By design, international summits are almost entirely symbolic. For terrorists, they are a major target -- since 1996, al-Qaeda has has its eye on the G-8 meetings. For attending world leaders, they are a combination of photo-ops and a soap-box for sentimental speeches.
Kananaskis promises plenty of spectacular pictures along with elevated expressions of concern about Africa. Behind the symbolism lies a very practical question of security, directed first against the threat of terrorists.
So far, however, the more interesting story is how officials, whose task is to manage the nuisance of protesters, have all but ensured their part in this grandiose theatre does not happen at all.
Last summer, anti-G-8 rhetoric was filled with confidence and self-righteousness. Protesters joked about "learning vital skills such as how to incorporate grizzly bears into direct action."
They bragged about establishing a blockade on Hwy. 40, between the conference site and the Trans-Canada Highway. "The road is ideal for Robin Hood tactics," they said, "for block-and-run style, tripods, cars with their wheels removed. It's one real long road and they can't defend it."
Original plans called for a tent city at the edge of Kananaskis Village. It would be the venue of "a huge festival of resistance, including music, workshops, food, naked hippies." Others, presumably clothed "anarcho-hippies," would climb trees. "They know how to use ropes. They love it in the mountains."
It was all very jolly: "For a good laugh, watch the cops try to get protesters out of treetops. Can you imagine riot troops in full body armour plodding through dense forests?"
After the terrorist attacks of September, even anarcho-hippies knew they would not be getting within kilometres of the hotel or conference centre.
Their next plan was to pitch their tents on the Stoney Indian reserve, about 25 kilometres away.
Alan Keane, one of the organizers of the Co-Motion Collective, was looking forward to working with the Stoneys. "It's their land," he said, "and it's very appropriate to use their land as a staging ground. I think a lot of our issues are tied together; they are closely knit."
Earlier this spring, the creation of a solidarity village looked like a done deal. By mid-April, however, after the floor plans of the conference site and the location of surveillance cameras had been posted on the Internet, after the acrimony between Ottawa and the Alberta government over paying, housing and feeding security people became front page news, someone figured out that perhaps it might not be such a great idea to have several thousand disorganized as well as unorganized people milling around out there, distracting the security people from their real job.
Dave Neilsen, director of Kananaskis Country, then announced that the province would not allow any camping on provincial land. And no doubt a federal official had a quiet word with the Stoney council, which promptly declared that the protesters had taken too long to reach a deal.
A week ago, the protesters turned their attention to the City of Calgary, and Shaw Millennium Park, best known for its public skateboarding facilities. Organizers again emphasized their kind and gentle purposes.
"Our vision," said Sarah Kerr, "is a festival, a place for people to hang out on the grass, drink lemonade, hear a speaker, listen to music, hear another speaker."
They invited academics, farmers and journalists for "the whole bit, much in the line of a folk festival."
Unfortunately, the city explained, it does not allow parks to be used for political rallies.
The police showed great sympathy with the plight of the protesters. "I wish them luck," said Insp. Al Redford. Ever-helpful Mayor Dave Bronconnier suggested they rent space from a commercial campground.
When the two sides met, the protesters, still drunk with their own moral rectitude, again played into the hands of the cops. "I'm here to say we're not interested in negotiating with the police until they bring forth an apology for everything that's gone on," said Grant Neufeld, "from the World Petroleum Congress to events in the States and Europe."
The RCMP assumed the voice of sweet reason: "We've got to work together," said Sgt. Mike O'Reilly, more in sadness than in anger.
The police have done a splendid job marginalizing the protesters. It remains to be seen if they have also secured the G-8 site against a more serious and deadly assault.
Barry Cooper teaches political science at the University of Calgary, where David Bercuson is director at the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies.
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