Author
Carl
Canadian NDP Party head on Police intimidation
From: "Armstrong, Lisa"
Subject: san: Finance Ministers Demo
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 15:03:19 -0400
April 4, 2001
Hon. Michael Harris OPEN LETTER
Premier
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
M7A 1A1
Fax 325-7578
Dear Premier,
Yesterday I witnessed a scene outside the meeting of Western hemisphere
finance ministers in downtown Toronto that has brought shame to our province
and put fear in the hearts of many Ontarians. This matter is about our most fundamental rights and freedoms in a democratic society and requires your
immediate attention as Premier of this province.
I, along with hundreds of individuals and families from all walks of life,
participated in a peaceful demonstration that was met with an unacceptable
show of police force. The police stood behind barricades several officers
deep. Of greater concern, however, was the presence on a scaffolding of
three masked Emergency Task Force officers armed with automatic weapons that
fire plastic ammunition. It is unfathomable that the day has come in Ontario
when police officers are on the street equipped to fire on unarmed men and
women and their children. Can it really be that we are prepared to even
contemplate such an outcome?
Regular people are increasingly left out of the decisions that shape the
lives of all by government leaders that take only the interests of rich
corporations into account. Protests and public meetings are a way for
citizens to discuss crucial political and economic issues. Protests are a
reminder to the powerful that our provinces and nations are made up of the
same regular people who are currently being shut out.
Peaceful protest is a fundamental and inviolable right in a free and
democratic society.
I call on you to immediately safeguard this basic human freedom by looking
into how this unprecedented show of police intimidation was permitted to
take place. I also call on you to ensure that this situation is never again
repeated lest Ontario ceases to be a free and democratic society. I urge you
to take a public stand and immediately say Ontario will not have its police
forces prepared to shoot its citizens for the crime of engaging in public
dissent. Ontarians are looking to you to say there is no place for the use
of rubber bullets here.
Sincerely,
<<...>>
Howard Hampton, Leader
Ontario NDP