This will make me unpopular on many fronts

[the_nita]

Been listening to people I know talking about the Black Bloc riot attacks. What disheartens me (beyond people being wantonly stupid in the situation and hurting people on either side

Comments

[damedini]

I thought the security measures were a bit much-ish. Now I wonder if the aggressive police presence prevented more hooliganism, or provoked it. Not sure, but I'm saddened that groups (and I realize that the culprits are a few and not representative of the whole) that purport to oppose war, poverty and such would take what could be a prime opportunity to state their cause and instead a few "protestors" turn the whole thing into an ugly mess.

The Native Rights marchers last week were fabulous. Many hundreds trying to march down to the zone. They came down Yonge street, chanting, drumming and waving signs. There was a wall of police at Gerrard turning them. The reaction seemed to be a shrug, more drumming, chanting and sign waving. they weren't at all interested in mayhem or destruction, just in saying their piece. The best part was a humongous banner, about 40 by 100 feet, held out horizontal for the news copters and those of us in offives to see. They were herded to Allen Gardens and did their thing there.

I'm sad that the more sensible protestors didn't quell the idiots before violence occurred. If the crowd turned and made it clear that smashing and such wasn't going to be tolerated, would it have escalated as it did?

[olletho]

"Now I wonder if the aggressive police presence prevented more hooliganism, or provoked it."

Possibly yes in equal parts. :-p