G8 Summit 2010 Protest
Violent protest at the G8 Summit in Toronto, Ontario., Canada turned parts of the city into a major conflict zone. As always peaceful protest is overtaken by the agenda of **** disturbers who can’t find another way to get their message across other than to burn cars, smash windows and throw bricks.
I have to ask the questions:
How effective is protests and demonstrations when they are drenched in violence?
Do you feel these thugs garner support by the average voter to join their cause?
Do these people reach the minds of the political leaders, causing them to rethink their positions?
What did they gain today?
Nothing! It did not sway anyone to see their point of view. In fact, if anything it has done the opposite. The legitimate protests that paraded down the street were overshadowed by black masked cowards. What is worse is that people lives were put at risk, businesses were shut down and the chaos that continues adds to the cost of what is already a very expensive undertaking.
Here is the hypocrisy that goes along with protesters such as these:
* They don’t like countries that commit violent acts upon its citizens but here they are committing violence, breaking the laws and generally holding a city hostage.
* They want people to be free to speak their mind without the fear of retribution but they shouted over the voices and stopped the advancement of legitimate, peaceful, fellow protesters.
* They oppose those that receive financial gain from Governments (including ours) that they deem corrupt but many of them are receiving Canadian tax dollars everyday through social assistance to keep a roof over their head and food in their stomach.
* They want Governments/Leaders to be accountable for the health of their citizens while they endangered the health and livelihood of many innocent citizens today.
* They don’t like police interfering and clashing with people around the world but they incite ours to do so.
Hey, I have protested before, I get the need to stand for something. I walked along the streets peacefully to voice my opposition to the invasion of Iraq. There are many things going on in the world that I try to do my part to change but non violence is the only way I know.
Young or old there are people throughout history who have made a difference by there own actions! These protesters are expecting these politicians to fix what they believe ails the prospective countries? Individuals can change the world; people who get up off their couch and begin to find ways in which THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. They volunteer their time in these countries to provide learning, infrastructure and health care. They sit and talk with tribes, communities, leaders and the like, to make a small initiative turn into large initiatives. They donate their money to organizations on the ground who have a better understanding of the issues and needs of the people.
Powerful, meaningful change should not come through violent outbursts but through the realization of hope, onward through the education of a people, from education to a showing of solidarity and eventually with a mass of voices who are capable of changing the future. Who do the people thank later? All those that provided their expertise along the way, those that sacrificed and challenged on their behalf. Great minds, large hearts, people who hold the values the leaders do not.
The violence I saw today did nothing and those protesters were representations of what they despise. They emulated the behaviours, anger, corruption and small minded thinking that keeps certain leaders in power. They need to take their masks off and take a good look in the mirror.
Charge those that broke the law and if they are receiving any type of assistance from our Government cut them off. If they are paying citizens garnish wages to pay for damages. Right to protest, right to be prosecuted for crimes and damages. Welcome to democracy!
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you have a serious misunderstanding pertaining to the agenda of those who protest the G8/20 summit. while peaceful protests generally portray the image that people are against one thing or the other, the impact of such protest is left in the shadows. nothing will be altered in the summit by milling around a conflict zone while simply holding a sign stating your opposition. that form of protest, is just wholly ineffecient.
we lost our rights as protesting citizens when “protest zones” were initiated, and only known peaceful protests were allowed to march, or gather outside of them. the corruption still exists, the same old shit is going on, and people continue to protest the same old way, violently or passively. neither method is effective at this summit, yet at least the violence spreads the message of awareness to the cause. which, thanks to the corruption of media through the control of government, the majority public will not likely be aware of the ideals of such angry protest. summit protests did not start violently, yet year after year the organized and educated efforts of many activists have left little impact to the cause. when your efforts are ignored or made to be demonized through shady political self interest, you start to lose hold of a rational argument. those with these interests have spared no expense to create a hostile image for those who absolutely protest the summit, so whether peaceful or violent, the general public has already sided with what they’ve been lied to as being “right”. there is a solid message from the forceful opposition, many would consider it too taboo to even attempt to understand the message of this protest. the weapon of corruption is purposeful fear, and tacticly distributed misinformation.
on the same hand, nothing will be changed by catching police cars on fire, tossing bricks with little meaning, and causing an unsafe environment for many innocent and uninvolved people. however, your asserted statements concering the assumed hypocrisy of the violent protestors, is childish, and lacks research.
“They oppose those that receive financial gain from Governments (including ours) that they deem corrupt but many of them are receiving Canadian tax dollars everyday through social assistance to keep a roof over their head and food in their stomach.”
in my lifetime, i’ve recieved u.s. government aid from a country that i’ve deemed corrupt. these programs were created from the values of those few politicians with a positive interest in social care. violent these protestors may be, but corrupt they are not. they’re intentions are very transparent, whether you agree with their ideals or not. where you see this as hypocritical is beyond me. provide this proof of corruption and your point may gain validity. until then, i can provide several points of evidence of a corrupt government, multinationally.
“They want people to be free to speak their mind without the fear of retribution but they shouted over the voices and stopped the advancement of legitimate, peaceful, fellow protesters.”
as i’ve stated, it is quite questionable whether peaceful protests are effective in what they bring to the cause. if you are a corrupt entity, wouldn’t you side with those who make the least impact against your agenda? violent or non-violent, the effectiveness of the cause is of most important question. while, neither form is effective to me, i see little resolution. but then again, i’ve dropped off the political map and would rather be a southern baptist right wing pyscho, than consider myself liberal, conservative, democrat, republican, independent, green or libertarian. i’ve never felt better without an attachment to claim my political beliefs. only when you detach yourself from all forms of political debacle do you really understand what politics were created for in the first place. it wasn’t for you, and it certainly wasn’t for me. it was meant for “everyone”, which we know now is “them”. good fucking luck.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, answered some of the questions posed saying last night…”There are limits to free speech and these limits really end when it infringes on the rights and safety of others.”
We all employ the Police, in the Western world, to uphold law, protect property and the public, as well as preventing crime.
Reportedly, Police are making arrests of people suspected to be “leaders” of groups inciting violence and damage to police and private property.
From what I read and hear in the World Press, some uninvolved people have inevitably been scooped by Police;( as anyone who has been at or near such demonstrations know),that people bent on disruption will often position themselves near reporters to gain both protection and publicity.
This scenario, likely lead to the arrest of a reporter from the U.K. Guardian newspaper, a couple of hours ago..
Tensions are naturally very high because of the violent attacks on Police, Property and Police vehicles.
But critically, the historical rights of peaceful protesters and their messages,are actually being denied & endangered by some other “protestors” who lack internal limits/controls and awareness/lack of caring for what the outcomes are for their personal choice of VIOLENCE.
Thanks for your comment, Brian. I see we have some difference of opinion and possibly some misunderstanding.
First of all, I don’t agree with your statement “at least the violence spreads the message of awareness to the cause” and then you flip to blaming the corrupt media for a lack of public awareness on the ideals. What happens, whether media covers it or not, is that we find ourselves right in the midst of the chaos. The only thing that one is aware of is the energy and potential danger that befalls public, police and businesses. Message lost in the mayhem…media or no media.
We are in agreement that nothing will be changed by their violent actions against police etc. which really was the crust of my post.
You also misunderstood my statement about receiving financial gain from Governments; it was not that the protesters were corrupt but that they perceive Governments as corrupt. (which for the most part they would be right)
Do I stand behind my assertion that these types of protesters that incite violence are hypocrites?… your damn right I do!
So, while you perceive my statements as childish or lack research it appears you were unable to grasp some of the information, easy to do when we are not face to face. However, attacks on character, words or knowledge is easier to do with this relative anonymity and a lack of proper forum for debate.
Is protest at all effective? I too question its impact from time to time but I would rather live with the thought that it may have validity than to think of us as passive drones. Recently, in my Province, the quiet but determined public made it known to our Government we were unhappy about an upcoming tax. No violence just an overwhelming amount of signatures amassed, never before seen in our history. This now proceeds to the next level of the fight and I can tell you it was an issue that did not drop off the radar or repel others, mainly by virtue of how it was handled.
It is good to hear that you have removed yourself from the political world, it tends to harden people. As a Canadian, most of us are not as hell bent on identifying ourselves by political or religious persuasions. Safe distance from both keeps us sane.
Thanks again for your addition to this post you certainly demonstrated your passion.
Thanks Pat for the comment. I agree with Chief Bill Blair’s statement as it pertains to the safety of others. I really felt for all the citizens who were caught up in violence and for the police who were put in the position to restore law and order. No doubt, indeed, that the uninvolved got scooped up by police I guess at the end of the day if you want to get the story or if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, that can happen. Wouldn’t want to be in their shoes
You know Pat you are so right about these “protesters” lack of internal limits and caring…you and I both know what it would be like to sit in front of them. There is a certain communication style and energy that just shuts out meaningful discussion or positive outcomes. Great to hear from you.
Good subject.
The black cloaked anarchists in Toronto who are setting police cars on fire, damaging private and public property and assaulting the police officers, stand for nothing but Anarchy. There are self proclaimed anarchists. They have no altruistic agenda, they do not believe in helping their fellow man, they are shit disturbers looking for a thrill. And they are cowards for covering their faces as they stand tall and create havoc. All the while, peaceful demonstrations occur around them and their agendas are hijacked.
While I agree that this type of protest is useless, the right to peaceful protest is allowed and is supported. The example of the violent protests only supports the governments reasons for creating the security zone and putting up the fences to protect the G20 summit attendees.
Frankly, if people want to affect change, they need to organize and get on the ground and “do it”. No amount of unorganized whining and saber rattling, or even violence will bring the desired attention to a cause. Get out in the community, volunteer, run for city council, start a blog, whatever.
We are all entitled to an opinion, but there is no entitlement to having an opinion heard or acted upon. We need to earn that right by getting active in our communities and building support from the ground up; doing so with respect to others and using intelligent discourse to make our point. Too hard? Well, change that is worthwhile never comes easy.
Cheers!
Thanks for your comment Dean and good points.
I’m a big believer that respect is needed across the board in order to keep ears open, eyes on the issues and hands willing to reach out. Anything less than respect is exactly what breeds what we saw this weekend. Respect is earned and from where I sit protesters that use violence do not have my respect or admiration.
“We are the change we seek” If a child can grow up helping villages in Africa, have leaders invest in their vision, educate hundreds of children, bring water and health care to remote villages; surely an adult can find a way to make a difference without violence.
Many countries are struggling right now and we can list off all the reasons for that but in the end if we are not helping we are most likely hindering progress. Or simply waiting on someone else to take up the gauntlet. Namely politicians who are not a good group to solely throw our support behind.