Politics

Proud of our Police

by Drew Cashmore

Protesters G20 Toronto I just got back from walking around the city of Toronto and have to say I am having a lot of trouble writing this post. It was an insane experience but my perspective was limited to the South end of the downtown core so when I got home I turned on CP24 to find out what was happening in other parts of the city. Here’s what I saw on TV:

Cowards in black balaclavas torching police cars, relentlessly smashing windows and throwing rocks into crowds of people. And then Mayor Miller at a live press conference answering questions about whether or not the extreme police force or police intimidation was necessary. He was desperately trying to defend the police and the organization of this event.

Here’s what I saw on the ground:

Thousands of peaceful protesters and thousands of onlookers taking pictures of the police presence. I saw police politely helping people with their bags and kindly asking people to move away from the G20 security fence. I saw hundreds of protesters with mega phones and dirty, ripped clothing yelling in the faces of the police. I saw lines of protesters attacking and pushing the police because they wanted to walk where they weren’t allowed. I saw people yelling and swearing at the police for “supporting the man” and telling them how useless and pathetic the police were. I saw protesters taunting the police and repeatedly doing what they were asked not to do. I saw the police calmly walking violent protesters away while they kicked and screamed and hundreds of people around chanted “let her go”. I saw protesters pushing the police while they just stood there and didn’t react.

So did we need this police presence? Yes. Are our police doing a good job at handling this protest? They’re doing an amazing job! Are the police being too violent? No. I can promise that the thousands of police that I saw today were only reacting in the case of extreme violence.

I’m sure I’ll get in trouble for saying this but there are hundreds of pathetic people out there right now fighting for something that they know nothing about. They’re yelling at the police for “taking orders” and “not allowing people to walk” in places where they would NEVER be unless they were told they weren’t allowed to be there. These people aren’t protesting for a cause, they’re begging for personal attention, and it’s one of the saddest displays of human nature I’ve ever seen up close.

But the brave men and women in uniform that are frantically trying to protect us and our city are doing an incredible job today. I’m proud of our police!

Tags: black block, cashmore, drew cashmore, g20, g20 protest, g20 toronto, g20 toronto protest, protest, protests in toronto, toronto, toronto protest, violence

Saturday

June 2010

View Comments

Calvin

Very well said Drew. I am quite proud of the work the police are doing and completely disgusted by the violent protesters. Freedom of speech is a great thing, but there are boundaries that people all too often push because they can.
Alain

Well said, Drew. I too am proud of our police and despise the actions of many a protester. If they only had an idea of what living in a police state is really like. I do, and I can say it's got nothing to do with what we've seen in Toronto over the weekend.
Jimmy

Imagine if none of these vandals came out; the police presence would appear monstrously overboard and such drastic measures wouldn't be needed.

A meeting of democratically elected world leaders -should- need no security, every citizen should be a part of debate and decision making. Unfortunately the actions of these naive individuals justifies the repealing of certain personal liberties to protect the processes that make our lives possible.