G8/G20 I Did My Bit
By Susan Ellis of KeyLifeJourneys
In so much as anything belongs to me, this is my city and my country and I vote and therefore have a right to express my opinions, values and beliefs. This I can do so long as they are not considered hateful by the law of the land. I attended the Friday Protest March against the G8/G20 on 25th June 2010. I object to people in power flaunting their entitlement by spending copious amounts of money to have a party. What ever "work" was done could have been done by teleconference and Skype and the group could have met for a day somewhere to have a signature signing, photo op, press conference and a couple of meals. They don't need more time. For after all some filled it by watching a soccer match. We know from past experience that less than the cost of the conference will ever be seen to improve maternal health in the third world. Why, we still haven't paid up our past promises.
We all know that Stephen Harper's demands that 50% of national debt be paid down by 2013 was a smack in the face to all who champion the cause of equality. How does Harper propose to do it? He will cut payments to the provinces which will impact the amount spent on affordable housing, dietary supplements for the poor, employment programs, woman's shelters etc. I am sure he will stall funding potable water projects for Native communities. I'm sure he will fight crime with incarceration not rehabilitation.
Therefore this 64 year old lady with the grand stature of 4ft 10 inches decided to march. I was the youngest of three of us who met up in Allen Gardens to picnic, make placards and join the women and Trans who would lead the march. Two of us arrived early when there were more media than protesters. Gradually the number of Police surrounding the park grew. The third member of our group was searched when she left the park temporarily and told she would not have been allowed to return with wooden stakes for placards.
From my photographs you can see how idyllic the venue was. The beautiful trees of Allen gardens provided shade and an oasis of green. Constantly reporters wanted to interview us, photographs were taken. "Why were little old ladies here?" The Police presence grew.
At one point an SUV carrying two Police offices drove over the grass. There was a path wide enough, but they drove instead close to people sitting on the grass. The path was in the sun, the spot they picked to observe from was in the shade. What was that all about?
We laid our materials on the grass and made our placards. One friend and I who had got in before the Police, had wooden poles. Mine came from the one I had carried at the No Prorogue rally earlier this year. I sat in contemplation for a while before writing "Food, water, shelter, dignity for all -why not?" on one side and "Give equality a chance" on the other. How could the meeting of the G8 or G20 address anything that was important to me? I had to protest their corporate self serving agendas.
Of course I feel blessed to live in a wealthy country like Canada. I am lucky enough to be one who was free to choose to live here. I have more than enough to satisfy my basic needs in life. But I am not greedy. I do not want more. But I live in a world where those in power take from those who have less power. Corporations by their very nature have been set up to make money for their shareholders. More money means cutting costs and service, eliminating competition by destroying it. Yes many of the rich become philanthropic - Bill and Melinda Gates are an excellent example. But how many people tithe 10% of their income on the way up, not just when they have got more than enough?
I love my city of Toronto; I am excited by its ethnic diversity. I love to see the flags of all the nations participating in the World Cup flying on cars. But I would love my city more if everyone was adequately housed, fed and safe.
Finally the march began moving west on Carlton to University. Placards for Gender Justice led the way. Brightly coloured coffins, with coat hangers attached, were carried by women protesting the need for backstreet abortions which kill so many women each year. The Raging Grannies were there with their floppy hats, flowers and shawls. Placards asking for basic rights be available to all. Yet either side of us we were hemmed in by Police pushing bicycles. When we reached Yonge Street one of our friends had to leave. A Police officer made a gap and she disappeared into the rushhour crowd.
We had reached Bay Street when the march was stopped. We at the front knew nothing of skirmishes that were taking place back at College Park. I talked with one of the marshals and she said she had heard a man who was deaf had been taken into custody. The Police with their bicycles were putting on their helmets with face shields. I went up to one asking "why are you putting your helmet on?" He stared right above my head. "You are making me feel scared." I said as I went back to the middle of the road. Now the crowd had changed.
Men were circulating amongst us. Some with distinctive black boots. The mood had changed. We were moving again. Then we stopped for a long time. I had promised friends who knew I was coming to the march, that I would not put myself at risk. I knew it was time to leave. Violent protest, either provoked or not provoked, is not my bag.
We headed to the Police cordon. I addressed a plexiglass masked officer. "We would like to leave the march now. Will you please let us through?" Luckily there was no silent glare from this one. "Madam, my orders are to let no one pass." I was stunned. I was scared. I had waited too long. I remember my other friend getting out at Yonge Street. All had changed. Then he continued. "The march will be allowed to proceed in a few moments. You will be able to get out at the next intersection."
We were at the front of the march. College street was blocked off by a line of Riot Police. We were fence in. We walked slowly towards the line. After what seemed to be hours, they let us through. We left the march at the next street. We stopped and watched the protesters roll by. The Police with bicycles were now stationed further back where people waving red flags were marching. Police with bicycles and horses brought up the rear.
We walked to University Avenue and watched them turn south. Later we would find out that further south on University Avenue the Riot Police would hold the barricade and the protesters would retrace their steps up University back to Allan Gardens.
In retrospect I realize I had not anticipated such a police presence. I found it both intimidating and oppressive. Did it provoke or did it protect? I believe those who would wear black and masked faces on Saturday, marched with us on Friday and their violent intent was further inflamed. For those of us who walked with peaceful intent to express our disatisfaction with government policy, it reminded us that the government is willing to use extreme measures to further its agenda.
I watched the march on the Saturday from the comfort and safety of my living room. The Police tactics were completely different. It would appear that their orders for Saturday were to protect the fence and the dignitaries, not shop keepers. I will offer only one opinion on the Sunday evening events. If it was the government's message to us that it will crush all dissent, legally or illegally, then we have heard it loudly and clearly. When it suits the Prime Minister, democracy will be suspended.
I think time will tell that justice was not served, democracy is being eroded by those in power and the G8/G20 gathering did not provide the world with anything to make it more stable, humane and safe. I did my bit.
Margaret Mead wrote
"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Which group?
The march I was in was about Gender Justice. Margaret Mead also wrote
"Every time we liberate a woman, we liberate a man."
In so much as anything belongs to me, this is my city and my country and I vote and therefore have a right to express my opinions, values and beliefs. This I can do so long as they are not considered hateful by the law of the land. I attended the Friday Protest March against the G8/G20 on 25th June 2010. I object to people in power flaunting their entitlement by spending copious amounts of money to have a party. What ever "work" was done could have been done by teleconference and Skype and the group could have met for a day somewhere to have a signature signing, photo op, press conference and a couple of meals. They don't need more time. For after all some filled it by watching a soccer match. We know from past experience that less than the cost of the conference will ever be seen to improve maternal health in the third world. Why, we still haven't paid up our past promises.
We all know that Stephen Harper's demands that 50% of national debt be paid down by 2013 was a smack in the face to all who champion the cause of equality. How does Harper propose to do it? He will cut payments to the provinces which will impact the amount spent on affordable housing, dietary supplements for the poor, employment programs, woman's shelters etc. I am sure he will stall funding potable water projects for Native communities. I'm sure he will fight crime with incarceration not rehabilitation.
Therefore this 64 year old lady with the grand stature of 4ft 10 inches decided to march. I was the youngest of three of us who met up in Allen Gardens to picnic, make placards and join the women and Trans who would lead the march. Two of us arrived early when there were more media than protesters. Gradually the number of Police surrounding the park grew. The third member of our group was searched when she left the park temporarily and told she would not have been allowed to return with wooden stakes for placards.
From my photographs you can see how idyllic the venue was. The beautiful trees of Allen gardens provided shade and an oasis of green. Constantly reporters wanted to interview us, photographs were taken. "Why were little old ladies here?" The Police presence grew.
At one point an SUV carrying two Police offices drove over the grass. There was a path wide enough, but they drove instead close to people sitting on the grass. The path was in the sun, the spot they picked to observe from was in the shade. What was that all about?
We laid our materials on the grass and made our placards. One friend and I who had got in before the Police, had wooden poles. Mine came from the one I had carried at the No Prorogue rally earlier this year. I sat in contemplation for a while before writing "Food, water, shelter, dignity for all -why not?" on one side and "Give equality a chance" on the other. How could the meeting of the G8 or G20 address anything that was important to me? I had to protest their corporate self serving agendas.
Of course I feel blessed to live in a wealthy country like Canada. I am lucky enough to be one who was free to choose to live here. I have more than enough to satisfy my basic needs in life. But I am not greedy. I do not want more. But I live in a world where those in power take from those who have less power. Corporations by their very nature have been set up to make money for their shareholders. More money means cutting costs and service, eliminating competition by destroying it. Yes many of the rich become philanthropic - Bill and Melinda Gates are an excellent example. But how many people tithe 10% of their income on the way up, not just when they have got more than enough?
I love my city of Toronto; I am excited by its ethnic diversity. I love to see the flags of all the nations participating in the World Cup flying on cars. But I would love my city more if everyone was adequately housed, fed and safe.
Finally the march began moving west on Carlton to University. Placards for Gender Justice led the way. Brightly coloured coffins, with coat hangers attached, were carried by women protesting the need for backstreet abortions which kill so many women each year. The Raging Grannies were there with their floppy hats, flowers and shawls. Placards asking for basic rights be available to all. Yet either side of us we were hemmed in by Police pushing bicycles. When we reached Yonge Street one of our friends had to leave. A Police officer made a gap and she disappeared into the rushhour crowd.
We had reached Bay Street when the march was stopped. We at the front knew nothing of skirmishes that were taking place back at College Park. I talked with one of the marshals and she said she had heard a man who was deaf had been taken into custody. The Police with their bicycles were putting on their helmets with face shields. I went up to one asking "why are you putting your helmet on?" He stared right above my head. "You are making me feel scared." I said as I went back to the middle of the road. Now the crowd had changed.
Men were circulating amongst us. Some with distinctive black boots. The mood had changed. We were moving again. Then we stopped for a long time. I had promised friends who knew I was coming to the march, that I would not put myself at risk. I knew it was time to leave. Violent protest, either provoked or not provoked, is not my bag.
We headed to the Police cordon. I addressed a plexiglass masked officer. "We would like to leave the march now. Will you please let us through?" Luckily there was no silent glare from this one. "Madam, my orders are to let no one pass." I was stunned. I was scared. I had waited too long. I remember my other friend getting out at Yonge Street. All had changed. Then he continued. "The march will be allowed to proceed in a few moments. You will be able to get out at the next intersection."
We were at the front of the march. College street was blocked off by a line of Riot Police. We were fence in. We walked slowly towards the line. After what seemed to be hours, they let us through. We left the march at the next street. We stopped and watched the protesters roll by. The Police with bicycles were now stationed further back where people waving red flags were marching. Police with bicycles and horses brought up the rear.
We walked to University Avenue and watched them turn south. Later we would find out that further south on University Avenue the Riot Police would hold the barricade and the protesters would retrace their steps up University back to Allan Gardens.
In retrospect I realize I had not anticipated such a police presence. I found it both intimidating and oppressive. Did it provoke or did it protect? I believe those who would wear black and masked faces on Saturday, marched with us on Friday and their violent intent was further inflamed. For those of us who walked with peaceful intent to express our disatisfaction with government policy, it reminded us that the government is willing to use extreme measures to further its agenda.
I watched the march on the Saturday from the comfort and safety of my living room. The Police tactics were completely different. It would appear that their orders for Saturday were to protect the fence and the dignitaries, not shop keepers. I will offer only one opinion on the Sunday evening events. If it was the government's message to us that it will crush all dissent, legally or illegally, then we have heard it loudly and clearly. When it suits the Prime Minister, democracy will be suspended.
I think time will tell that justice was not served, democracy is being eroded by those in power and the G8/G20 gathering did not provide the world with anything to make it more stable, humane and safe. I did my bit.
Margaret Mead wrote
"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Which group?
The march I was in was about Gender Justice. Margaret Mead also wrote
"Every time we liberate a woman, we liberate a man."
Posted by Key Life Journey's Blog at 7/9/2010 12:49 PM 
Categories: opinions and thoughts, G8 G20
Tags: Allen Gardens Gender Justice Protest March against G8/G20 Stephen Harper G8 G20 Raging Grannies
Categories: opinions and thoughts, G8 G20
Tags: Allen Gardens Gender Justice Protest March against G8/G20 Stephen Harper G8 G20 Raging Grannies
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