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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Canada G-20: Police search journalist's residence |
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by Ottawa IMC
(No verified email address) |
16 Nov 2001
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The private residence of a journalist was searched by Ottawa municipal Police yesterday, one day before this weekend's G-20 and IMF finance meetings in Canada's national capital. |
Police search home of independent journalist on night before the G-20 meetings in Ottawa
OTTAWA (IMC) -- Nov. 17 -- The private residence of a journalist was searched by Ottawa municipal Police yesterday, one day before this weekend's G-20 and IMF finance meetings in Canada's national capital.
The journalist, who was expecting to billet a half-dozen protesters and independent reporters arriving in Ottawa for the Nov. 16-18 meetings, was questioned by four plainclothed police officers late Thursday night.
"We're just here to make sure that things stay peaceful," a senior investigative officer who identified himself only as Sergeant Johnson of the Ottawa Police Service, told the journalist, Derek Reid.
After hearing a knock at his door, Reid was greeted by the officers, who showed him an Ottawa Police badge and entered his downtown apartment. The officers told Reid they wanted to ask him a few questions, after several protesters he was to have billeted were turned away while trying to drive across the Canada/U.S. border. At least 5,000 protesters are expected in Ottawa to protest against the G-20 and the IMF this weekend.
The police officer asked Reid what he knew about protest actions being organized in the city. Reid answered that he was simply providing billeting during the G-20 meetings. He was then asked about a gathering that had taken place in his apartment to discuss independent media coverage of the high level meetings.
While being asked further questions from one of the officers, three officers searched the apartment, Reid says. He believes the officers were looking for information about potential anarchist activities in Ottawa. The police soon left the apartment, and no arrests were made.
"All that I know is what has been made public," Reid told police, after which he gave the address of a World-Wide Web site that was to provide media coverage of the G-20 meetings and protests.
When Reid asked one of the officers whether independent journalists were to be targeted during the protests, the officer answered: "We'll leave them alone if they're not violent."
At the FTAA Summit of the Americas in Quebec City last April, members of various Canadian police forces who had been confronting protesters were said to have sprayed tear gas into the temporary offices of the Quebec Independent Media Centre (CMAC). Journalists there were reported to have barricaded their office with clothing to keep the tear gas out.
As well, during the trade talks in Genoa, Italy, police stormed the press offices of the Independent Media Centre armed with tear gas and batons. Italian military police and unknown provocateurs simultaneously raided school building across the street that had been hosting various social groups participating in the protest.
During the raid, journalists were forced to stand against the wall with their hands up while police searched equipment and personal effects. Reports vary on the number of injuries sustained by IMC staff.
IMC-Italia reported that one IMC reporter from the U.K. was hospitalized with serious injuries. Materials reportedly seized during the raid include audio Mini-Discs, videotapes and computer hard drives. Other reports allege that telecommunications equipment was damaged.
Meanwhile, the Ottawa Police officers at Reid's apartment said they had not heard about these events, including the Quebec City raid on its media centre.
One officer then asked Reid how many protesters were expected at his apartment, to which he answered "three or four."
After further questioning, the officer asked: "Do you always invite strangers into your house?"
This weekend, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill are expected to attend the G-20 meeting in Ottawa, which will unite the world's leading industrialized and developing nations to discuss development issues. As well, the development committees of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will be meeting.
Earlier on Thursday, Canada Customs officers turned away five alleged U.S. protesters at the Canada/U.S. border. The protesters, who had been trying to arrive in Ottawa from New Jersey sometime before 10 p.m., were said to be affiliated with an anarchist group in the U.S.
Another protester was also turned away yesterday as he tried to fly from Phoenix, Ariz., to Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
Later, the protester made a telephone call from Philadelphia International Airport to a member of Ottawa's Independent Media Centre to describe how he had also been refused entry into Canada and was returning home.
The Independent Media Centre later tried to contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for more information on these events, but telephone calls have not yet been returned.
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11.16.01 -- 11 a.m. EDT
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See also:
http://www.ontario.indymedia.org
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