The radical activists planning the Take the Capital demonstrations have rejected attempts by Ottawa police to keep lines of communication open in the lead-up to next week's protests.
"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.
The announcement came just before the third weekly "Open Lines" meeting held by Ottawa police, in partnership with the RCMP, to discuss the demonstrations.
The activists allege that police across Canada are working in tandem with "our government" to execute a plan to "marginalize all forms of political dissent."
The activists claim police and government are attempting to "undermine" those who wish to protest the G8 leaders' summit in Alberta, which they see as evidence for this "plan of marginalization and violence."
Amanda Dorter, an activist with Take the Capital, dismissed police efforts at communication -- such as last night's Open Lines meeting --as superficial.
"I think it's all a matter of optics" and a way for the police to engage in surveillance, Ms. Dorter said. "It's really just crap."
That attitude was met with disappointment by the police. "I think that's regrettable because the way to get a better understanding" between police and protesters is to talk, said Richard Murphy, an Inspector with the Ottawa police who ran last night's meeting.
Although Take the Capital protest organizers made a point to leave before the public meeting began, more than 25 uneasy community members attended.
Insp. Murphy assured the assembly that police equipped with riot gear and dogs will be kept well concealed unless things turn ugly. Police without riot gear will patrol, along with non-uniformed, but easily identifiable members of the Major Events Liaison Team who will patrol the fringes of the crowd.
Concerned citizens -- from nervous downtown business owners to frightened activists preoccupied with police violence -- voiced a broad spectrum of concerns.
Lisa Greaves, 34, protested the meetings of G20 finance ministers held in Ottawa last November.
When the demonstrations turned ugly and riot police with dogs closed in and began arresting people, Ms. Greaves grew frightened.
"I saw somebody get bitten by a dog. It was one of the most upsetting things I've ever seen," she said.
"I'm not scared about somebody throwing a rock because I can get out of the way, but I am worried about the police."
"I love what you're saying here," she told Insp. Murphy, "but part of me has trouble believing it."
Insp. Murphy reiterated that, "It's a very small group of protesters that don't want to be peaceful."
Some business owners were concerned for the safety of their employees while others worried about lost revenues.
"We have heard so much conflicting information and we're dependent completely on you to direct our staff," said one frustrated Byward Market business owner. "Is it the preference of (Ottawa police) that the shopping public stay away from downtown (during the protests)?" he asked Insp. Murphy.
The inspector refused to answer until more specific information about the protesters' plans emerges next week.
Meanwhile, community members are invited to attend a public assembly held by activists on Friday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library.
And Ottawa police, in partnership with the RCMP, will hold another meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Assembly Hall, Lansdowne Park.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. NoNonsense English offers this material non-commercially for research and educational purposes. I believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner, i.e. the media service or newspaper which first published the article online and which is indicated at the top of the article unless otherwise specified.