Calgary News - June 12 - June 24

For Calgary news from June 25 onwards, see: Calgary News - June 25 and later, and for earlier news, see the General News Archives

Another world is possible - Calgary, June 24 (June 24, 2002 / GreenPeace Canada) In downtown Calgary, Greenpeace set up its solar truck and served organic french fries to community members. “Our solar truck shows the obstacles to safe, clean, renewable energy are political not technical. It’s a light-hearted event with a serious message – Don’t Fry the Planet,” explains Jo Dufay, Greenpeace campaigns director....

Police and activists gear up for possible legal battles (June 24, 2002 / CP) Cross-section of activist activity, mainly legal collective.

Activists Dig in for Week of G8 Protest in Canada (June 24, 2002 / Reuters) Among various news shorts, it is revealed that many police patrolling Sunday's protest had no name tags or badge numbers. Police blame their "new uniforms for the event" (why their badges cannot attach to these uniforms is unclear). See this Letter to RCMP Complaints Commission for details (Update - June 24 - Staff Sergeant Mike Gaudet told a CBC reporter tonight that "some officers may have forgotten to wear their name tags") . In other news, Gabriel Cardenas-Sharpe is on the fifth day of a hunger strike in solidarity with third-world people. He is seeking to get the media to focus more attention on their plight.

Victoria's unlikely protesters join wave (June 24, 2002 / Victoria Times Colonist)

G8 activist events underway (June 24, 2002 / Global TV) An inter-faith justice co-alition, which has collected 10-thousand petitions from Canadians supporting their call for debt cancellation, held a peaceful yet noisy demonstration where co-alition members were joined by representatives from Africa and other third world countries....

Doctors, lawyers, bikers, pagans unite for G-8 (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Herald) A cross-section of some of the groups of people involved in the Calgary protests...

Activists planning illegal picnic (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Herald) people will gather at a People's Picnic at Riley Park on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in defiance of the bylaw against political rallies in public parks. Mayor Bronconnier responded on Sunday that he'll let police decide whether charges will be laid.

Activists battle for right to protest (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Herald) "Frustrated organizers of a major G8 protest have launched a constitutional battle to overturn the City of Calgary's refusal to allow them to hold events on public property...."

Observers relegated to sidelines (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Sun) "A group of independent human rights observers, including an Amnesty International representative, was denied access to watch in jail and behind police lines during G-8 protests...." See also: Official observers fear for their safety during G-8 protests (June 24, 2002 / CBC)

Police ready for anything (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Sun) "I wish it was happening today," says Calgary Police Service Insp. Al Redford.

Anti-activist spin dizzying (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Protesters are leery of excessive security measures, wondering whether the police will be able to wield such absolute power responsibly.

City sour on violence (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Sun) The usual litany of pat quips... "it's baffling how protesters can rail against a system that brought them such prosperity"; "Standing in this beautiful city, how can they say down with capitalism"; "the irony of a guy selling anti-capitalist T-shirts"; "let's see their solution". It is sad to see how easily people forget that the bulk of the essential infrastructure, services, and democratic rights which they share are not based on capitalism; sad to see how people neglect all this for the illusory promise represented by the shiny, tall buildings built on petroleum exploitation....

U.S. citizens arrested following vandalism incident at CPR yards (June 23, 2002 / Canada Newswire) "Damage to the two railcars involved is estimated at $7,000. Police seized numerous cans of spray paint and protest activity information...." $7,000 ... for spraypainting two boxcars. Yeah right.

Community Solidarity March Articles: Anti-globalization protesters march in Calgary (June 23, 2002 / CBC); About 3,000 march in Calgary in first anti-G8 march of Kananaskis (June 23, 2002 / CP); Thousands Protest Peacefully in Canada Against G8 (June 23, 2002 / Reuters); Police applaud arresting quiet (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Sun); G-8 protesters walk the line with peaceful parade (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Sun); 2,500 march peacefully (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Herald); Thousands to march through city (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Sun); Canadian Labour Movement joins Community Solidarity March (June 22, 2002 / Alberta Indymedia);

Mayor ready to play host to the world (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Asked about potential disruptions due to protests, Mayor Bronconnier demurely intoned: "As always, the city is here to support peaceful protest." For people tuning in late, this is the same mayor who repeatedly stonewalled initiatives to mount a protester community space known as 'Solidarity Village' by taking a stance in opposition to the Charter of rights that public parks are "off limits for political protest" and "political rallies".

Protesters want peace (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Sun) A snapshot portrait of various protesters converging on Calgary. Some brief but crisp quotes here, such as this one from a protester from the U.S., not entirely surprised by the omnipresent security: "They're afraid we might be effective, that they might have to listen to the voices of the people their policies hurt."

They'll be all eyes, ears (June 22, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) Stephen Jenuth, president of the Alberta Civil Liberties Association, says legal observers will be monitoring the behaviour of police and protesters alike.

Police step up security measures (June 22, 2002 / Calgary Herald) More on fences and water hoses.

Batten down the hatches! (June 22, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Concrete barricades are going up around the 'access control' area in Calgary, as unprecedented swarms of military and police activity engulf the city. "It's absolutely phenomenal," remarked Ralph Klein. Inspector Al Redford adds, "Establishing this access control area is not meant to restrict the movement of the public who have legitimate business in the area." It was not specified whether the right to express political dissent will be recognized as "legitimate business". See also: Calgary police batten down hatches while activists plan G-8 summit protests (June 22, 2002 / CP)

New substance leaving permanent graffiti on Calgary buildings (June 21, 2002 / CBC) "Dave Rae with Kroll Associates says vandals have used an acid-laced form of 'liquid chalk' to leave messages on buildings. It can permanently burn words or drawings into glass. Rae says about 50 downtown buildings have been hit in recent weeks...." This is a fascinating little article, which might appear plausible... until you really think about it. Vandals are going to find 'liquid chalk' (used by gymnasts and rock climbers and is less messy than the powder counterpart), lace it with acid, and run around painting things? You must be kidding me. And since when does acid etch into glass?? Furthermore, chalk, being a base, would neutralize the acid. Most likely the real story is that in order to get companies working fast to remove all those anti-G8 slogans before the media arrive, someone concocted this little fiction. Also, notice how a private industry 'expert' is feeding this story to the media (which looked awfully suspect, especially considering the police now have their very own Graffiti Response Information Team (GRIT), thus making sure that if anyone (like me) realized what a ridiculous fabrication this is, security forces wouldn't be caught in an embarrassing situation....

Web site names G-8 protest targets in Calgary (June 21, 2002 / CBC) Reference: ACK Info

Calgary schools release three-point plan for students and G-8 protests (June 21, 2002 / Canadian Press) The Calgary Board of Education's three-step plan for what students should do if they encounter a G-8 protest : "Leave the area as quickly as possible. Do not stand and watch. Do not engage demonstrators in discussion or debate." Parents of Calgary students are calling the campaign "fear mongering." See also: Students practise lockdown drills (June 21, 2002 / Calgary Herald)

Activist preaches safety (June 21, 2002 / Calgary Sun) A short piece on a Starhawk workshop. Limited coverage... but for the Calgary Sun, hey, it's something.

'Consitution Free' Zones (June 21, 2002 / Summit Security) INCLUDES MAPS OF DOWNTOWN ROAD CLOSURES. I think 'Bronco' meant a 'Charter Free' Zone... someone should send him a copy of the Charter, by the way - I'm beginning to suspect he has never seen it (see: Securing G-8 -May 9, 2002 / Calgary Sun - for the original announcement). For more on fences: G8 security fence going up downtown (June 21, 2002 / Global News)

City flip-flops on prayer vigil (June 21, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Draconnier cadres attempt unsuccessfully to quash tonight's prayer vigil.

Compensation plan criticized (June 20, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Business owners are criticizing the government for requiring merchants to keep their businesses open if they want to be eligible for handouts. Maybe the government should meet them halfway: give your business to someone homeless or unemployed, and in return you get immediate welfare eligibility.

G-8 violence fears force closures (June 20, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Don Braid of the Calgary Herald gives this a heavy anti-protester spin: "seniors and sick people are being displaced so protesters can 'educate' us in how to treat humanity." Try refocussing, Don, on the 300 to 500 million Canadian tax dollars the G8 will be squandering to pursue its unilateral global agenda, while public health care continues to be denied sufficient funding.

Anti-Gap group to bare all at mall (June 19, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Ever the lout, Calgary Herald reporter Tom Maloney begins his article with bump-and-grind lyrics.

How to win (June 19, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Tongue-in-cheek letter with a suggestion for Mayor Draconnier. Touché, Peter Griba!

Western hospitality? (June 19, 2002 / Globe&Mail) Editorial critical of the Draconnier strategy.

Erasing G-8 graffiti (June 19, 2002 / Calgary Sun) "City police are calling up reinforcements to combat a rising tide of G-8-related graffiti and illegal postering...."

Fear factor drops (June 19, 2002 / Calgary Sun); Calgarians take G-8 fears in stride (June 19, 2002 / Calgary Herald). Another poll. Funny how they never think of asking how many Calgarians intend on taking part in protests. It's always, "how many will flee... how many will shun the downtown area... how many will board up their homes...."

G8 trampling Stampede? (June 18, 2002 / Global News)

Cops welcome Amnesty (June 18, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Is this article supposed to imply that it is primarily the police whose rights are jeopardized? Leave it to the Calgary Sun to spin it to the right....

Activists planning city core chaos (June 18, 2002 / Calgary Herald) The 'law-and-order' tirades continue with Mark Reid dutifully parroting Mayor Bronconnier's 'tough talk' (but when it's time for a few protester quotes, out comes the 'alleged' qualifier (i.e. the "alleged" problem of homelessness...). Regarding road blocks, let's not forget who is responsible for blocking the roads through Kananaskis. Nor should we forget who is responsible for stonewalling protesters' efforts to organize in areas that might have been less disruptive, forcing them to back off to metropolitan Calgary. And not least of all, remember who brought this reprehensible symbol of global injustice to Alberta in the first place....

Ostrich time is over on G-8 (June 18, 2002 / Calgary Herald) The police version of events in Halifax is paraded around by Mayor Bronconnier as justification for over-the-top security measures. However the alleged 'slingshot&ballbearings' video that the police claim to have has still not been shown to the public, and after combing through reports, I find no independent confirmations of such an incident (recall how the police claimed to have confiscated a 9mm gun from a protester at the April 26th G8 protest in Montreal... but admitted a few weeks later that there was in fact no 9mm gun; see: Guilt by proximity). Also, I must add that I have never heard of the 'fake uniform' incident referred to in this Herald article, and some concentrated searching on the internet turns up nothing. Why would people bother to go to such trouble when there was ample footage of genuine police brutality in Seattle? And if it exists, why have the police never gone public with the alleged incident? And even if the police are given the benefit of the doubt on all counts - quite a stretch, but anyhow - in the final analysis, look at what are we talking about: a slingshot and a fake video. Is this supposed to justify the removal of everyone's right to political expression at the whim of those in power? For more (yawn, excuse me) of the same: Barbarians at the Gate (June 18, 2002 / Calgary Herald); and Bronco confers with Halifax (June 18, 2002 / Calgary Sun).

Calgary plays reluctant host to G8 visitors (June 17, 2002 / National Post) There being no further point in softening up the population with PR blitzes, Calgary is back into the "reluctant host" defensive mode once again - the point at which it started almost a year ago. Meanwhile, executives in Calgary are being advised to "dress casually" during the summit.

Bylaw banning G8 protests could spark suit, city told (June 17, 2002 / Globe&Mail) Calgary City Council should amend a bylaw that forbids opponents of the Group of Eight to gather in city parks, or else make an exception to the rule or face a constitutional challenge in court, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association says.

Summit worries peak (June 17, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Events in Halifax (see: Halifax Ministerial News) are being distorted and volatized in an effort to whip up anti-protester sentiment among commercial interests in Calgary and in Ottawa. This report talks, for instance, about a "fire bomb" used in Halifax - a bit extreme for what in reality was "a bundle of burning paper" which an officer "simply stamped out" (see: Police arrest 34 -June 16, 2002 / Halifax Herald). Police claims of thrown glass bottles also appear to be without any substantiation.

Activists consider Charter fight (June 16, 2002 / Calgary Herald) "The city could face constitutional court challenges of its bylaw if anti-G-8 summit activists are ticketed or arrested for using park space for political rallies without a permit...."

Security training won't spoil tourists' pleasure (June 16, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Oh sure, citizens' rights to express political dissent might have to be suspended here and there... but the menace represented by the dark forces of terrorism must never be allowed to jeopardize core values of our democracy such as the right to recreational tourism.

G-8 security measures vindicated (June 16, 2002 / Calgary Herald) "Enormous security preparations in place for the G-8 summit are warranted if protests at the G-7 finance ministers meeting are any indication of what's coming to Calgary, according to Mayor Dave Bronconnier...."

G8 summit protesters ready to roll Head (June 15, 2002 / National Post) A carefully spun anti-protest article which features many sly tricks. I particularly wish to draw attention to this, however: Over the past six months, the National Post and other corporate media have been relentless in their characterization of the Kananaskis area as 'environmentally pristine', 'environmentally sensitive', thus doing their part to contribute to a push by security forces to move protests to Calgary rather than in the Kananaskis vicinity. But now that most protest organizing energy is being focussed on Calgary, look how the story changes: "...Kananaskis is easily accessible, and it is no rustic hideaway. Built to accommodate hordes of international visitors attending the 1988 Winter Olympics, Kananaskis Village boasts three hotels, two championship-level golf courses complete with a large clubhouse and pro-shop, plus a major downhill ski operation. Any irreversible damage to the local wildlife was done long ago...." Why? Because, of course, the next part of the right wing agenda is to capitalize on regional exposure generated by the G8 in order to accelerate development in the area....

Granny all the rage (June 15, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Brushing off a loaded question about anarchism, Raging Granny Susan Stratton counters: "I think the most dangerous forces are the combination of international corporate power and the governments who support them."

Activists rent Calgary hall to anchor G-8 protests (June 15, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) Well look at this - a reporter at the Edmonton Journal - Keith Gerein - has allowed some real, factual protest info to make its way past the corporate media barricade. A short calendar of events is included - missing are the 'Showdown at the Ho-down!' event on the 25th and the Di-in and Knit-in on the 26th, but still.... And here's something we almost never see in the corporate media - a contact number and website url.

Calgarians wary of protests but rejoice at two days off (June 15, 2002 / Edmonton Journal)

Objective observers to monitor protests (June 15, 2002 / Calgary Herald) "Summit security representatives are working with the Alberta Civil Liberties Association and Amnesty International to finalize details of an independent observer program...." See also: G-8 security team OKs impartial observers (June 14, 2002 / CBC)

Protesters must settle for solidarity parade (June 15, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Mayor Bronconnier now suggests that by coming through with the long-awaited approval for the Community Solidarity March (an event scheduled to take place 3 days prior to the commencement of the summit), the city has favorably addressed the Solidarity Village needs. More hamming it up to generate 'redneck appeal'. Also see: Permit approved (June 15, 2002 / Calgary Sun) and Anti-G8 activists get the go-ahead for march (June 15, 2002 / CBC).

Rioters beware! Mayor Dave takes no guff (June 15, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Nigel Hannaford assures us that while the idealism of missionaries is blessèd, those involved in the struggle against corporate domination of the planet are destined for fire and brimstone. Hannaford drags out the usual specious arguments about how thankful the poor are for corporate domination, citing, curiously, the example of South Korea (whose workers have waged fierce battles against GMO's, the IMF, and other instruments of neoliberal domination). Regarding Hannaford's anti-anarchist tirades, when he's climbed down from his high horse, he should take the time to read Jaques Ellul's The Bible as the Source of Anarchy.

Military, city, protesters in high gear (June 14, 2002 / Global News)

Tough talk; Mayor says enemy at gates ; Bronco labels remarks misguided (June 14, 2002 / Calgary Sun) - A barrage of subcranial Calgary Sun articles in which Bronconnier continues with his fear-mongering, gloating, and braggadocio.

Mayor pledges protection from troublemakers (June 13, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Bronconnier's browbeating continues with more villainizing of protesters and efforts to justify a security policy which includes 'constitution-free zones' (see: Securing G-8 -May 9, 2002 / Calgary Sun).

Assistance urged for G-8 activists (June 13, 2002 / Calgary Sun); Set for cross-fire (June 13, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Catholic parishes in the city are being urged by Bishop Fred Henry to open their hearts and doors to G-8 activists who have been scorned by other Calgary-area venues.

Security restrictions in effect during G8 (June 12, 2002 / Global TV) Details about various security measures being implemented in Calgary. The communique concludes with a message from G8 Summit Security encouraging people who are concerned about the G8 to stay home and let the people at the Shaw Cable Conglomerate keep them 'informed'.

Calgary battens hatches against G8 protesters (June 12, 2002 / Globe&Mail)

Disruption blame diverted (June 12, 2002 / Calgary Sun)

Stoneys get $300,000 for security (June 12, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Negotiations surrounding this deal were likely a factor which undermined the Solidarity Village project. But other factors - including leasing deals in which the RCMP have rented Stoney land, supposedly as a base for part of their security operations; as well as reports indicating that the RCMP dredged up certain issues as a form of 'blackmail' in order to pressure the band council - are completely absent in this article. As investigative journalism, this report can only be regarded as an appetizer.

Note: For older Calgary-related news items, go to the General News Archives

Contact me (Eric Squire) at: g8-alert@angelfire.com