Sorry, we forgot to put out a suggestion box for all your ideas to smash the state!
I just got back from the yearly retreat with the Centre for Social Justice where the Toronto Community Mobilization Network was to speak on "reflections from G20 organizing." I got there and realized I was speaking with a rep from the Canadian Labour Congress and another person from this creative non-violence organization. I felt like I was being set up to contend with two people on this whole diversity of tactics issue. And believe me, there are way more reflections to be had on the G20 than diversity of tactics. The talk turned out to be okay - mostly all about diversity of tactics (snore!), but no shouting or accusations of ruining the movement.
But I have to say that now that a lot of people are talking about the G20, the most annoying thing is being surrounded by random people and given random suggestions about what could have been done differently. I don't mind suggestions of moving forward or reflections, but I hate it when a sentence starts with, "You know, what YOU should have done...." Um, do it yourself! Like, maybe we seemed way bigger than we actually were, but there are some things we couldn't really get down to doing. Not cause we were lazy. But because there were just a few of us working on things like fundraising, getting a convergence space, dealing with housing, transportation, communications.
Here is the best top five suggestions I have received so far:
1. "What you should have done was organize a blockade and take over the QEW or 401."
Thanks for the suggestion! We appreciate your enthusiasm for disruption! However, the TCMN never set out to organize actions. We did specific call outs for communities and groups to respond to the G20 as the see fit. And boy, it would have been exciting to see that happen. Perhaps this is something you could have tried to do. If you bothered to contact us before, we would have put you in touch with other folks with the zeal you have. Oh well! Maybe next time!
2. "What you should have done was not protest at all and embarrass the government for spending 1 billion dollars in security for nothing."
Actually, a lot of us really did feel like not protesting leading up to the days of the G20, but I think it was sheer exhaustion rather than a political point.
3. "What you should have done was conducted a poll with Torontonians on their views of the G20 and use popular opinion to shame the government."
We take it as a compliment that our high level of organization, posters, and outreach gave you the impression that were a multi-million dollar organization that can afford to conduct polls. But sadly, we were named the TCMN for our mobilizing efforts, not our lobbying efforts. However, if you feel conducting polls is the most empowering form of protest, please see response number 1. I believe we had some aspiring pollsters among us.
4. "What you should have done was invite a police liaison into your group so they would grow to trust you and go after the real criminals."
Well, actually we had two police liaisons in our group funny enough. But they were informants. So I guess part of your suggestion happened, although without our invitation (if only informants had the same conditions as vampires and could only attend upon invitation!). But, we actually did ask the police over and over again to arrest the real criminals (ahem, those so-called leaders of the G20). Then we demanded they arrest themselves. Turns out they don't take our suggestions either!
5. "Police will not hurt one segment of the population - children! You should have marched to the fence with children leading. I'm sure if the police saw a group of children leading the march, they would have parted like the Red Sea."
I believe there was a fellow with a magical flute attempting to do this. But he wanted to take the children past the fence and into Lake Ontario. This did not meet our statement of respect and solidarity and the action did not happen. That being said, I like that there are people out there who are into using children as human shields! See how creative we can be with diversity of tactics!
Runner up suggestion:
6. "You guys should have really tried to get famous Hollywood actors actively supporting your group. That way the police would have more hesitation to attack you knowing that someone famous was backing you."
Actually, I used to write to Johnny Depp all the time when I was 12. I revived my fan letters to request his endorsement, but sadly he did not respond (he wears a Che Guevara necklace all the time! He must be on side!).
Again, all suggestions are greatly appreciated. We hope that while you write up a list of everything we could have done differently, you'll take a moment to donate to our Legal Defense Fund at g20.torontomobilize.org and at least help with suggestions of how to get the charges dropped. If you have a personal contact with Johnny Depp, please message me personally.
But I have to say that now that a lot of people are talking about the G20, the most annoying thing is being surrounded by random people and given random suggestions about what could have been done differently. I don't mind suggestions of moving forward or reflections, but I hate it when a sentence starts with, "You know, what YOU should have done...." Um, do it yourself! Like, maybe we seemed way bigger than we actually were, but there are some things we couldn't really get down to doing. Not cause we were lazy. But because there were just a few of us working on things like fundraising, getting a convergence space, dealing with housing, transportation, communications.
Here is the best top five suggestions I have received so far:
1. "What you should have done was organize a blockade and take over the QEW or 401."
Thanks for the suggestion! We appreciate your enthusiasm for disruption! However, the TCMN never set out to organize actions. We did specific call outs for communities and groups to respond to the G20 as the see fit. And boy, it would have been exciting to see that happen. Perhaps this is something you could have tried to do. If you bothered to contact us before, we would have put you in touch with other folks with the zeal you have. Oh well! Maybe next time!
2. "What you should have done was not protest at all and embarrass the government for spending 1 billion dollars in security for nothing."
Actually, a lot of us really did feel like not protesting leading up to the days of the G20, but I think it was sheer exhaustion rather than a political point.
3. "What you should have done was conducted a poll with Torontonians on their views of the G20 and use popular opinion to shame the government."
We take it as a compliment that our high level of organization, posters, and outreach gave you the impression that were a multi-million dollar organization that can afford to conduct polls. But sadly, we were named the TCMN for our mobilizing efforts, not our lobbying efforts. However, if you feel conducting polls is the most empowering form of protest, please see response number 1. I believe we had some aspiring pollsters among us.
4. "What you should have done was invite a police liaison into your group so they would grow to trust you and go after the real criminals."
Well, actually we had two police liaisons in our group funny enough. But they were informants. So I guess part of your suggestion happened, although without our invitation (if only informants had the same conditions as vampires and could only attend upon invitation!). But, we actually did ask the police over and over again to arrest the real criminals (ahem, those so-called leaders of the G20). Then we demanded they arrest themselves. Turns out they don't take our suggestions either!
5. "Police will not hurt one segment of the population - children! You should have marched to the fence with children leading. I'm sure if the police saw a group of children leading the march, they would have parted like the Red Sea."
I believe there was a fellow with a magical flute attempting to do this. But he wanted to take the children past the fence and into Lake Ontario. This did not meet our statement of respect and solidarity and the action did not happen. That being said, I like that there are people out there who are into using children as human shields! See how creative we can be with diversity of tactics!
Runner up suggestion:
6. "You guys should have really tried to get famous Hollywood actors actively supporting your group. That way the police would have more hesitation to attack you knowing that someone famous was backing you."
Actually, I used to write to Johnny Depp all the time when I was 12. I revived my fan letters to request his endorsement, but sadly he did not respond (he wears a Che Guevara necklace all the time! He must be on side!).
Again, all suggestions are greatly appreciated. We hope that while you write up a list of everything we could have done differently, you'll take a moment to donate to our Legal Defense Fund at g20.torontomobilize.org and at least help with suggestions of how to get the charges dropped. If you have a personal contact with Johnny Depp, please message me personally.