Labour groups were well represented but the variety of special interest groups was staggering. Everyone from environmental activist to Free Tibet were making themselves known in the steady rain that continued, ironically enough, until after the march was completed. Undaunted by the weather our hearty band of CAW members marched down University to Queen then west on Queen to Spadina. Turning north on Spadina we were greeted by an applauding brother Ken Lewenza. Turning right on College we found ourselves back at the legislature.

The heavy police presence was evident at all the intersections guarding the perimeter fence. Sadly, as a result of the ever present anarchist groups found at all large international functions of this nature, it was proven to the populace in general and the world media in particular that the “fortress Toronto” security effort was justified if not over the top in scale. The vast majority of the anarchist activity began after the main body of the approximately 5 to 8 thousand law-abiding demonstrators had essentially finished the route and were safely back at Queens Park.

No rational person could condone the actions of these misdirected youths who, as a consequence of their violent actions, undermine the credibility of those of us who have legitimate reasons to “vent our spleens” by using our democratic right to demonstrate in a relatively peaceful manner. This is not to say that, should the police react in a
provocative way against a non-belligerent group of demonstrators and human nature being what it is, a defensive reaction should not be unexpected. Having said that, these anarchist, by their violent actions, garner ninety percent of the media attention while the boisterous yet peaceful activists, such as ourselves, are relegated to page two.

Still, the satisfaction of knowing that Local 584 of the CAW continues its long history of involvement in labour and social issues, be it on the picket line or at demonstrations of this type, is immensely gratifying and something of which we can all be proud of as active and retired members of our local.

Thanks go to brother Dave Champagne for his efforts at organizing our portion of this event.

In Solidarity,
Brother Doug Berry (retiree’s committee)

Please note: The opinions expressed are those of the author
(Click on Photos for bigger picture)

G20 Toronto Star editorial:
Brutal spectacle failed a city and its people

The G20 security strategy has been spectacularly successful at cocooning the world’s leading politicians and staggeringly ineffective at protecting the property and peace of mind of Torontonians. And the one, inevitably, led to the other.

By bringing in thousands of heavily armed strangers and throwing up barricades everywhere to regular traffic, frightening off good and decent citizens, Canadian authorities created a ghost town in the heart of our city.

Perfect for the political leaders. Protesters were kept blocks away from where the deliberations were going on.

And most protesters conducted themselves faultlessly as the global good and great met behind rings of gulag-like fencing and battalions of police beating Plexiglas shields with batons in a primitive show of might.

It was, however, less than perfect for the city, its businesses and its inhabitants. The only force that can prevent vandalism and mayhem in a city is the presence of its population. Surely that was the lesson every urban planner learned from looking south to the hollowed-out urban war zones of the United States in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

No police force, no matter how large, how well armed, how empowered to limit the civil rights of citizens, can stop vandalism in the empty shell of a city. Canadian authorities have proved that two days and nights running.

The strategy that ensured G20 leaders would never have to see a Canadian who wasn’t a politician, a police officer or a waiter lacked even a glimmer of common sense when it came to the security of Toronto and Torontonians.

They took our city to hold a meeting and bullied us out of the core, damaging the commerce of thousands of merchants and inconveniencing the entire population. Then, they failed to protect our property. Along Yonge St., as self-described anarchists were smashing stores unopposed, terrified merchants and their staffs sought shelter behind counters and in basements. If these establishments had been set alight, all of the thousands of fearsomely equipped police would have been able to do little more to save our citizens than they did to save their burning cruisers.

For the last few days, the city has looked like a vast reality TV set, where heavily garbed gladiators in black, burdened under bullet-proof vests, guns, walkie-talkies, shields and batons, try to chase down a wild, quick-footed band of anti-gladiators in black sweat suits and bandanas. And it cost us $1.2-billion to stage and choreograph this grossly unequal contest.

Canadian authorities knew that this overweening show of paramilitary hubris would draw the violent dregs of nihilism from around the world. Previous summits offered stark and certain warnings. Given that, the attempt to provide security for the city and its inhabitants has been a sad and disturbing failure.

What is the critical lesson?

Don’t even try to hold international political conferences with this kind of explosive ideological charge in the heart of a major urban centre. You sacrifice either the safety of the politicians or the safety of the city.

The idea that this was an effective way to show off Toronto to foreign guests is bewilderingly stupid.

Canadian authorities created a city no citizen could recognize and no visitor could admire. Then, they allowed a pack of brutes to trash it.