I would like to report on both my own experiences, as well as brutality I witnessed during the G20 demonstrations. I would also like to preface that I have been peacefully and creatively demonstrating for social change for over 12 years, attending such powerful convergences as the WTO shut down in seattle, the OAS demonstrations in windsor and the FTAA demonstrations in Quebec city. I have watched as the brutality and disregard for human rights by police and “security services” protecting the interests of these oppressive governing bodies has steadily worsened. I have deep concern that we are stepping into an era of such cruel smashing of dissent and a perfectly lethargic dominant culture and society that condones this militarization as necessary “anti-terrorist” measures. I can’t begin to imagine how this will transform the brutality and lawlessness of policing in low income communities and communities of color, already terrorized by police, not to mention peaceful public organizing, if we allow this to continue un-checked…
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On Saturday June 26th I attended the mass demonstration and march down to Queen street along with thousands of other courageous and resilient individuals, community groups and organizations. After several hours observing painfully obvious police tactics to instigate violence and vandalism, I decided reluctantly to retreat to the “safe zone” in Queen’s Park and attempt to record a statement on the apparent G20 Video Speakers Corner.
When I arrived in the park from the north police had already blocked entry or exit onto college and were steadily closing in on the group of mainly un-affiliated demonstrators, bystanders and onlookers taking refuge on the grass of the park. People stood guard in face of the police but there was no provocation at all. At one point a single plastic bottle was thrown over the police and the group responded by yelling “don’t throw things! We are not here to battle the police”. They were peacefully occupying a space designated for “Safe Protest”. Of course, without any cause or notice, the police began to charge the crowd and pick out individuals then drag them behind their lines. In almost every case the police chose individuals who were clearly vulnerable such as young women, elderly men, folks of color and people with obvious physical disabilities. At this point police also began firing tear gas pellets into the audience and possibly also rubber bullets as their were at least 3 different kinds of guns being used to disperse people. I was struck in the leg by a tear gas pellet which I was able to collect as evidence. I’ve included a photo of the bullet and wound as evidence. Shortly after this the police brutally pushed the crowd out of the street and into the trees of the park area with hundreds of unmarked riot cops and horses beating people with batons, shoving with their shields and kicking anyone who didn’t move quickly enough. I watched as an older man (approximately 50 years old, long hair) with a clear physical disability greatly restricting his mobility was chased down by 4 police and pushed to the ground while they yelled “hurry the fuck up”. He was not trying to interact with the police nor was he resisting their requests to move, he simply wasn’t fast enough to get away. The man pleaded with them saying “I can’t run faster, I have a disability” over and over again. One police officer yelled “you’re lying” and beat him several times with a baton. I decided to interfere and tried to shield his body with my own. I also tried to plead with the police asking them to let me help him leave. They collectively yelled “move! move!” I tried to gather the man up under the arms and drag him away from them but one of the police hit me in the shoulder with his baton and another smashed me in the head with their shield throwing me several feet away. Four riot police then proceeded to throw the man to the concrete, stand on his leg and back, and kneel on him while they arrested him then dragged him away with his knees dragging on the concrete. It was a horrifying example of such violent police discrimination.
If there have been any other reports about this man I would really appreciate knowing if he is ok, if he was charged with anything and if he or others have also reported on his violent arrest. I have been worrying about him since this incident took place…