where is this country of mine?

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am the last person who would stand up for Canada’s policies. When the G8 and G20 were being held here, however, there was some hope that Canada’s voice would grow a tad in the international community, and its citizen’s apathy towards international tragedy and injustice would begin to change. This hope died, however, when the police force was given an absolute power, and began to abuse it.
Again, I am not one to take sides; protesters annoy me, often, and there is often times that the fear and the aggression can get to the police and create an over-active defence mechanism to kick in, and aggression to take over. What should be in that place to keep all of those situations in check, is the law. It is supposed to be seen as an ever evolving (and by that, one would hope, advancing) force. However, this too has been abused. The concept of the 24-hour hold, without charge or contest by the individual being held, has been abused recently.
There have been peaceful protests in the “free speech zones”, which are (most of them, at least- and even the ones that many would find disagreeable) beautiful to see, because most importantly, it means that there is activity in the people, and there is interest in all issues. There were protests such as women’s rights (international and domestic), health care, of course the typical war ones, environmental…and tons more. There was music, even people protesting by distributing “free hugs”. None of these posed a threat. There were also, however, those who decided to take things to the next level and destroy property, terrorize the citizens, and threaten the police officers. I know that we like to think of them as an opposing force- some kind of mechanical entity- but they are fathers, mothers, daughters in uniform trying to make sure that those citizens who work in those buildings being broken and burned aren’t injured, and that you can walk home safe at night. It’s a lovely thought to be naïve to the dangers of every day life when there’s a big activity such as a gathering of foreign delegates, where you can be the offenders, but a lot of us have needed the police at one time or another. Not to mention, those who are trainees and this being their first job- being screamed at by a bunch of people hurling objects and threats…not exactly appealing and a calming day.
Anyway, my point is, I shake my head at the protesters that decide to take physical action such as that, and expect them to be dealt with in a manner many of them may protest to. But where I draw the line to remain silent, is when I hear about ordinary citizens and even foreign visitors to Canada being mistreated. The most recent event was a round up of over 900 individuals. Where are the news crews? It’s not as though this was done in secret. Some of those caught up were journalists!
Anyway, in reading some testimonials, and watching some, there were such similarities it created some outrage. As a disabled individual especially, hearing about the boy with CP who was abused was absolutely sickening.
Further, there were police undercover- especially understanding as the Black Bloc was there inciting a lot of the rioting- dressed in “anarchist” gear, however many are claiming that much of the activity was caused by the police, only later, to be arrested for it. An American group- the United Soil-workers of America, who were there participating in the protest, are calling for a congressional investigation.
In the testimonial by Tom Taylor, he explains the conditions he and fellow individuals, many of whom were not even involved or associated in the least with activities of the G20 or G8, were kept in. He goes further to explain conditions of how the gay and lesbian community were treated. He states that they were kept in cells meant for 15 people, and there were up to 40.
In a testimonial by one man, Dan Hamilton, 18, he explains how once the individuals detaining him found out he was gay, they moved him into a smaller room full of small cells only able to barely handle two individuals, where they kept the gay and lesbian couples (or individuals together simply because of their sexuality). They claimed that it was for their own protection, however, Mr. Hamilton goes on to explain that the people in his cell were extremely kind and could care less that he was gay. The only prejudice he encountered was from the guards themselves.
Finally, they held them for over the 24 hour period (including a german couple who were horrified by the treatment and their first encounter with this “so-called, free Canada”) depriving them of the necessities until they pass out from dehydration, and not allowing them to call individuals.
There was an abundance of civil rights lawyer numbers being passed throughout the detention center.
This controversy will scar Canada, for a long time to come.
Now granted, these are testimonials from a limited supply, and some independent sources that have clear bias. However, in looking up a numerous amount of others, there are parts of the testimonials that remain perfectly identical from entirely unique sources. There were lawyers and journalists, and individual citizens on a date held in those cells for no other reason than bad timing. The Mayor came out saying that Toronto had never been safer, and to enjoy the city… he has created an international disgrace.
Where is this Canada that I had been told about? That people were telling me as a citizen I should be proud of? It sure as hell is missing right about now.
-Shoshanna.