The issues being discussed, or not discussed, during the G20 require discussion and thoughtful reflection. This is not the place.
The police response to peaceful protesters and lack of response to wanton vandals needs no discussion, it needs external inquiry. Here are three letters I have mailed to the appropriate authorities urging such a matter. Feel free to copy and paste and send on your own behalf.
Sincerely,
Quinn
The Honourable Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
Legislative BuildingQueen’s ParkToronto ON M7A 1A1Dear Premier McGuinty,I have been a proud Ontarian for over 5 years now, having come to Toronto from BC for graduate school, however, recently I am less proud. Enacting secret laws to enable clearly unethical and undemocratic police tactics tarnishes your Premiership. I appreciate that special provisions need to be made to accommodate the G20, but some actions are off-limits in Western democracies. Even though I was not involved in any protest (because I believe that protests are no longer effective mechanisms for activism) it worries me to think that I live in a place where I could be harassed or arrested for failing to show identification, or happen to enter a public area for which I am discouraged from being at. A cornerstone of Western democracy is the right to be left alone, and to pursue a flourishing life whichever way one chooses, so long as it does not directly and unnecessarily impact others’ ability to do the same.As my elected representative I strongly encourage you to seek out those that created this law and punish them with the greatest force for which you are able. Further, you should work to enact rules and laws that prevent the passing of any other future laws that unnecessarily harm my ability to be left alone to flourish as I see fit.
Sincerely,
Isaac Quinn DuPont
Toronto, ON
Mayor David MillerCity Hall, 2nd Flr,100 Queen St WToronto,OntarioM5H 2N2Dear Mayor Miller,I am a concerned citizen. I am concerned that during the G20 weekend the Toronto police have acted poorly towards peaceful protesters, while letting a violent few escape unscathed, and without justice. The security costs for the G20 were unjustified and, evidently, poorly allocated. Proportionality is a Canadian virtue, and a legal principal—-even if the peaceful protesters were breaking the law (and I doubt they were, especially since very few were actually charged), the response was not proportionate. The Toronto Police failed to act professionally, and failed to properly police.The Toronto Police needs oversight, regulation, and punishment. As a citizen of Canada and a resident of Toronto, I demand that an inquiry is launched, and that the responsible agents of this poor policing are held accountable. The City of Toronto needs to restore public confidence in Toronto Police, and this will not be accomplished through denial or public relations. The results of an external inquiry must be enacted judicially and swiftly.Sincerely,Isaac Quinn DuPontToronto, ON Police Chief Bill Blair40 College Street Toronto, Ontario M5G 2J3Dear Bill Blair,I am a concerned citizen. I am concerned that during the G20 weekend the Toronto police have acted poorly towards peaceful protesters, while letting a violent few escape unscathed, and without justice. The security costs for the G20 were unjustified and, evidently, poorly allocated. Proportionality is a Canadian virtue, and a legal principal—-even if the peaceful protesters were breaking the law (and I doubt they were, especially since very few were actually charged), the response was not proportionate. The Toronto Police failed to act professionally, and failed to properly police.The Toronto Police needs oversight, regulation, and punishment. As a citizen of Canada and a resident of Toronto, I demand that an inquiry is launched, and that the responsible agents of this poor policing are held accountable. I realize that you are likely personally responsible, so, I ask that you resign and punish any others that were responsible. I am contacting my elected representatives, Prime Minister Harper, Premier McGuinty, and Mayor Miller with the hopes that they may force this investigation and bring oversight to the Toronto police.Sincerely,Isaac Quinn DuPontToronto, ON Posted via email from T H I N K | Comment »
