G8/G20 June 2010 Protest Watch

[George Wallace]

Reproduced under the Fair Dealings provisions of the Copyright Act.


Social networking sites put new spin on G20 summit
20/06/2010 7:50:09 AM

Ian Munroe

LINK

As preparations for the upcoming G20 summit kick into high gear on Toronto's streets, people are taking to social networking sites to pass along information about the event or to complain about the traffic headaches it's causing.

Toronto police have launched a social media hub where Internet users can learn about the security measures being implemented for the international meeting, which will take place in the city's financial district on June 26-27.

The hub directs users to five different Twitter feeds, three Facebook pages and a long list of YouTube videos.

The "payoff" of using such channels "will be an educated and informed public, who will understand the security measures and the affects on those living in and around the summit security zones," Toronto police spokesperson Meaghan Gray said in a statement posted online.

Those intending to hold demonstrations are also ramping up their social-media presence. The Toronto Community Mobilization Network, which is helping to coordinate protest groups, is posting videos online along with frequent Twitter messages.

In one recent Tweet the group asked Toronto police and the G20 Integrated Security Unit to "stop sending cops to marches, demonstrations, meetings and our community spaces. Especially undercover ones."

Likewise, non-governmental organizations such as Oxfam Canada are posting details about demonstrations and other events they're planning around the summit.

As Sidneyeve Matrix, a media professor at Queens University puts it, "organizers are using social media for its real-time capabilities -- they're pushing out information."

But everyday Torontonians are also weighing in, usually to complain about how the summit is changing the city (in some cases, by posting photos of G20-inspired graffiti).

"Wow I had no idea downtown Toronto had the Berlin Wall running down the centre of it," Tweeted Scott Duffy, referring to the barrier being erected around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where the summit will be held. "Thanks G20!"

Matrix, who has been studying how social media are being used around both the G20 and the G8 summits, said there has been plenty of downbeat sentiment swirling online about the events.

"There's a lot of pushback, a lot of resistance, a lot of negative opinion right now," she told CTV.ca.

"I don't think it's changing the event but I definitely think it's shaping public perception," she added. "They say that people don't really believe advertising, we believe our friends -- I think there's a power there."

LINK

 

[Teeps74]

The socialists just do not get it... Do they (ya, I know, no question mark...).

Instead of sending away everyone who looks like a cop, invite the cops in, and debate with them, include them in the planning process, and wow... Imagine that, security might get brought down a couple of levels.

But alas, the children want to throw their temper tantrum, and believe they can do so without consequence, while encouraging "diversity tactics"...

Even if they do have valid points (I am sure there might be one in the throng of idiocy), those points will be lost because of the inclusion of violence in their little charade.  When all is said and done, they will blame the police for not being able to get their message out, when the reality is THEY are the ones to blame for not getting their message out.

 

[The Bread Guy]

From 680news.com:

Police are scheduled to be out in full force during the G20/G8 summits, but that might not be the case for some security guards.

Tear gas, rocks and eggs filled with urine are only some of the safety risks guards take if they go into work next weekend.

Sunil Ram, CEO Executive Security Services International - a private firm working both summits,  has spoken with security guards who have voiced uncertainties. He said some have scheduled their vacation time during the summit, while others might call in sick.

"They just don't want nothin' to do with it. It's just going to be too volatile of a situation, very unpredictable," he said.  "They don't want any part of it because of the unknown factors. So, they just want to stay home." ....

 

[armyvern]

From 680news.com:

Wierd no?

According to this link, Executive Security Services International

LICENSED SECURITY * INVESTIGATION * BODYGUARD AGENCY

* Personal VIP Bodyguards * Executive Protection
* Media Security * International Protective Services
* High Risk Personal Protection, Travel Security & Consulting Services

Executive Security Services International will be providing personal security/protective services to our clients during the 2010 G8 Summit taking place in Huntsville, Ontario - Canada. Security planning for events like this take a while, especially with high profile, high risk clients. If you are planning in attending this event and require personal security/protection services, we recommend that you contact our office as soon as possible to make arrangements.

Our staff at Executive Security Services International consists of former government, law enforcement, and individuals from elite counter-terrorism units who currently work globally providing high-risk security/protective services. Our clients include: government, multinational corporations, T.V., film and celebrity personalities.

Our services have been requested for:

* Olympic Security * Board of Directors Meetings * Executive Retreats * Annual General Meetings * Corporate Conferences * High Risk Terminations * Workplace Violence/Stalking * Pageant Security * Product Launches * Award Ceremonies * Galas * VIP Visits * Dignitary Protection * Travel Security (Overseas) * Witness Protection * Humanitarian Groups * Court Hearings

If they are in the domain of providing high-risk sceurity clients with protection services - high-risk clients & the use of the word "body-guards infers "assasinations ... thus real live bullets; it therefore seems a little odd to me that they'd be worried about more mundane things like urin & rocks and would call in sick.

Is it just me?? Or does this just seem off --- given their raison d'être?

 

[George Wallace]

Reproduced under the Fair Dealings provisions of the Copyright Act.


A guide to G20 protesters
Last Updated: June 19, 2010 12:00am


By THANE BURNETT, QMI Agency

LINK


Did someone order a lot of opinions?

Here is just a sample of the concerns and organizations — most perfectly respectful and a few that are potentially far from peaceful — that will raise their voices during the G20 and G8 summits.

• Black Bloc — Arguably the most notorious collection — a tactic rather than group — to threaten the summits. These self-described anarchists look for violence and destruction. They were seen during the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and before that during 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle, using the tactic of blending in with non-violent groups — then lashing out.

• Anti-Capitalist Crusaders — A constant presence at all G8 and G20 meetings.

• Protest against Meles Zenawi — Some groups and concerns will seem foreign to many Canadians, including a movement to denounce the attendance of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the G20. Those protesting include the family of Bashir Makhtal, a Canadian jailed for life in Ethiopia.

• Ontario Coalition Against Poverty — A hard-line anti-poverty group, OCAP protests are familiar in most Ontario cities. Coalition founder, John Clarke, says he has little hope: “That Obama and the G20 world leaders will be listening to us.” Instead, he says the aim is to build social mobilization.

• Environmental concerns — Groups like 350.org, a global movement, will be holding a number of events. “We want to make sure the 350 network in Canada knows how to plug in,” says 350.org spokesman May Boeve.

• Animal Rights Groups — Members of a liberation movement, which this month claimed responsibility for torching a Colorado sheepskin factory is likely to attend.

• Amnesty International

• Pro-Gaza supporters.

• Marxists — Toronto organizer Alex Grant says: “The overwhelming point of the rallies and events is to reach the general population excluded from the summits. However, if the protest is large enough it is not ruled out that we might have some effect inside the wire.”

• Bikes Not Bombs Toronto.

• Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign — Native rights and Canada’s investment in the Alberta tar sands are set to attract protest.

• Peace Campaigners — The Canadian Peace Alliance will be attending summit events, though the presence of the US anti-war crusade, Code Pink — a group Pittsburgh officials tried to ban from marching during last year’s G20 — is still being determined, say officials.

• The Zeitgeist Movement — Which believes modern economics is a fraud, global debt will crush us and the future should revolve around the Venus Project, a futuristic society where computers control the world.





LINK

 

[George Wallace]

Reproduced under the Fair Dealings provisions of the Copyright Act.


Toronto's approaching racket
Last Updated: June 19, 2010 12:00am



By THANE BURNETT, QMI Agency

LINK

TORONTO - Can you hear that approaching racket? The clamour outside the gates?

For weeks now, Canadians - especially those living around Toronto - have braced for the G20 on June 26-27 and the G8 summit a day earlier.

Tension builds. The cost of security rises to at least $930 million. Almost daily, there are glimpses of possible calamity.

We've learned to fret the "Black Bloc" - anarchists who promote violence and destruction.

We're told even small trees may be used as weapons, so they've been removed.

We're reminded of past riots - including last September's melee during the G20 in Pittsburgh's Little Italy and a confrontation with a police officer during the London summit earlier in the year that took the life of an innocent U.K. newspaper seller.

So we prepare for the hordes.

But a look at the unofficial roster finds the vast majority of the thousands who will descend on downtown Toronto - and north to Huntsville for the G8 - are far from threatening.

They include established relief organizations, peace protesters and religious charities hoping to be heard.

One group is promoting a computerized 'Earth-wide autonomic sensor system' that will replace governments and tend to the world's needs.

People will gather for prayer groups and others at a planned puppet-making event.

They are environmental watchdogs, labour supporters and social justice organizers. Then there will be the hangers-on, the spectators, the action junkies and the curious.

It's an eclectic, diverse and important collection, says Syed Hussan, an organizer with the Toronto Community Mobilization Network.

"This may be the largest collect of not just people (protesting in Toronto), but also of concerns," she explains.

Her network is helping to organize at least 18 major G20 events, each involving at least 10 different groups. There will also be a planned tent city, teach-ins and lectures.

"Remember as well, that not all demonstrations are protests," cautions Peter Hajnal, a research fellow at the Monk School of Global Affairs.

"Many mainstream NGOs may choose to participate in some demonstrations. Their concerns are as varied as the groups themselves."

But there is no directory of the outspoken. Many activists are loath to talk to the police or even media.

So valid concerns, fringe rants, democratic voices and the hopes and worries of a lot of people will all press against the security wire together. And it will take just a few thugs to stop their chances of being heard.

Which is why Toronto can't help but sweat the approaching racket.

thane.burnett@sunmedia.ca


LINK

 

[George Wallace]

Reproduced under the Fair Dealings provisions of the Copyright Act.


Secret service plotting Obama's trip
Last Updated: June 19, 2010 5:17pm



By TOM GODFREY, Toronto Sun

LINK

Members of the U.S. Secret Service have been in and out of Toronto checking every detail of this week’s trip by President Barack Obama to attend the G8 and G20 Summits.

Obama is expected to arrive at Pearson airport on Friday and will travel to Huntsville for the G8 by motorcade or by Marine One, the presidential chopper, police sources said.

Officers said there will be little opportunity for Canadian fans to see him since he’ll be staying in secure locations with no public access. Obama’s air and land travel has to be approved by the secret service whose armed agents are responsible for presidential protection. The service never comments on presidential security details.

Obama, and other leaders, will likely fly to Huntsville for the G8 and back to Toronto because of security concerns and the distance involved.

Marine One would be accompanied by a Canadian Forces chopper and CF-18 fighters as air cover.

“Three hours by road to Huntsville is a long time,” the source said. “There is too much open ground to cover.”

Marine One usually flies in a formation with identical choppers and is equipped with flares to counter heat-seeking missiles and chaff to foil radar-guided missiles.

Meanwhile, military helicopters have been practising drills near the downtown Metro Convention Centre, where the meeting will take place and a helipad has been created in a parkette near the Rogers Centre.

Toronto Police spokesman Sgt. Tim Burrows said he couldn’t comment on operational security issues.

Officials said a fleet of CF-18s are on alert in Toronto and Huntsville for any violation of airspace during the summits.

Some of the military aircraft, along with other police vehicles, are being kept at Pearson.





LINK

 

[mariomike]

Re: 680 News ( Reply  #308 )
"They just don't want nothin' to do with it. It's just going to be too volatile of a situation, very unpredictable," he said.  "They don't want any part of it because of the unknown factors. So, they just want to stay home."

The average Security Guard is unlikely to have her/his transportation, food and lodgings taken care of by the government for two weeks. They won't even be able to buy a hot-dog down there. They are telling people to carry their own food and water:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/824383--pack-a-snack-for-the-summit-go-advises

 

[Lex Parsimoniae]

Is it just me?? Or does this just seem off --- given their raison d'être?

I agree with you.

 

[Teeps74]

Re: 680 News ( Reply  #308 )
"They just don't want nothin' to do with it. It's just going to be too volatile of a situation, very unpredictable," he said.  "They don't want any part of it because of the unknown factors. So, they just want to stay home."

The average Security Guard is unlikely to have her/his transportation, food and lodgings taken care of by the government for two weeks. They won't even be able to buy a hot-dog down there. They are telling people to carry their own food and water:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/824383--pack-a-snack-for-the-summit-go-advises

Ya, they will be lucky to get $20 an hr. So, for 20 bucks, one gets peppered with urine, bricks, stones and verbal abuse mixed in with the usual pushing shoving. They will not be getting lodging, food or anything like that. Meh, if it was me, I would call in sick too. $20 an hr is no where near enough when totally lacking benefits to justify the risks taken.

 

[armyvern]

Ya, they will be lucky to get $20 an hr. So, for 20 bucks, one gets peppered with urine, bricks, stones and verbal abuse mixed in with the usual pushing shoving. They will not be getting lodging, food or anything like that. Meh, if it was me, I would call in sick too. $20 an hr is no where near enough when totally lacking benefits to justify the risks taken.

You really think that 'professionals' employed with the spoken-of firm earn a mere 20 bucks an hour given their ... expertize??

http://www.executivesecurity.ca/?page=executiveprotection

I mean, this firm offers the following training course to "professionals" after all - you'd think their staff would be paid in excess of 20 an hour ...

This training program is aimed at: Corporate Security Departments, Law Enforcement, Military and Private Security Personnel involved in close protection and high-risk security operations. The broad spectrum of material will include

 

[mariomike]

I don't know about this particular security company. Perhaps they have a contract with ISU.
But, the average Security Guard ( or Parking Control Officer or Paramedic ) is a convenient target for street-people to vent their insane hate on. Most are smart cunning enough to know that assaulting a Police Officer is asking for more trouble than they bargained for.

 

[Teeps74]

You really think that 'professionals' employed with the spoken-of firm earn a mere 20 bucks an hour given their ... expertize??

http://www.executivesecurity.ca/?page=executiveprotection

I mean, this firm offers the following training course to "professionals" after all - you'd think their staff would be paid in excess of 20 an hour ...

Vern, the professional bodyguards are not the ones on the front lines at G8/G20. Those guys likely make far more then I do, and come from backgrounds as advertised (i.e. SF, police ERT etc etc).

The fillers brought in for the event itself however are on the much lower end of the pay scale.  Security firms like this offer a broad spectrum of services (as advertised), including uniformed guards who wonder about and report to police criminal activities. Typically, today these guards are licensed, but paid a pittance.

Now, granted, there are many private security contractors providing "front line staff" for this event.  I may have mixed this one up with one of the others.  At the end of the day tho, anyone forward, and having the abuse hurled at them should be making more then $20/hr, and they should have some sort of serious benefits package to deal with the injuries that will occur.

 

[LineJumper]

I think this looks like a job for Sgt Pepper.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/4693365-sgt-pepper-taught-the-band-to-spray

>

 

[mellian]

Aside from the coagualting blood I also noticed the roll of tape on his arm. Whats the tape for?

Anyone know?

OWDU

Posters? Banners? Use in vandalism and make shift weapons?

 

[mariomike]

Here is the young gentleman, about to hurl a fire extinguisher at the police:

"Death of Carlo Giuliani":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Carlo_Giuliani

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Alright folks, same drill as the other thread. Drop it. No one is changing and no one will concede. Stalemate. Let it go and move on. This discussion has ended.

Milnet.ca Staff

 

[vonGarvin]

Looking at the list of organisations that wish to show up, I think it's a crying shame that groups such as the Black Bloc are making headlines, whilst other groups are being drowned in the din of sensationalism.  I do believe that some (most) of these groups have legitimate beefs (the computer-networked, "Cyberdyne Systems" group notwithstanding).  Instead, the media will focus on the rock-throwers (no relation to The Rock Painters  >).  This in turn will give them some odd sense of justification for hijacking the summit and/or its more legitimate protests.

I wish I could protest something there.  I mean, heck, even if what I wished to protest has bugger all to do with the G20/G8, the media will be there, and it's a perfect forum for such "voicing of concern".  Too bad urine-filled eggs and burning molotovs will instead take the headlines, instead of allegations of human rights abuses in the third world.  Oh, we'll hear about those, alright, but only those alleged to be have taken place by "The Man".  A crying shame, really.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Protester road trip on the road:

The Vancouver Peoples' Summit is sending a busload of people to Ontario to take part in G8 and G20 protests next week.

The 15-person bus with the words, "The Peoples' Vision," painted on the side will arrive in Toronto on Thursday.

Ries Memtink says he's getting on the bus because the government isn't listening to the concerns of Canadians on about climate change, poverty, human rights and other issues.

Memtink says his protest will be peaceful, and while some activists may be violent, he doesn't understand why the government would waste so many millions of dollars on security.

Vancouver summit organizer Hunter Moyes says there's been talk at about changing tactics away from violence to get governments to listen, so he doesn't expect rock throwing, burning bras and loud hailers in Ontario.

Violent protests have marred several of the G8 and G20 meetings which are hosted by a different country each year.

Re:  the bit in yellow - I'd like to hope so, but I wouldn't bet my loonie on ZERO violence.

OPP good to go:

Security preparations for the upcoming G8/G20 Summits are among the most comprehensive and complex ever initiated in Canada, says Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Julian Fantino. The OPP, working in close cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), various levels of law enforcement and the Canadian Forces, is focused on ensuring the safety and security of world leaders, as well as residents and visitors during the G8 Summit in Huntsville.

"Providing security for such high profile events is a major undertaking, given the presence of the world's most powerful leaders and that Summits of this nature provide many different opportunities for groups and organizations to draw attention to their causes," says Commissioner Fantino. "We are committed to the highest level of security for the world's leaders and also to ensuring that events occurring elsewhere in Ontario in the coming week take place in a safe and orderly manner."

The OPP is well prepared to ensure that public safety and the right to peaceful freedom of expression and assembly are served in the best way possible. While much of the activity will be centred in the areas of the Summits, the OPP is prepared to respond to protest activity in other parts of the province.

According to Commissioner Fantino, "Our planning and preparations are appropriate to our goal of seeing these activities through to a positive conclusion, as has been the case with the peaceful nature of recent First Nations demonstrations across the Province."

Commissioner Fantino reiterates that criminal activity will not be tolerated. "The OPP fully respects the right to peaceful protest, but anyone intent on engaging in acts of lawlessness will be held accountable." ....

 

[The Bread Guy]

...from the Unambiguously Ambidextrous blog:

.... for pity’s sake why take to the pavements of Toronto against:

Brazil
China
India
Indonesia
Mexico
South Africa?....