Protests must be calm and creative to make lasting impact

Toronto is beginning to panic. Even before a group set fire to an Ottawa bank and promised to be among the protesters at the G8 and G20 summits, we were hearing of plans to shut down the CN tower and the University of Toronto during the event.

More recently, officials are removing our newspaper boxes and garbage cans, fearing they could be used as weapons. Are we overreacting? I don't know.

The majority of protests are expected to be peaceful, but it's always a small few who give the rest a bad name and cause all this fear and hysteria.

We all know there's a strong anti-capitalist cause; being responsible and creative in getting the message out is the only way to bring credit to the cause.

A few weeks ago, the Southern Ontario Anarchist Resistance (SOAR) said on their website that their protest activities at the summit will be militant and confrontational. They are planning to take part in the People First march before continuing on to the security fence to "confront the police state".

Before that, the Ontario Federation of Labour cancelled a demonstration at Trinity Bellwoods Park because of opposition from neighbourhood residents. Part of that opposition stemmed from fear of violent protesters. And so this rally will begin and end at Queen's Park, where, yet again, we are concerned about the security of the legislature. 

Some people say it will be different from the Summit of the Americas in Seattle (1999) and in Quebec City (2001), where demonstrations erupted in violence.

Novelty is what the protesters need to get our attention. Instead of us shaking our heads in shame when we see violent protests, let's see something that looks new and interesting. It's up to these people to show the rest of us  what the real issues are and how we can find solutions. 

There are countless creative ventures that get our attention. Oxfam created papier mache heads of the G8 leaders. Unrelated to the summit, Doctors Without Boarders recently created a simulation of a refugee camp at Christie Pits Park.

Everyone needs to calm down a bit so we can understand what's happening around us and use this time for an intelligent debate and discussion.

About Sarah Evans

Comments

[Sonny Yeung]

Dear Sarah; be careful what you read in the media. Last week the security forces did a show to intimidate people with an overpriced sound cannon...

The attack on the Ottawa bank was for the 2010 Olympics on Native Land; which happened in February? The group is unknown. So is vandalism the same? Anarchists believe in self gov't...

There was supposed to be a rally at Convication Hall at the U of T but that now has to be moved due to the closure.

The question is: can Capitalism continue with the status quo of compound consumption? The people have the right to free speech and freely assemble so they don't have to comply with the proposed protest pens...

[peter clarke]

Protests, riots, civil disobedience or strikes demanding government send subsidy checks, welfare payments etc will not solve fiscal crisis or pay bills for essential costs required in a free market system or a socialist communist one as history has shown.

Individuals must take full responsibility for their actions and abilities as there are no guarantees to think otherwise or that the others owe you one is an unrealistic.

Peter CLARKE is of the opinion that we must introduce accountability and responsibilities into the system and watch people not have as much time on their hands to protest, riot, strike and complain for others to look after them through unsustainable taxpayer handouts.

Let’s stop over regulating, taxing and bullying businesses and start encouraging them and see a dramatic turn of events in Toronto.

However for voters it’s my opinion it depends on what each individual person believes constitutes a better society and at what costs.

Not only in terms of dollars and redistribution of wealth but at what costs to families and individuals in terms of reduced or controlled personal choices and freedoms.

[Sonny Yeung]

Peter; if you are a libertarian than what is wrong about peaceful protests and civil disobedience to address environmental and human rights issues?

Where was the accountability and regulation when the free market tanked. The public taxpayer had to bail out the corporations with stimulus & corporate welfare.

Look at the Scandinavian countries they are the best at meeting the needs of the people and reducing poverty.

The summits take place at the end of the week: Fri. to Sun. So why is it that 15,000 security ensconce 20,000 delegates and 5,000 media... See Contemporary Security; an American corporation fast track its Ontario license this week. Where is the accountability and regulation there as taxpayers money flow to their pay plus overtime etc.

[RockyRacoon]

Where would we be if not for the French and American Revolutions? Schools, hospitals roads are being closed in the name of austerity, rivers and lakes polluted due to lack of regulation and that monster in the ARCTIC where drilling is taking place with rules written by the corporations and all of this after the Wall Street Rip-Off and the Gulf Oil catastrophe. Emperor Harper shuts down Toronto and turns it into his own personal playground for what? To unite against the people that paid for it and discover more ingenious ways to continue the plunder. If you are not out there protesting-you have rocks in your head! And that bank bombing and the missing fertilizer-looks like work done at par with Nixon's plumber gang if anyone remembers them.

[Peter CLARKE]

“Together with Italy, Sweden, Denmark Finland are the worst performing economies in the entire European Union. Rather than taking them as an example, Europe’s politicians should shun them.

However, Ireland has shown what can be done and how to do it.

The difference between the wealth destructive Scandinavian model and the booming Irish alternative is obvious for all to see.

One crucial element of the Irish model is its “fair tax” system, in which there is less emphasis on taxing labour and profit and slightly more on taxing consumption.

This balance between direct and indirect taxation motivates labourers and entrepreneurs to make productive contributions. It stimulates new initiatives and guarantees a high degree of participation. ”

[Sonny Yeung]

I would agree about Italy it is included in the PIIGS as well as Ireland which was reliant on the Irish diaspora in Massachusetts making IT investments. The S is Spain with 19.7% unemployment. Do you know about Portugal, Greece?

From the June 12th Economist(page 105) Also Sweden is at 9.8% unemployment as its industrial production rose by 7.3% in the year to the end of April. I learned more about Denmark when Copenhagen hosted Climate talks, its at 4.1% unemployment.

Rocky; AUSTERITY is the new vocab to cut spending therefore services all while the Conservatives are blowing taxpayers money on the photo op and show.

There is a Labour rally and march this June 26 at Queen's Park 1pm. Invite your family and friends for a peaceful demo and speeches...