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clauditoriumIn situations like this, it's so easy to demonize the police. They're wearing scary uniforms, but it's law-breakers they're trying to scare.
I was watching a news report yesterday that mentioned protesters angrily asking the cops questions about Afghanistan and women's rights. That's pretty stupid; what is it supposed to accomplish, exactly?
There's a video on Youtube showing the cops advancing on protesters. When I first watched it I found it a bit scary, but that's a knee-jerk reaction. If you look closer, you'll notice that the cops never actually come in contact with any protesters. What they're doing here is a scare tactic to dislodge illegal protesters* blocking a busy street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heb9BXjYcII
The poster actually cut her video short (full version here: http://www.vimeo.com/12903946), and the reason is that to show the whole thing would be anticlimactic and undercut the point she's trying to make. Because nothing happens after that thirty seconds.
*They're singing "O Canada" to make the cops look bad, but if you're doing something illegal, it doesn't matter what song you're singing.
I was watching a news report yesterday that mentioned protesters angrily asking the cops questions about Afghanistan and women's rights. That's pretty stupid; what is it supposed to accomplish, exactly?
There's a video on Youtube showing the cops advancing on protesters. When I first watched it I found it a bit scary, but that's a knee-jerk reaction. If you look closer, you'll notice that the cops never actually come in contact with any protesters. What they're doing here is a scare tactic to dislodge illegal protesters* blocking a busy street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heb9BXjYcII
The poster actually cut her video short (full version here: http://www.vimeo.com/12903946), and the reason is that to show the whole thing would be anticlimactic and undercut the point she's trying to make. Because nothing happens after that thirty seconds.
*They're singing "O Canada" to make the cops look bad, but if you're doing something illegal, it doesn't matter what song you're singing.
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no subject
Date: 2010-06-28 03:40 am (UTC)this whole situation is so frustrating. I see all these people "protesting", but with little clarity on exactly what it is that they are trying to accomplish and how their "street theater" antics will bring about any kind of meaningful positive change.
I hate seeing all the riot police on every street corner downtown, but given the violent and irresponsible behaviour of the "protesters", I can't say it would have been responsible for the G-20 organizers not to have recruited this army of police officers.
Of course, they COULD have held the G-20 summit in an isolated location and not disturbed the residents of Toronto, but that wouldn't have satisfied Stephen Harper's mammoth ego and his need to demonstrate power and control during his G-20 party.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-28 01:44 pm (UTC)Some people separate the folks on the streets in three groups: by-standers, protesters, and rioters. But there are also two kinds of protesters: legal and illegal. Walking down a busy street is not legal, and no one should be surprised if there are consequences.
Allô!
Date: 2010-06-29 02:32 am (UTC)Marko
no subject
Date: 2010-06-29 02:44 am (UTC)Le pire, c'est qu'ils n'ont rien accompli.
RE-ALLÔ!
Date: 2010-06-29 03:36 pm (UTC)