Ontario NDP calls for public inquiry on security response to G20 protests

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      The Ontario New Democratic Party is calling for a public inquiry to look into how the G20 protests in Toronto were handled by authorities.

      “There are serious concerns about whether fundamental rights and freedoms were respected over the weekend and in the lead-up to the summit,” Peter Kormos, the party’s justice critic, said in a statement today (June 28). “We need a clear and full explanation of what happened and why it happened.”

      Kormos urged the federal government to compensate downtown Toronto businesses and workers who lost money due to the G20 summit. He also condemned the “violence and unlawful conduct” carried out by a “small group of reckless hoodlums” on Saturday (June 26).

      The federal NDP said today it would ask the House of Commons’ standing committee on public safety and national security to prepare a “post-summit accountability report”.

      “It’s incumbent on the federal government to work with the Integrated Security Unit, the city of Toronto, the Province of Ontario and all three levels of police forces to find answers to the questions being asked about how strategic decisions were made and the way in which demonstrators and journalists were treated,” Don Davies, NDP public safety critic and Vancouver-Kingsway MP, said in a press release.

      On the streets of Toronto today, protesters rallied against the tactics police used to respond to G20 demonstrations over the weekend and demanded the release of people still in custody.

      The Toronto Star reported that at least 1,000 people gathered outside Toronto police headquarters to hear activists such as Naomi Klein and Judy Rebick.

      Police have arrested more than 900 people in connection with the G20 summit, making Toronto the site of the largest mass arrests in Canadian history.

      Amnesty International has also called for an independent review of the security measures put in place for the G8 and G20 summits.


      Riot police move in on protesters at Queen's Park on June 26.

      You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.

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      Comments

      8 Comments

      glen p robbins

      Jun 28, 2010 at 6:26pm

      If the news reports I have digested from different media are correct, and many people -- completely unrelated to the protest, property damage, civil disobedience--were also arrested -- (in the midst of 1.4 billion dollars---with that kind of money I am like many others certain I could take over the world) -- then an Inquiry---Independent Investigation of Fact -- must be called --.

      I would be delighted to observe the intracacies of our billion dollar plan relative to the outcomes -- if and only if there is proof that innocent bystanders were arrested.

      Personally, I would declare this a 10 out of 10 consideration -- without unnecessary rancor with police -- either innocent people were drugged up in the whale net--that's dead end wrong -- and if its the case -- we need to know all the facts -- no stonewalling.

      Civil Rights Before Politics

      Jun 28, 2010 at 8:52pm

      Glen, I would refer you to the internet to find out how many peaceful citizens and journalists have been beaten and wrongfully detained.

      Get a clue.

      In fact if somehow you really don't have one and you're not simply posturing its equally irresponsible.

      You claim you wish to lead British Columbians - take 5 minutes and find out what happened. We don't need anymore of the type that cheerlead the actions of ilk like the YVR 4.

      Thank you NDP.

      Jun 28, 2010 at 9:14pm

      Thank you NDP.

      It is reassuring that some are willing to take a stand when basic morality has been abandoned and civil rights abused.

      Remember to vote.

      RodSmelser

      Jun 29, 2010 at 7:45am

      Finding out how the billion dollar security budtet was spent is a good idea. FInding out what actually happened street by street, or detainee by detainee, isn't going to be possible in general, but an attempt should be made to find out how the policing was conducted.

      As of Monday, Mayor David Miller was of the opinion that generally speaking, the Toronto Police Services had acted appropriately in the circumstances.

      http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/g20-related-detentions-bigg...

      Mayor David Miller defended the police response Monday, saying officers acted with professionalism. He said police had an “almost impossible” job of allowing peaceful protesters to assemble while sorting out trouble-makers who used rallies as a cover to commit crimes.

      “In the very big picture, our police did a commendable job,” he told reporters.

      Mr. Miller said the city will ask the federal government to compensate businesses that suffered damages or had to close in addition to employees who lost wages because of the summit.

      “It’s only fair and reasonable,” he said.

      Rod Smelser

      glen p robbins

      Jul 1, 2010 at 3:43pm

      "Civil Rights Before Politics" Your comments to me "get a clue' --- if you understood politics -- you would see that the best way to get a clue -- to the more serious allegations "rape" is through an investigation of the arrest of 'innocent' people. Because politics is my business -- I document (as close as possible) the time -- my comment is made -- relevant to other news -- or stories---and I can tell you -- one talk show coincidentally after my blog occurred was running through the apologies of why innocent people should not have been there in the first place (inferring they were responsible for the accidental arrest).

      Most regular citizens won't support property damage - no matter -- but they also will not support arresting innocent people. There was enough evidence available from journalists who were there -- which I read prior to taking that position -- that made me believe that the key to getting the as close to the truth as possible --- would be through these more dubious arrests of innocent bystanders.

      Mayor Miller -- as Mr. Smelser points out --- takes a less aggressive position than I -- yet in other media has pointed out his CLEAR differences with other government- on this--Miller is more left than right as are Toronto voters by and large.

      My position exhibits leadership because I instantly knew - the position I advanced would be main (possibly only) entry point into a more formal investigation of the whole of the event.

      The fact that I understand on balance of probabilities -- how the politics and media disclosure of this will likely play out -- I maintain with emphasis that my position is likely more clued in than not--notwithstanding the fact that the Editors at Georgia Straight can probably attest -- that not all of my comments are published---and I am no milquetoast--when the ground around me supports my position.

      glen p robbins

      Jul 1, 2010 at 7:19pm

      I might humbly add - NO British Columbian has lost more personally than I have--due to civil rights abuse. A documented (audited) publishing business -- 2.5 million per year -- done -- no basis--- politics only.

      I understand what its like to have the system you bought into -- take everything from you. Empathy-- at abuse is never lost on me.

      Ernie Hilts

      Jul 1, 2010 at 8:27pm

      Toronto is a place for peaceful protest. Those at peace were together and it was beautiful; prior to the riot police pushing them out of Queen's Park. Here are some of the voices of the people I was able to capture before the crackdown. The weekend should have echoed this video.

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