Well, this should be interesting

[Papa_Complex]

There was a "practise" G-20 protest across the street from the university yesterday afternoon, about 5 minutes after I went through that intersection. Our security officers also found a barrel filled with what I was told were rocks, on campus.

[the chi]

A practice protest? Is that like a dress rehearsal? :lol:

[goof2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frsId3goYYE

No suprise on the rocks. Hopefully they will skip the school and only destroy the windows of "big business".

[Papa_Complex]

They occupied a gas station during their protest walk.

A GAS STATION.

Was that supposed to be symbolic? Damned if I know. It's tough to tell when the "spokesmen" aren't articulate enough to state their grievances without throwing out an FTP or F-bomb, in general, every second sentence.

[pauldun170]

Um...
I'm trying to put together a joke tying tea party protestors and G-20 protestors but I'm a little tired today and cant do it.

Therefore I will establish this post as indication that I have something to say about this matter but will do so with a series of grunts and facial expressions instead of words.

[Papa_Complex]

< pauldun170 >

Right now, I'm devoting a great deal of time and study to that problem. And I intend to issue a position paper on that. A position that is at once simple, yet complex, flexible, and above all else, fair to every American.

< / pauldun170 >

[pauldun170]

< pauldun170 >

Right now, I'm devoting a great deal of time and study to that problem. And I intend to issue a position paper on that. A position that is at once simple, yet complex, flexible, and above all else, fair to every American.

< / pauldun170 >

Asshole
:lol

[Papa_Complex]

I had the shot ;)

Video of the protest is on the right side of the page:

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100621/lcbo_shut_down_100621/20100621/?site_codename=Toronto

[Evadd]

i love this part:
Toronto Police kept a close eye on a group of protesters Monday afternoon -- activists who were partly protesting the heavy police presence in the lead-up to this week's G8 and G20 summits.
the activists are protesting the police who are only there b/c they are...:x:

[Papa_Complex]

You should hear the rhetoric from the anarchists, talking about how the police are only there to enforce the edicts of The Privileged, not protect the public. Those would be the anarchists who are usually the ones to start the violence during protests.

[caveman]

< pauldun170 >

Right now, I'm devoting a great deal of time and study to that problem. And I intend to issue a position paper on that. A position that is at once simple, yet complex, flexible, and above all else, fair to every American.

< / pauldun170 >

So it will be published in Spanish as well?

[Papa_Complex]

So in the last couple of days we've had:

- 'practise protests'

- a market robbed that turned into a high speed chase, crash, gunfire, and a foot chase in Toronto, a few blocks from here

- an earthquake

- a tornado that tore up a town north of here

... and the G8 folks start rolling in today. For some unknown reason they've cut a couple of ramps between major highways down from 3 lanes, to one. I found myself having to merge into a line of ten Ontario Provincial Police cruisers there, this morning.

I think that I'll carry my camera around for the next couple of days, just in case. The way that things are going I might just get to shoot the first alien landing, at Toronto City Hall.

So it will be published in Spanish as well?

Of course. You must cater to your future masters.

[t-homo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frsId3goYYE

No suprise on the rocks. Hopefully they will skip the school and only destroy the windows of "big business".

REMIX!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exOxUAntx8I

[derf]

I think that I'll carry my camera around for the next couple of days, just in case. The way that things are going I might just get to shoot the first alien landing, at Toronto City Hall.

Would like to see some good protest beating photos

[Papa_Complex]

Apparently this guy had a RAMP strapped to the top of his car!

http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100624/100624_car_espalnae/20100624/?hub=CP24Home

Police arrest man with weapon-laden car near G20 security zone

Web Staff, cp24.com
CP24 Breaking News

CP24 Breaking News

Police have arrested a 53-year-old man who allegedly drove near the G20 security zone with a car packed with weapons – including a crossbow and a chainsaw.

The man was arrested just after 1 p.m. near The Esplanade and Church Street by the Novotel hotel. A silver Hyundai was surrounded by police at the scene who reportedly unloaded a case on top of the car containing several weapons.

About an hour after the arrest, crews in shiny silver hazmat suits were investigating the scene.

[KSGregman]

Police have arrested a 53-year-old man who allegedly drove near the G20 security zone with a car packed with weapons – including a crossbow and a chainsaw.


Is there more to this story or does carrying a crossbow and a chainsaw truly constitute a "weapons laden car" in the GWN?!

Hell...that wouldn't even get you on the local news in LA. :lmao:

[Papa_Complex]

These days a bag of fertilizer is a weapon, no?

Today should be interesting. So far the protests have been peaceful, but the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty marches today. They have a history of destructive protests and clashes with police. They're led by John Clarke; an English ex-pat and general far-left fuckwad.

I think that, so far, the most disturbing thing about this week has been that every protest leader that I've heard interviewed has failed to denounce violence as a protest tactic, or has been evasive and answered that they denounced violence as a POLICE tactic during protests.

[goof2]

These days a bag of fertilizer is a weapon, no?

Today should be interesting. So far the protests have been peaceful, but the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty marches today. They have a history of destructive protests and clashes with police. They're led by John Clarke; an English ex-pat and general far-left fuckwad.

I think that, so far, the most disturbing thing about this week has been that every protest leader that I've heard interviewed has failed to denounce violence as a protest tactic, or has been evasive and answered that they denounced violence as a POLICE tactic during protests.

I'm not surprised. I suspect whatever they do is justified to them because they are doing something that "matters". It is amazing what people can talk themselves in to when they are running on ideological idealism.

[Kaneman]

These days a bag of fertilizer is a weapon, no?

Today should be interesting. So far the protests have been peaceful, but the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty marches today. They have a history of destructive protests and clashes with police. They're led by John Clarke; an English ex-pat and general far-left fuckwad.

I think that, so far, the most disturbing thing about this week has been that every protest leader that I've heard interviewed has failed to denounce violence as a protest tactic, or has been evasive and answered that they denounced violence as a POLICE tactic during protests.

Though without the violence they wouldn't even get 5 min worth of media coverage.

[Papa_Complex]

OCAP should be starting their efforts to work up their protesters any time now. This is a map of the probable route that they'll be taking. Note the location of the "X", that is me. When I first ran this route through Google Maps, it ran their march right through campus and past my office.

[KSGregman]

These days a bag of fertilizer is a weapon, no?

Fair point....

I miss Toronto...I second guess my decision to not accept the transfer there when I had the chance....although technically it wasn't truly all MY decision...my wife wasn't keen on the idea.

I told her it would make our lives easier since I spent 3 weeks a month there for 2.5 years at that point anyway...but...no dice. :/

[Papa_Complex]

I both love and hate Toronto, depending upon the day. Truth be told though, I can't really imagine living anywhere else.

BTW, buddy with the crossbow was a paranoid loon, but nothing to do with the G20. He lives in the boonies where he doesn't have running water (reason for "containers of clear liquid), in a forested area (reason for chainsaw + gas), and was off his meds (reason for crossbow - thought his neighbours might ambush him).

[goof2]

I both love and hate Toronto, depending upon the day. Truth be told though, I can't really imagine living anywhere else.

BTW, buddy with the crossbow was a paranoid loon, but nothing to do with the G20. He lives in the boonies where he doesn't have running water (reason for "containers of clear liquid), in a forested area (reason for chainsaw + gas), and was off his meds (reason for crossbow - thought his neighbours might ambush him).

Paranoid loon? Sounds like a typical Canadian to me.:didntdo::lol:

[Papa_Complex]

Paranoid loon? Sounds like a typical Canadian to me.:didntdo::lol:

What can I say? Pack us into our log cabins and bury us in snow for 10 months of the year, and we tend to lose it.

[Papa_Complex]

A group calling itself "The Black Bloc" have just started marching along Queen Street, towards city hall, and they've been smashing windows and vehicles. Of course these brave souls have covered their faces. Watching the video it seems that there are as many people following the protesters as there are protesters, themselves.

*EDIT* The story: http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100626/100626_G20_protests/20100626/?hub=CP24Home

*EDIT* You can see what's going on if you tune to CNN.

[Papa_Complex]

So far there have been 412 arrests connected to that little vandalism spree, last night. It seems that doesn't include the 4 people who were seen helping a protester come up out of the sewers at around 1:30am this morning.

Damned glad that I didn't have to be downtown this weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32OW6cu4Ypk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKgFsqry6LQ

[Smittie61984]

What'd they practice? Beating each other up?

I remember before the G8 summit in Georgia some protesters on our Atlanta news at the community college before the protest talking about protesting and I guess to practice. Some punk/emo/pissed at his parents kid started yelling at the cameras to "Get the fuck out of here". The week after the protest I was in Savannah watching the local news and they were doing a wrap up of the G8 summit. I saw that very same 150lb kid get slammed face first into the ground by a 225lb all muscle swat team looking cop.

The G8 location in Georgia was a good one. One bridge onto the privately owned island so it was easy to control.

Sorry your town is going to get fucked up by a bunch of anarchists

[Apoc]

Fucking retards. It amazes me that these idiots dont realize that this shit reflects poorly on them, and not on the convention.

[Papa_Complex]

What'd they practice? Beating each other up?

I remember before the G8 summit in Georgia some protesters on our Atlanta news at the community college before the protest talking about protesting and I guess to practice. Some punk/emo/pissed at his parents kid started yelling at the cameras to "Get the fuck out of here". The week after the protest I was in Savannah watching the local news and they were doing a wrap up of the G8 summit. I saw that very same 150lb kid get slammed face first into the ground by a 225lb all muscle swat team looking cop.

The G8 location in Georgia was a good one. One bridge onto the privately owned island so it was easy to control.

Sorry your town is going to get fucked up by a bunch of anarchists

The mayor of Toronto, while he's a fucking retard over other things, was right in his comments saying that the conference should take place in a more easily secured location. Either the Canadian National Exhibition grounds or Ontario Place would have been far better. Ontario Place is backed on Lake Ontario and accessible via bridges, for much of the grounds. Talk about easily secured!

Hell, for the $1.5B it's costing us they could have built a new convention centre in Huntsville; the place where they had the G8 meeting.

[Rangerscott]

So far there have been 412 arrests connected to that little vandalism spree, last night. It seems that doesn't include the 4 people who were seen helping a protester come up out of the sewers at around 1:30am this morning.

Damned glad that I didn't have to be downtown this weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32OW6cu4Ypk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKgFsqry6LQ



I've never understood why destroying someone's property helps protestors. Wow. You just destroyed a bystander's store and that some how helps your protest.


I would have no problem being shooting them.

[Tmall]

I've never understood why destroying someone's property helps protestors. Wow. You just destroyed a bystander's store and that some how helps your protest.


I would have no problem being shooting them.

That's my only gripe. Fuck up government property all you want if you have a beef with them, and then deal with the consequences. They should leave private property alone.

[goof2]

These idiots are usually against corporations and commerce as well so they mess businesses up too.

I know those participating in the summit want to travel on their respective government's dime, but they know what the end result will be. Why not set up a video conference which denies these protesters a forum while saving money in the process?

[Papa_Complex]

Anarchists can't even get together on a definition of what Anarchism is. From the outside, looking in, it appears that most of the people protesting think that Anarchy is having the freedom for them to do whatever they want to, while someone else pays the bills and keeps things running.

For that reason I'm not surprised when they start smashing shit.

As to Tmall's comment, "Fuck up government property all you want if you have a beef with them...", who do you think owns that property? All of us own it, collectively. All of us, who pay taxes, paid for it. In other words no, don't fuck it up, or I'd like to see you cooling your heels in the clink for a few years.

[Tmall]

Anarchists can't even get together on a definition of what Anarchism is. From the outside, looking in, it appears that most of the people protesting think that Anarchy is having the freedom for them to do whatever they want to, while someone else pays the bills and keeps things running.

For that reason I'm not surprised when they start smashing shit.

As to Tmall's comment, "Fuck up government property all you want if you have a beef with them...", who do you think owns that property? All of us own it, collectively. All of us, who pay taxes, paid for it. In other words no, don't fuck it up, or I'd like to see you cooling your heels in the clink for a few years.

I disagree. Standing up to the government is the responsibility of it's citizens. Just because you or I don't have the balls to risk jail time for it doesn't mean nobody else does.

You write letters, these people riot. People around the world are aware of their cause now. How many people are aware of yours?

As for "we all pay for it", yup we sure do. We also just spent a billion dollars for the security of a three day meeting. The billion dollars did what exactly? Seems like not a whole lot considering the damage that was done to the city. But, at least we contributed a few billion dollars to other problems around the world. We could have contributed another billion if the meeting never took place there to begin with.

Would I have rioted? Nope. Do I disagree? Nope. The only thing I don't like about it is the damage to private property.

[Papa_Complex]

I disagree. Standing up to the government is the responsibility of it's citizens. Just because you or I don't have the balls to risk jail time for it doesn't mean nobody else does.

You write letters, these people riot. People around the world are aware of their cause now. How many people are aware of yours?

As for "we all pay for it", yup we sure do. We also just spent a billion dollars for the security of a three day meeting. The billion dollars did what exactly? Seems like not a whole lot considering the damage that was done to the city. But, at least we contributed a few billion dollars to other problems around the world. We could have contributed another billion if the meeting never took place there to begin with.

Would I have rioted? Nope. Do I disagree? Nope. The only thing I don't like about it is the damage to private property.

OK, so if what they did has done so much to advance knowledge of their cause, what is it then?

[Tmall]

OK, so if what they did has done so much to advance knowledge of their cause, what is it then?

www.google.com

But, you could have done that as easily as I did..

[Papa_Complex]

www.google.com

But, you could have done that as easily as I did..

In other words, you don't know.

*EDIT* Do you want me to tell you why you don't know? It's because they haven't said. At this point they're generic Anarchists and, as I stated previously, even Anarchists themselves can't agree on a definition or agenda. The "Black Bloc" tactic is one that is used by thugs everywhere. They could be Communists, Radical Socialists, or even Neo Nazis. Nothing is important to them, but the destruction. THEY HAVE NO MESSAGE.

[Papa_Complex]

I wasn't fool enough to go downtown on the weekend, but The Toronto Star had a team of photographers in the area of that violent protest yesterday.

http://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/2010/06/peaceful-beginings-violent-ending-as-g20-protests-grip-toronto.html

[Papa_Complex]

Some HD video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=nOjGdvju-po&vq=hd720

[CrazyKell]

I was wondering if you got caught up in any of that.

I avoided all media for the weekend just so I didn't have to hear about it. Glad it's over.

[Papa_Complex]

I was sitting here, at me desk in the sub-basement, listening to reports about how one of the Friday protests was forming up a couple of blocks over from where my bike is parked and calculating their route, at 2:30pm. By 3:20pm they still hadn't moved, so I cut out a half hour early and ducked the march.

[Papa_Complex]

The Wrap-up: Monday Morning Quarterbacking

Well police are being criticized for not doing enough on Saturday, to stop the violent protests, and for going too far on Sunday when they were trying to head off a repeat performance. Protesters are screaming about police brutality. One "independent journalist (what is that anyway?) is saying that police threatened her with rape, while she was being detained. At least one mayoralty candidate is screaming for an inquiry.

Par for the course, I guess. Small wonder that police have an "us vs. them" mentality, so often. They just can't win. Most of the claims by protesters sound like they're reading from a script and the overall protest support group, The Community Mobilization Network have been shown in photographs to have been harbouring members of the Black Bloc among their numbers.

[CrazyKell]

Don't know if there's any truth to it, but just heard on the Edge that there's video of police going into the crowds to incite riots possibly just to justify the expense. :shrug: Not me wearing the tinfoil hat but that train of thought is floating around out there.

[Papa_Complex]

I've seen one hell of a lot of video and pictures, from other photographers who were on-site. I haven't seen anything about that, though there have been a lot of claims. You would think that with what seemed like a personal photographer for every protester, there would at least be ONE PICTURE of this happening.

[Smittie61984]

I've seen one hell of a lot of video and pictures, from other photographers who were on-site. I haven't seen anything about that, though there have been a lot of claims. You would think that with what seemed like a personal photographer for every protester, there would at least be ONE PICTURE of this happening.

It doesn't matter. If enough people scream it happend then it's true.