WITH LESS than a week before thousands of protesters are expected to blanket the downtown core, Ottawa officials are in the midst of preparing a comprehensive action plan.
The Police Services Board held an impromptu meeting yesterday to receive an update from police on new protocol and protest preparations.
"Things are going very well, the outreach to the community has gone well," said board chairman Herb Kreling.
Police still don't know how many protesters will come to the capital, although numbers are expected to exceed the estimated 5,000 who attended the G20 meetings last year.
"Certainly there have been statements by some of the protest groups that they aren't ruling out violence and are likely going to be more inclined to that then they were for the G20," said Mayor Bob Chiarelli.
Chiarelli said police and officials are gathering information on plans for the protest.
Although the Elgin St. courthouse will be closed June 26-27, city hall will remain open but there will be increased security downtown.
"I'm not sure we'd be sending the best message to the community if their elected officials are afraid to come downtown," he said.
Although city representatives say they support peaceful protesters in the city, they won't tolerate violence.
"Everybody has the right to voice their opinion, that is their right," said Kreling. "We will facilitate peaceful protests but anyone who breaks the law in our community will be arrested."
FRIENDLIER WARMUP
Meanwhile, police are also preparing for a kinder, friendlier and more peaceful G8 warmup this weekend as protesters begin the first of many actions in the capital.
Tomorrow afternoon, up to 200 protesters will gather at the National Art Gallery on Sussex Dr. for a short march downtown.
The march will travel through the Byward Market and on to Confederation Park where protesters will meet up at a "Freedom Fair."
The march is expected to take a half-hour and protesters will be using the sidewalks. Police said they don't expect trouble and don't plan to have the riot squad out for the event.
"We're looking at perhaps 10 (police officers) if we need that many," said Insp. Richard Murphy. "We've had a chance to talk to this group. This is a walk. We expect it to be peaceful."
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