How to stay out of trouble during the G20 summit
June 26th 2010 17:23
Travellers to Toronto: Whether you're here for business or for pleasure, I'd like to apologise for our slapdash G20 summit. You might have stumbled around the curiously empty streets (empty except for the thousands of bike cops, that is), gazing dimly at the security fence surrounding the outer perimeter. You would have passed many boarded-up shop windows and banks; but sooner or later, you would have come across a large group of protesters being held back by police.
And don't even think of going out for lunch today. About 10,000 protesters are planning to take to the streets--and fences--minutes within my publishing this post. If I were you, I'd order room service. Again, sorry about this. If it means anything to you, the man running this show will probably not be elected again.
To get through the rest of the weekend, however, you might want to keep the police's recommendations mind. The following considerations are based on a security briefing from a few days ago.
G20 2010 Considerations
Identification
Carry your ID at all times. If you come within five metres of the fence, the police will ask to see your ID, and might search your bags. If you do not comply, the police can arrest you on the spot without a warrant.
Transportation
If you're driving, use a vehicle that is neither flashy nor run-down. If your rear bumper is tied on with string, do not come here. A few days ago, a man was surrounded by more than 20 police officers and arrested near the perimeter because his car had a makeshift storage rack and a broken bumper. Among the car's contents, police found a crossbow, arrows, a sledgehammer, an axe handle, a chainsaw, a water bottle, and a baseball bat. One conclusion I can draw from this is that if you have a 'handyman' job, have kids, or drink beverages in your car--for the love of god, stay away from downtown Toronto.
It's better if you simply walk or use a bike. But if you must use a car, I recommend this song for driving music.
Attire
Journalists: Police have suggested that you wear woolen underwear because it is less flammable than other kinds of undies. Unfortunately, they offer no clue as to where you can find such underwear in late June. Anyway, no doubt you would be very comfortable in your woolen underthings relaxing by the classy fake lake (which cost $1.9 million). By the way, expected temperatures for the weekend are in the mid-20s (about 77 degrees F), so good luck with that!
Everyone else: Do not look like a banker,even if especially if you are a banker. Wearing a $2500 suit would be like spray painting a bulls-eye on your forehead. (If you must, go to one of Toronto's many malls--those noxious sprawling places where the middle classes get their things--and buy a pair of jeans to wear for the weekend.)
Conversely, the police also caution you to be careful with casual wear. Apparently, if you dress informally and look a certain way, you might be treated with suspicion. This is rather vague. I think it means that if your usual glad rags consist of a slogan t-shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals, you might want to put together another outfit.
Final Thought
Most protesters are not the brick-wielding kind, but be careful of the self-proclaimed 'militants' (they will be the ones trying to tear down the fence). And don't be alarmed if a police officer seems antsy. Remember, even with protests, there's not always enough work to go around. He's probably just dying for something to do...
And don't even think of going out for lunch today. About 10,000 protesters are planning to take to the streets--and fences--minutes within my publishing this post. If I were you, I'd order room service. Again, sorry about this. If it means anything to you, the man running this show will probably not be elected again.
Midday, June 23rd--three days before the G20 summit
To get through the rest of the weekend, however, you might want to keep the police's recommendations mind. The following considerations are based on a security briefing from a few days ago.
G20 2010 Considerations
Identification
Carry your ID at all times. If you come within five metres of the fence, the police will ask to see your ID, and might search your bags. If you do not comply, the police can arrest you on the spot without a warrant.
Transportation
If you're driving, use a vehicle that is neither flashy nor run-down. If your rear bumper is tied on with string, do not come here. A few days ago, a man was surrounded by more than 20 police officers and arrested near the perimeter because his car had a makeshift storage rack and a broken bumper. Among the car's contents, police found a crossbow, arrows, a sledgehammer, an axe handle, a chainsaw, a water bottle, and a baseball bat. One conclusion I can draw from this is that if you have a 'handyman' job, have kids, or drink beverages in your car--for the love of god, stay away from downtown Toronto.
It's better if you simply walk or use a bike. But if you must use a car, I recommend this song for driving music.
Attire
Journalists: Police have suggested that you wear woolen underwear because it is less flammable than other kinds of undies. Unfortunately, they offer no clue as to where you can find such underwear in late June. Anyway, no doubt you would be very comfortable in your woolen underthings relaxing by the classy fake lake (which cost $1.9 million). By the way, expected temperatures for the weekend are in the mid-20s (about 77 degrees F), so good luck with that!
Everyone else: Do not look like a banker,
Conversely, the police also caution you to be careful with casual wear. Apparently, if you dress informally and look a certain way, you might be treated with suspicion. This is rather vague. I think it means that if your usual glad rags consist of a slogan t-shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals, you might want to put together another outfit.
Final Thought
Most protesters are not the brick-wielding kind, but be careful of the self-proclaimed 'militants' (they will be the ones trying to tear down the fence). And don't be alarmed if a police officer seems antsy. Remember, even with protests, there's not always enough work to go around. He's probably just dying for something to do...
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