a letter to the canadian prime minister
June 30, 2010
Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
As an Australian citizen currently on a work holiday visa in Canada, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed living, working and traveling in your country for the last 15 months. I’ve felt honored to be a temporary resident of Canada. Given the recent events in Toronto surrounding the G20, however, I’m beginning to question whether I now feel safe and happy living in your country.
I am shocked at the violent actions of the police towards journalists, peaceful protesters and non-protesters, portrayed in the numerous news reports and video footage published over the last week.
I am appalled that the right to peaceful assembly was taken away so blatantly from the Canadian people. I am appalled to hear that many of the 900 arrestees experienced sexual harassment, abuse, and limited access to food, water, warm clothes, phones and legal advice. This treatment is not only illegal, but a basic violation of human rights.
You spent over 1.2 billion dollars on security measures. So I’m wondering why I’ve seen footage of the so-called ‘black bloc anarchists’ destroying shop fronts and police cars while riot police simply stood by and watched? Shockingly, I’ve heard reports that the police were given commands to stand by.
Why were innocent peaceful protesters brutally attacked while violent ones condoned?
I request a public inquiry into the police actions during the G20.
Many Canadian citizens have been traumatized by the events on the streets of Toronto in the last week. And not just the ones who were punched, threatened, attacked, wrestled and abused by the police. I didn’t attend the G20 protests, yet I now feel scared. The police are supposedly working to protect the people and make them feel safe. If they can so blatantly hurt innocent people, where does that leave my health and safety let alone my democratic right to peaceful assembly?
Your country prides itself on being a civilized, democratic place. The actions of the police during the G20 protests threaten this image.
I trust that you will do everything in your powers to make sure that the truth of these matters are revealed and that those traumatized by the events of the weekend are provided with support to heal.
Your sincerely
LD
