METAL barricades and window guards were erected to secure the Parliament buildings yesterday and mailboxes, waste bins and movable store signs were removed downtown as Ottawa prepared for today's onslaught of protesters who vow to "Take the Capital."
Thousands of people are expected to pour onto the streets for "decentralized direct action" -- activist-speak for the series of planned and spontaneous events that include a noisy, disruptive snake march to target various "symbols of capitalism" on a wild-card route.
"Protesters will use whatever methods are tactically and politically sound," organizer Amanda Dorter said during a news conference. "In as many ways as the G8 oppresses people every day, there will be as many ways people will choose to protest."
Organizers changed their initial plan of two snake marches to just one in an effort to show "solidarity" and "strength in numbers." They would not condemn any tactic -- even vandalism or violence -- used to show "resistance" to global capitalization.
"A corporation that supports capitalism or genocide -- to have spray paint on their building is not a big deal," Dorter said. "Street art is more beautiful than the golden arches."
DON'T TRUST POLICE
Holding their news conference at about the same time as police were also having a media briefing yesterday, the protesters said clashes with police during the G20 demonstrations last fall have made them cynical.
"They are not to be trusted," said organizer Lisa Freeman. "They are supporting the system of oppression."
Downtown businesses braced for the disruption and potential property damage, some with plans to board up glass fronts and others -- like the MacDonald's on Bank St., which had a window smashed by an unruly protester last fall -- planned to shut down.
Jantine Van Kregten, executive director of the Byward Market BIA, said most businesses in her area were taking precautions but planning to stay open. Merchants near the U.S. embassy on Sussex Dr., where a march is planned for 4 p.m. today, are paying close attention to the day's events.
STAYING OPEN
"We're ready," Van Kregten said. "Nobody has definitively said they would close. Instead, they're keeping eyes and ears open, and keeping a close watch on how things unfold."
RCMP Sgt. Marc Richer said the steel barricades will restrict public access to Centre Block, but the lawns of Parliament Hill will remain open to protesters. Special access routes have been arranged for government staff.
While many civil servants and political staffers planned to stay home to avoid the havoc, a spokeswoman for the Speaker's office said employees are expected to report for work.
"It's business as usual on the Hill," said Colette Dery.
Public tours are cancelled and the changing of the guard has been called off. The NCC has turned off the Centennial Flame and capped it for security.
"It just made sense," said Dery. "All it would take is one elderly woman to get caught in a crowd. It's not worth the risk and the hassles."
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