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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."
Discussion
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Nice collection so far. The US military helicopters make it look like we're being invaded by the US.
Aren't we? hahaha
Jeez. I don't really know how to feel about any of this. Big brother, anyone?
100 million billion dollar bet says that the cameras won't go anywhere after the G20 is over.
Time to move to the boonies
Is it standard practice for US helicopters to fly all over a sovereign state's airspace in advance of Obama?
I wonder why the USAF is flying a massive military transport aircraft (a C-5 Galaxy, I think) over Toronto. Seems like overkill, but what do I know?
Jerrold, probably to transport in the President's bomb-proof-fast-as-a-Ferrari Limo and the rest of his motorcade.
Man, 53, arrested in G20 traffic zone with chainsaw, crossbow
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.
"...there was no threat to public safety."
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.
Seriously, what would possess someone to think it's a good idea to have the event in the most poulated urban area in Canada. Just go meet in an isolated area, or better yet on encrypted webcam. 1 billion dollars for this is just ridiculous. Isn't there something else we could be spending that on? I'll give you a hint: it's a huge black blob in the Gulf that is destroying our ecosystem.
I'm so glad someone finally said that... Chainsaw, sledge hammer & baseball bat?? The guy could just be going up to his cottage for the weekend or something! I've never been to a cottage so I don't know if you'd need those things, but those would be really stupid, slow weapons for a person to use all at once.
I've heard the cameras won't be taken down because they were so expensive to put up. Horse shit.
James Earl Cash - Unrelated to G8/G20, you're right people are saying it. You know who? The police.
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".
One can only hope everyone of those cameras ends up in some unfortunate accident after the pompous 20 leave. Can we sell the wall like they did in Berlin? Sooooooooo. let's seeeee, the bill is jussssttt under a billion.
Who elected these idiots? oh yeah....we did. ABC.
Apparently the government (the PROVINCIAL government this time, not the Tories) passed a regulation through a loophole in the Public Works Protection Act (to avoid having to debate it in the PUBLIC Legislature) that provide "GUARDS" or Police with extraordinary powers to arrest ANYONE who comes within 5 metres of the security zone. Essentially they can demand that you provide them with your identification, and if you refuse, they can arrest you.
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!)
Seriously......these leaders are idiots or better yet simpletons! Has no one heard of conference calling, almost a billion dollars to host this G20, better ways to spend money Canada!!! Of course we are a great nation who spend money on pointless and needless functions, the best thing that could of happened was for the earthquake to open up the ground and swallow all the useless politicians.
Reinhard Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler would be soooooo proud...
Reinhard Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler would be soooooo proud...
Reinhard Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler would be soooooo proud...