On the eve of what many fear will be an ugly clash in downtown Ottawa, local police spoke of repeated efforts to extend an olive branch to protest groups.
"They've shunned us at every turn," RCMP Staff Sgt. Marc Richer said at a news conference yesterday.
"There will be no tolerance if violence erupts," he added.
Public meetings hosted by the major events liaison team -- a joint force of Ottawa Police Service and RCMP -- have been poorly attended, considering between 2,000 and 10,000 people are expected to "Take the Capital."
At the fourth of those meetings last night at Lansdowne Park, there was no apparent presence of anyone from Take the Capital, the most highly publicized protest group planning to demonstrate today and tomorrow.
Of about 50 people attending last night's meeting, most were residents or business owners who were curious about how the protests will affect their lives.
They were told that police are aiming for a peaceful protest. But Insp. Richard Murphy of the Ottawa police emphasized he would not decide for people whether or not to go downtown or to open for business.
'SOFT HAT'
Police are promising a "soft-hat" approach, with open lines of communication as an undisclosed number of officers patrol the marches and rallies in the downtown core.
Some officers will be wearing white shirts with red trim that have "police liaison" written on them.
Police said the lawns of Parliament Hill will be available as a "gesture of faith" to peaceful protesters.
"The peaceful march last Saturday is an excellent example of how this works," said Ottawa police Staff Sgt. Monique Ackland.
But these protests, meant to coincide with the G8 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., may be less predictable. Ackland and Richer were at odds yesterday over how many snake marches would wind through the city today.
At the public meeting last night, officers said there is only one snake march planned now instead of two. It will start at Dundonald Park today at 1 p.m., though it's uncertain where it will go from there.
Reporters yesterday were warned that pepper spray and tear gas may be used to disperse violent crowds and subdue individuals. Ackland said riot police and dogs would replace uniformed police officers if protests get out of hand.
"We will not jeopardize the life and safety of our officers," she said.
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