test flight around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre before landing in front of the CN Tower.

The CH-146 Griffon helicopters were spotted at about 9 a.m. circling the area above the convention centre, which will play host to the international meeting in June.

Canadian Forces Sgt. Maj. Sylvain Gallant said the flight was to test the capability of the landing area between the CN Tower and the convention centre.

The helicopters were flown in from CFB Borden, looping around the convention centre, the CN Tower, and nearby condos before landing on a stretch of grass on the south side of the CN Tower.

After the landing, witnesses reported seeing men wearing black suits getting out of the helicopters and walking towards the centre ....

Ladies and gentlemen.....

 

[Jim Seggie]

Helicopters land at the foot of the CN Tower during a G20 practice exercise on Tuesday morning.
Photo by Steve Tustin/Toronto Star
This from the Toronto Star:
Ladies and gentlemen.....

 

I do believe it was these chaps

[PMedMoe]

Or these guys?



 

Although, at least Dan Akroyd is Canadian.   

[milnews.ca]

Although, at least Dan Akroyd is Canadian.   

And it helps that both Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones are still alive 

[PMedMoe]

And it helps that both Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones are still alive 

They could always substitute Jim for John.   

[recceguy]

They could always substitute Jim for John.   

People have tried a couple of times. It just doesn't work. The only thing similar is the name. Nothing against Jim, but he ain't John.

[PMedMoe]

People have tried a couple of times. It just doesn't work. The only thing similar is the name. Nothing against Jim, but he ain't John.

Oh, I agree.  How about John Goodman instead?



At least he's still alive.   

[mariomike]

When men in black were no joke.
"I'm gonna find what it is you love the most and kill it.":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQS16P2m2Lc

Apparently, Farina actually served 18 years on the Chicago P.D. before becoming an actor.

Gotta love the '59 Ford V8!

[milnews.ca]

... coinciding with a meeting of G8 development ministers - this, from thecoast.ca:

“Family-friendly” is one term we never hear connected to G8 protests but this year the Halifax-Dartmouth District Labour Council has asked protesters to be safe, not violent. In the past, protests in Canadian cities and around the world have aimed to shut down the meetings, almost at any cost. Not this year, Kyle Buott, president of the labour council, says. “There is no possibility of violence at these protests whatsoever.”

Buott says the group’s goals are to inform the public and to build momentum for the anti-G8 movement. “The leadership of the G8 is responsible for the economic and social policies that have caused the economic crisis that is wrecking the lives of millions of workers around the world,” he says.

Halifax is hosting the Group of Eight (G8) development ministers April 26 to 28 in advance of the June G20 conference in Toronto. However, several local groups say the decisions made at these meetings reinforce the global divide between rich and poor countries. The labour council is mobilizing a “G8 Welcoming Committee” to peacefully object the meetings.

During a Peasants Day event on the Common last week, held in solidarity with the anti-G8 resistance, organizer Aaron Beale encouraged attendees to say “no” to corporate control of food by planting gardens and buying local. Protesters hula-hooped under cloudy skies and munched on free vegetables, pita bread and apple crisp.

Halifax Regional Police spokesperson Brian Palmeter doesn’t expect this weekend’s rallies to be violent. “We’ll be prepared to deal with anything should we be required to, but we hope that people will, if they feel the need to protest, that they’ll come down and do it lawfully,” Palmeter says.

Though this year’s G8 meeting focuses on maternal and child health, the Feminist League for Agitation Propaganda plans to protest the lack of abortion and contraception on the agenda. “We’re critical of the G8’s existence and we’re upset that the agenda of maternal and child health is so narrow,” says member Emily Davidson.

FLAP and others plan to make their voices heard April 25 in Victoria Park at 1:30pm and April 26 in Cornwallis Park at 7am.

Links to (a bit) more detailed agendas for events on 25 Apr 10, 26 Apr 10 and 27 Apr 10.
A bit on FLAP's work:

The G8 development ministers’ meeting will have limited benefits for women, despite its proclaimed focus on maternal and child health, according to Jane Kirby.  Kirby is an organizer with the Feminist League for Agitation and Propaganda (FLAP), a new group organizing a feminist resistance to the G8 meeting in Halifax.

From the perspective of the G8 leaders “maternal health means just giving birth - nothing  else around women’s health or child health matters,” says Kirby. Harper plans to exclude discussion of contraception and abortion when family planning is discussed among the development ministers of the Group of Eight, which includes Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and Russia.

Twenty million unsafe abortions are carried out each year, according to the World Health Organization, notes Kaley Kennedy, also a FLAP organizer.  She finds it unacceptable that abortion access and safety are not on the Maternal Health agenda of the development ministers’ meeting ....

Something of a thumbail manifesto from FLAP attached.

[milnews.ca]

This from metronews.ca/halifax:

Halifax Regional Police say they’re “prepared to respond if required” to any protests that might turn violent at next week’s G8 meeting of international development ministers in Halifax.

The three-day meeting begins Monday at Pier 21 and will lay the groundwork for talks on maternal and child health issues for the G8 and G20 summits in Toronto on June 25 to 27.

“We will be monitoring it and responding if required,” police spokesman Const. Brian Palmeter said.

“It’s our hope that should anybody attend, they’ll do so and conduct themselves in a lawful manner, which will preclude any need for police intervention.”

HRP has a Public Safety Unit trained to deal with large groups of people and Palmeter said they would be put into action if required.

About 300 are expected to attend a rally and march in opposition of the G8 meeting in Halifax Sunday at Victoria Park at 2 p.m.

Kyle Buott of the Halifax-Dartmouth and District Labour Council is part of the rally organizing committee and says “there is no possibility of violence breaking out” for what is described as a peaceful, family friendly event.

Buott expects the peacefulness to continue throughout the conference, too.

“It’s a very small, side meeting of the G8,” he said. “We don’t anticipate anybody coming in from out of town.”

Updated 2010 G8-G20 Summit Protests information links page here.

[milnews.ca]

.... The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have a requirement for the provision of food services to their Integrated Security Force and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) during the operational phase of the 2010 G8 Summit in the Huntsville, Ontario area. The service is required 24 hours a day during the period from June 18, 2010 to June 27, 2010 at ten different locations. Four to five of these locations will require on-site kitchen facilities. The work will also include the set-up and take down the sites, security during set-up and take down, all required cleaning services, garbage and waste collection and disposal.

Interested Bidders must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to receiving the Bid Solicitation document. The Non-Disclosure Agreement can be obtained by downloading the solicitation attached to this Notice of Proposed Procurement. Instructions for submitting this document to the Contracting Authority are included in the downloaded document. The complete Bid Solicitation will be forwarded once the Contracting Authority receives the signed Non-Disclosure Agreement.

It is mandatory that the Bidder or a representative of the Bidder visit the work site. Arrangements have been made for site visit to be held on April 27, 2010 at 10:00 am at Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville, Ontario. Bidders must communicate with the Contracting Authority no later than 1 day before the scheduled visit to confirm attendance and provide the names of the person(s) who will attend. Bidders will be required to sign an attendance form. Bidders should confirm in their bids that they have attended the site visit. Bidders who do not attend or send a representative will not be given an alternative appointment and their bids will be rejected as non-compliant. Any clarifications or changes to the bid solicitation resulting from the site visit will be included as an amendment to the bid
solicitation ....

Not all that much more here.

[milnews.ca]

This from the Canadian Press:

Toronto police will be using an old movie studio as a temporary jail in anticipation of likely arrests during protests at this June's G20 summit.

The east-end facility is about five kilometres from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where leaders and delegations from the world's top 20 economies will be meeting on June 26 and 27.

Police say the facility will allow the timely processing of those arrested.

Its location will put it outside the two security zones that will surround the meeting ....

[milnews.ca]

This from the Toronto Media Co-op site:

Activists protesting the G20 are claiming that numerous visits by police in recent weeks have involved intimidation and harassment.

According to multiple sources, in the last month police have visited university groups, political meetings, union offices and individuals involved in protesting the G20.

Police began visiting groups like the Toronto Community Mobilization Network (TCMN) on February 21, 2010 when they held a meeting for 'G8/20 Resistance in Toronto'.

According to Terrance Luscombe, a member of the TCMN, plain clothes police showed up claiming they were trying to keep channels open around the G20 to ensure nothing bad happens. “We told them that this wasn't the space.  They left and they let us know that they were going to be waiting outside the meeting the entire time in an unmarked car,” he said.

Two weeks later, police showed up to a student group general meeting at York University. Tom Keefer, a student facilitating the meeting said that two young looking police officers came into the meeting and signed in. One was from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the other was from the Toronto Police Service (TPS). The officers were asked to leave. According to Keefer, “They went away and then when the meeting was breaking up they came back in. People said ‘This is not appropriate’ and that they should leave their info and someone would contact them.”

Elley Newman, a board member of the group does not believe that the police were trying to just keep channels open. “I think they're try to figure out what people are doing for protests so they can prepare for how to deal with it and so it's easier for them to try to shut protests down.  I think it is dishonest trying to go into a safe space where people are organizing as an infiltrator. They say ‘We want to work with you’, which I don't think is realistic or the case.” ....

More on link or attached PDF if link doesn't work.

[milnews.ca]

This from the Canadian Press - highlights mine:

A broad coalition of social justice and environmental groups marched peacefully through Halifax on Sunday to voice their opposition to this week's meeting of G8 development ministers.

Calling themselves the G8 Welcoming Committee, organizers said they were trying to send a message to the ministers who were gathering in Halifax this week in advance of a larger G20 meeting in Ontario this summer.

"The G8 is a symbol of a lot of the things that are wrong with our society," said Kyle Buott of the Halifax-Dartmouth District Labour Council.

"Specifically their policies on economics have caused the economic crisis that countries find themselves in and have wrecked the lives of about three billion people," he said.

Police maintained a heavy presence along the march route steering about 300 protesters away from shop fronts in one of the city's busiest business districts.

Security was especially tight around a dozen people wearing black hoodies and masks, but there were no incidents ....

[zipperhead_cop]

Elley Newman, a board member of the group does not believe that the police were trying to just keep channels open. “I think they're try to figure out what people are doing for protests so they can prepare for how to deal with it and so it's easier for them to try to shut protests down.  I think it is dishonest trying to go into a safe space where people are organizing as an infiltrator. They say ‘We want to work with you’, which I don't think is realistic or the case.” ....

Aw, boo hoo. The little social agitators can't be faceless, unidentified crowd stirrers.  Their actions might have consequences.  The City Of Toronto might just have some names to put in a law suit after it is done. 
What a pity!  What a blow for social justice!  Makes me want to chant "SHAME" over and over for no apparent reason 

Awesome that hippies can't spot a decoy when they are presented with one though.  Yes, the dumb tools of the oppressive regime sent two clean cut white males doubtlessly in suits and mirrored aviator sunglasses as their best effort to "participate" and ****SHOCK***** they got kicked out.  Boy, those cops are dumb!   

[PMedMoe]

G8 protester arrested in Halifax

One protester was arrested Monday morning during a noisy anti-G8 demonstration in Halifax.

About 40 people marched down Terminal Road to Pier 21, where development ministers from major industrial countries are set to meet.

Two officers struggled with a woman when police tried to move the demonstrators to a sidewalk to clear the road, said CBC reporter Phonse Jessome.

Laurie Stacy, a protester who was standing nearby, said the heavy-handed treatment was unnecessary.

"They had asked her just to move. We said we were moving, but they didn't give her enough time. The cop in charge grabbed her by her shoulder and started squeezing and just looked at her with pure hate," said Stacy.

"She told them, 'Let go of me.' They didn't. The next thing you know three of them were on top of her on the ground."

The arresting officer told CBC News that the protester pushed him.

More on link

[Journeyman]

From the same link,

Protest organizers identified the demonstrator as Toni MacAfee, an education officer with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers

Do you think this "education officer" learned anything from this?


Nah, me neither 

[Technoviking]

G8 protester arrested in Halifax

One protester was arrested Monday morning during a noisy anti-G8 demonstration in Halifax.

About 40 people marched down Terminal Road to Pier 21, where development ministers from major industrial countries are set to meet.

Two officers struggled with a woman when police tried to move the demonstrators to a sidewalk to clear the road, said CBC reporter Phonse Jessome.

Laurie Stacy, a protester who was standing nearby, said the heavy-handed treatment was unnecessary.

"They had asked her just to move. We said we were moving, but they didn't give her enough time. The cop in charge grabbed her by her shoulder and started squeezing and just looked at her with pure hate," said Stacy.

"She told them, 'Let go of me.' They didn't. The next thing you know three of them were on top of her on the ground."

The arresting officer told CBC News that the protester pushed him.

The text in yellow is one side of the story, eg: The Man oppressing the poor woman.  The text in red is the other side of the story, eg: the protestor pushed a police officer. 

[George Wallace]

More on the Halifax Protest by approx 40 pers, some wearing masks:

Cops arrest union leader at G-8 protest

An Atlantic union leader was arrested this morning during a protest of the G-8 development ministers' meetings in Halifax.

Union leaders say Toni MacAfee,  education and organization officer for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, was arrested behind the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel shortly after 8 a.m.

Const. Brian Palmeter, spokesman for Halifax Regional Police, confirmed "we have a female currently under arrest from down on Terminal Road. (She) was arrested for assault and resisting arrest."

It's believed the woman, whom he did not identify, was arrested for an alleged assault on a police officer. No charges have been laid.

"It's certainly a drummed up charge," said Jeff Callaghan, the union's Atlantic director.

He was at the opposite side of the driveway behind the Hollis Street hotel when MacAfee was arrested at what he called a peaceful demonstration.

"When the cops grabbed her, she was actually two centimetres from a curb, so it wasn't a matter of blocking traffic," Callaghan said.

"They actually reached out and grabbed her and pulled her back — pulled her towards the street. There are lots of witnesses who saw it and we have the whole thing on tape."

LINK


More, plus photos, on LINK

[George Wallace]

You can see in the photos in the Halifax Herald, that the masked thugs/anarchists/twits/whatever you want to call them have shown up and even appear to be confrontational.