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Inquiry needed into G20 police actions

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Published On Sat Jul 10 2010 Email Print Share130

Injured protester is carried away by friend on June 26 on Queen St. W. near Spadina during G20 summit.
STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

There is much for Toronto residents to be concerned about in the actions by G20 police
toward peaceful protesters and bystanders.

We've heard credible stories and/or seen videos involving police violently charging peaceful
groups or individuals, throwing tear gas, shooting rubber bullets, running horses into

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters/article/834500--inquiry-needed-into-g20-police-actions[3/22/2011 1:39:18 AM]

Inquiry needed into G20 police actions - thestar.com

crowds, cornering protesters, strip-searching underage girls, making violent threats,

arresting people for no reason or on made-up charges, treating detainees in degrading and
inhumane fashion (caged for hours without phone or toilet access), and more.

Only a full inquiry by a designated independent panel can identify the root causes of G20
police going off track and recommend measures ensuring that these violations of our trust
will never again occur. Only then will there be any chance of healing the wounds inflicted on
police-resident relations by the G20 actions, and restoring our collective confidence in
Toronto's police as a force for good, not ill.

Jessica Wilson, Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto

I was shocked by the handling of the police at the summit. There is no doubt in my mind Editorial Cartoon
there were many “agents provocateurs,” like in Montebello, from the police and this
succeeded in diverting media coverage away from the real issues that needed to be
discussed and the peaceful protests that took place.

Josette Wier, Smithers, B.C.

Police Chief Bill Blair clearly bungled his G20 responsibilities when he allowed, explicitly or
not, the arbitrary arrest and detention without charge of innocent citizens. He also failed to
prevent vandalism by actual miscreants. If he does not resign, he must be fired.

Carol Damioli, Toronto

Re: Chief Blair deserves a vote of support, Opinion July 7

by THEO MOUDAKIS/TORONTO STAR

Michael Taube has it wrong when he states, “Blair shouldn't be fired. He should instead be More cartoons »
praised for making the best out of a very bad situation.” Mr. Taube and others advocate that
violations of human and charter rights are acceptable under the guise of public safety. That
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is like carpet bombing a village to kill a couple of terrorists.

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Brian Stewart, Orleans
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Keep kids in booster seats longer:
I fully support the work that Police Chief Blair and his force did during the G20 summit. We
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should move on to the real issue: the spending of over $1 billion on a summit. Stephen
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spending to civil liberties and the Toronto police. A great diversionary tactic!
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Christopher J. Hoover, Toronto
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Michael Taube asks “what sensible person would have wanted to be downtown during the
G20, knowing the problems that could potentially occur?” Gee, I don't know, maybe the kind Follow The Toronto Star
who believes, perhaps mistakenly, that we live in a democratic society where people have
the right to peaceful protest without fear of being arrested for the “offence” of walking down
the wrong street?
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Perhaps a better question is, what sensible person would be so willing to casually dismiss
the democratic freedoms of anyone whose world view is different from his own?

John De Vellis, Toronto

Re: Mayor responds to tweet for help, July 6

Pleasing story about the mayor responding to a tweet from a man stranded during the
blackout.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters/article/834500--inquiry-needed-into-g20-police-actions[3/22/2011 1:39:18 AM]

Inquiry needed into G20 police actions - thestar.com

Such a shame this same mayor didn't have the time or the courage to arrive at the scene of
the June 27 nightmare at Queen and Spadina (see YouTube), walk in and instruct police to
put down their weapons.

Such a shame he has been incapable of joining the thousands of voices on twitter,
Facebook and elsewhere demanding a public inquiry into the events of those horrific days.
Something is rotten in the state of Toronto.

Julia Tait, Toronto

This is an issue of civil liberties and police abusing those liberties with impunity. Who were
the political leaders in charge? Who gave police orders to ignore the Black Bloc rampage?
Was the systematic abuse of protesters ordered by senior police officials? The public needs
answers.

Pam Woolridge, Ottawa

Your live reporting during the G20 summit was incredible, and the photos were
unbelievable. But I'm most impressed with your editorial stance regarding the need for
police accountability, and your coverage of demonstrator viewpoints, specifically those who
were detained. It's a shocking story how these people were treated, and is completely
riveting reading. I have never been more impressed with coverage of any topic in the
mainstream media.

Rob Broughton, Toronto

Re: Pride Parade a joy despite controversies, July 4

I take issue with the first sentence: “The last time thousands of people marched on Toronto
streets, a police car was lit on fire.” On Monday, June 28 and Thursday July 1, thousands
marched to demand an inquiry into police actions during the G20 summit. These thousands
marched entirely peacefully.

Vikram Mulligan, Toronto

Re: Grim lessons for civil liberties as each side upped ante at G20, July 3

Thomas Walkom's comment, “the state blatantly abused its powers,” brings to mind that
June 25 — the first day of the summit — was the 107th anniversary of the birth of George
Orwell, author of 1984 and passionate opponent of totalitarianism. As he wrote in Animal
Farm, “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”

Dennis Kucherawy, Toronto

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http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters/article/834500--inquiry-needed-into-g20-police-actions[3/22/2011 1:39:18 AM]

Inquiry needed into G20 police actions - thestar.com

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http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters/article/834500--inquiry-needed-into-g20-police-actions[3/22/2011 1:39:18 AM]