Rendezvous in Kananaskis
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Ottawa - June 26-27
"Take the Capital"
News
Events
Ottawa History
Maps
Dogs
Tasers
Police behaviour at G8 was 'improved' (July 17, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Covert Coercion and Dissuasion: (July6, 2002 / Take the Capital) A Close look at Police Activities Before & During the anti-G8 Days of Action in Ottawa, June 26-27th
Cops evict occupants at 246 Gilmore, it is once again abandoned (July 3, 2002 / Take the Capital)
Ottawa police use pepper spray to evict G-8 squatters from vacant house (July 3, 2002 / CP)
Squatters vow they'll fight to hold house (July 3, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
G8 'protectors' defend rights of the voiceless (June 29, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Activists brace for eviction, set up barricade (June 29, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Police tactics promote peace (June 29, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Anti-G8 March in Ottawa Mixes Fun and Politics (June 28, 2002 / Straight Goods)
G8 protests end on wet note (June 28, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Peaceful march pleases both police and protesters (June 28, 2002 / CBC)
Thousands march through Ottawa (June 28, 2002 / CBC) "Police say about 4,000 protesters made their way peacefully through downtown Ottawa Thursday afternoon. ..."
Second day of protest very peaceful (June 27, 2002 / CP) "....Drenched protesters formed a small sea of flags and banners.... As they headed towards Parliament Hill, several complained Canada has shut its doors to some of the world's most needy refugees and immigrants in the name of national security...." Coverage of No One is Illegal march.
Police arrest squatter as anti-G-8 protesters prepare new marches (June 27, 2002 / CP)
Stripped down message (June 27, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) "They marched around, they chanted their message out and at the end of the day we had some vehicle damage and spray paint, but no violence," said RCMP Sgt. Marc Richer. At last, someone is making a distinction between violence and things like spray painting and breaking a window. Bravo, Sgt. Richer.
Protesters feel right at home (June 27, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) "Eight protesters broke into the three-storey house, which has sat vacant for seven years, yesterday afternoon and unfurled a banner from the balcony that read: 'Sick of Waiting? Occupy!'... The squatters are demanding a 'use-it-or-lose-it' bylaw to convert vacant buildings into social housing after one year...."
Activists get out message (June 27, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Various messages and slogans documented during protests ("We will not be White maled" / "Feed Bush more pretzels"...).
Merchants demand compensation (June 27, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "Downtown merchants... watched helplessly as wary customers stayed home because of yesterday's G8 protests...." Foisting their 'business before all' mentality on the general populace, merchants are demanding that taxpayers compensate them whenever public space is used for the expression of political views instead of commerce.
March kicks off with bang (June 27, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) This Citizen article tries hard to magnify the 'subversive activities' aspect of the snake march, putting exaggerated emphasis on the smoking of some pot and the breaking of one window (liberally expanded to 'windows' - plural - in the article). Clearly the corporate media was a little disappointed about having so little material to fashion into a denunciatory discourse.
Demonstrators converge on U.S. embassy (June 26, 2002 / CBC)
Police deep-six activists' caravan (June 26, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) "Three of the drivers....were cited with Highway Traffic Act offences for impeding traffic. They received fines of $110.... Const. Sandra Barr said ... police acted to protect the safety of other drivers and the protesters themselves." (i.e. citizens must be 'protected from' acting on their own dissenting political views).
We tried to reach out to them: Cops (June 26, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) In truth is, the main part of the effort to 'reach out' was directed towards the business community of downtown Ottawa (see: Guide to G8 protests outlines tactics - June 5, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen; and Unit helps prepare business for protests - June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Ottawa preps for violence (June 26, 2002 / Ottawa Sun)
Protesters descend on Ottawa for G8 (June 26, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "A deluge of anti-globalization protesters began rolling into Ottawa last night as the leaders of the world's most powerful nations arrived in Calgary for the Group of Eight summit....
Canada's Capital Braces for Anti-G8 Protests (June 25, 2002 / Reuters) (at the very end of the article): "...Outside Ottawa, traffic on Canada's busiest roadway was disrupted on Tuesday afternoon as protesters on their way to Ottawa from Toronto slowed traffic on a stretch of Highway 401 to half its speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour). Police said about 20 cars drove two-by-two on the freeway to impede other vehicles...."
Activists warn of possible violence at G-8 protests in Ottawa (June 25, 2002 / CP) If demonstrators marching against the G-8 summit are provoked by police, they have the right to defend themselves, said Amanda Dorter, an organizer with Take the Capital....
Flame out as riot fears grip Ottawa(June 25, 2002 / Saskatoon StarPhoenix) "Workers snuffed out the Centennial flame and sealed it with concrete walls and a cover of thick steel Monday as Parliament Hill braced for possibly violent demonstrations to coincide with the G-8 summit in Alberta this week...."
City stands against violence at protests (June 25, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) "...the city has offered the use of Lebreton Flats as a protest home base..." (note: this was the site of the preemptive police crackdown last November in which numerous protesters were bitten by dogs...). Police chief Vince Bevan has said police dogs may be used once again.... See also: G8 protesters can use park: Bevan (June 25, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
G8 protester insulted by false accusations (June 25, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Police promote dialogue about G8 demonstrations (June 24, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) An open letter from Vince Bevan, chief of the Ottawa Police, inviting protesters to participate in an "Open Lines'' meeting on Tuesday June 25 "to create the conditions for peaceful demonstrations that respect the fundamental rights of protesters as well as the safety and security of local residents and business owners...."
Right angles (June 24, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) In this right wing rant, Gerry LePage, director of a business group, argues that the 'right to safety' and the 'right to do business' trump the right to protest, which basically means forget about protest (and also forget about parades, rallies, marathons, etc.). Set in contrast to this article is: Disruptions a small sacrifice in protecting the right to dissent (June 24, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Not a tremendously well argued piece, but the gist of it is there.
What would Gandhi say? (June 24, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) The majority of Susan Riley's commentary is honest and articulate, although her suggestion that "trouble-prone protesters" are responsible for ruining what used to be a "happy, global family" of protesters is simplistic. But whether or not accurate, it is a common viewpoint and should be dealt with. If we think back, people were glad that Jose Bové drove that tractor into a McDonald's. And in Quebec people cheered the ripping down of the fence. But when radical acts are not 'original' enough for - or don't resonate with - popular tastes, the public loses enthusiasm and calls the actors "trouble-prone". The radical activist can't expect to woo the public with the same bag of tricks forever ....
Jail signals true policy, radicals say (June 23, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Protesters reacted to news that Ottawa police have erected cage-like cells in an empty warehouse to hold between 200 and 250 'overflow' arrestees with "dismay and concern". Aileen Leo, spokeswoman for the Protect the Right to Protest witness group, said "It's unfortunate police feel the need to arrest that many people.
Protest movement rallies (June 23, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Here is an interesting article in which Matthew Sorley, a psychology instructor at Carleton University, uses 'mob psychology' as a justification for repressive police actions, the idea being basically that people lose self-discipline in a crowd, thus obligating police to impose discipline (on everyone - the people in the crowd are treated as a collective unit in this theory). The theory could also be applied to the herding of most ungulate creatures. Sorley goes on to mention how riot police must exercise "tremendous discipline not to overreact because it's almost like spark to a flame." Hmm. Sorley should perhaps consider focussing some of his psychology on that mob. See this video (RealVideo) by Shaw Cable Conglomerate for an example of 'mob psychology' transformed into a security propaganda tool.
Cops vow G8 prosecution (June 23, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Police are claiming that their 'individuals charged' to 'arrests' ratio will be lower this time around, but rather than achieving this by lowering the number of dubious arrests, they say they intend to increase the number of people charged. This suggests that archaic misdemeanour regulations will be dusted off and applied, much in the way that was done in Montreal two months ago.
Peaceful rally kicks off G-8 protests while police set up makeshift jail (June 22, 2002 / CP) "The G-8 protests got off to a low-key start Saturday when about 100 demonstrators took to the streets of the capital. Described as a family-friendly event, the initial group of about 60 gathered at noon near the National Art Gallery on Sussex Drive to march through the city's downtown core...." See also: 'Witnesses' monitor G8 march (June 23, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen); Protesters keep the peace (June 23, 2002 / Ottawa Sun)
Welcome to Camp X-ray, North (June 22, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) "Ottawa police are planning for the worst during the G8 protests by secretly turning a municipal building into a temporary jail for prisoner overflow.... The makeshift jail -- which resembles a dog kennel -- can hold between 200 and 250 prisoners should police have nowhere else to stick them...."
Feds ready to pony up for G8 biz losses (June 22, 2002 / Ottawa Sun)
Preparing for protests (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Sun)
Nation's capital is for everyone to enjoy (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) If you can make it past the first three paragraphs (the law and order litany), the rest of this article is very well concieved. Within the 'litany' section, however, I take particular exception to the part that says "Any who are in violation of court orders prohibiting them from participating in these types of marches should be arrested." In fact, such prohibitions are contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and court challenges to that effect are currently proceeding.
Smash reality, go to jail (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) Here ISN'T a big surprise: now that the Asper family has gotten rid of Russell Mills, publisher of the Ottawa Citizen until he was fired last week for allowing too many articles critical of the prime minister to be published, the Ottawa Citizen is suddenly transforming into the most virulently anti-dissent paper in the country. The bulk of this John Robson editorial consists in cheap shots based on jingoist, derogatory stereotyping. Then we get the usual rightwing rant about free speech ("You can rent a hall anywhere in the country and hold a meeting...") which gets particularly ludicrous when Robson writes, "you can send letters to the editor...." He ought to see by now what happens to editors who dare to publish items unfavorable to the powers that be. Most myopically of all, he writes, "the one thing you aren't allowed to do is shout down your opponents," blissfully blind to the fact that this is exactly what mass corporate media is all about: using wealth to drown out opposing views by obtaining control over the information the majority of people are exposed to.
Steer clear of thugs (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) This editorial takes a less strident approach than the earlier Diversity of idiots which appeared 4 days ago, but the intent is the same: to marginalize those who advocate a 'diversity of tactics' and thereby drive a wedge in the movement. Somewhere within the thick haze of authoritarian rhetoric about how a "permissive atmosphere could perpetuate violence", there are a few crumbs of legitimate critique. Shoving around cameramen, for instance, is both dumb and potentially harmful (they don't arrive in helmets and armor like the police, let's remember). Renunciations of violence interpreted as injurious physical assaults on other humans should be voiced more frequently when speaking of 'diversity of tactics' so as to reduce the likelihood of such an incidents. Nevertheless, the scuffle was an exception, unlike the increasingly habitual police brutality that is being unleashed at many larger (and even smaller) demos these days. By altogether avoiding consideration of that aspect of the issue, the editorial can only be regarded as another volley of propaganda in the war against popular political dissent.
EDC to close during demonstrations (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) One down, twenty-nine to go.
Unit helps prepare business for protests (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "Officers go door-to-door talking to business owners, advising them...". It is ironic - treacherously ironic - how the "Integrated Major Events Liaison Team", supposedly conceived to respond constructively in the wake of accusations of police abuse last November by the Citizens Panel on Policing and the Community, is now focussing most of its activity on villainizing protesters in the eyes of small businesses in hopes that shopowners will be psychologically prepared to act independently as security buffers (recall the anti-protester posse which is being formed in Calgary by right-wing fringe personality Craig Chandler: Store owners organize summit security - May 30, 2002 / Calgary Herald).
Small businesses fear rough week ahead (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) Start up the violins and pass around the hankies -- the Charania sisters may see sales dip from $365,000 to as little as $364,000 (such are the histrionics which must be performed to secure an EDC food concession these days). Reminder to five employees getting the day off: Dundonald Park (Lyon and Maclaren) at 12 PM SHARP.
Protests may shut down capital (June 20, 2002 / National Post) "Officials are taking a wait-and-see approach to the protests before deciding whether to shut down the [Parliament] buildings.... Police are taking the "soft-hat" approach, which means they will wear their regular working uniform. But combat gear may be necessary ... including shields, batons and helmets...".
We come in peace: Protest (June 20, 2002 / Ottawa Sun)
G8 protesters split on violence (June 20, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) The article is obviously part of an effort to exacerbate divisions in the movement and to dissuade people from coming out to protest. In fact, although certain people felt disappointed that a more widely-encompassing 'non-violent' definition (i.e. which condemned property defacement, etc.) was not adopted by the Take the Capital convergence as a whole; strictly non-confrontational principles were adopted for three specific actions within the convergence; namely: the Chill-Zone and the Revolutionary Knitting Circle action on June 26, and the No One is Illegal march on June 27 (which is likely to be the largest action in terms of numbers). In list discussions over the past few months, it was emphasized by a number of key Take the Capital organizers that diversity of tactics does NOT extend to violence to people (self-defence does not apply here, since it is not a 'tactic'), and yet that is what the detractors primarily appear to be insinuating. This point needs to be spelled out more clearly in Take the Capital documents. Here are two more takes on this article by Stephen Turpin (June 20, 2002); Dismissing us (June 22, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen).
Courts to close during protests (June 20, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) ... while businesses remain open? Go figure. Also see: Gavel to fall on court G8 Summit (June 20, 2002 / Ottawa Sun)
Radicals break off talks with police (June 19, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "Take the Capital has unambiguously stated -- and will continue to state -- that we will not be engaging in dialogue with the Ottawa police about our events," protest organizer Jeremy Bell said last night.
Protesters want city to 'adopt an activist' (June 19, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "Residents urged to open doors and give Take the Capital activists a place to sleep..."
G8 protest could cost taxpayers $5M (June 18, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "With an anticipated 10,000 activists from more than 35 groups expected to land in the nation's capital next week, policing costs are likely to exceed those incurred during protests surrounding last November's meeting of G20 finance ministers...."
Councillor open to protesters' words (June 18, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Ottawa Councillor Clive Doucet will set up tables outside city hall to gather petitions, briefs and comments on the G8 Summit.
Diversity of idiots (June 17, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) (a centrally distributed editorial which appeared under the headline "Tiresomely familiar" in some Southam newspapers) The 'ditties' at the TTC site are pretty lame, that much I'll grant this editorial writer. Aside from that, the article is mainly concentrated vindictiveness and villainizing, written from behind a shield of editorial anonymity. The writer criticizes protest organizers as "a furtive cabal of self-appointed worldsavers" who will "lead the masses" in "creative uses of urine and feces." In truth, protest organization meetings have been open and inclusive; something that can hardly be said of the G-8 which is being opposed. And set against the author's scatalogical insinuations, those 'ditties' are looking fairly sophisticated after all.... Here's a spirited critique of the same editorial: Tiresomely familiar... (June 17, 2002 / Montreal Indymedia); plus a response from Take the Capital organizers: Readers must draw own conclusions on protests (June 20, 2002 / Montreal Gazette); and It's time to protest state treachery (June 22, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen).
Protests turn ugly outside G-7 talks (June 16, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Villianizing protesters in anticipation of 'Take the Capital'.... For other perspectives on the Halifax protests, see Halifax Ministerial News.
Activists focus on capital (June 15, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) A lame attempt, even by Ottawa Sun standards, at reactionary journalism.
Locals protest payment (June 15, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) The government can't pay off everyone.... Regional protest organizers may have discovered an Achilles heel.
Police deny theft linked to G8, terror (June 15, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)
Protesters to focus on Ottawa (June 15, 2002 / Globe&Mail)
City seeks feds' help for G-8 (June 13, 2002 / CBC) "The feds aren't handling it. The reason they're in Kananaskis is to run away from this kind of protest," says councillor Clive Doucet.
Canada Day CBC broadcast moves to P.E.I. (June 5, 2002 / Charlottetown Guardian) "Security concerns about protesters on Parliament Hill force CBC broadcast to be shifted to Charlottetown...".
Guide to G8 protests outlines tactics (June 5, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) The article mainly concerns the Activist Guide to Ottawa, but also touches on the 'public G8 consultations' by the Ottawa Police's new 'Major Event Liaison Team' (MELT). This group was supposedly created in response to the heated criticism of police abuse of protesters at past demonstrations by the Citizens Panel on Policing and the Community, and yet so far, the consultations seem to be focussing mainly on the concerns of Ottawa businesses - who are being portrayed as protest 'stakeholders' (!?!).
Activists Respond to Misrepresentation in Ottawa Citizen (June 2, 2002)
Note: For older Ottawa-related news items, go to the General News Archives
Welcome Centre - Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave. between Lisgar and Nepean, June 24th - 27th, 9am - 10pm, 234-9257
Indymedia Convergence Centre Location - includes map
The G8 - Breaking it Down! - Ottawa teach-in (June 14-16) about local & global struggles featuring an impressive list of guest speakers.
June 27: No One is Illegal! - The March of 1000 Flags (June 12 updated version) - to endorse the action or to help mobilize, please contact the organizers of Take the Capital! Note the decision to keep the march physically non-confrontational (read the callout for details).
OTTAWA, JUNE 26: March Against the U.S. Embassy (June 9, 2002 / Ontario Indymedia) Part of the Take the Capital! Global Days of Action. See also this poster.
June 26: A Call for Autonomous Actions and Snake Marches Against the G8 (June 2, 2002 / Take the Capital) Updated callout for the June 26 snake march.
Take the Capital! - Calendar of Events (June 4, 2002); Take the Capital! - A Call to Artists, Musicians, and Freaks (June 4, 2002).... Two more important notices from the Take the Capital! organizers.
Call for a Tute-Bianche Style Defence Bloc (June 4, 2002 / Ontario Indymedia) Black Touta suggests a Ya Basta!/Wombles-style approach... and with the Tasers now standard issue for RCMP officers, such tactics are likely to be a necessity.
The History of the Ottawa Tribe
The On to Ottawa Trek - In the severe economic depression of 1929-39 Canadian labour engaged in many fierce battles. One of the highlights was the general strike of young unemployed single men in work camps in the province of British Columbia on Canada's west coast in April,1935 where they laboured six and a half days a week for the paltry wage of 20 cents a day. The strikers abandoned the camps and congregated in the city of Vancouver. After two months of valiant but unsuccessful struggle for union wages, they decided to take their case direct to Ottawa, the nation's capital, three thousand miles to the east. Their journey was enshrined in history as the On To Ottawa Trek.... Ben Swankey, author of the 'On to Ottawa' series above, was a participant in the trek, and went on to become the leader of the Labor Progressive Party (the continuation of the Communist Party of Canada) in Alberta. He is currently active with the B.C. Old Age Pensioners Organization. It is interesting to note that during the war, he was labelled a "Canadian of Suspect Loyalty", and was interned at, of all places, Kananaskis-Seebe prison camp. The camp was used for the first year or two of the war to detain pacifists, communists, and concientious objectors (see: http://www.oocities.org/CapitolHill/7078/frazer.txt and KANANASKIS-SEEBE, POW-Camp). |
Ottawa Cycling Map - zoomable map in .pdf format.
Dogs were unleashed indiscriminately last November on protesters demonstrating against the G20 in Ottawa causing injury to some people. There are reports that the police plan to use dogs in Alberta, and they will likely be used again in Ottawa. Additionally, there are reports that "Karelian bear dogs" will be used by security personnel to "chase away bears" in Kananaskis. These dogs will hopefully not be a threat, but all the same, if they can take down a bear....
Read more here about: Repression and Police Dog Abuse
All of this info might have you considering the purchase of a commercially available 'dog repellent'. The 'Dazer' (see: http://www.shoppingfromyourhome.com/item15.htm) has an impressive record of deterring most dogs, although a highly trained police dog may be an exception. It is rumored that the police themselves use the device in training the animals, so it is open to question how the dog will react. At any rate, the Dazer is available at:
Most RCMP officers have now been issued stun guns (Tasers) (see: All Alberta RCMP to get stun guns). These include 'advanced tasers' (M26) equipped with 21 foot probes (see: MERX order for RCMP Tasers). To understand better the capacities of these Tasers, visit: http://www.taser.com/M1.htm where there are video demos, etc.
Here are two reports which describe Tasers being used on protesters in Halifax on June 15: Stun gun hurt worse than shock therapy (June 16, 2002 / Halifax Herald); Police wield painful tazers to quiet crowd (June 16, 2002 / Daily News). Also see this photo - Protester on ground after being zapped by taser, taken during the Halifax protest.
New info (July 2002) indicates that Tasers May Ignite Tear Gassed Protesters.