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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Zoe's Diary Abroad 3: Saturday actions |
Current rating: 0 |
by Zoe Mitchell
(No verified email address) |
17 Nov 2001
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This is the third in a series of reports from Canada.
This is a Zoe's Diary entry--expect no objectivity.
Editor's Note: Visit DC or Ontario IMC for her other diary entires. |
And suddenly I looked up at the pedestrian walkway between shopping centers and saw 50 or more people looking through the glass windows--watching the activists outside dancing in front of the cop lines. The first thing I realized was: the sheer fact that people stopped shopping proves that we are doing something right, and more importantly--that we are winning.
Today was a day of incredible events. From the first march--which I joined up with at the University of Ottawa to the last march, which ended moments ago at the University, I experienced some of the most amazing things ever. Things that proved to me--far more than ANY recent protest in DC--that the anti-corporate globalization movement is far from dead. It is instead far more alive than anyone had guessed.
I'm going to attempt to give you a point by point analysis of today, because I'm sure that if you are hearing any news about it in the states, it's pure shite. That is my goal, but if I don't succeed, you can feel free to comment.
The first march began in three different places, I arrived at the location at the University of Ottawa. It was early, but there were already over 400 students out. The only way I can describe this meeting, is that it is exactly how I picture the French students during May 1968 looking. The students--and the group meeting here was mostly students--were dressed in the most festive (think Halloween RTS-like) outfits. There were plenty of red and black and red&black flags around. The students were singing French songs with so much spirit, that it was hard for me not to smile, even though I didn't understand a word they were saying. (note to self: I need to learn French before I come to Canada again.)
Several students stood up to speak, some in French and some in English. The speakers were mostly womyn and at least 3/4 of the womyn speakers were womyn of color. This was actually the case for most of the rallies today, as womyn are more valued for their contributions in societies outside the US. It was clearly proof that feminism is alive and well, outside the states.
The first march left the University at about 10am. Three blocks up Lanier St. (at the intersection of Lanier and Nicholas), the march was stopped by riot cops in full Quebec-esque attire. (If you went to Quebec, you know what I mean--scary!) There was an announcement made that the cops would be willing to allow everyone to march through the intersection, if they could go through everyone's bags first. People booed loudly and called for an emergency spokescouncil meeting in the intersection. After a boring, and ridiculous 45 minute wait, the march re-routed itself and marched down Nicholas St.
At the intersection of Nicholas and Daly, which is about one block away from Lanier, the riot cops appeared again. There was, however, another alternative route. Immediately, someone called to take the bridge--which is normally a pedestrian and busway, but was closed to traffic for the G20 meetings (no one calls them the World Bank and IMF meetings here, in fact my temp. visa says that I am a reporter here covering the G20 Summit, even though I had said that I was covering the WB/IMF meetings. But that's another story... :)
It was truly one of the most amazing events ever. It seems simple--crossing a bridge, but it was very inspiring to see people so determined to have their voices heard in the streets. As people began climbing the long stairs up to the bridge, they sang the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada," which had the feel of a revolutionary anthem of liberation.
Crossing the bridge, I noticed a sign, advertising a show at a local theatre, it said "Don't miss a moment." That could be my new motto.
At 11:30, our march was in front of the Canadian parliament buildings, and it was joined by the other two marches. The crowd was now 4000-5000 people strong. It was off to the Supreme Court for a rally.
Several important people spoke at the rally at the Supreme Court park, including Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians and Oronto Douglas from Nigeria. Barlow had just returned from the WTO meetings in Qatar. She talked about terrible the situation was there and that people must continue to fight these corporations. Douglas stated: "We gather here to knock on the door of justice. Hold yourself together--you are fighting for those oppressed." It was inspiring, but I was hungry so we walked over to a restaurant.
Apparently, while we were eating, some people were teargassed. I ran into a reporter from Rabble who was inside the actual G20 meetings, but was kicked out onto the streets, when the meetings were closed off to the public. She was teargassed and was upset that the police didn't let her go, because she had a "real" press badge. She was on her way to the IMC to post a story. :)
The police were blocking nearly every intersection, so we couldn't rejoin the action, without walking 7 blocks out of our way, but we did and we reunited with the activists at Rideau St.--in front of the mall. There was a hot festive spiral dance taking place and everyone seemed to be very happy. The riot cops were still preventing people from moving beyond Colonel Bly St., but the people were using Rideau as a real Reclaim the Streets action. It was beautiful--and others thought so too, even the mall shoppers I mentioned earlier.
Thirty or so minutes later, a womyn was arrested by some mall security officers. She was brought into the mall and activists demostrated outside the mall, chanting "you're not police" and "let her go!" She was brought out and let go. Then the crowd of people started to leave.
Two hours later, a new crowd, about 500 strong, appeared walking down Rideau toward the mall. The group converged at the fence in front of the mall. Two rounds of a smoky substance--I'm not sure if it was tear gas, 'cause I couldn't smell it. A fire truck appeared with a water cannon, which was really scary because it was really cold already.
Then this group of people left the fence, and started to march around town. It seemed like there was a plan at first, but we realized it was a snake march, with no real ending point. The march stopped by the US Embassy, but no one chanted anything there, because people did not know what to say. The group sat infront of the Embassy and one person called out asking for ideas on what to do. One person eventually called out "Keep marching!" and the group left again. We marched around town again, through the University of Ottawa and ended at the intersection of Lanier and Nicholas, where the riot cops re-appeared.
For a couple of minutes, we held the intersection by sitting; however, the group decided to go back to the University and re-group. I learned at this time that most of the people organizing this march were arrested earlier in the day, the remaining people had no idea what to do. However, after briefly meeting at the University, they left for a jail solidarity experience.
It was a wild day, and perhaps others can fill in on the details I have missed, definately check out the Ontario IMC site for more information.
Keep safe y'all and I'll se you soon. Adios!
z
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See also:
http://ontario.indymedia.org
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