The protests, and often any anarchist movement, is a dragon that eats its own tail. Our world is flawed. We are surrounded by opportunity that is not afforded to each of us evenly. There is a lot to protest about! Unfortunately, none of that is coming out when hordes of protestors in black run through the streets. Small pockets of protestors in black vandalize and damage private property, while others use umbrellas and their sheer numbers to block the view of cameras and police. They wear black to protect their identity, and then shed their cover and black masks to blend into the crowd. The hopes is that by distracting the police and cameras, the crowd can push further towards the G20 summit, but when this plan fails the result is only vandalism. Wouldn't a better way be to deliver speeches and take advantage of the presence of the media to get your message across?
This leaves the public shaking their heads. What is your message? Why do you destroy private property? Nobody listens to a screaming child. A good parent never concedes to a temper tantrum. The only message that has been sent is that you're upset. How can the police or media decipher between peaceful protestors and people who are being violent for the sake of disturbing peace? Why do they do this in the name of Anarchy? Anarchy continues to be misunderstood as much by the people who call themselves anarchists as the media who report on their behavior.
Meanwhile, Police were granted increased power to arrest shortly before the G20, without any public announcement or debate. Police can arrest protestors even if they are not breaking the law, simply if they are within 5 meters of a police line, and do not submit to a request for identification. I'd protest over that.
So, the G20 is half over, and what we've accomplished is 24 hour news coverage. Did anybody notice the lack of violent protests at the G8 in Muskoka?
A few days ago, I was speaking to somebody who actually believed the the G20 was good for Toronto commerce - that it would bring increased business to hotels, restaurants, and shops in the area. I couldn't believe them - this is an argument used for bringing Pride or Carribbana to Toronto. Holding G20 in Toronto brings us nothing but CO$T, damage, inconvenience, confusion, finger pointing and mistrust.
