As the G20 Summit fast-approaches, and this year's host and my hometown of Toronto braces itself for the worst-case scenario of unlawfully violent protesting and property damage, a radically alternative thought has crossed my mind. The best way to protest the summit, its members and their policies would be to not show up at all. What better way to mock the meetings and the millions of dollars spent on security, fencing and additional police than by having it all for naught.
Worldwide media outlets covering the annual gathering would report scenes of tranquility and wasted security measures with the city's downtown core resembling a scene from a post-apocalyptic film. Could a better statement be made by protests? No. Protests are within our rights as a people of a democratic western nation and are for the most part peaceful, however even if the crowds are %95 well-behaved and merely vocal, the other %5 who smash windows and deface buildings are the ones who get all the press and merit the millions of dollars spent on security.
An angry English protester shows his distaste for world markets/Band-Aids. Apparently angst is not as good of a coagulent as initially thought
Has a violent protest ever changed anything for the better? In 2009, a G20 Summit was held in London, and protesters, both violent and well-behaved, lined the streets of the Bank district, the financial centre near St. Paul's Cathedral. Bank windows were smashed and brick walls were tagged by protesters, however months later, the demonstrations of free speech are viewed as more of a headache than any catalyst for change. I've recently walked down these very streets in London and no evidence remains of these protests. The summit changes locations, the host cities prepare themselves, there are a few days of stress and apprehension, then all that remains is a massive clean-up and removal of security fences.
A protester in London smashes a RBS branch windows. The same man was also recently seen protesting a fitness convention in Sheffield.
A perimeter known as the "Red Zone" has been set-up downtown surrounding the Convention Centre and surrounding hotels where much of the action will be taking place. 3 metre high fencing surrounds this area, with openings featuring security checkpoints available for those who must enter the perimeter (there are several condos, restaurants and offices in the "Red Zone".) Hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees and residents of the area are being greatly affected by the summit. Many people are being forced out of their offices for the week, and several others who do not have such an option have been forced to acquire security cards and present valid photo identification at security crossings. The Blue Jays interleague series against the Philadelphia Phillies and ex-Jay and talisman starting pitcher Roy Halladay has been moved to Philly as a precautionary measure. I had tickets and must say of all the changes taking place in my city to accomodate the meetings, this is the one that really has my blood boiling. I assume that spending hundreds of millions of dollars on security was not sufficient to ensure the safety of a few dozen thousand baseball fans.
A map of the designated secure area in Toronto's downtown core.
As residents of a democratic nation, we have the inherent right to protest government institutions and their policies. As it so often happens, because of a handful of angst-ridden wannabe revolutionaries, these protests turn violent, giving a bad name to all those in attendance and creating problems rather than solving any.
People of Toronto and those surrounding areas who choose to protest, I respect your passion for policy change and the criticism of corrupt or power-abusive world leaders and bureaucracies, however I implore you to stay home and take a passive approach towards this year's G20 Summit. Let's laugh at the security precautions and waste of taxpayer's money, not be the laughing-stock ourselves for our sophomoric behaviour.
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