Never realised that people needed to be told how to protest by the very government they're protesting.

Information for Demonstrators

Legal Information

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees certain rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly.

Section 2 of the Charter states:

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

1. freedom of conscience and religion;
2. freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
3. freedom of peaceful assembly; and
4. freedom of association.

The Integrated Security Unit (led by the RCMP and supported by Canadian Forces, Toronto Police Service, and Peel Regional Police) recognizes the importance of these freedoms and of all other protections in the Charter.

Limits

The rights and freedoms contained in the Charter are not limitless. The Supreme Court has recognized that "freedom of expression does not extend to protect threats of violence or acts of violence. It would not protect the destruction of property, assaults, or other clearly unlawful conduct." In addition, in some cases, the reasonable limits prescribed by law will also apply.

A Designated Demonstration Area is anticipated for the Event, in a manner respecting the findings of the Hughes Hearing (2001), as well as in an effort to best organize for this reality.RCMP Officer

Section 1 of the Charter, which provides for limitations on rights and freedoms, states:

1) The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it, subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

The Criminal Code of Canada contains various provisions that limit individuals' rights. The following is a list of some of the relevant Criminal Code sections that limit certain activities.

* blocking or obstructing a highway (Section 423(1)(g))
* causing a disturbance (Section 175)
* common nuisance (Section 180)
* interfering with transportation facilities (Section 248)
* mischief (Section 430)
* offensive volatile substance (Section 178)
* riots (Sections 32, 33, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69)
* unlawful assembly (Section 63)
* breach of the peace (Section 31)

Breach of peace: An arrest for breach of the peace, whether under the Criminal Code or the common law, does not result in a charge. The purpose of an arrest for breach of peace is to end the breach and restore order.

There are numerous other Criminal Code sections that may also apply to protest situations.

In addition to the Criminal Code, limitations on activities that may be contemplated in protest situations are also contained in provincial statutes, such as the Highway Traffic Act, and in municipal by-laws.
Duties of Police

Police officers have, among other duties, a sworn duty to preserve the peace, prevent offences, enforce the law, protect property, preserve life and protect against serious injury, among other duties.

These duties have their basis in common law and statutes, including the RCMP Act, Ontario Police Services Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.

The G20 Integrated Security Unit remains committed to ensuring that Charter guaranteed rights and freedoms are upheld, while ensuring that police officers carry out their sworn duties.

The Unit advises demonstrators to familiarize themselves with their legal rights and responsibilities to ensure their actions are within the boundaries of the law. The ISU also encourages groups who are planning to voice their opinions at the Summit to reach out to the Community Relations Group in order to work with the police in planning their protests within the legal framework.

The Community Relations Group (CRG) can be reached at 1-888-446-4047 or by e-mail at [email protected].

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Especially fond of the "Unlawful Assembly" subsection, which states:

quote:

"An unlawful assembly is an assembly of three or more persons who, with intent to carry out any common purpose, assemble in such a manner or so conduct themselves when they are assembled as to cause persons in the neighbourhood of the assembly to fear, on reasonable grounds, that they will disturb the peace tumultuously; or will by that assembly needlessly and without reasonable cause provoke other persons to disturb the peace tumultuously. "Persons who are lawfully assembled may become an unlawful assembly if they conduct themselves with a common purpose in a manner that would have made the assembly unlawful if they had assembled in that manner for that purpose."

Seems very open to individual interpretation, to the point of contradicting the right to Peaceful Assembly.

Wonder if we're in for a repeat of Copenhagen?



Arrest and detain over 1000, release all but 13. Rationalisation for doing so?

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quote:

Originally posted by Time2Burn Hey man, really the most "insulting" thing I said to you was to read a book (or in other words learn) - sorry you find that so offensive . My comments are solely based on what you've said in this thread that came accross as rather ingnorant. Sorry if I took "those hippe sons of bitches" in a way that made me think you are rather un-informed. I otherwise know you to be a pretty nice guy off the boards. All I've tried to do here (sure maybe in a more antagonistic way) is to point out that many of the issues people are protesting against are the same as the ones Jayx1 posts about often - and you tend to agree with.

Nah, I'm an asshole in person too, lol. Just ask Vince or Veronica, lol. Like other ppl on these boards I sometimes like to poke the bees nest, and hippie sons of bitches worked very well. The hippies in Guelph were very very aggressive in pushing their agendas though the student governing body, so thats why I have some reservations about them. Other than being loud and smelly, I guess they are OK. And I am a conservative (waits for rotten tomatoes) so naturally I butt heads with a few people.

To be honest, I do agree with a lot of the things Jayx1 says on these boards, and I'm fine with getting flamed for that, but I think that with regards to the topic in this thread anyways we are all dancing around the same fire. Freedom of expresion, freedon of speech, freedom of gathering. To quote historical figures from ages ago, and apply what they said to todays issues seems almost fruitless, heres why I think so.

Back in the day the social and economic issues were not what they are today. Looking to the past will not solve the issues of today, revolution will. Revolution in what way, I have no idea, but clearly things need to change, but to that end, I dont think any one person in this country/world will ever be completely satisfied happy with change, even if it is for the better. As a society in the last 10 years we have all had to swallow a rather large pill in the name of security, and the pill being the sacrifice of our personal basic human rights. Do you really think 10 years ago the government would be able to push full-body scanners at the airports, or increased taxes for airport security measures, no way. It's even worse down south. Fear and paranoia have litterally crippled American society. Is this right, of course not, but there are groups of people out there that would love nothing more than to attack the group of world leaders coming to Toronto. That means that under the same way of thinking as mentioned above, the fear and paranoia has deemed it necessary to infringe on the rights of a few to prtects others.

I'm sure there will be plenty of responces to this so I will stop typing for now.

Another Montebello piece, this time with some sickening spin courtesy of knobgobbler Stockwell Day.

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Sorta goes along to what I was saying earlier, a quick summery to the problem im concerned with...

The Art of Protest from Studiocanoe on Vimeo.

Excellent vid, Anas, and shows how easily people are misled into thinking they're making a difference.

So, whaddya wanna guess Downsview is their next pick?

Trinity Bellwoods no longer G20 protest site

Trinity Bellwoods Park is being abandoned as the official protest site for the upcoming G20 summit, security officials have confirmed.

“The ISU in partnership with the City of Toronto has pulled the designated speech area from Trinity Bellwoods and an alternate site will be named in the near future,” said Meaghan Gray, a Toronto police spokesperson with summit’s Integrated Security Unit (ISU).

“We’re looking at other parks in the downtown area,” she added. “I’d imagine an announcement will be made in the very near future.”

Last week, summit officials announced the park would be the official demonstration site for protestors during the G20, which takes place in Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre from June 26 – 27.

Thousands of protestors were expected to descend upon the 37-acre park and take advantage of the “designated speech area,” where demonstrators would have a stage to make speeches and have their protests videotaped and fed into the G20 convention centre via live feed.

But the site selection itself was met with a flurry of protests, as area residents and businesses complained the park was an inappropriate choice.

Gray said Trinity Bellwoods was ultimately abandoned as the protest area after ISU officials consulted with City Hall and heard concerns from local residents.

“In continued consultations with the city, we listened to concerns raised by members of the local community that would be most affected,” she said.

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And in another story, concerned citizen arrested for filming on PUBLIC property:



If you aren't concerned for your rights just yet, you will be soon enough.

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quote:

Originally posted by PivotTechno If you aren't concerned for your rights just yet, you will be soon enough.

ive been saying this for a decade now


but people like you LOVE to control society by a thousand cuts until you yourself feel the control. Then it's time to rise up!

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quote:

Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

Wow, if you've been saying that for a decade now, I'm sure you must have made some very valuable contributions to changing the societal structure in which we currently reside.

That, or you've just been perpetually table thumping over symptom after symptom of a much graver illness, because that in and of itself amounts to accomplishment in your books.

You seem to think you're a lion, but I have you pegged as more of a vulture who'll swoop in to dance over the carcasses, yelling, "I told you so!" once the dust has settled. You go ahead and rise right up, fierce warrior, and don't tax yourself too much on the commute in from the suburbs.

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I really really hope that alot of people come to these protests and try to send a message to G20 leaders. Not that those leadesrs give a shit about us but still I feel like thats the least we could do.

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Yup you got me! Im not a stone throwing full time activist!

All i do is be an active part of several political parties and volunteer. All I do is raise awareness through forums like this. All I do is lead by example by practicing what i preach. All I do is actively engage politicians by questioning their intentions when they are running for office.

But hell, thats a whole lotta nothing if you arent getting tear gassed in the process, isnt that right?

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quote:

Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

Oh and i forgot, i vote for all three levels of government! Ive missed one election since 1993 and thats only because i couldnt stand any of the candidates in my riding (Joyce Frugstalio) or whatever her name was, was running for the PCs. Thereby foiling your next arguement that i will vote for my party no matter what. Frugstalio's actions as a Vaughan council member ran contrary to many of my libertarian views, therefor i abstained.

Voting is something most people in this country also do not do

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quote:

Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

quote:

Originally posted by PivotTechno and don't tax yourself too much on the commute in from the suburbs.

im sure people like u will create a law against suburban living once you are finished complaining about the government taking away our rights

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quote:

Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill