City
G20 Toronto Security
G20 security in Toronto has, if nothing else, dramatized the degree to which the crowd captures the state of things these days. On the cusp of one of the most significant news events in Toronto's (recent) history, I can't help but notice the degree to which citizen documentation has helped us all to grasp the profound transformation of our city for the G20 summit.
And how better to chart this metamorphosis than through what William Eggleston called the "democratic camera?"
What follows are some of the best -- or, at least, my favourite -- images from the blogTO Flickr pool that highlight the various security preparations for the G20.
As the summit (and the protests) get underway, we'll be sure to roundup more examples of the excellent journalistic work that our readers share with us.
(Author credits appear below each image).
The Fence:
Photo by Loozerboy
The Surveillance Cameras:
Photo by karin!
The Helicopters and Planes:
Photo by David G. Tran
Photo by Sniderscion
The Cops:
Photo by RielLanart
Photo by exMOHAX for free TIBET
The Leader?
How many zeros was that? -- Photo by dkittts777
Lead photo by de la Ronde
Thanks to the blogTO Flickr pool members for their excellent photos. To see your photo in the slideshow below, simply add the photo to our pool with the tag "G20."
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Time to move to the boonies
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/828039--man-53-arrested-in-g20-traffic-zone-with-chainsaw-crossbow?bn=1
Yeah we really don't need all the security. Let the "maybe it wasn't related to G8/G20 and would have happened anyways" comments begin.
The guy was no threat. Apparently he's been homeless for a while and living out of his car. All of the stuff they found was quite literally all of his stuff that would otherwise be in his garage or basement.
People have been conditioned to live in a climate of fear.
Lock the doors and tie town the windows kids. The Boogey man is coming to town. But don't worry, cameras and security passes will protect you.
"A man who gives up liberty for a little security deserves neither".
The regulation was made under Ontario’s Public Works Protection Act and was not debated in the Legislature. According to a provincial spokesperson, the cabinet action came in response to an “extraordinary request” by Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, who wanted additional policing powers shortly after learning the G20 was coming to Toronto.
The regulation kicked in Monday and will expire June 28, the day after the summit ends. While the new regulation appeared without notice on the province’s e-Laws online database last week, it won’t be officially published in The Ontario Gazette until July 3 — one week after the regulation expires.
According to the new regulation, “guards” appointed under the act can arrest anyone who, in specific areas, comes within five metres of the security zone.
Within those areas, police can demand identification from anyone coming within five metres of the fence perimeter and search them. If they refuse, they face arrest. Anyone convicted under the regulation could also face up to two months in jail or a $500 maximum fine.
I believe that it probably cost less, inconvenienced fewer people, and infringed on fewer freedoms when Trudeau implemented the War Measures Act (which was only ever invoked three times: 1)World War I 2) World War II and 3) The October Crisis). (and to think that some criticized HIM as overreacting!)