Nearly nine months have past since the G-20 summit in Toronto, Ontario, yet it still remains a pressing topic in the provincial media. Common concerns have arisen from a combination of citizens who either witnessed the event first hand, as protesters or peaceful bystanders at the events in Queen’s Park, T.O, as well as those who watched the events unfold on the television and in the news. The Toronto Police have been scrutinized and condemned for their behavior in response to the state of their city during the summit.
Although violence did occur from various small groups, the protesters were, for the most part, peaceful advocates of issues which were considered to be important to them. The damage in the city included various burned police vehicles, smashed windows of local establishments ranging from small shops to banks, and vandalized storefronts. Approximately 900 individuals were arrested during the protests that ensued over the weekend. Police Chief, Blair predicted that nearly 400 of those arrested would be proven, in fact, accountable for their actions.
The Integrated Security Unit (ISU) has recently received much criticism from not only protester and journalists but Canadian citizens who did not even attend the protests, but believe the actions of the police to be unjust. Many civil liberties groups, such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), have responded to this event with strong allegations. Blair promised the an internal review of the police which is expected to analyze the ruthless tactics of the Toronto law enforcement. The CCLA is ordering for a public inquiry into the response of the police, as they describe the actions of the Toronto police force to be “disproportionate”, “arbitrary” and “excessive”. In addition to the CCLA, Amnesty International Canada also criticized the heavy police presence and called for an independent review of the police.
After viewing the G20 footage in the classroom, it is my opinion that the police presence was far too heavy, the arrests were excessive and several of the tactics used by the Toronto Police force in response to the protesters was ethically unjust and executed in a highly inappropriate manor. I commend organizations such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Amnesty International Canada for their involvement and analysis of the events which occurred over the weekend of June 26th, 2010 in regards to police tactics.
It is my belief that all of the basic rights instituted by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms should be recognized and upheld when analysing the events of the G-20 summit as it is my opinion that a successful, democratic society would barely function without these rights listed in the charter. The charter protects the freedoms that are considered fundamental in our democratic society. These basic rights include freedom of opinion, thought, belief, expression, of the press, of the conscience, of religion, freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly. It is the job of the CCLA and other organizations of its kind to promote, protect and preserve the rights and freedoms in the charter, and that has been its ongoing goal since its establishment in 1964. The CCLA has been outspoken on some of the most important Canadian issues affecting these fundamental rights, such as censorship, hate speech, religion in schools, and, relating predominately to the case of the G-20, the right to peacefully protest. It is my hope that with the assistance of organizations such as the CCLA, the events which occurred during the G-20 summit between the law enforcement and the civilians will be revised and drastic measures will be taken in the future to limit the future occurrence of and from the mistakes made during this instance.
The University of Toronto has released a survey regarding the G20 summit. To access it, click the link below and take a glance at the questions posed by one of the schools Political Science professors.
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