The G8/G20 thread

[Every Breaking Wave]

So as we all know, the G20 and G8 summits are being held in Ontario, Canada. Here's the discussion thread; I'll lead off via reporting some security concerns.

Man arrested for possession of explosives

A Toronto man has been charged with explosives and weapons offences in what police are calling a G20-related arrest.

Police searched a house just after noon on Tuesday at 58 Elderwood Dr., in Toronto's Forest Hill neighbourhood.

Byron Sonne, 37, was charged with intimidation of a justice system participant by threat, intimidation of justice system participant by watch and beset, mischief, attempted mischief, possession of explosives for an unlawful purpose and possession of dangerous weapons.

Police have revealed few details about the case.

The house remained cordoned off on Wednesday and a number of specialty police squads, including the emergency task force and the bomb squad, have been working at the house.

Home raided in Forest Hill

A 37-year-old man is facing numerous charges after a G20 security-related raid on a Forest Hill home.

The high-home on Elderwood Drive, in the Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue area, has been sealed off by police.

This comes as security is stepped up at Pearson International Airport in preparation for the arrival of some world leaders Wednesday.

"There were a number of officers [who] surrounded the house. As a result a search warrant was executed. The officers then entered the home," Toronto police Const. Tony Vella said.

Police arrested and charged a 37-year-old man who lived in the house.

Byron Sonne faces several charges, including intimidation of justice system participant by threat, possess explosive for unlawful purpose and weapons dangerous.

Toronto police said they will not reveal more details about the investigation.

Several officers executed the warrant just after noon, Tuesday.

Neighbours told 680News the home has been under observation since Friday. They also said about 50-75 police officers swarmed into the house Tuesday afternoon.

Officers remained on the scene overnight.

 

[Zekurom]

Re: Danger leading up to the G20 in Toronto

That sucks. I live in Toronto, and go downtown on a regular basis on those weekends.

 

[Every Breaking Wave]

Re: Danger leading up to the G20 in Toronto

Weapons found in car near G20 zone

A man has been arrested near the G20 security zone in Toronto after police say they found an array of weapons and hazardous material in a car.

Police say a crossbow was among the items found, but add no charges have been laid and an investigation is continuing.

Police said that, at present, the incident is not being considered a G8/G20 threat.

"There's no evidence to indicate or suggest that it's G20-related," said police spokesman Tony Vella. "The area is rendered safe — it's controlled now."

Officers on the scene say a hazardous materials team is testing suspicious fluids and the car remained at the scene, on the Esplanade, with its trunk open.

Two blue containers and at least three gas cans could be seen on the road and a chainsaw, apparently taken from the car, was on the sidewalk.

The car, which has a large storage box strapped to the roof, caught the attention of officers because it didn't appeared to be roadworthy.

 

[Netto Azure]

Re: G20: Obama calls for co-ordinated action

Hijacking this thread.

G20: Obama calls for co-ordinated action
​

US President Barack Obama has called for the G20 to pull together to promote economic growth, saying that world economies are "inextricably linked".
The president was speaking just hours after US lawmakers agreed the biggest reform of financial regulation since the Great Depression.

Mr Obama has arrived in Canada to attend meetings of the G8 and G20.
At the meetings, world leaders will discuss how best to emerge from the global economic crisis.
Mr Obama said that the G20 had made progress in its last two meetings in responding to "the worst financial crisis of our time".

The US has made quite clear its fear that European efforts to cut national deficits could actually make the current rocky economic situation much worse. In other words, let's not go back to the 1930s, when the economic orthodoxy actually turned the Wall Street crash into an horrific depression.
But it has one less thing to worry about than European leaders - a shaky currency. So as world leaders gather in Toronto there may be squabbles over fears that the EU has overreacted to the Greek debt crisis.
But from the European perspective the consequences of drastic cuts are less worrying than the economic fire storm that nearly engulfed the region just a month ago.




President Obama voiced his concerns in a letter to G20 leaders last week, while Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told the BBC that Europe should focus on growth as well as cutting spending.

Well, the rifts between the Euro Zone's cuts and the US spending are showing. :U

 

[Every Breaking Wave]

Re: G20: Obama calls for co-ordinated action

Hijacking this thread.

Nobody hijacks my thread >


Ontario secretly passes law giving police extra power during summits

Extra police powers to arrest people during the G20 summit, secretly granted earlier this month, had critics likening Ontario to a "tin-pot dictatorship" Friday.

A regulation allowing police to stop and search anyone coming within five metres of the summit site's security fence — and arrest them if they fail to show identification — was passed June 2 by a committee of cabinet.

Still, the new rules only came to light after a 31-year-old man was arrested Thursday and detained for five hours.

The law, which includes penalties of up to two months in jail and a $500 fine, went into effect on Monday. It expires next Monday, after the G20 wraps up in Toronto.

The update to the decades-old Ontario Public Works Protection Act, which allows police to search people entering public buildings such as a court house, was passed the same as most regulations, said Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci.

"There was nothing secret," insisted Bartolucci. "The process that normally happens with regulations was followed."

Bartolucci said it was up to Toronto police to explain why they didn't make the provisions of the new regulation public.

However, the opposition parties were fuming at the government's move to give police more powers without holding a debate, even though the legislature was sitting when the law was changed.

And people strolling by the fence Friday were shocked.

"I think it's really a violation of our human rights," said government worker Lana Carillo, 31, who angrily predicted people will be "up in arms about it."

Louise Kelly, 72, said most people are just curious about the fence and the G20 security area and should have been warned not to go within five metres of it.

"I'm very surprised that we weren't informed about it beforehand," said Kelly.

"It's not right just to act without letting us know. It is against our rights."

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association called the regulation dangerous. Giving police the extra powers for the G20 summit was an "inappropriate use" of the law to protect public buildings, it said.

"This was done in secret," said spokeswoman Nathalie Des Rosiers. "It was not done in a way that could be challenged in court."

Toronto police Chief Bill Blair, who requested the change to label a large section of downtown Toronto as a public work under the law, said police were not given sweeping new powers.

"We do not want to be in a situation, and we’re not seeking, extraordinary powers to arrest our citizens," said Blair.

"We are only seeking a clear authority to enable us to maintain a secure perimeter."

Premier Dalton McGuinty passed the law in secret and then kept it secret, creating a situation in which people don't know if they're breaking the law, said NDP justice critic Peter Kormos.

"Secret laws that result in people's arrest and detention, like this one, are the hallmarks of tin-pot dictatorships," he said.

The Progressive Conservatives accused McGuinty of ignoring the legislature to meet a special request from police.

"This was worth a debate," said Opposition critic Garfield Dunlop.

"It's not a dictatorship here, people have a right to have an opinion on this."

John Segsworth, 59, called it "disgraceful" as he briskly walked near the security fence.

But others, such as Mark Beharry, 35, said the new rule is just part of overall G20 security, although he said advance notice would have been appreciated.

"I guess if you're here you should probably know that the security forces are out and that's probably something you can expect," said Beharry. "But I'm glad it's only until Monday."

A Facebook group created after the law became public compared it to Canada's War Measures Act and said it "seriously curtails our rights and freedoms."

People also took to Twitter to talk about the regulations, calling it "unbelievable."

 

[Netto Azure]

Re: G20: Obama calls for co-ordinated action

Nobody hijacks my thread >

OH NOEZ I'VE BEEN FOUND OUT XD

MAH THREAD NAW.

Anyways, that might be a necessary precaution when you have the chief executives of the 18 or so most powerful countries.

It's like the UN General Assembly. XP

 

[Big Lutz]

It also helps that far left anarchists and communists tend to target these gatherings.

 

[Every Breaking Wave]

As well as the usual consortium of far-right nutjobs. Don't make it seem as if only one ideological affiliation is responsible, Lutz.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

These things should be done over video conference in this day and age... but I guess the elite of the world leaders need a chance to get together every once in a while to lord it up over their subjects in person.

These types of things are better left ignored, for those who can. I took the past week off, myself, not wanting to deal with either protestors or the increased police presence; the latter winning out as being slightly more irritating.

It also helps that far left anarchists and communists tend to target these gatherings.

lol

EDIT: As Soon said, but I felt a simple lol was more appropriate.

 

[Big Lutz]

Umm the reason I spoke about far left nut jobs is because it tends to be, the riots wave signs talking about the evils of Capitalism, and smash up banks.

"THE world's richest countries decided yesterday to abandon ostentatious "super summits" in favour of scaled-down annual meetings

The decision followed a weekend of unprecedented anti-capitalist violence that left one rioter dead and more than 300 people injured."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...ummits-amid-anger-at-victory-for-rioters.html

Last time I checked the right wasn't very anti capitalist, even the Far Right.

 

[Every Breaking Wave]

Uh-huh, and that's one protest from a summit that was... wow, almost a decade ago. Both sides protest and both sides can erupt in violence. Don't word your posts in a way that makes it seem as if only one side is at fault. If you want to debate, go to the Soap Box.

 

[Big Lutz]

No I am not trying to debate, the Far Right has their own protests at other events and of course they can turn violent. Generally however the anti G8 protests are formed by Communists and Anarchists who want to see free trade abolished as well as Capitalism. That is why there is so much security being built up, where ever these things happen, the violent protests seem to follow. Seattle for example in 1999.

 

[Phoenicks]

From what I've seen, both Canada and Germany are rejecting Obama's economic plans. Poor Keynesianism.

 

[Netto Azure]

From what I've seen, both Canada and Germany are rejecting Obama's economic plans. Poor Keynesianism.

There are so many differences between the US, Canada, and Germany that I can be quite supportive of their fiscal conservatism. ;D

G20: Why we all want to be Canadian now

<P>Certainly, fewer risks are allowed in the housing market.
<P>Canadian home values have held fairly steady according to Pierre de Varennes, a real estate broker in Ottawa, with 350 employees. </P>
<P>He says stricter standards for homebuyers meant no housing boom and bust in Canada:</P>
<P>"In Canada, you cannot over-mortgage your property. In fact if you are financing more than 75% of the value, you have to get insurance. Not for you but for the bank."</P>
<P>With that protection, Canadian banks have done well from mortgages. And with less exposure to toxic sub-prime mortgages in the US, Canada's six biggest financial institutions, headquartered on Bay Street in Toronto, survived the financial crisis disaster free.</P>

<P>The Toronto skyline that Gordon Nixon, the President of Royal Bank of Canada, can see from his office on Bay Street not only looks very different to Manhattan. It is run differently, too.</P>
<P>"The structure of our marketplace in Canada is very different," he says.</P>
<P>"Most mortgages are held on the balance sheet of banks. The terms are more conservative and there is not as aggressive a marketplace. </P>

<P>"Sub-prime lending is very limited in the Canadian marketplace. What was the weakest asset class in the US and spread to the balance sheets of many banks was one of the strongest in Canada."</P>
<P>But Canada has also been happy to wield a bigger stick when it comes to financial regulation. </P>
<P>Banking superintendent Julie Dickson credits Canadian firms with better risk management.</P>
<P>But banks must also adhere to more stringent standards. What's more, her office is within walking distance. </P>
<P>"We spent a lot of time looking at what they are doing on a day-to-day basis. We also had good rules when it comes to capital and leverage. And the industry is of a size that it is easier for the regulator to get their arms around it."</P>
<P>Canada's financial sector is smaller and perhaps more insulated than in the US. </P>
<P>Critics add that Canadian banks are less innovative, with higher costs for consumers. Talking to Canadians, they seem to shrug off those arguments, happy with the results of a more prudent and, some argue, less greedy economic philosophy.

 

[Big Lutz]

The secret has been revealed as to how the G8 got President Obama to attend!

"When U.S. President Barack Obama stepped off his helicopter in Huntsville on Friday, the first thing he said was, “You’ve got a lot of golf courses here, don’t you?” Industry Minister Tony Clement told the National Post in an exclusive interview."

http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/06/25/g8-obama-interested-in-huntsvilles-golf-courses-clement/

Like leading a mouse to cheese! Everyone take notes, if you want the President to come to you, you need Golf Courses! Lots of them!

 

[The Outrage]

I don't see what the violence accomplishes other than making the rest of the world not take the serious peaceful protesters seriously.

 

[Fig]

Lutz, if you want a thread about whatever it is you allege is of public interest about Obama and golf, make your own. (Provided you really think there is something of public interest there, of course)

Stop dropping snippy remarks about Obama and golf wherever. It's getting spammy and decidedly off-topic.

 

[Every Breaking Wave]

Re: The G8/G20 thread - Chaos in Toronto

Chaos erupts in Toronto as protestors burn cars, smash windows, and loot shops

It was a day of unprecedented chaos in downtown Toronto as roving bands of G20 protesters set fire to police vehicles and smashed windows Saturday despite a $1-billion security tab and thousands of police at the ready.

A core group of militant protesters, disguised with dark bandanas, wearing black bike helmets and using what's referred to as a Black Bloc tactic, remained at large after their campaign of violence. Still, police vowed to bring them to justice.

Police in riot gear marched through city streets for hours, pounding their shields in warning as they tried to restore order in a city under siege.

The violence came as leaders of the world's G20 nations met behind the steel and concrete barrier that has earned the city the moniker "Fortress Toronto."

With protesters seemingly running free through the streets, Toronto Mayor David Miller defended how police responded to the splinter groups that broke off from a larger peaceful protest march.

"A small group of people essentially runs in a deliberate pattern away from that demonstration, a very difficult task to immediately redeploy everybody," Miller said.

"The police have to protect the site where the G20 leaders are."

That appeared to be the strategy, as police held their lines just north of the G20 security zone, metres away from a chaotic scene that saw bank windows smashed with hammers and storefronts destroyed by hurled rocks.

When reinforcements did arrive the protesters were long gone, leaving officers the task of driving back non-violent demonstrators.

"Our streets!" the protesters chanted in response.

As night fell hundreds of protesters mounted a futile campaign. Chanting "To the fence," the group made several attempts to approach the security barrier, but was blocked by riot police at every turn.

Earlier, a newspaper photographer was shot with a plastic bullet in the backside, while another had an officer point a gun in his face despite identifying himself as a member of the media.

The Integrated Security Unit confirmed police fired plastic bullets during the protests.

The chaotic situation saw Toronto police use tear gas for the first time in the city's history, said Chief Bill Blair, who added the city has never seen that level of violence in its streets.

Some 5,100 officers from forces across the province have been tasked with protecting the summit. Security has been pegged at $1 billion.

A thick plume of dark grey smoke hovered above the city's financial district at Bay and King streets after three police vehicles were set ablaze.

When the skies cleared, the damage was laid bare — at least one cruiser was completely gutted by fire and the other two badly scorched. Graffiti was scrawled on bank towers.

Hours later another police car was set on fire — and then another.

The Prime Minister's Office condemned the violence.

"Free speech is a principle of our democracy, but the thugs that prompted violence earlier today represent in no way, shape or form the Canadian way of life," spokesman Dimitri Soudas said in a statement.

Miller made his remarks from the Direct Energy Centre, where international reporters covering the summit are stationed.

Four massive screens suspended from the ceiling showed a live shot of Toronto's silhouetted cityscape dominated by the CN Tower, but not a sign of the chaos in the streets.

"That's what they're showing in here?" he wondered aloud.

Police said more than 100 arrests were made, and that tally was expected to grow through the night.

The hospitals on University Avenue, where the march began, and the Eaton Centre shopping mall were put under lockdown. There were reports of looting at the mall, a popular tourist attraction. Downtown subway lines and commuter trains were shut down at the request of police at the height of the violence.

At the Ontario legislature riot police formed a line, three deep and began moving forward en masse to push back the crowd of a few hundred people.

Several times a group of about seven or eight officers would suddenly break out of the line, grab one of the protesters, handcuff them and drag them back behind the line.

The group chanted "shame" and "the world is watching," while police told them it was an unlawful assembly.

Throughout the city officers had corralled groups of protesters, but there was no sign of the balaclava-clad protesters who caused the carnage.

That renegade group of about 50 people left a trail of destruction down Queen Street West in the heart of the city as they targeted symbols of power, authority and capitalism.

Bank windows were smashed with hammers. Rocks were thrown through several Starbucks coffee houses. TV vans were smashed. Mailboxes were flipped and chucked at windows.

One protester threw a pickaxe through the window of a bank tower like a tomahawk as his posse roared its approval.

"Bomb the Banks," was spray painted on walls.

Another protester was seriously injured after suffering a head injury and was carried away by others.

Store owners were moved to tears on the sidewalks outside their vandalized shops, and parents hurried away carrying crying children.

An eclectic group of about 4,000 people ranging from greying seniors to families with strollers and tattooed hipsters had gathered at 1 p.m. to protest the summit. Things turned violent about 90 minutes later when the smaller group dressed in black broke away.

Black Bloc is often mistaken for an organization, but it's actually a protest tactic according to websites devoted to the method. Protesters dressed normally infiltrate peaceful demonstrations, then change into black clothing and cover their faces in balaclavas or ski masks.

The uniform look makes it difficult for police to identify who perpetrated an act of violence, such as smashing a window or spray-painting a building. Protesters can change back into regular street clothing and go unnoticed by police.

James Ruehle, a 49-year-old contractor from Pickering, a half hour's drive from Toronto, saw the burning of the three police cruisers.

Ruehle was stopped in his truck at the lights at the corner of King and Bay streets in the city's financial district as the protesters approached.

Three police vehicles zipped past the line of traffic into the intersection, where they stopped with lights flashing. A group of about 20 to 30 police then began to congregate but an officer Ruehle thought was a police captain ordered them back.

"The cop was yelling at them 'Back up!' 'Put your batons down!'" said Ruehle.

The police in the cars, he said, then amazed him by backing off, leaving the cruisers running in the middle of the intersection with their lights flashing and doors open.

"It was like an invitation G(to the protesters)," said Ruehle.

"One kid with a helmet and a black suit jumps on the trunk lid of the police car and jumps up and down like a madman."

Ruehle said three or four others in similar garb quickly joined in.

 

[The Outrage]

The group chanted "shame" and "the world is watching,"

As part of this "watching world", all I see are a bunch of douchebags, because calling them protesters would be an insult to actual protesters, coming into Toronto and bringing violence into what could otherwise have been a peaceful protest.

 

[Jello]

I cannot believe the mess our city has become. I am all for peaceful protests. But what I saw today was just despicable. People have HOMES in that area that's being attacked by these so called "protesters". I just can't fathom the violence. Innocent people are being put into fear. It's bad enough they're spending tax payer dollars on this summit, but to clean all this mess up? It's going to cost tax payers even more.