Canada's Protest on Wheels
February 15, 2022 4:14 AM Subscribe
The Toronto Star reports on the many varied impressions of the convoy worldwide Politico writes that there are fears that the protests are galvanizing the Right worldwide
Bill Maher pipes up that Truckers "Not Wrong" To Be "Pissed Off" at The Elites Corrupting The System, Trudeau Sounds Like Hitler.
The New York Times reports that leaked data shows Canadians are responsible for roughly half the money raised online for the trucker convoy. If that's the case, the BBC wants to talk about Trudeau's strategy: Why is he taking such a hard line? EuracTIF reports on Brussels and Paris pre-emptively banning similar convoys.
Meanwhile back in Canada:
Late Monday night, the Globe and Mail broke the news that "Banks get emergency powers to freeze accounts, halt funds."
The Montreal Gazette reports on "COVID protests: Ottawa's chaos won't be repeated in Montreal, Plante vows"
CTV News Vancouver affirms regional support of Trudeau's actions: "Convoy protests: B.C. officials support Trudeau's historic invocation of Emergencies Act."
The Calgary Sun reports on how the convoy has inspired Israel.
But how do you feel about it? What do you think it means, if anything? How do the protests fit into Canada's national and regional politics? Can the convoy do real damage to North America's economies? Do we think it's an appropriate form of protest? Certainly, by the standards of their noisier peers in the United States and Germany, there is no question that the Ottawa Protests have been considerably more civilized thus far.
Meanwhile back in Canada:
But how do you feel about it? What do you think it means, if anything? How do the protests fit into Canada's national and regional politics? Can the convoy do real damage to North America's economies? Do we think it's an appropriate form of protest? Certainly, by the standards of their noisier peers in the United States and Germany, there is no question that the Ottawa Protests have been considerably more civilized thus far.
This reporting is now a week old, but Grid (an offshoot of Axios, from what I understand) reported that the hacked social media account of a Missouri woman was responsible for some of the largest early facebook groups organizing the convoy.
posted by msbrauer at 4:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by msbrauer at 4:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
It was never about vaccine mandates, or at least that's not what attracted all the dark money backing it. It's another sedition proof of concept, just like J6 in the US. Law enforcement sure seems willing to stand by and watch all these rehearsals for fascistic coups.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 5:11 AM on February 15, 2022 [72 favorites]
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 5:11 AM on February 15, 2022 [72 favorites]
I was just thinking about shopping for Ram Ranch Rebellion t-shirt.
posted by srboisvert at 5:22 AM on February 15, 2022 [12 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 5:22 AM on February 15, 2022 [12 favorites]
Slate's theorizing that the initial underwhelming response, which is maybe what Kitteh is describing, is because "Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been unwilling to follow in the footsteps of his father, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who invoked martial law and called in the troops in October 1970 in response to two kidnappings by a terrorist group committed to Quebec separatism," which, if true, creates one hell of a mess iif certain American factions are helping to fund them.
posted by Violet Blue at 5:22 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Violet Blue at 5:22 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
The official Toronto Star editorial position:
Invoking the Emergencies Act is a shocking admission of failure
Basically, competent policing and coordination by local authorities would be sufficient to deal with these people. The Emergencies Act is intended for much more serious, multi-provincial situations that require extraordinary interventions up to and including military force. But when the Ottawa police in particular can't seem to do anything to shut down the blockades, I suppose that ties the federal government's hands. I suspect Trudeau got quite the tongue lashing from Biden when they spoke the other day.
As well, by doing this, Trudeau has basically fed into the protestors' persecution complex: we're such a threat to the Regime they had to declare martial law to stop us!
posted by fortitude25 at 5:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
Invoking the Emergencies Act is a shocking admission of failure
Basically, competent policing and coordination by local authorities would be sufficient to deal with these people. The Emergencies Act is intended for much more serious, multi-provincial situations that require extraordinary interventions up to and including military force. But when the Ottawa police in particular can't seem to do anything to shut down the blockades, I suppose that ties the federal government's hands. I suspect Trudeau got quite the tongue lashing from Biden when they spoke the other day.
As well, by doing this, Trudeau has basically fed into the protestors' persecution complex: we're such a threat to the Regime they had to declare martial law to stop us!
posted by fortitude25 at 5:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
But when the Ottawa police in particular can't seem to do anything to shut down the blockades
Is it can't or won't though? Admittedly I come at this with preëxisting anti-police bias but from what I've seen the police response has been...lackluster at best. We know they have options they're currently not using because we've seen more extreme measures taken against, for example, anti-pipeline protestors (including many indigenous people). There are a lot of things going on here but I think two of them are 1) you can't let these people get a toehold, once they're established it's very hard to get rid of them so the stronger and earlier the pushback he better and 2) you can't trust the police to help you out against right-wing protestors.
posted by an octopus IRL at 5:32 AM on February 15, 2022 [28 favorites]
Is it can't or won't though? Admittedly I come at this with preëxisting anti-police bias but from what I've seen the police response has been...lackluster at best. We know they have options they're currently not using because we've seen more extreme measures taken against, for example, anti-pipeline protestors (including many indigenous people). There are a lot of things going on here but I think two of them are 1) you can't let these people get a toehold, once they're established it's very hard to get rid of them so the stronger and earlier the pushback he better and 2) you can't trust the police to help you out against right-wing protestors.
posted by an octopus IRL at 5:32 AM on February 15, 2022 [28 favorites]
Also 3) Don't be part of a political dynasty, because your parent's actions will influence your own.
posted by Braeburn at 5:41 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Braeburn at 5:41 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Ottawa Life Magazine is one of those local arts and culture things that produces local "best of" lists and highlights new programs at the Jazz Festival and the like. However, they also turn their hands to investigative reporting. Lately, they've been focusing on misconduct at the Ottawa Police service.
A breakdown of how OPS made all the wrong choices to begin with: Chaos in the capital could have been avoided say experts
Previous reporting on work culture fostered by the current Chief: Rapes and lies—the cancerous misconduct at the Ottawa Police Service. Note that Sloly is current in court for defamation against OLM for this one. Scuttlebutt is that the service/city would not back him in a suit, so he's suing personally.
One thing that the EM act guarantees is a public enquiry after it terminates. So at least that's going to happen federally.
posted by bonehead at 5:44 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
A breakdown of how OPS made all the wrong choices to begin with: Chaos in the capital could have been avoided say experts
Previous reporting on work culture fostered by the current Chief: Rapes and lies—the cancerous misconduct at the Ottawa Police Service. Note that Sloly is current in court for defamation against OLM for this one. Scuttlebutt is that the service/city would not back him in a suit, so he's suing personally.
One thing that the EM act guarantees is a public enquiry after it terminates. So at least that's going to happen federally.
posted by bonehead at 5:44 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
Bill Maher? I actually forgot about this joker. People still give a shit about what comes out of his Islamophobic pie hole, huh? Too bad.
Also, are there no articles and thinkpieces being written about the 90% of Canadian truckers that are vaccinated and actually doing their jobs? I would not be surprised if there are not any.
posted by NoMich at 5:46 AM on February 15, 2022 [46 favorites]
Also, are there no articles and thinkpieces being written about the 90% of Canadian truckers that are vaccinated and actually doing their jobs? I would not be surprised if there are not any.
posted by NoMich at 5:46 AM on February 15, 2022 [46 favorites]
If they'd just cut off cell reception to the surrounding area + starved these clowns of social media recognition, this thing likely would have been over in 48 hours or less.
posted by ryanshepard at 5:47 AM on February 15, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by ryanshepard at 5:47 AM on February 15, 2022 [17 favorites]
As well, by doing this, Trudeau has basically fed into the protestors' persecution complex: we're such a threat to the Regime they had to declare martial law to stop us!
Reality trumps chatter. We're three weeks into this mess locally with no end in sight. The TorStar is right: this is a shocking admission of failure. The federal government is being forced to clean up after the local authorities shit the bed and the province was missing in action[1].
I don't fucking care what moral victory a bunch of red-nosed hosers think they've won. They fucking need to go home.
[1] snowmobiling in the Kawarthas apparently.
posted by bonehead at 5:49 AM on February 15, 2022 [18 favorites]
Reality trumps chatter. We're three weeks into this mess locally with no end in sight. The TorStar is right: this is a shocking admission of failure. The federal government is being forced to clean up after the local authorities shit the bed and the province was missing in action[1].
I don't fucking care what moral victory a bunch of red-nosed hosers think they've won. They fucking need to go home.
[1] snowmobiling in the Kawarthas apparently.
posted by bonehead at 5:49 AM on February 15, 2022 [18 favorites]
Some of them were quite well armed and prepared for violence:
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested 11 people and seized over a dozen long guns, multiple handguns, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, a machete and body armor in an operation targeting a “small organized group” within the protest blockade near the U.S.-Canada border in Coutts, Alberta, authorities said.
posted by rambling wanderlust at 5:50 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested 11 people and seized over a dozen long guns, multiple handguns, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, a machete and body armor in an operation targeting a “small organized group” within the protest blockade near the U.S.-Canada border in Coutts, Alberta, authorities said.
posted by rambling wanderlust at 5:50 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
It was mentioned in previous threads about this fuckery, but you sure do find out that a lot of left-leaning folks and businesses secretly support this and it's infuriating.
posted by Kitteh at 5:51 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 5:51 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
As an Ottawan who's not close enough to downtown to be directly impacted, my biggest takeaway is that the Ottawa Police Service's behaviour is indistinguishable from a shockingly corrupt, convoy-adjacent (and therefore white supremacist, 3%er, sovereign-citizen, etc) organization. They've avoided doing literally anything, and the few public claims of mitigation strategies (taking away the truckers' fuel supply) were met within hours of video of officers on the ground ignoring blockaders walking by with fuel cans. I know some will argue we should have expected this, but it was still surprising to me to see them act as such when on a very public stage. Toronto's police are not known for their friendliness to POC or left-wing protesters, but they have been acting very strongly against the convoy, at the very least to avoid the same level of public scrutiny...
I don't blame Trudeau for invoking the emergencies act, and in fact I welcome it, because it seems like this is the only (immediate) way to get around jurisdictional issues that have allowed the apparently corrupt OPS to tacitly support the occupation. However, if this isn't followed up by provincial and federal investigations into the OPS for their absolute lack of action, it's going to set a very dangerous precedent.
posted by Nutri-Matic Drinks Synthesizer at 5:52 AM on February 15, 2022 [44 favorites]
I don't blame Trudeau for invoking the emergencies act, and in fact I welcome it, because it seems like this is the only (immediate) way to get around jurisdictional issues that have allowed the apparently corrupt OPS to tacitly support the occupation. However, if this isn't followed up by provincial and federal investigations into the OPS for their absolute lack of action, it's going to set a very dangerous precedent.
posted by Nutri-Matic Drinks Synthesizer at 5:52 AM on February 15, 2022 [44 favorites]
Also, are there no articles and thinkpieces being written about the 90% of Canadian truckers that are vaccinated and actually doing their jobs? I would not be surprised if there are not any.
Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” Is a Front for a Right-Wing, Anti-Worker Agenda gets into some of the labour issues affecting those 90% of truckers.
I sent that article to a right-wing friend and haven't heard back yet. A few days ago they had sent me this, which... well... trigger warning for the phrase "old stock Canadians".
posted by clawsoon at 5:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [22 favorites]
Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” Is a Front for a Right-Wing, Anti-Worker Agenda gets into some of the labour issues affecting those 90% of truckers.
I sent that article to a right-wing friend and haven't heard back yet. A few days ago they had sent me this, which... well... trigger warning for the phrase "old stock Canadians".
posted by clawsoon at 5:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [22 favorites]
the Ottawa Police Service's behaviour is indistinguishable from a shockingly corrupt, convoy-adjacent (and therefore white supremacist, 3%er, sovereign-citizen, etc) organization. They've avoided doing literally anything, and the few public claims of mitigation strategies (taking away the truckers' fuel supply) were met within hours of video of officers on the ground ignoring blockaders walking by with fuel cans.
Yeah, you know something is suspect when cops are like "welp, nothing we can do."
posted by valkane at 5:55 AM on February 15, 2022 [25 favorites]
Yeah, you know something is suspect when cops are like "welp, nothing we can do."
posted by valkane at 5:55 AM on February 15, 2022 [25 favorites]
Regardless of public statements it feels like the real reason for invoking the Emergencies Act isn't the occupation itself, it's that the police are on the side of the occupation and are not willing to take action against it. Martial law creates a new set of options starting with coercive financial and regulatory measures, and a clear escalation path up to rolling tanks in the streets.
Canadian public opinion is so heavily against the protests that it runs about 60-65% in favour of using the military to break them up [1] (of course it's tricky depending on the exact questions asked) so even a maximalist approach has a lot of public support.
There was a significant counter-protest on Feb 13 with an estimated 1000 locals [2] confronting and turning back a convoy that was attempting to join the occupation.
posted by allegedly at 5:56 AM on February 15, 2022 [38 favorites]
Canadian public opinion is so heavily against the protests that it runs about 60-65% in favour of using the military to break them up [1] (of course it's tricky depending on the exact questions asked) so even a maximalist approach has a lot of public support.
There was a significant counter-protest on Feb 13 with an estimated 1000 locals [2] confronting and turning back a convoy that was attempting to join the occupation.
posted by allegedly at 5:56 AM on February 15, 2022 [38 favorites]
I don't blame Trudeau for invoking the emergencies act, and in fact I welcome it, because it seems like this is the only (immediate) way to get around jurisdictional issues that have allowed the apparently corrupt OPS to tacitly support the occupation. However, if this isn't followed up by provincial and federal investigations into the OPS for their absolute lack of action, it's going to set a very dangerous precedent.
A CBC radio reporter this morning was pointing out how police have been able to adequately handle pretty much all of these protests except the one in Ottawa, and asked whether the Emergencies Act was really needed if all it's going to do above what other police forces have been able to accomplish is get a few tow trucks in to help.
posted by clawsoon at 5:59 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
A CBC radio reporter this morning was pointing out how police have been able to adequately handle pretty much all of these protests except the one in Ottawa, and asked whether the Emergencies Act was really needed if all it's going to do above what other police forces have been able to accomplish is get a few tow trucks in to help.
posted by clawsoon at 5:59 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
The October crisis in 1970 was certainly not handled well by his father and still stirs a lot of negative thoughts towards anybody named Trudeau in some parts of the country, so I'm sure at some point the optics of "Trudeau son acts like his father" may have been a concern. Although it should be noted, that the emergency measures acts is not the war measures act, the powers granted are very different and much less intrusive of individual rights.
So even though I would have love a firmer stance, whatever he says, they won't listen to him, so he could not talk/negotiate his way out of it. I would have expected a lot more back room maneuvering to get things resolved or at least moving toward resolution, but maybe they had difficulties with the Ford government, if so they should have leak what they were doing.
Maybe they just naively expected the city or the province to do the right thing, but the city of Ottawa seemed to have been criminally inept during the whole ordeal. So after failing to do anything useful, the only card they have left is the EMA, and that's what they're playing now. Not ideal but if the only thing they do is give RCMP authority to act like the municipal/provincial police without being asked, and use it to freeze funds, that's a very limited and reasonable use of the powers given by the act.
I feel like most international coverage is mostly wrong, they get the first fact straight and then go on these absurd tangent, like still pretending this has anything to do with truckers or totally misunderstanding the emergency measures act.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [19 favorites]
So even though I would have love a firmer stance, whatever he says, they won't listen to him, so he could not talk/negotiate his way out of it. I would have expected a lot more back room maneuvering to get things resolved or at least moving toward resolution, but maybe they had difficulties with the Ford government, if so they should have leak what they were doing.
Maybe they just naively expected the city or the province to do the right thing, but the city of Ottawa seemed to have been criminally inept during the whole ordeal. So after failing to do anything useful, the only card they have left is the EMA, and that's what they're playing now. Not ideal but if the only thing they do is give RCMP authority to act like the municipal/provincial police without being asked, and use it to freeze funds, that's a very limited and reasonable use of the powers given by the act.
I feel like most international coverage is mostly wrong, they get the first fact straight and then go on these absurd tangent, like still pretending this has anything to do with truckers or totally misunderstanding the emergency measures act.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [19 favorites]
I think one thing that this has made clear is how effective of a force multiplier utilizing vehicles for protest and disruption is, and going forwards it will become a top strategy for the right wings around the world to utilize. One truck driver in an 18 wheeler is the space equivalent of something like a 100 normal protesters, and the vehicle is impossible to miss. In the US, combined with the state legislation that legalized murdering other protesters with vehicles, I expect to see a ramp up of violence when the enevitable clash between sides occurs.
If the left embraces vehicles for protest, it will be interesting to see how quickly governments suddenly outlaw that type of usage… (And I imagine the military industrial complex is salivating at the new tools and weapons to deal with these sorts of events.)
posted by rambling wanderlust at 6:03 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
If the left embraces vehicles for protest, it will be interesting to see how quickly governments suddenly outlaw that type of usage… (And I imagine the military industrial complex is salivating at the new tools and weapons to deal with these sorts of events.)
posted by rambling wanderlust at 6:03 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
A CBC radio reporter this morning was pointing out how police have been able to adequately handle pretty much all of these protests except the one in Ottawa, and asked whether the Emergencies Act was really needed if all it's going to do above what other police forces have been able to accomplish is get a few tow trucks in to help.
And allegedly has the answer to that - the difference is the abdication or cooperation with the protesters of the Ottawa police.
posted by eviemath at 6:03 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
And allegedly has the answer to that - the difference is the abdication or cooperation with the protesters of the Ottawa police.
posted by eviemath at 6:03 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Bill Maher pipes up that Truckers "Not Wrong" To Be "Pissed Off" at The Elites Corrupting The System, Trudeau Sounds Like Hitler.
Bill Maher also believes that the "woke" left cancelled Dr. Suess and that trans people getting upset about Dave Chappelle is a worse threat to democracy than Nazi Germany and the Cultural Revolution combined.
posted by Glegrinof the Pig-Man at 6:16 AM on February 15, 2022 [32 favorites]
Bill Maher also believes that the "woke" left cancelled Dr. Suess and that trans people getting upset about Dave Chappelle is a worse threat to democracy than Nazi Germany and the Cultural Revolution combined.
posted by Glegrinof the Pig-Man at 6:16 AM on February 15, 2022 [32 favorites]
I support the vaccine mandates, but I haven't been a fan of Trudeau's rhetoric since he made that cynical election call last year and decided to take a confrontational approach in the campaign. His rhetoric invited a fight that I suspect hasn't accomplished anything more in public health terms than a calmer approach would've. (It has possibly even had a negative public health impact by promoting the development of even firmer anti-vax opinion clusters, which may have a dramatic impact on disease spread and substantially raise the requirements for herd immunity.)
So now he's got the fight I guess he always wanted?
posted by clawsoon at 6:17 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
So now he's got the fight I guess he always wanted?
posted by clawsoon at 6:17 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
They're waving the Canadian flag while they beg for a US fascist coup.
posted by brachiopod at 6:18 AM on February 15, 2022 [20 favorites]
posted by brachiopod at 6:18 AM on February 15, 2022 [20 favorites]
I'm not necessarily against the tactics they're using. If they were arguing for labor rights or climate change issues or Black Lives Matter, etc, I'd be all for it. But they're a bunch of anti-immigrant anti-public-health fascists.
The thing is, if they were arguing for progressive things they would frame it as civil disobedience. Civil disobedience requires a civil function, and protestors are willing to be arrested and pay the penalties in the service of changing public opinion. The same tactics used by the reactionary right are pure and simple insurrection against the civitas. They aren't expecting to pay any penalties (and the local police aren't eager to impose any, being fascists themselves).
posted by rikschell at 6:26 AM on February 15, 2022 [29 favorites]
The thing is, if they were arguing for progressive things they would frame it as civil disobedience. Civil disobedience requires a civil function, and protestors are willing to be arrested and pay the penalties in the service of changing public opinion. The same tactics used by the reactionary right are pure and simple insurrection against the civitas. They aren't expecting to pay any penalties (and the local police aren't eager to impose any, being fascists themselves).
posted by rikschell at 6:26 AM on February 15, 2022 [29 favorites]
since he made that cynical election call last year and decided to take a confrontational approach in the campaign. His rhetoricinviteda fight that I suspect hasn't accomplished anything more in public health terms than a calmer approach would've.
I say this as someone who feels that family dynasties are a sign that your democracy is in bad shape: It's politics. He called an election as winter approached, when people are most likely to stick with the status quo. These “opinion clusters” have Confederate flags and “Let's go Brandeau” signs…I don’t think their existence is Trudeaus fault.
posted by brachiopod at 6:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
I say this as someone who feels that family dynasties are a sign that your democracy is in bad shape: It's politics. He called an election as winter approached, when people are most likely to stick with the status quo. These “opinion clusters” have Confederate flags and “Let's go Brandeau” signs…I don’t think their existence is Trudeaus fault.
posted by brachiopod at 6:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
The thing is, if they were arguing for progressive things they would frame it as civil disobedience. Civil disobedience requires a civil function, and protestors are willing to be arrested and pay the penalties in the service of changing public opinion. The same tactics used by the reactionary right are pure and simple insurrection against the civitas. They aren't expecting to pay any penalties (and the local police aren't eager to impose any, being fascists themselves).
Steven Guilbeault, the current minister of environment who has a past of being an activist for various environmental causes was answering quite similarly to this especially about being ready to pay the penalty, this week-end when asked what was the difference between his past and current action by the protesters.
I'm not necessarily against the tactics they're using. If they were arguing for labor rights or climate change issues or Black Lives Matter, etc, I'd be all for it. But they're a bunch of anti-immigrant anti-public-health fascists.
You'd agree with arson? Making the live of Ottawa citizens miserable by honking all night? Blockading the border? Blocking the streets and making sure people trying to go to the hospital are stuck hours in grid lock?
At some point, even when it's for a good cause some actions just are bad and self-defeating.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:37 AM on February 15, 2022 [18 favorites]
Steven Guilbeault, the current minister of environment who has a past of being an activist for various environmental causes was answering quite similarly to this especially about being ready to pay the penalty, this week-end when asked what was the difference between his past and current action by the protesters.
I'm not necessarily against the tactics they're using. If they were arguing for labor rights or climate change issues or Black Lives Matter, etc, I'd be all for it. But they're a bunch of anti-immigrant anti-public-health fascists.
You'd agree with arson? Making the live of Ottawa citizens miserable by honking all night? Blockading the border? Blocking the streets and making sure people trying to go to the hospital are stuck hours in grid lock?
At some point, even when it's for a good cause some actions just are bad and self-defeating.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:37 AM on February 15, 2022 [18 favorites]
I'm sure they would defiantly say they've done their own research but honestly they're just copycats who saw how emboldened the worst of us became during the Trump Years down South and decided they wanted a piece of that action too. There is no real concern for any Canadians' welfare here. They have been inconvenienced for once in their stupid little lives and have gone full Karen. Only problem is they're subjecting the actual residents of Ottawa and the rest of Canada to their idiocy.
posted by Kitteh at 6:38 AM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 6:38 AM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
It's been established that there are very limited repercussions for literal sedition anymore. Why wouldn't they keep giving it a shot?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:40 AM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:40 AM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
These “opinion clusters” have Confederate flags and “Let's go Brandeau” signs…I don’t think their existence is Trudeaus fault.
Their existence might not be Trudeau's fault, but he set up a false binary that a) was custom-built to attract the attention of the American right-wing propaganda machine, and b) told a lot of "I'm not sure?" Canadians that there was no room for uncertainty, that you were either fully on his side, or you were on the side of the American right-wing propaganda machine.
We needed "conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription", and he gave us a WWE showdown that has landed us here.
posted by clawsoon at 6:40 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Their existence might not be Trudeau's fault, but he set up a false binary that a) was custom-built to attract the attention of the American right-wing propaganda machine, and b) told a lot of "I'm not sure?" Canadians that there was no room for uncertainty, that you were either fully on his side, or you were on the side of the American right-wing propaganda machine.
We needed "conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription", and he gave us a WWE showdown that has landed us here.
posted by clawsoon at 6:40 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
If the left embraces vehicles for protest, it will be interesting to see how quickly governments suddenly outlaw that type of usage… (And I imagine the military industrial complex is salivating at the new tools and weapons to deal with these sorts of events.)
Black Lives Matter protested in Milwaukee, WI spring and summer of 2020 were very car heavy protests. It was a very interesting situation, I lived on a side road that was situated 1-2 blocks between several major roads. Cars often used my intersection to avoid police blockades; watching the dynamics of the protests with cars was WILD from that vantage point. I don’t think the police quite knew how to deal with that.
The city of Milwaukee has an encrypted network for their police radio, but I listened to the police scanners for some of the nearby municipalities. As far as I could tell, there was a lot of frustration as bands of cars could take the freeway or other high volume roads to various parts of the city to join different protests. Exits and intersections would be blocked only to have the groups divert to a different part of the city and cut across on major arteries. Police were trying to anticipate and cut off, but to limited effect. The phrase from the police scanners that really stuck with me was “. . .caravan of cars moving at a high rate of speed . . .”
In the protests themselves, yes, the cars ballooned the physical size, mixed with protestors on feet. People would get in and out of cars to swell the number of feet in the ground. At blockcades where the police let protestors through, groups of people on foot would often get just in front of the cars at the blockade, build up mass until the police let them through, and cars would then follow, sometimes going over sidewalks and lawns. Not that it happened every time- one blockade met the protesters with smoke bombs and rubber bullets (good job, Milwaukee PD /s).
In short, yes, I think vehicles will and are being embraced by the left. As far as I know, no new laws were created (yet), but some of the existing laws were more harshly enforced. However, there were just too many protestors to really have that enforcement be effective.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 6:42 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Black Lives Matter protested in Milwaukee, WI spring and summer of 2020 were very car heavy protests. It was a very interesting situation, I lived on a side road that was situated 1-2 blocks between several major roads. Cars often used my intersection to avoid police blockades; watching the dynamics of the protests with cars was WILD from that vantage point. I don’t think the police quite knew how to deal with that.
The city of Milwaukee has an encrypted network for their police radio, but I listened to the police scanners for some of the nearby municipalities. As far as I could tell, there was a lot of frustration as bands of cars could take the freeway or other high volume roads to various parts of the city to join different protests. Exits and intersections would be blocked only to have the groups divert to a different part of the city and cut across on major arteries. Police were trying to anticipate and cut off, but to limited effect. The phrase from the police scanners that really stuck with me was “. . .caravan of cars moving at a high rate of speed . . .”
In the protests themselves, yes, the cars ballooned the physical size, mixed with protestors on feet. People would get in and out of cars to swell the number of feet in the ground. At blockcades where the police let protestors through, groups of people on foot would often get just in front of the cars at the blockade, build up mass until the police let them through, and cars would then follow, sometimes going over sidewalks and lawns. Not that it happened every time- one blockade met the protesters with smoke bombs and rubber bullets (good job, Milwaukee PD /s).
In short, yes, I think vehicles will and are being embraced by the left. As far as I know, no new laws were created (yet), but some of the existing laws were more harshly enforced. However, there were just too many protestors to really have that enforcement be effective.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 6:42 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Bill Maher? I actually forgot about this joker.
Has a very "Marilyn Manson Now Going Door-To-Door Trying To Shock People" energy to it.
posted by mhoye at 6:44 AM on February 15, 2022 [27 favorites]
Has a very "Marilyn Manson Now Going Door-To-Door Trying To Shock People" energy to it.
posted by mhoye at 6:44 AM on February 15, 2022 [27 favorites]
And yes, I would agree with arson as a protest against, say, arresting and imprisoning children while deporting their parents. Or burning down a police station after cops shoot another unarmed Black person. I think having a government is useful (as opposed to the truckers who seem to want more of a system of armed warlords), but we need to eliminate the fascist parts of it. I love certain anarchist individuals and the idea of mutual aid is great, but I'm too much of a realist to think that systemically that could end up any different from armed warlords.
posted by rikschell at 6:52 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by rikschell at 6:52 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
If they'd just cut off cell reception to the surrounding area + starved these clowns of social media recognition, this thing likely would have been over in 48 hours or less.
May be true, but vulnerable people live in the area and landlines are in no way guaranteed.
Also 3) Don't be part of a political dynasty, because your parent's actions will influence your own.
Pierre Elliott's legacy, particularly with the western provinces, is pretty complex for sure. Trudeau is a dirty word out west ever since the NEP. You should hear my Western extended in-laws about it, and the persecuted West (with some grounding in fact but it's become an overwhelming narrative) is a very hard legacy to tangle with. I think Justin has in fact picked some fights over it. So that's one narrative, and then rolling the tanks into Quebec is another, even if Bourassa requested it at the time.
I'm sure there's a lot going on with the Trudeaus (I mean...look at Pierre's life) but just from having interacted with the boys a bit growing up, honestly, they seemed grounded and fun-loving. Given their mum's advocacy for mental health supports, if there's one person around who's had an opportunity to really decide where he stands on things, I think it's Justin Trudeau. Now the Ford dynasty on the other hand...
However, I don't think there would be any Liberal Prime Minister, with the possible exception of Jean Chretien, who would have been quick to invoke the Emergency Measures Act without a direct request from either the US or the provinces (it should just be the provinces, but let's get real here). The symbolism is huge and seems likely to trigger an inquiry into why it was invoked later.
I have been musing though that despite the "polite Canadian" narrative our history is genocidal (First Nations, policies in Quebec) and violent so this alt-right bs is not actually as unprecedented as all that; it's hopefully a response to loss of power. The co-opting of First Nations ceremonies and the attempt to use orange t-shirts as a symbol of resistance is just as offensive as using Yellow Stars and flying Nazi flags and it's a problem if we don't recognize that link.
I caught a comment on Twitter but didn't keep track of it that Canadians put up with very mediocre government and mostly we get by but the last two years have shown how inadequate that is, and I am kind of feeling that. The Liberal record is not what I would like particularly on environment and indigenous issues and those are really important to me. But most of my pandemic ire is focused at the provincial level. As far as I can tell, the Federal government has mostly supported me personally (CERB), the business I work in which has been hard-hit (CEWS and the rent subsidy but mostly CEWS) and gotten vaccines. The daycare deal, which Ontario is holding out on, is also a step forward IMO.
The Ottawa Police need a full inquiry and a bunch of firings.
I maintain that there are a lot of Ottawa residents who will not forget this and who are kind of scary in that they don't say much (although this weekend many did) but they can set out long projects/programmes to manage the shit out of revenge.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
May be true, but vulnerable people live in the area and landlines are in no way guaranteed.
Also 3) Don't be part of a political dynasty, because your parent's actions will influence your own.
Pierre Elliott's legacy, particularly with the western provinces, is pretty complex for sure. Trudeau is a dirty word out west ever since the NEP. You should hear my Western extended in-laws about it, and the persecuted West (with some grounding in fact but it's become an overwhelming narrative) is a very hard legacy to tangle with. I think Justin has in fact picked some fights over it. So that's one narrative, and then rolling the tanks into Quebec is another, even if Bourassa requested it at the time.
I'm sure there's a lot going on with the Trudeaus (I mean...look at Pierre's life) but just from having interacted with the boys a bit growing up, honestly, they seemed grounded and fun-loving. Given their mum's advocacy for mental health supports, if there's one person around who's had an opportunity to really decide where he stands on things, I think it's Justin Trudeau. Now the Ford dynasty on the other hand...
However, I don't think there would be any Liberal Prime Minister, with the possible exception of Jean Chretien, who would have been quick to invoke the Emergency Measures Act without a direct request from either the US or the provinces (it should just be the provinces, but let's get real here). The symbolism is huge and seems likely to trigger an inquiry into why it was invoked later.
I have been musing though that despite the "polite Canadian" narrative our history is genocidal (First Nations, policies in Quebec) and violent so this alt-right bs is not actually as unprecedented as all that; it's hopefully a response to loss of power. The co-opting of First Nations ceremonies and the attempt to use orange t-shirts as a symbol of resistance is just as offensive as using Yellow Stars and flying Nazi flags and it's a problem if we don't recognize that link.
I caught a comment on Twitter but didn't keep track of it that Canadians put up with very mediocre government and mostly we get by but the last two years have shown how inadequate that is, and I am kind of feeling that. The Liberal record is not what I would like particularly on environment and indigenous issues and those are really important to me. But most of my pandemic ire is focused at the provincial level. As far as I can tell, the Federal government has mostly supported me personally (CERB), the business I work in which has been hard-hit (CEWS and the rent subsidy but mostly CEWS) and gotten vaccines. The daycare deal, which Ontario is holding out on, is also a step forward IMO.
The Ottawa Police need a full inquiry and a bunch of firings.
I maintain that there are a lot of Ottawa residents who will not forget this and who are kind of scary in that they don't say much (although this weekend many did) but they can set out long projects/programmes to manage the shit out of revenge.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
(Side note: Anarchism as a political philosophy also supports government in a sense that I think most of us would recognize as such even though it looks different from many/most current structures. It calls for the structures by which we make collective group decisions to be nonhierarchical and directly democratic is all. Which, yes, is a complicated ask! Most of the anarchists I know are real process nerds. They’ve been some of the best people to work with on committees and such, in my experience. Like, I’ve actually had functional, really pleasant and productive experiences writing/editing documents as a group. But it does take some background knowledge or skills and commitment that are not, at least at present, in most people’s experience.)
posted by eviemath at 7:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by eviemath at 7:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [17 favorites]
I'm not necessarily against the tactics they're using.
If they were on foot and peaceful, I'd be OK with what's happening in front of Parliament.
If they weren't causing 110+ db noises for 16 hrs/day for weeks on end. If they weren't detonating fireworks outside people's windows. If they weren't defecating on national memorials. If they weren't trying to burn apartment buildings down and seal the doors to trap everyone inside. If they weren't assaulting retail workers in 10 square city blocks and forcing almost every business to close for 3 weeks+. If they weren't harassing the health care workers who have to work downtown. If they weren't behaving like a foreign invader pillaging a city they were occupying.
If they had an actual peaceful protest, even one that inconvenienced many, we wouldn't be here. Many in town now refer to this as an occupation, because that's what it feel like; an occupying force has planted itself in the heart of town and roving gangs of thugs are making it unsafe for normal life to continue. Some people have been shut-in for the entire time.
This is nothing like a normal protest. Ottawa, like DC, gets lots of those, and lots with many more protestors---we had counter protests on the weekend comparable to the occupiers in numbers.
posted by bonehead at 7:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [57 favorites]
If they were on foot and peaceful, I'd be OK with what's happening in front of Parliament.
If they weren't causing 110+ db noises for 16 hrs/day for weeks on end. If they weren't detonating fireworks outside people's windows. If they weren't defecating on national memorials. If they weren't trying to burn apartment buildings down and seal the doors to trap everyone inside. If they weren't assaulting retail workers in 10 square city blocks and forcing almost every business to close for 3 weeks+. If they weren't harassing the health care workers who have to work downtown. If they weren't behaving like a foreign invader pillaging a city they were occupying.
If they had an actual peaceful protest, even one that inconvenienced many, we wouldn't be here. Many in town now refer to this as an occupation, because that's what it feel like; an occupying force has planted itself in the heart of town and roving gangs of thugs are making it unsafe for normal life to continue. Some people have been shut-in for the entire time.
This is nothing like a normal protest. Ottawa, like DC, gets lots of those, and lots with many more protestors---we had counter protests on the weekend comparable to the occupiers in numbers.
posted by bonehead at 7:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [57 favorites]
A CBC radio reporter this morning was pointing out how police have been able to adequately handle pretty much all of these protests except the one in Ottawa,
Oddly, the Ottawa Police Services budget saw a 2% increase over last year and not the 2.86% increase the department requested. A friend of mine in Ottawa who is both a lawyer for the Ministry of Justice and an erstwhile mefite tends to the opinion that the inaction of the five-oh was just them shrugging, “Gee, we are so sorry that we can’t do anything to help you, but we are just stretched far too thin at the moment. “
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:05 AM on February 15, 2022 [12 favorites]
Oddly, the Ottawa Police Services budget saw a 2% increase over last year and not the 2.86% increase the department requested. A friend of mine in Ottawa who is both a lawyer for the Ministry of Justice and an erstwhile mefite tends to the opinion that the inaction of the five-oh was just them shrugging, “Gee, we are so sorry that we can’t do anything to help you, but we are just stretched far too thin at the moment. “
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:05 AM on February 15, 2022 [12 favorites]
I'd be interested to see how much financial support Ottawa's police union has contributed to the protestors.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:08 AM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:08 AM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
Thanks for a well-composed post.
If it had been a normal protest with people marching and waving flags on their feet, everyone in the world would have been able to see how ridiculously small a group they are, even with all that funding.
In the previous thread, I opined that they are terrorists. But now I just see them as hired thugs and bullies. Hired by very rich people who are acting like mobsters -- oh, that's a nice memorial you have there, wouldn't be a pity if someone spoilt it?
posted by mumimor at 7:12 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
If it had been a normal protest with people marching and waving flags on their feet, everyone in the world would have been able to see how ridiculously small a group they are, even with all that funding.
In the previous thread, I opined that they are terrorists. But now I just see them as hired thugs and bullies. Hired by very rich people who are acting like mobsters -- oh, that's a nice memorial you have there, wouldn't be a pity if someone spoilt it?
posted by mumimor at 7:12 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
The symbolism is huge and seems likely to trigger an inquiry into why it was invoked later.
By law they need to have a inquiry afterwards. You're not about to stop hearing about this for a while.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 7:13 AM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
By law they need to have a inquiry afterwards. You're not about to stop hearing about this for a while.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 7:13 AM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
Good point. I welcome hearing about it. :)
posted by warriorqueen at 7:15 AM on February 15, 2022
posted by warriorqueen at 7:15 AM on February 15, 2022
A follow-up inquiry is required 60 days after the emergency is terminated (which also has a regulatory clock on it for duration). The inquiry is then required to report a year later to Parliament. You can thank Brian Mulroney for that. It's a fairly limited piece of legislation with quite a few checks and reporting requirements in it. Notably it does not change Charter rights.
EMA, 1985. Section 63.
posted by bonehead at 7:21 AM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
EMA, 1985. Section 63.
posted by bonehead at 7:21 AM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
Did I hear that it also has to be reviewed by Parliament this week, or something like that?
posted by clawsoon at 7:22 AM on February 15, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 7:22 AM on February 15, 2022
If it had been a normal protest with people marching and waving flags on their feet, everyone in the world would have been able to see how ridiculously small a group they are, even with all that funding.
It’s sort of the obverse of those pro-public transit images where you see a street empty of vehicles with perhaps seventy-five people in the road: first spread out as far as of each was in their own car, and then all together in the space they would all be taking up in one bus. One dude walking along squawking about public health measures equalling communism is just a sad rando; give him an eighty-foot long tractor trailer and an air horn and by god, he has authority now.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:25 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
It’s sort of the obverse of those pro-public transit images where you see a street empty of vehicles with perhaps seventy-five people in the road: first spread out as far as of each was in their own car, and then all together in the space they would all be taking up in one bus. One dude walking along squawking about public health measures equalling communism is just a sad rando; give him an eighty-foot long tractor trailer and an air horn and by god, he has authority now.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:25 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Review? In short, yes.
Section 62.
The Parliamentary Review Committee shall report or cause to be reported the results of its review under subsection (1) to each House of Parliament at least once every sixty days while the declaration of emergency is in effect and, in any case,
(a) within three sitting days after a motion for revocation of the declaration is filed under subsection 59(1);
(b) within seven sitting days after a proclamation continuing the declaration is issued; and
(c) within seven sitting days after the expiration of the declaration or the revocation of the declaration by the Governor in Council.
posted by bonehead at 7:26 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Section 62.
The Parliamentary Review Committee shall report or cause to be reported the results of its review under subsection (1) to each House of Parliament at least once every sixty days while the declaration of emergency is in effect and, in any case,
(a) within three sitting days after a motion for revocation of the declaration is filed under subsection 59(1);
(b) within seven sitting days after a proclamation continuing the declaration is issued; and
(c) within seven sitting days after the expiration of the declaration or the revocation of the declaration by the Governor in Council.
posted by bonehead at 7:26 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
But now I just see them as hired thugs and bullies. Hired by very rich people who are acting like mobsters
There probably is truth there and I do believe the American alt-right is driving a lot of this in multiple ways, but I have also been meditating on the fact that Canada is a land where individuals have been convicted of manslaughter for throwing a trailer hitch at indigenous women, laughing "Ya I got one," (and where there is an epidemic of murdered and missing indigenous women), where Muslim families have been mowed down by trucks as recently as last year, and, of course, incel van attacks.
Like unfortunately using your truck to get your way is a thing here.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:29 AM on February 15, 2022 [24 favorites]
There probably is truth there and I do believe the American alt-right is driving a lot of this in multiple ways, but I have also been meditating on the fact that Canada is a land where individuals have been convicted of manslaughter for throwing a trailer hitch at indigenous women, laughing "Ya I got one," (and where there is an epidemic of murdered and missing indigenous women), where Muslim families have been mowed down by trucks as recently as last year, and, of course, incel van attacks.
Like unfortunately using your truck to get your way is a thing here.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:29 AM on February 15, 2022 [24 favorites]
Thugs and bullies can also be terrorists, I don't think there's a need to make an either-or delineation between the two in this case.
posted by Glegrinof the Pig-Man at 7:33 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Glegrinof the Pig-Man at 7:33 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
Come to a freedom rally and lose your freedom! Put a 'Let's Go Brandon' flag next to one with 'F*** Trudeau'! Fly Canadian flags at a protest mostly sponsored by non-Canadians! The FluTruxKlan debacle is a gift to irony-lovers everywhere.
posted by aeshnid at 7:41 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by aeshnid at 7:41 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
If the left embraces vehicles for protest, it will be interesting to see how quickly governments suddenly outlaw that type of usage… (And I imagine the military industrial complex is salivating at the new tools and weapons to deal with these sorts of events.)
Bolivians defeated their recent coup in large part due to blocking roads and disrupting transportation. If a tactic proves to be powerful, the way to respond isn't always to imagine how you will ultimately be defeated.
posted by Space Coyote at 7:46 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Bolivians defeated their recent coup in large part due to blocking roads and disrupting transportation. If a tactic proves to be powerful, the way to respond isn't always to imagine how you will ultimately be defeated.
posted by Space Coyote at 7:46 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
What the Left can learn from the “Freedom Convoy”
Many of us have spent the past few days alarmed by the sheer number of friends, family, and community members we know who are strongly expressing their support for the convoy.posted by clawsoon at 7:47 AM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
Of course, this anti-mandate movement has been helped along the way by a right-wing media amplification machine; wall-to-wall mainstream media coverage; and a sympathetic police force that appears to be spending more time giving thumbs up to protesters on TikTok than issuing tickets for infractions.
But despite all these enabling factors, there’s also no denying that much of what we’re witnessing is the result of effective organizing and movement-building. ...
Instead of building an insular movement restricted to people who agree with each other 93 per cent of the time, the Right has successfully tapped into widely held resentment and built a mass on-ramp for people with highly divergent views. It’s why the Freedom Convoy isn’t just being ardently defended by white supremacists on Rebel News, but also by anti-vaccine Green Party supporters in the inboxes of mainstream environmental organizations.
One of the outcomes of living through late-stage capitalism and COVID-19 has been an overwhelming breakdown of community and social fabric. People desperately want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and the anti-mandate movement is openly extending them that opportunity without requiring that they belong to an activist subculture. ...
In the anti-mandate movement, everyone’s participation is welcome. Of course, this also extends to participants brandishing yellow star pins, thin blue line badges, and flags with swastikas—a level of acceptance that should never be tolerated.
But the degree to which thousands are willing to come to the defense of the movement the second its racist and antisemitic elements are exposed—insisting that they’re just a “few bad apples”—is telling. It proves their commitment to building and defending the biggest possible “we,” against the smallest possible “them”—in this case, the liberal establishment, mainstream media, and those of us naïve enough to be under the spell of both. ...
Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” Is a Front for a Right-Wing, Anti-Worker Agenda gets into some of the labour issues affecting those 90% of truckers.
Any trucker who really wants the freedom to inflict covid on the underpaid waitresses at truck stops can just fuck right off.
posted by ocschwar at 7:52 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Any trucker who really wants the freedom to inflict covid on the underpaid waitresses at truck stops can just fuck right off.
posted by ocschwar at 7:52 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Toronto Star: Invoking the Emergencies Act is a shocking admission of failure...Basically, competent policing and coordination by local authorities would be sufficient to deal with these people.
This is correct. The absence of any competent police response is perhaps the real emergency here, and it's interesting to me that the measures being taken under the Emergencies Act largely seem to be aimed at the financial ends of this - freezing accounts, suspending insurance, etc; rather than criminal.
One of the interesting things I have noted here in Alberta is that enforcement at Coutts really stepped up in the past 24-48 hours when it became apparent that at least some of the protestors had plans for violence against the police - that's apparently what it takes to get them moving on this.
posted by nubs at 7:53 AM on February 15, 2022 [18 favorites]
This is correct. The absence of any competent police response is perhaps the real emergency here, and it's interesting to me that the measures being taken under the Emergencies Act largely seem to be aimed at the financial ends of this - freezing accounts, suspending insurance, etc; rather than criminal.
One of the interesting things I have noted here in Alberta is that enforcement at Coutts really stepped up in the past 24-48 hours when it became apparent that at least some of the protestors had plans for violence against the police - that's apparently what it takes to get them moving on this.
posted by nubs at 7:53 AM on February 15, 2022 [18 favorites]
What the Left can learn from the “Freedom Convoy”
Oh, for fuck's sake. This is just a rerun of the good old WWC argument which was never supported by data.
Workers need protections and they know it. Libertarian capitalists hate worker protections and they are willing to pay whatever to whomever to prevent them.
Mandates are worker protection.
posted by mumimor at 7:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
Oh, for fuck's sake. This is just a rerun of the good old WWC argument which was never supported by data.
Workers need protections and they know it. Libertarian capitalists hate worker protections and they are willing to pay whatever to whomever to prevent them.
Mandates are worker protection.
posted by mumimor at 7:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
This is just a rerun of the good old WWC argument which was never supported by data.
WWC?
posted by clawsoon at 7:55 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
WWC?
posted by clawsoon at 7:55 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
In the anti-mandate movement, everyone’s participation is welcome. Of course, this also extends to participants brandishing yellow star pins, thin blue line badges, and flags with swastikas—a level of acceptance that should never be tolerated.
But the degree to which thousands are willing to come to the defense of the movement the second its racist and antisemitic elements are exposed—insisting that they’re just a “few bad apples”—is telling. It proves their commitment to building and defending the biggest possible “we,” against the smallest possible “them”—in this case, the liberal establishment, mainstream media, and those of us naïve enough to be under the spell of both. ...
There are way too many people I thought I could trust to be sensible and smart climbing into bed with fascists and the fascist-adjacent. "Well, I'm not racist!" they cry as they stand in a crowd of people waving Confederate flags and blatant white supremacy rhetoric. If you're not putting in the time and effort to ask the racists whom you've decided to get in bed with to remove those symbols of hate during your little "wah wah baby protest", then I have some very bad news.
You're racist.
posted by Kitteh at 7:56 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
But the degree to which thousands are willing to come to the defense of the movement the second its racist and antisemitic elements are exposed—insisting that they’re just a “few bad apples”—is telling. It proves their commitment to building and defending the biggest possible “we,” against the smallest possible “them”—in this case, the liberal establishment, mainstream media, and those of us naïve enough to be under the spell of both. ...
There are way too many people I thought I could trust to be sensible and smart climbing into bed with fascists and the fascist-adjacent. "Well, I'm not racist!" they cry as they stand in a crowd of people waving Confederate flags and blatant white supremacy rhetoric. If you're not putting in the time and effort to ask the racists whom you've decided to get in bed with to remove those symbols of hate during your little "wah wah baby protest", then I have some very bad news.
You're racist.
posted by Kitteh at 7:56 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
Lesson for the Left: "effective organizing and movement-building."
posted by No Robots at 8:00 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by No Robots at 8:00 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Atomized people crave belonging so badly they are willing to follow some truly odious leaders.
The right is winning hearts and minds by default here.
posted by Space Coyote at 8:00 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
The right is winning hearts and minds by default here.
posted by Space Coyote at 8:00 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
WWC?
White Working Class (Trump voters) that were endlessly pulled out by journalists and pundits as proof that Hillary Clinton should have been more male and more racist. "Populist", as they said.
Statistics have shown so many times it's boring that the actual working class voted overwhelmingly for Hillary and that the Obama to Trump voters were middle class +
posted by mumimor at 8:02 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
White Working Class (Trump voters) that were endlessly pulled out by journalists and pundits as proof that Hillary Clinton should have been more male and more racist. "Populist", as they said.
Statistics have shown so many times it's boring that the actual working class voted overwhelmingly for Hillary and that the Obama to Trump voters were middle class +
posted by mumimor at 8:02 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
White Working Class
Thanks. I was busy googling trying to find some communist workers organization with that abbreviation.
posted by clawsoon at 8:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Thanks. I was busy googling trying to find some communist workers organization with that abbreviation.
posted by clawsoon at 8:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Broad strokes it's white supremacy and neo-libertarianism; that's where the money comes from. For the individual participants, a lot of it comes down to rage at being told "no." At a very basic level, bullies and Karens use violence and anger to get what they want. Because that's the toolset they have. They never learned anything else, because when they were wee babbies they learned that escalating their physical and/or verbal tantrums was how to solve problems. And their parents probably learned the same thing from their parents.
AND, it's white supremacy! They're throwing tantrums because they're being told they can't anymore lord their skin colour and cultural imperative over the poors, the brown and blacks, the queers. In this case being told they have to wear masks to protect those lesser peoples. The horror.
Non-violent de-escalation techniques do work on bullies and Karens -- being calm, being firm, staying safe. But you have to back up your firmness with according action. This whole thing could easily have been diffused if the cops had just said "move along now" and if they didn't, blocked the roads and towed trucks away one at a time without fuss.
The failure is the collusion of the cops. If no one will go on the ground and engage firmly with these bullies and back it up with calm yet relentless action, it will never fucking stop.
Who is going to do this work?
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [23 favorites]
AND, it's white supremacy! They're throwing tantrums because they're being told they can't anymore lord their skin colour and cultural imperative over the poors, the brown and blacks, the queers. In this case being told they have to wear masks to protect those lesser peoples. The horror.
Non-violent de-escalation techniques do work on bullies and Karens -- being calm, being firm, staying safe. But you have to back up your firmness with according action. This whole thing could easily have been diffused if the cops had just said "move along now" and if they didn't, blocked the roads and towed trucks away one at a time without fuss.
The failure is the collusion of the cops. If no one will go on the ground and engage firmly with these bullies and back it up with calm yet relentless action, it will never fucking stop.
Who is going to do this work?
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [23 favorites]
...then I have some very bad news. You're racist.
We still want the racists to get vaccinated, tho.
posted by clawsoon at 8:10 AM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
We still want the racists to get vaccinated, tho.
posted by clawsoon at 8:10 AM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
Canadian Alt-Right influencer Jordan Peterson's recent Message to the Truckers [slyt] acknowledging their achievement, and suggesting they start thinking about what would be satisfactory conditions to go home.
posted by otherchaz at 8:10 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by otherchaz at 8:10 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Bolivians defeated their recent coup in large part due to blocking roads and disrupting transportation. If a tactic proves to be powerful, the way to respond isn't always to imagine how you will ultimately be defeated.
They also managed it, because their position had some backing.
However how many trucks you have and how many roads you block, you can't stage a rebellion or oppose government measures if your position is a fringe one and has no popular support.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:11 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
They also managed it, because their position had some backing.
However how many trucks you have and how many roads you block, you can't stage a rebellion or oppose government measures if your position is a fringe one and has no popular support.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:11 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
If they are getting support fro the US alt-right, then they are getting it from Russia. As are all the other convoy movements worldwide. This is all part of Putin's plan, not coincidentally, I think, just as he is ready to invade Ukraine and Tucker "Tokyo Rose" Carlson is sowing sedition to blunt our response.
posted by hypnogogue at 8:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by hypnogogue at 8:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
Bill Maher, Politico, and the NYT. Is this an exclusively right wing post? Didn't think it would be worthwhile to include some actual progressive or leftist voices to balance out Maher's reactionary neoliberal apologia?
posted by viborg at 8:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by viborg at 8:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [13 favorites]
The difficulties with the Ford government faced by the federal government may have something to do with the occupiers mostly being Ford's base and 2022 being an election year.
posted by scruss at 8:25 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by scruss at 8:25 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Over the years, I've found that articles discussing "What sane people can learn from this batch of lunatics" are rarely in good faith, and much, much, much more likely to be covers for saying "you should be a nazi" or else "you should surrender to the nazis".
posted by aramaic at 8:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [19 favorites]
posted by aramaic at 8:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [19 favorites]
If they are getting support fro the US alt-right, then they are getting it from Russia. As are all the other convoy movements worldwide.
I think that is correct, but I also don't think Putin is a great mastermind, pulling the strings of the far right everywhere. I think Russia is encouraging and financing movements and individuals all over the world who it thinks will further its interests.
posted by mumimor at 8:28 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
I think that is correct, but I also don't think Putin is a great mastermind, pulling the strings of the far right everywhere. I think Russia is encouraging and financing movements and individuals all over the world who it thinks will further its interests.
posted by mumimor at 8:28 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
The GiveSendGo fundraising page has been hacked exposing names and emails of those who gave money to the Occupation insurrection.
There is now a mass doxxing event in progress. Reddit prohibits doxxing right out, but Twitter is going nuts with this at the moment.
As an Ottawan, I see the doxxers have exposed several local businesses. I'm furious at what's been done to our city by outsiders. I'm barely hanging on to what I think is the right thing to do which is to hold back until some of this stuff is verified.
posted by storybored at 8:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
There is now a mass doxxing event in progress. Reddit prohibits doxxing right out, but Twitter is going nuts with this at the moment.
As an Ottawan, I see the doxxers have exposed several local businesses. I'm furious at what's been done to our city by outsiders. I'm barely hanging on to what I think is the right thing to do which is to hold back until some of this stuff is verified.
posted by storybored at 8:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
He called an election as winter approached, when people are most likely to stick with the status quo.
ehhhh... he called an election when polls suggested he could convert to a majority. He got the status quo, but he didn't want it.
He wanted to convert broad support for vaccine mandates into a majority government, and he tried to do it by saying negative things about people who didn't want to get vaccinated. I haven't heard a single person whose job it is to get people vaccinated who says that's a useful technique.
posted by clawsoon at 8:36 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
ehhhh... he called an election when polls suggested he could convert to a majority. He got the status quo, but he didn't want it.
He wanted to convert broad support for vaccine mandates into a majority government, and he tried to do it by saying negative things about people who didn't want to get vaccinated. I haven't heard a single person whose job it is to get people vaccinated who says that's a useful technique.
posted by clawsoon at 8:36 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
The Coutts blockade is ending; the RCMP are hugging the protestors.
Look, I'm glad this ended non-violently, and part of me understands that building good relationships between police and the community are a key & good element of effective policing. But the contrast here between what has happened (and will happen) to First Nations protestors (and other groups) is the problem.
I hope this whole situation is going a long ways towards unraveling the general complacency most Canadians have about our "peace, order, and good governance".
posted by nubs at 8:37 AM on February 15, 2022 [22 favorites]
Look, I'm glad this ended non-violently, and part of me understands that building good relationships between police and the community are a key & good element of effective policing. But the contrast here between what has happened (and will happen) to First Nations protestors (and other groups) is the problem.
I hope this whole situation is going a long ways towards unraveling the general complacency most Canadians have about our "peace, order, and good governance".
posted by nubs at 8:37 AM on February 15, 2022 [22 favorites]
Fucking Bill Maher once again demonstrates his inner white supremacist. And it's pretty rich (no pun intended) when a guy worth $100mil+ has the gall to call other people "elites."
posted by Saxon Kane at 8:43 AM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by Saxon Kane at 8:43 AM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
True story: when a friend of mine lived in LA in the late 90s, he would see Maher with his much younger gothy girlfriend at goth clubs around town.
posted by Kitteh at 8:44 AM on February 15, 2022
posted by Kitteh at 8:44 AM on February 15, 2022
What the Left can learn from the “Freedom Convoy”
is that tens of thousands of dollars in financing and little to no push-back from official government institutions goes a long way. Unfortunately, the Left is never going to be as well-funded as the Right; and is advocating for changes to the status quo rather than a return to historic power structures, so is always going to get push-back from the state. As others have pointed out above, this is either not a good faith argument, or it is an incredibly naive argument.
posted by eviemath at 8:45 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
is that tens of thousands of dollars in financing and little to no push-back from official government institutions goes a long way. Unfortunately, the Left is never going to be as well-funded as the Right; and is advocating for changes to the status quo rather than a return to historic power structures, so is always going to get push-back from the state. As others have pointed out above, this is either not a good faith argument, or it is an incredibly naive argument.
posted by eviemath at 8:45 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
I feel like a possible to solution to this is to allow businesses to apply for permission to be covid-19 sloppy. Set a limit on their number - maybe make it 15% of business licenses and require significant standardized signage on public business to indicate whether they are covid-19 cautious or covid-19 sloppy. Then let these freedom loving idiots swim in their self-created cesspools until those businesses go under because their staff quit or get sick, their customers get sick, and everyone with two brain cells avoids them.
This way the rest of us can get on with our lives, be able to make safe choices during an ongoing pandemic and not have to put up with a lowest possible denominator pandemic response that abandons the safety of the vulnerable for the convenience of the obnoxious.
posted by srboisvert at 8:49 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
This way the rest of us can get on with our lives, be able to make safe choices during an ongoing pandemic and not have to put up with a lowest possible denominator pandemic response that abandons the safety of the vulnerable for the convenience of the obnoxious.
posted by srboisvert at 8:49 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Sloly has resigned.
Now the question is, did he resign because he was responsible for a massive failure in maintaining the security of Ottawans and it was time to fall on his sword, or because with the Emergency Act now in place he'd actually have to take serious actions against the insurgents under Federal authority?
posted by Clever User Name at 8:56 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Now the question is, did he resign because he was responsible for a massive failure in maintaining the security of Ottawans and it was time to fall on his sword, or because with the Emergency Act now in place he'd actually have to take serious actions against the insurgents under Federal authority?
posted by Clever User Name at 8:56 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
I am really surprised to learn that "Ram Ranch" is not a country song.
posted by jb at 9:00 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by jb at 9:00 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Coutts blockade is ending; the RCMP are hugging the protestors.
Is that real? I mean it's an RCMP patch right there, and is the officer smoking one on the job?
I'd expect police to be professional and not salty/arrogant, no need to escalate the situation.... but hugging? They had fucking guns.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 9:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Is that real? I mean it's an RCMP patch right there, and is the officer smoking one on the job?
I'd expect police to be professional and not salty/arrogant, no need to escalate the situation.... but hugging? They had fucking guns.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 9:01 AM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
I am really surprised to learn that "Ram Ranch" is not a country song.
Me too. I was kind of expecting a fun danceable techno-pop-country-disco thing. Ram Ranch is not that.
However, reading this thread about the Ram Ranchers infiltrating the convoy's Zello channel made my day.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Me too. I was kind of expecting a fun danceable techno-pop-country-disco thing. Ram Ranch is not that.
However, reading this thread about the Ram Ranchers infiltrating the convoy's Zello channel made my day.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Sloly has resigned.
I notice that CBC has pulled its story on this, so it may be premature.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:05 AM on February 15, 2022
I notice that CBC has pulled its story on this, so it may be premature.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:05 AM on February 15, 2022
Nope, it's for real, which means that as far as the feds are concerned, they felt they had to invoke the Emergencies Act since OPS couldn't be relied upon to get the job done.
posted by fortitude25 at 9:09 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by fortitude25 at 9:09 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
I should clarify that the "expect" I wrote is as "what they should do", not as "what I think they'll do".
posted by WaterAndPixels at 9:09 AM on February 15, 2022
posted by WaterAndPixels at 9:09 AM on February 15, 2022
Repeating what others said here: the feds shouldn't have needed to invoke the Emergencies Act. But the Ottawa Police Service failed repeatedly and then Doug Ford's provincial government failed to take sufficient corrective action, either in terms of taking over police response, or in terms of using other provincial tools. As far as I see it, Trudeau's options were either Emergencies Act or nearly nothing. A difficult decision.
Really, really needs to be a detailed inquiry into what the hell happened here when this is all over.
posted by grouse at 9:24 AM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
Really, really needs to be a detailed inquiry into what the hell happened here when this is all over.
posted by grouse at 9:24 AM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
WaterAndPixels: I feel like most international coverage is mostly wrong, they get the first fact straight and then go on these absurd tangent, like still pretending this has anything to do with truckers or totally misunderstanding the emergency measures act.
So, so, very much this.
To top it all off, the "martial law" talking points are being amplified by shitheels like Maher and Hannity (and worse actors) in U.S. right-wing mediasphere.
Last night, Sean Hannity was interviewing Ezra Levant about it it.
One example for context on Levant: He sent a "reporter" (who IRL is a neo-Nazi) to "cover" the Quebec mosque shooting. While the bodies were still warm, Levant was claiming it was an act of Islamic terrorism. It was, in fact, carried out by a young white guy who was radicalized, in part, by Levant's own propaganda. See also: The Rebel’s reporting on the Quebec mosque shooting, annotated
As I mentioned in the last Canada protest thread, giving Levant a soapbox on the Canadian protests is like a Canadian media outlet interviewing Nick Fuentes or Alex Jones for their hot takes on what the January 6 insurrection meant.
Once more for folks in the back: we are not under martial law. The Charter is still in effect. This means that Section 10 rights, should someone be arrested, still apply. Section 10 is akin to Miranda rights in the U.S.:
"Everyone has the right on arrest or detention: to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be informed of that right..."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [29 favorites]
So, so, very much this.
To top it all off, the "martial law" talking points are being amplified by shitheels like Maher and Hannity (and worse actors) in U.S. right-wing mediasphere.
Last night, Sean Hannity was interviewing Ezra Levant about it it.
One example for context on Levant: He sent a "reporter" (who IRL is a neo-Nazi) to "cover" the Quebec mosque shooting. While the bodies were still warm, Levant was claiming it was an act of Islamic terrorism. It was, in fact, carried out by a young white guy who was radicalized, in part, by Levant's own propaganda. See also: The Rebel’s reporting on the Quebec mosque shooting, annotated
As I mentioned in the last Canada protest thread, giving Levant a soapbox on the Canadian protests is like a Canadian media outlet interviewing Nick Fuentes or Alex Jones for their hot takes on what the January 6 insurrection meant.
Once more for folks in the back: we are not under martial law. The Charter is still in effect. This means that Section 10 rights, should someone be arrested, still apply. Section 10 is akin to Miranda rights in the U.S.:
"Everyone has the right on arrest or detention: to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be informed of that right..."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [29 favorites]
I live in Vancouver, one of the most multi-cultural places on earth. A few Saturdays ago, fed up with goobers parading and honking through East Van where I live, I went to the first counter protest which greeted the goober parade on their second Saturday of driving and honking.
My sign said Please Go Home, Please, because I wanted a very Canadian sign without relying on nationalist tropes.
Like the previous parade of goobers, this one was almost all white. While standing by the side of the major intersection where we held the counter protest, I think I counted 4 non white people in total. That was while watching 100s of vehicles drive past.
So imagine in this wonderful multi-cultural neighbourhood that's full of immigrants a parade that's essentially made of white people obnoxiously honking and waving freedom placards and Canadian flags. And, they're almost all white people. To me this just screams white nationalism.
A friend of mine said that was the first time in his life that he felt the first tremors of what fascism feels like.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 9:36 AM on February 15, 2022 [37 favorites]
My sign said Please Go Home, Please, because I wanted a very Canadian sign without relying on nationalist tropes.
Like the previous parade of goobers, this one was almost all white. While standing by the side of the major intersection where we held the counter protest, I think I counted 4 non white people in total. That was while watching 100s of vehicles drive past.
So imagine in this wonderful multi-cultural neighbourhood that's full of immigrants a parade that's essentially made of white people obnoxiously honking and waving freedom placards and Canadian flags. And, they're almost all white people. To me this just screams white nationalism.
A friend of mine said that was the first time in his life that he felt the first tremors of what fascism feels like.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 9:36 AM on February 15, 2022 [37 favorites]
If they weren't causing 110+ db noises for 16 hrs/day for weeks on end. If they weren't detonating fireworks outside people's windows. If they weren't defecating on national memorials. If they weren't trying to burn apartment buildings down and seal the doors to trap everyone inside. If they weren't assaulting retail workers in 10 square city blocks and forcing almost every business to close for 3 weeks+. If they weren't harassing the health care workers who have to work downtown. If they weren't behaving like a foreign invader pillaging a city they were occupying.
Another thing to add to this list: the ongoing idling of their vehicles has created pollution problems so bad that it could have serious health implications for some Ottawa residents.
posted by thebots at 9:44 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
Another thing to add to this list: the ongoing idling of their vehicles has created pollution problems so bad that it could have serious health implications for some Ottawa residents.
posted by thebots at 9:44 AM on February 15, 2022 [21 favorites]
One of the things that makes this "protest" frustrating is that there is (as far as I can tell, not being there on the ground) essentially no negotiation happening with any level of government because the "protestors" have no coherent and achievable demands. There was something specific about vax requirements for cross-border truckers, which is literally a US policy that Canada has no leverage over. There are vague demands about relaxing public health restrictions - which are being made at the provincial, not federal, level and are already starting to relax as the omicron wave declines. And then there's some crazy sovereign citizen level bullshit about petitioning the Governor General and the Senate to remove the government because that's totally a thing that could happen in the right-wing cinematic universe. The occupation is just play-acting at sedition because unlike Jan 6, there is basically nothing they can do to undermine the government.
So there's no prospect of anything changing unless the occupation either gives up and leaves, or is forcibly removed. Even in the least sympathetic city, most left-wing protests usually have some kind of smaller objectives that the government could agree to as a de-escalation measure, even if it's just promising to investigate something.
Trudeau's emergency measures are actually following a similar playbook to what has been circulating in Canadian resistance circles since the beginning - target the trucks and the livelihood of the people involved. Go after licenses, insurance, and business owners. Cut off the money supply. Similar to the Sedition Hunters in the US, just work on exposing who these people are and letting the consequences flow. Don't go street brawling. Try to whittle down the occupation gradually until the dedicated and dangerous core people are left exposed.
I think there was a dynamic where Ford wanted to play both sides by speaking against the occupation, even forcefully at times, but never requesting federal assistance - leaving everything to the city government/police which are a mix of corrupt and out of their depth. Trudeau doesn't want to look weak, but also doesn't want to play into the hands of the right-wing narrative by rolling tanks in the streets. The crisis has now reached a point with public support so low for the occupation that Trudeau is comfortable going without provincial cover to look more decisive than authoritarian.
posted by allegedly at 9:46 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
So there's no prospect of anything changing unless the occupation either gives up and leaves, or is forcibly removed. Even in the least sympathetic city, most left-wing protests usually have some kind of smaller objectives that the government could agree to as a de-escalation measure, even if it's just promising to investigate something.
Trudeau's emergency measures are actually following a similar playbook to what has been circulating in Canadian resistance circles since the beginning - target the trucks and the livelihood of the people involved. Go after licenses, insurance, and business owners. Cut off the money supply. Similar to the Sedition Hunters in the US, just work on exposing who these people are and letting the consequences flow. Don't go street brawling. Try to whittle down the occupation gradually until the dedicated and dangerous core people are left exposed.
I think there was a dynamic where Ford wanted to play both sides by speaking against the occupation, even forcefully at times, but never requesting federal assistance - leaving everything to the city government/police which are a mix of corrupt and out of their depth. Trudeau doesn't want to look weak, but also doesn't want to play into the hands of the right-wing narrative by rolling tanks in the streets. The crisis has now reached a point with public support so low for the occupation that Trudeau is comfortable going without provincial cover to look more decisive than authoritarian.
posted by allegedly at 9:46 AM on February 15, 2022 [31 favorites]
The other bit of context I have for the Windsor protests is that for several years I lived right next to the Ambassador Bridge plaza or right next to the bridge itself.
The approaches to it that were being blocked are pretty wide-open multi-laned affairs. The police quite literally could have issued tickets and towed on day one of the blockade with minimal problems. They chose not to for reasons that are becoming very, very clear.
The degree of difficulty in clearing it out (even partially) to the point where bridge traffic could move was a mere fraction of that in downtown Ottawa. But the bridge plaza itself is approached by municipal surface streets on all sides, to this initial decision and what it led to was entirely a decision made by the local police to let it happen.
Another thing to add to this list: the ongoing idling of their vehicles has created pollution problems so bad that it could have serious health implications for some Ottawa residents.
Oh yeah, in Windsor too. That entire area is bounded by residential neighbourhoods.
The difference being that in Windsor the vast numbers of idling transport trucks were not protesters -- they were truckers who were working and trying to get the fuck home. Same on the Detroit side -- there are residential neighbourhoods right there.
It's hard to overstate the volume of truck traffic that's involved there -- suffice it to say a bridge closure of a couple of hours is horrendous (this happened once or twice when I was there because of an incident or accident of some kind on the bridge) and even that meant a miasma of diesel particulate on nearby streets.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:49 AM on February 15, 2022 [24 favorites]
The approaches to it that were being blocked are pretty wide-open multi-laned affairs. The police quite literally could have issued tickets and towed on day one of the blockade with minimal problems. They chose not to for reasons that are becoming very, very clear.
The degree of difficulty in clearing it out (even partially) to the point where bridge traffic could move was a mere fraction of that in downtown Ottawa. But the bridge plaza itself is approached by municipal surface streets on all sides, to this initial decision and what it led to was entirely a decision made by the local police to let it happen.
Another thing to add to this list: the ongoing idling of their vehicles has created pollution problems so bad that it could have serious health implications for some Ottawa residents.
Oh yeah, in Windsor too. That entire area is bounded by residential neighbourhoods.
The difference being that in Windsor the vast numbers of idling transport trucks were not protesters -- they were truckers who were working and trying to get the fuck home. Same on the Detroit side -- there are residential neighbourhoods right there.
It's hard to overstate the volume of truck traffic that's involved there -- suffice it to say a bridge closure of a couple of hours is horrendous (this happened once or twice when I was there because of an incident or accident of some kind on the bridge) and even that meant a miasma of diesel particulate on nearby streets.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:49 AM on February 15, 2022 [24 favorites]
If they are getting support fro the US alt-right, then they are getting it from Russia.
I'd say follow the money, but without state-level efforts to track down the source of the significant cryptocurrency funneling in, it may prove difficult to draw a straight line. Nonetheless, a lot of crypto funnels through Russia, among other terrorist states, and it seems fair to predict that Russia's past and current efforts to destabilize democracies around the world have now extended from Europe and the United States to Canada. The longer we all let Putin off the hook, the worse it will get.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'd say follow the money, but without state-level efforts to track down the source of the significant cryptocurrency funneling in, it may prove difficult to draw a straight line. Nonetheless, a lot of crypto funnels through Russia, among other terrorist states, and it seems fair to predict that Russia's past and current efforts to destabilize democracies around the world have now extended from Europe and the United States to Canada. The longer we all let Putin off the hook, the worse it will get.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Still, at least a focus on the participants will make it clear that participation in violent sedition will have costs.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Trudeau's emergency measures are actually following a similar playbook to what has been circulating in Canadian resistance circles since the beginning - target the trucks and the livelihood of the people involved. Go after licenses, insurance, and business owners. Cut off the money supply. Similar to the Sedition Hunters in the US, just work on exposing who these people are and letting the consequences flow. Don't go street brawling. Try to whittle down the occupation gradually until the dedicated and dangerous core people are left exposed.
Regardless of what people think of the invocation of the Emergencies Act, one of the things that happens now is that make crowdfunding platforms subject to anti-money laundering and terrorist financing reporting requirements.
It'll be interesting to see what scuttles out when the rotten log of, say, Jordan Peterson's crowdfunding revenue stream gets turned over.
Here's a side note for U.S. observers who are concerned about things like Russian money and destabilization efforts: Chrystia Freeland, the deputy PM who announced those financial reporting requirements, spent years as a journalist covering Russia and Ukraine.
The (U.S.) Magnitsky Act? She was covering the situation that led to that as it was playing out. She also speaks Russian and Ukrainian. She even makes an appearance in Bill Browder's memoir Red Notice.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [20 favorites]
Regardless of what people think of the invocation of the Emergencies Act, one of the things that happens now is that make crowdfunding platforms subject to anti-money laundering and terrorist financing reporting requirements.
It'll be interesting to see what scuttles out when the rotten log of, say, Jordan Peterson's crowdfunding revenue stream gets turned over.
Here's a side note for U.S. observers who are concerned about things like Russian money and destabilization efforts: Chrystia Freeland, the deputy PM who announced those financial reporting requirements, spent years as a journalist covering Russia and Ukraine.
The (U.S.) Magnitsky Act? She was covering the situation that led to that as it was playing out. She also speaks Russian and Ukrainian. She even makes an appearance in Bill Browder's memoir Red Notice.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:31 AM on February 15, 2022 [20 favorites]
I hope this whole situation is going a long ways towards unraveling the general complacency most Canadians have about our "peace, order, and good governance".
For those not aware, downtown Edmonton has been getting convoys every Saturday for the last three weeks. The provincial Legislature is downtown, so that's where the convoys converge to protest after slow rolling the freeways for a bit. My impression is that most of the vehicles are from out of town, but there aren't a lot of out-of-province license plates that I've seen. They aren't digging in. They come for the day and go home.
I live downtown, maybe a 20 minute walk from the Legislature. I can't imagine what living in Ottawa has been like, because these assholes show up with hundreds of trucks, mostly pickups with a few larger rigs, and lean on their horns for 6-8 hours for a single day a week and it's one of the most intolerable things I've ever had to deal with. The first weekend was the worst, where the cops had visibly abandoned the city core. Not a cruiser to be seen for blocks, trucks running lights, swerving in and out of traffic, gunning the engine at pedestrians and generally having a grand time. A bit of open drinking in a shopping center parking lot they'd taken over. By weekend two there were occasional uniformed officers directing traffic at intersections. Two blocks away, you could hear that someone had fitted a train horn to something and was merrily blasting away with it next to apartments. Reports of bystanders being harassed or assaulted for wearing masks. The occasional broken window. It would be fair to say there has not been an overwhelming police presence.
For weekend three the city got a broad injunction against excessive noise. From where I was it didn't sound like it had been much of a deterrent, but apparently several tickets were issued or are being mailed out. There was a very token counter protest that temporarily blocked one of the routes in. The cops didn't have any problem showing up for that, in force, with clubs.
Anyway, that's a long way to say that the last month has clarified some things for me. Probably a few others too.
posted by figurant at 10:47 AM on February 15, 2022 [29 favorites]
For those not aware, downtown Edmonton has been getting convoys every Saturday for the last three weeks. The provincial Legislature is downtown, so that's where the convoys converge to protest after slow rolling the freeways for a bit. My impression is that most of the vehicles are from out of town, but there aren't a lot of out-of-province license plates that I've seen. They aren't digging in. They come for the day and go home.
I live downtown, maybe a 20 minute walk from the Legislature. I can't imagine what living in Ottawa has been like, because these assholes show up with hundreds of trucks, mostly pickups with a few larger rigs, and lean on their horns for 6-8 hours for a single day a week and it's one of the most intolerable things I've ever had to deal with. The first weekend was the worst, where the cops had visibly abandoned the city core. Not a cruiser to be seen for blocks, trucks running lights, swerving in and out of traffic, gunning the engine at pedestrians and generally having a grand time. A bit of open drinking in a shopping center parking lot they'd taken over. By weekend two there were occasional uniformed officers directing traffic at intersections. Two blocks away, you could hear that someone had fitted a train horn to something and was merrily blasting away with it next to apartments. Reports of bystanders being harassed or assaulted for wearing masks. The occasional broken window. It would be fair to say there has not been an overwhelming police presence.
For weekend three the city got a broad injunction against excessive noise. From where I was it didn't sound like it had been much of a deterrent, but apparently several tickets were issued or are being mailed out. There was a very token counter protest that temporarily blocked one of the routes in. The cops didn't have any problem showing up for that, in force, with clubs.
Anyway, that's a long way to say that the last month has clarified some things for me. Probably a few others too.
posted by figurant at 10:47 AM on February 15, 2022 [29 favorites]
It'll be interesting to see what scuttles out when the rotten log of, say, Jordan Peterson's crowdfunding revenue stream gets turned over.
Beyond that, I'm very curious how much these platforms have been used for money laundering.
posted by nubs at 10:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
Beyond that, I'm very curious how much these platforms have been used for money laundering.
posted by nubs at 10:54 AM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
I get the sense that a lot of Canadians who used to be skeptical about "defunding the police" have had their eyes opened in the past few weeks.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 10:57 AM on February 15, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by Gerald Bostock at 10:57 AM on February 15, 2022 [13 favorites]
One thing a lot of people don't get about Ottawa is that there are a lot of people who live only a few streets, less than 10 minute walk from the Main Block of Parliament.
Further, the truckers are spilling out of the few streets between Parliament and City Hall and into areas like the Byward Market and further south in downtown which are detached homes, walk-ups and some condo towers. These protests have largely happened in rental and condo apartment residential areas. They've also happened around retirement homes, Ottawa's largest homeless shelter and a number of Women's shelters. Many students and lower/fixed incomes have been affected. Indeed the injunction against the honking and noise was brought by an Ottawa University student living in the Market area.
posted by bonehead at 10:58 AM on February 15, 2022 [23 favorites]
Further, the truckers are spilling out of the few streets between Parliament and City Hall and into areas like the Byward Market and further south in downtown which are detached homes, walk-ups and some condo towers. These protests have largely happened in rental and condo apartment residential areas. They've also happened around retirement homes, Ottawa's largest homeless shelter and a number of Women's shelters. Many students and lower/fixed incomes have been affected. Indeed the injunction against the honking and noise was brought by an Ottawa University student living in the Market area.
posted by bonehead at 10:58 AM on February 15, 2022 [23 favorites]
I can't imagine what living in Ottawa has been like, because these assholes show up with hundreds of trucks, mostly pickups with a few larger rigs, and lean on their horns for 6-8 hours for a single day a week and it's one of the most intolerable things I've ever had to deal with.
I spent a bunch of time reading through the convoy megathreads on r/Ottawa (p.s. they're up to megathread 59) and apparently someone got a hold of a train horn and blared that for days and days. Folks straight up couldn't sleep, could barely get through work (often at their customer-facing jobs where they were harassed by these same lunatics). People were worried about how the sound would impact their children. I live in Vancouver but I gained so much sympathy for Ottawans reading through those megathreads. I've even seen leftists on Twitter, upset at the precedent the Emergency Act might have on other protests, dismiss it as "just honking". Anyone who says that the protests are peaceful, admirable tactics have no idea what the people of Ottawa (and some other cities) have had to go through.
posted by thebots at 11:02 AM on February 15, 2022 [27 favorites]
I spent a bunch of time reading through the convoy megathreads on r/Ottawa (p.s. they're up to megathread 59) and apparently someone got a hold of a train horn and blared that for days and days. Folks straight up couldn't sleep, could barely get through work (often at their customer-facing jobs where they were harassed by these same lunatics). People were worried about how the sound would impact their children. I live in Vancouver but I gained so much sympathy for Ottawans reading through those megathreads. I've even seen leftists on Twitter, upset at the precedent the Emergency Act might have on other protests, dismiss it as "just honking". Anyone who says that the protests are peaceful, admirable tactics have no idea what the people of Ottawa (and some other cities) have had to go through.
posted by thebots at 11:02 AM on February 15, 2022 [27 favorites]
They also attempted to seal the doors of an apartment building and set fire to it.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:04 AM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
"...and apparently someone got a hold of a train horn and blared that for days and days."
Can confirm. I was in south London a week ago, and heard a train horn coming from the 401. It took me a few seconds to clue in that it was a protest trucker -- the blast was too long, too in the city, and not any pattern I recognized. Plus the fact that that train must be on the goddamn highway.
I wasn't anywhere close, and the train horn was really loud. I'd hate to have been driving on the 401 when a train sounds that it's in the next lane.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:13 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Can confirm. I was in south London a week ago, and heard a train horn coming from the 401. It took me a few seconds to clue in that it was a protest trucker -- the blast was too long, too in the city, and not any pattern I recognized. Plus the fact that that train must be on the goddamn highway.
I wasn't anywhere close, and the train horn was really loud. I'd hate to have been driving on the 401 when a train sounds that it's in the next lane.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:13 AM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
The lift bridge at the Port of Duluth uses the same Westinghouse klaxons that are on trains and that are in use by these shitheads. Close-up look here, sound of the bridge klaxons here [volume warning]. Now imagine that coming from a vehicle behind you on the the road, or outside your window at any hour of the day. Then make it non-stop.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:23 AM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
a quick note on train horns: it's easy to get ahold of vintage and replica train horns, and most can easily be hooked up to a standard compressor for full effect, within moments. There are YT channels devoted to a type of (typically young white male) enthusiast who has installed one or more horns to his personal vehicle.
they're extremely loud. the noise disruption to Ottawans' lives, with or without train horns, is scarcely imaginable to me.
I really struggle with my murderous thoughts, living in a part of the world where young men and loud trucks is pretty much 70% of what constitutes "culture."
posted by elkevelvet at 11:29 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
they're extremely loud. the noise disruption to Ottawans' lives, with or without train horns, is scarcely imaginable to me.
I really struggle with my murderous thoughts, living in a part of the world where young men and loud trucks is pretty much 70% of what constitutes "culture."
posted by elkevelvet at 11:29 AM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Oh yeah - there's also a whole (primarily young white male) hobbyist culture around warning sirens, but it seems a little geekier and less cro-mag than vehicle horns.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:32 AM on February 15, 2022
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:32 AM on February 15, 2022
One other way of looking at the white / right-wing privilege on display here is to look at the sheer number of chances that participants in these occupations have had to just leave with no consequences.
posted by The Outsider at 11:35 AM on February 15, 2022 [19 favorites]
posted by The Outsider at 11:35 AM on February 15, 2022 [19 favorites]
For those not aware, downtown Edmonton has been getting convoys every Saturday for the last three weeks.
I grew up in Hamilton ON, a city which generally has minimal tolerance for dickheads. A couple of Saturdays ago, there was a rolling convoy through downtown. I was not there, but from the media coverage and reports from friends who were downtown that day, it was a couple dozen tractor-trailers putt-putting along with the support of tens of flag-waving supporters, and succeeding in slowing traffic on one street for an hour or so.
In summer 2014, a dump truck attempted to cross a nearby bridge with the box raised, leading to the truck and the bridge superstructure meeting at ~110 kph. The bridge, which usually has some 80,000 vehicles a day, was closed for four days and traffic diverted elsewhere. That first evening I happened to be in the core and saw that hundreds of tractor-trailers had followed their GPSes, I suppose, through downtown. Vehicular traffic was moving considerably slower than a walking pace.
In short, this hugely funded massive popular uprising, with plenty of time to plan for maximum effect, had maybe a quarter of one percent of the impact that one inattentive truck driver did a decade ago.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:42 AM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
I grew up in Hamilton ON, a city which generally has minimal tolerance for dickheads. A couple of Saturdays ago, there was a rolling convoy through downtown. I was not there, but from the media coverage and reports from friends who were downtown that day, it was a couple dozen tractor-trailers putt-putting along with the support of tens of flag-waving supporters, and succeeding in slowing traffic on one street for an hour or so.
In summer 2014, a dump truck attempted to cross a nearby bridge with the box raised, leading to the truck and the bridge superstructure meeting at ~110 kph. The bridge, which usually has some 80,000 vehicles a day, was closed for four days and traffic diverted elsewhere. That first evening I happened to be in the core and saw that hundreds of tractor-trailers had followed their GPSes, I suppose, through downtown. Vehicular traffic was moving considerably slower than a walking pace.
In short, this hugely funded massive popular uprising, with plenty of time to plan for maximum effect, had maybe a quarter of one percent of the impact that one inattentive truck driver did a decade ago.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:42 AM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
1. These are not protests. This is an occupation led by white supremacists and funded by foreign interests. Locking residents in a building and attempting to set it on fire is not a protest. Stockpiling gasoline and diesel is not a protest. Attempting to run over RCMP officers is not a protest. Terrorizing citizens trying to go about their daily business is not a protest. Jamming 911 lines and blocking ambulances is not a protest. Driving by schools and screaming at kids and scaring them is not a protest. And even if they weren't doing any of those things, the convoy STILL wouldn't be a legitimate protest because messages of hate and anti-democracy have no place in Canadian society. Hate speech is illegal here.
2. Pretty cute that the NYT thinks that what's really notable is that Canadians donated roughly 50% of the funds to a convoy operating in Canada, and not that the majority of donors appear to be American.
3. The Emergencies Act is NOT martial law. Stop spreading that message.
4. Bill Maher is a clown and so is anyone amplifying his voice. You know what's really like Hitler? Flying the Nazi flag. Attempting to do away with democracy.
posted by Stoof at 12:21 PM on February 15, 2022 [57 favorites]
2. Pretty cute that the NYT thinks that what's really notable is that Canadians donated roughly 50% of the funds to a convoy operating in Canada, and not that the majority of donors appear to be American.
3. The Emergencies Act is NOT martial law. Stop spreading that message.
4. Bill Maher is a clown and so is anyone amplifying his voice. You know what's really like Hitler? Flying the Nazi flag. Attempting to do away with democracy.
posted by Stoof at 12:21 PM on February 15, 2022 [57 favorites]
The article from antihate.ca clawsoon posted in a comment above is excellent. I came across the article The Freedom Convoy is Nothing But a Vehicle for the Far Right (also at antihate.ca) yesterday in the latest Conspirituality episode that included an interview with Elizabeth Simons of antihate.ca.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:23 PM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:23 PM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
If anybody would like a window into the "thinking" behind this, here is a livestream of their Twitter space going on now. You can listening without contaminating your own Twitter account.
Discussing how to set up their own economy, create a meme army to take down TikTok elites, move to the country and set up their own food supplies, etc..
posted by rpfields at 12:27 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Discussing how to set up their own economy, create a meme army to take down TikTok elites, move to the country and set up their own food supplies, etc..
posted by rpfields at 12:27 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
What the Left can learn from the “Freedom Convoy”
Same lesson we've been relearning for years:
1) Institutions will not save you.
posted by delfin at 1:14 PM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Same lesson we've been relearning for years:
1) Institutions will not save you.
posted by delfin at 1:14 PM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
except ummm ... it seems the institution that is the office of the Prime Minister has evoked the Emergencies Act which is enabling police to
establish "no-go" zones in the city's downtown core to control unruly crowds associated with the anti-vaccine mandate convoy protest [...]. People who defy orders to leave, he added, will face fines or jail time, or both.
and so on.
Not that various institutions didn't fumble the ball in allowing all of this to happen in the first place -- a slow moving convoy that announced its intentions long before it arrived in Ottawa and got itself entrenched. As I noted in a parallel thread:
Hindsight being hindsight, I don't doubt that we'll eventually know what actually happened, who did or didn't make decisions and why. For now, we have this FUBAR mess which didn't need to happen. Or maybe it did. Because one thing I am noticing is that pretty much NOBODY is happy about the current state of things. Trudeau's either Adolph H Jr. or he incompetently and cowardly waited way too long to do anything substantive (with variations in between these extremes).
Democracy in fucking action.
posted by philip-random at 1:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
establish "no-go" zones in the city's downtown core to control unruly crowds associated with the anti-vaccine mandate convoy protest [...]. People who defy orders to leave, he added, will face fines or jail time, or both.
and so on.
Not that various institutions didn't fumble the ball in allowing all of this to happen in the first place -- a slow moving convoy that announced its intentions long before it arrived in Ottawa and got itself entrenched. As I noted in a parallel thread:
Hindsight being hindsight, I don't doubt that we'll eventually know what actually happened, who did or didn't make decisions and why. For now, we have this FUBAR mess which didn't need to happen. Or maybe it did. Because one thing I am noticing is that pretty much NOBODY is happy about the current state of things. Trudeau's either Adolph H Jr. or he incompetently and cowardly waited way too long to do anything substantive (with variations in between these extremes).
Democracy in fucking action.
posted by philip-random at 1:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Cabinet, through the RCMP, are being forced to fix the mistakes primarily of the OPS (and City) and the neglect of the province. Damn right they've given themselves the power to run the Ottawa response.
The RCMP have now de-escalated two of the border crossing stand offs. Finally Ottawa's turn appears to be next.
posted by bonehead at 1:50 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
The RCMP have now de-escalated two of the border crossing stand offs. Finally Ottawa's turn appears to be next.
posted by bonehead at 1:50 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Ottawacitizen.com: Threats close Stella Luna Gelato Café after owner's name appears in GiveSendGo data leak
...posted by sebastienbailard at 2:03 PM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
Giuliani made her Feb. 5 donation on the second weekend of the demonstration, when Ottawa police were describing it as “volatile and dangerous” and lawyers were seeking a court injunction to silence the constant blaring of air horns in the downtown core.
The backlash against Stella Luna on social media was swift and intense, with many pointing out that a rival creamery, Mooshu Ice Cream on Bank Street, had to close because anti-mask demonstrators threatened its staff.
...
1) Institutions will not save you.
I'm not sure what to do with that. Specifically re: this topic, I don't know if anyone is waiting to be saved (whatever that means) but some of us are looking for our institutions to act in the ways we feel they should act. If we are tossing that all out the window, then we may as well take up arms and just have it out? I really don't know what you mean by the comment.
posted by elkevelvet at 2:08 PM on February 15, 2022 [17 favorites]
I'm not sure what to do with that. Specifically re: this topic, I don't know if anyone is waiting to be saved (whatever that means) but some of us are looking for our institutions to act in the ways we feel they should act. If we are tossing that all out the window, then we may as well take up arms and just have it out? I really don't know what you mean by the comment.
posted by elkevelvet at 2:08 PM on February 15, 2022 [17 favorites]
As a person who generally used to have a neutral opinion of the police, this has absolutely made me change my opinion. I will never trust the police again. Ever. Not after this.
And yes the knowledge about Stella Luna spread through my Ottawa friends VERY fast.
posted by aclevername at 2:11 PM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
And yes the knowledge about Stella Luna spread through my Ottawa friends VERY fast.
posted by aclevername at 2:11 PM on February 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
That's a huge downer. Stella Luna had/s fantastic ice cream. They won a world championship for a rum chocolate flavour a few years ago.
posted by bonehead at 2:14 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 2:14 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Reading this, I'm less likely to blame the cop on the street. (The two I spoke with at the Battle of Billings Bridge had been working out in the cold for multiple days, "I have 3 daughters, and haven't seen them for 14 days".) Yes, there are some racist and sexist sympathizers on the force. Yes, yadda yadda. But it sounds like Sloly had allowed a situation to develop. And then his brain shut down and he couldn't come up with a solution, but was too much of a coward to call in the feds and get bailed out.
Justin Ling 20h • 15 tweets • 3 min read
Justin Ling 20h • 15 tweets • 3 min read
Let's talk a minute about the policing posture in Ottawa right now.posted by sebastienbailard at 2:17 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
For starters: I don't think anyone really knows what's actually going on inside the Ottawa Police Service right now. (That includes many people inside the Service, I think.)
This, from @TondaMacC, is both really informative and confirms the general stuff I've been seeing/hearing.
Ottawa police want more officers to deal with trucker convoy. But sources say ‘there is no plan’ for how to use them
In a statement Saturday, the Ottawa Police Service said it is outnumbered and its officers faced “aggressive behaviour” by protesters Friday night.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2022/02/13/ottawa-police-want-more-officers-to-deal-with-trucker-convoy-but-sources-say-there-is-no-plan-for-how-to-use-them.html
Ottawa Police had tools to lay fines and charges against the occupiers from day one. (Noise violations, illegal parking, any number of traffic violations, open containers, etc.) The province upgraded those powers last week, and the feds are expanding that again today. But...
Ottawa Police have either not laid those fines/charges or have laid them selectively. A main problem is just personnel. Police have paused ticketing/enforcement for carrying fuel canisters into the red zone because they just didn't have enough personnel, so they gave up.
There is a lack of direction. Police personnel downtown aren't assigned a real strategy. Occupiers come and go and police, without capacity to do enforcement, just stay there and jump in if anything egregious happens. Adding a couple hundred cops per day doesn't change that.
Police are exhausted. Being out there in the cold every day trying to manage this, and de-escalate conflict situations, working overtime and with few/no days off burns you out. That has a negative constraint on capacity.
Is it possible some officers *agree* with the occupation? Maybe, but consider this: OPS has a vaccine mandate. I'm told that, at most, 66 officers are on leave for refusing to get vaccinated. I'm not sure those cops look at these people as fighting for their freedom.
I heard that one Ottawa Police officer was present at the occupation, at least briefly. His fellow officers noticed, and they were not happy. There is concerns police/military advice could give them the ability to anticipate police action. That puts cops in danger.
Even if individual cops agree with the occupation/occupiers, the lack of enforcement isn't coming from the ground level, it's coming from the upper ranks. The lack of enforcement means rank & file need to keep the situation chill. Don't mistake friendliness for complicity.
Why haven't cops in riot gear gone in with tear gas? Putting aside whether it's advisable (I believe riot cops should be a last, last resort in all situations) the fact is that it's incredibly risky.
We don't know if there are weapons in those trucks, or nearby.
The occupiers have frustrated efforts by police to make arrests. I watched a livestream of occupiers harassing cops *who were trying to help a man having a seizure.* (He didn't seem to want to go to hospital, crowd tried to prevent police from requiring him to go.)
Let's say you send 300 cops to try and arrest 1,000 people on Wellington Street. They're going to barricade themselves in their trucks. What happens when 200 trucks drive in from their staging locations and box in police cruisers? Who rescues the cops?
Here's the article mentioned above:
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:22 PM on February 15, 2022
Ottawa police want more officers to deal with trucker convoy. But sources say ‘there is no plan’ for how to use them
In a statement Saturday, the Ottawa Police Service said it is outnumbered and its officers faced “aggressive behaviour” by protesters Friday night.
By Tonda MacCharlesOttawa Bureau
Sun., Feb. 13, 2022
... [paywall]
@rpfields -- your "livestream of their twitter space" link is broken and I am dying to listen to it .... anyone got a correct one?
posted by Sauce Trough at 2:46 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Sauce Trough at 2:46 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Over in r/ottawa, they're on megathread #60. Yes, there's there's fanfiction.
Megathread is now 60.posted by sebastienbailard at 2:47 PM on February 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
Five years away from retirement, she’s waiting out the years before she can collect her sweet, sweet pension. She still doesn’t know how to rotate a PDF or use PivotTables on Excel.
In her spare time, she likes sipping margaritas, listening to Fleetwood Mac, gardening, and gossiping with the ladies from church.
One of her daughters just got engaged, and she won’t stop telling you about how obsessed she is about becoming a grandparent.
...
GiveSendGo hacked again, this time their Adopt-a-Trucker data has been leaked.
Even if it weren't for their support for the convoy, I wouldn't advise anybody to give information to these folks, they don't seem to have any idea how to handle it.
posted by rpfields at 2:54 PM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
Even if it weren't for their support for the convoy, I wouldn't advise anybody to give information to these folks, they don't seem to have any idea how to handle it.
posted by rpfields at 2:54 PM on February 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
@sauce trough, sorry about that, it looks like the streamer got booted. I am trying to find another although I suspect the space might be over.
posted by rpfields at 2:56 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by rpfields at 2:56 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure what to do with that. Specifically re: this topic, I don't know if anyone is waiting to be saved (whatever that means) but some of us are looking for our institutions to act in the ways we feel they should act. If we are tossing that all out the window, then we may as well take up arms and just have it out? I really don't know what you mean by the comment.
It's not all that complicated.
Hard-line white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and full-blown wackaloons have organized a physical challenge to the legitimacy of the government of Canada, much like our American variety did a bit over a year ago.
Much as with 1/6, they are obscuring the reality of it to paint the conspirators sympathetically; "they're just truckers who want freedom, and kids in bouncy castles, and concerned patriots protesting government overreach" is how they paint themselves, even while the ringleaders babble about forcing Trudeau's resignation and what kind of government they'll install once the current one folds up. Much as with 1/6, the majority of participants are simply useful idiots, not hardcore radicals ready to pounce into violent revolt, but they are fellow travelers in this with bomb-throwing radicals and wannabe coup-ists and few are turned off by that fact.
1/6 resolved quickly due to the nature and location of the event. This siege has dragged on for three weeks. And if I was a non-mutant Canadian citizen living near one of these insurrection farms, wanting to be able to live in peace, use the road system or not feel like a riot was imminent on a given day, what have I seen?
That the police ranged from submarine-screen-door uselessness to wobbly inactivity to, in some cases, open sympathy to the cause. That the federal government and the overseers of law enforcement and members of Parliament have ranged from submarine-screen-door uselessness to wobbly inactivity to, in some cases, open sympathy to the cause. That the media (foreign and domestic) are reporting on this, as has been noted above, about how horrible it is that nothing has been done AND how horrible it is that Trudeau is now doing something.
Being part of the vast majority (something like 84% of Canadians are vaccinated) will not save you. Relying on the police to maintain order will not save you. Relying on the government to protect the interests of its citizenry, much less its own relevancy will not save you. Assuming that your neighbors are normal, everyday people who have no respect or time for "let's overthrow Trudeau" rabble-rousing will not save you. It's not that good things are not possible from these entities, that they can never be respected or trusted again in any capacity, or that these standoffs won't end without open violence in the streets. It's that if an emergency arises and the CHUDs rise up with physical intimidation and you are counting on any of these entities to protect you and your interests, they may or may not save you, and if they do, they won't do it fast.
As Frank Zappa once sang, "They just looks out for number one / And number one ain't you / You ain't even number two." I don't think that's changed, other than I don't think we fit into the top ten any more.
posted by delfin at 2:57 PM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
It's not all that complicated.
Hard-line white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and full-blown wackaloons have organized a physical challenge to the legitimacy of the government of Canada, much like our American variety did a bit over a year ago.
Much as with 1/6, they are obscuring the reality of it to paint the conspirators sympathetically; "they're just truckers who want freedom, and kids in bouncy castles, and concerned patriots protesting government overreach" is how they paint themselves, even while the ringleaders babble about forcing Trudeau's resignation and what kind of government they'll install once the current one folds up. Much as with 1/6, the majority of participants are simply useful idiots, not hardcore radicals ready to pounce into violent revolt, but they are fellow travelers in this with bomb-throwing radicals and wannabe coup-ists and few are turned off by that fact.
1/6 resolved quickly due to the nature and location of the event. This siege has dragged on for three weeks. And if I was a non-mutant Canadian citizen living near one of these insurrection farms, wanting to be able to live in peace, use the road system or not feel like a riot was imminent on a given day, what have I seen?
That the police ranged from submarine-screen-door uselessness to wobbly inactivity to, in some cases, open sympathy to the cause. That the federal government and the overseers of law enforcement and members of Parliament have ranged from submarine-screen-door uselessness to wobbly inactivity to, in some cases, open sympathy to the cause. That the media (foreign and domestic) are reporting on this, as has been noted above, about how horrible it is that nothing has been done AND how horrible it is that Trudeau is now doing something.
Being part of the vast majority (something like 84% of Canadians are vaccinated) will not save you. Relying on the police to maintain order will not save you. Relying on the government to protect the interests of its citizenry, much less its own relevancy will not save you. Assuming that your neighbors are normal, everyday people who have no respect or time for "let's overthrow Trudeau" rabble-rousing will not save you. It's not that good things are not possible from these entities, that they can never be respected or trusted again in any capacity, or that these standoffs won't end without open violence in the streets. It's that if an emergency arises and the CHUDs rise up with physical intimidation and you are counting on any of these entities to protect you and your interests, they may or may not save you, and if they do, they won't do it fast.
As Frank Zappa once sang, "They just looks out for number one / And number one ain't you / You ain't even number two." I don't think that's changed, other than I don't think we fit into the top ten any more.
posted by delfin at 2:57 PM on February 15, 2022 [15 favorites]
Stockpiling gasoline and diesel is not a protest.
I recently had an exchange with a trucker sympathizer who pointed out the government overreaction to lawful peaceful protesters establishing a depot for firewood and fuel, especially during a cold snap. I countered that he had omitted the mention of the propane tanks also removed and that pretty much anyone stockpiling explosives directly across the street from city hall might reasonably expect to draw some official attention.
He huffed and dithered, and I suggested that he, as a peaceful protester, pile up a dozen or fifteen propane cannisters at the front doors of the central police station in his town so he could demonstrate how harmless this is and totally own the libs.
No word from him since then.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:20 PM on February 15, 2022 [16 favorites]
I recently had an exchange with a trucker sympathizer who pointed out the government overreaction to lawful peaceful protesters establishing a depot for firewood and fuel, especially during a cold snap. I countered that he had omitted the mention of the propane tanks also removed and that pretty much anyone stockpiling explosives directly across the street from city hall might reasonably expect to draw some official attention.
He huffed and dithered, and I suggested that he, as a peaceful protester, pile up a dozen or fifteen propane cannisters at the front doors of the central police station in his town so he could demonstrate how harmless this is and totally own the libs.
No word from him since then.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:20 PM on February 15, 2022 [16 favorites]
with all respect delfin, I don't need Frank Zappa quotes right now.
I'm not waiting to be saved by any institutions, and I'm not necessarily disputing your take, but it's not what I'd call a particularly functional take.. I'm concerned with what we do, and until we give up completely on our institutions I'd just as soon push these institutions to be what we need them to be.
In Alberta there's the institution of the official opposition.. quite limited in terms of what they can do, but it's a tool I can use, work within, and contribute to, in addition to the other actions I can take. Law enforcement is a single institutional piece in this, and knowing the police won't save me is not the same as calling out the failures and demanding change and improvement. Obviously my anarchist credentials are lacking, so be it.
posted by elkevelvet at 3:22 PM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
I'm not waiting to be saved by any institutions, and I'm not necessarily disputing your take, but it's not what I'd call a particularly functional take.. I'm concerned with what we do, and until we give up completely on our institutions I'd just as soon push these institutions to be what we need them to be.
In Alberta there's the institution of the official opposition.. quite limited in terms of what they can do, but it's a tool I can use, work within, and contribute to, in addition to the other actions I can take. Law enforcement is a single institutional piece in this, and knowing the police won't save me is not the same as calling out the failures and demanding change and improvement. Obviously my anarchist credentials are lacking, so be it.
posted by elkevelvet at 3:22 PM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
And I'm not disputing your take either, elkevelvet. "The institutions are thoroughly defective at present" and "the institutions need to be pushed to act better going forward" are not incompatible.
@sauce trough, sorry about that, it looks like the streamer got booted. I am trying to find another although I suspect the space might be over.
For what it's worth, there's a recording of about an hour of their chatter that's still up. If you have a Bingo card, place markers on "George Soros," "Zuckerberg and Gates are buying all the farmland," "Our precious topsoil's being shipped to China," "there's open warfare in America that no one seems to know about," "people dropping dead from the vaccine left and right," "we're not trying to overthrow the government, just to have oversight over it," and most illuminatingly, "We're not against vaccine mandates, we're against ALL mandates. Did we stutter?"
Yup. The government shouldn't be able to tell Good God-Fearing Canadian Patriot Folk to do or not to do anything. That's a good foundation for moving forward and reconciliation.
posted by delfin at 3:30 PM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
@sauce trough, sorry about that, it looks like the streamer got booted. I am trying to find another although I suspect the space might be over.
For what it's worth, there's a recording of about an hour of their chatter that's still up. If you have a Bingo card, place markers on "George Soros," "Zuckerberg and Gates are buying all the farmland," "Our precious topsoil's being shipped to China," "there's open warfare in America that no one seems to know about," "people dropping dead from the vaccine left and right," "we're not trying to overthrow the government, just to have oversight over it," and most illuminatingly, "We're not against vaccine mandates, we're against ALL mandates. Did we stutter?"
Yup. The government shouldn't be able to tell Good God-Fearing Canadian Patriot Folk to do or not to do anything. That's a good foundation for moving forward and reconciliation.
posted by delfin at 3:30 PM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
institutions will not save you (ref)
posted by j_curiouser at 3:32 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by j_curiouser at 3:32 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
"Zuckerberg and Gates are buying all the farmland,"
Gates is the biggest private owner of farmland in the US, for whatever that's worth. But I digress...
posted by clawsoon at 3:35 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Gates is the biggest private owner of farmland in the US, for whatever that's worth. But I digress...
posted by clawsoon at 3:35 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Traditionally, when the institutions that people originally created are failing, the people create new institutions.
Institutions will not save you, you have to save yourself. Humans are social creatures so that really means you and your community have to lookout for yourselves.
If you frame it as tribalism, usually the tribe is all of Canada but if that were true, all the rest of Canada would be coming to your aid through the government. If they're not, the answer that makes the most sense to me is that you're simply no longer a member of that tribe. So you'll need to form a new one. Start with your neighbors, help each other, and grow your tribe.
That's really the worst worst case where the government is just completely failing at all levels (like the collapse of the Soviet Union). Communities band together to perform all the stuff the government is failing at. If we really stretch the metaphor you've got sub-tribes failing but the main, Federal, tribe is coming to take care of it's tribe members now.
posted by VTX at 3:45 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Institutions will not save you, you have to save yourself. Humans are social creatures so that really means you and your community have to lookout for yourselves.
If you frame it as tribalism, usually the tribe is all of Canada but if that were true, all the rest of Canada would be coming to your aid through the government. If they're not, the answer that makes the most sense to me is that you're simply no longer a member of that tribe. So you'll need to form a new one. Start with your neighbors, help each other, and grow your tribe.
That's really the worst worst case where the government is just completely failing at all levels (like the collapse of the Soviet Union). Communities band together to perform all the stuff the government is failing at. If we really stretch the metaphor you've got sub-tribes failing but the main, Federal, tribe is coming to take care of it's tribe members now.
posted by VTX at 3:45 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Meanwhile in NZ
The great thing about this is that the Canadian parliament is on Wellington, so this works here in Canada without any edits.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:51 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
The great thing about this is that the Canadian parliament is on Wellington, so this works here in Canada without any edits.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:51 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Pierre Trudeau "Just watch me" to the older Canadians.
posted by baegucb at 3:56 PM on February 15, 2022
posted by baegucb at 3:56 PM on February 15, 2022
But the question was what does the Left learn from this, and the response was that institutions will not save us, (and particularly instructive if you say the institutions will not save minorities).
And I think the answer is (mostly) correct, because governments natural inclination is to help corporations while being entities that the public can nevertheless force to hold accountable. This is basic leftist theory if you read anything by Noam Chomsky, or any other leftist literature.
Case in point, if you watched Trudeau's speech yesterday what was most telling was his main claim for the measures was to not harm the economy. Any despot can use the exact same words to justify their measures, and any climate denier can use this economic argument, so rhetorically Trudeau is using the assumption that his listeners can distinguish why in this case the convoy's obstructionism is harming Canadians by harming the Canadian economy. Trudeau didn't call these people racists or fascists.
So specific government action and measures can be justified and supported. But obviously leftists should not stop being vigilant about what the government is doing. The government is a structure, not our friend, not our tribal leader, and that is why it cannot save us.
posted by polymodus at 3:57 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
And I think the answer is (mostly) correct, because governments natural inclination is to help corporations while being entities that the public can nevertheless force to hold accountable. This is basic leftist theory if you read anything by Noam Chomsky, or any other leftist literature.
Case in point, if you watched Trudeau's speech yesterday what was most telling was his main claim for the measures was to not harm the economy. Any despot can use the exact same words to justify their measures, and any climate denier can use this economic argument, so rhetorically Trudeau is using the assumption that his listeners can distinguish why in this case the convoy's obstructionism is harming Canadians by harming the Canadian economy. Trudeau didn't call these people racists or fascists.
So specific government action and measures can be justified and supported. But obviously leftists should not stop being vigilant about what the government is doing. The government is a structure, not our friend, not our tribal leader, and that is why it cannot save us.
posted by polymodus at 3:57 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Was "Why Conservatives Celebrate the Canadian Truckers" posted already? There's a great close critique of “What the Truckers Want” by the conservative Canadian columnist Rupa Subramanya who spoke with 100 protesters at the Ottawa encampment.
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:16 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:16 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Toronto Star: Doug Ford says Ottawa protesters are ‘hurting more people than the pandemic could ever hurt’
...
posted by saturday_morning at 4:19 PM on February 15, 2022
...
posted by saturday_morning at 4:19 PM on February 15, 2022
Dougie didn't get elected for his smarts, nosiree...
posted by clawsoon at 4:23 PM on February 15, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 4:23 PM on February 15, 2022
In that area along the north shore of Lake Erie adjacent to the Niagara Peninsula, there's a number of houses and businesses supporting ‘Freedom Train 2022’, meaning there’s a Freedom Train ‘23 and ‘24 coming down the pipe. There's tons of flagged pickups. Also saw groups of young men barging into Canadian Tire without masks (just sunglasses and greasy looking camo sweats).
They're nearly all Canadian Trump supporters….waving the flag while they beg fascists to invade. Trudeau is right to treat this as a threat to the nation. I can’t believe anyone is suggesting that being less confrontational would have been better.
posted by brachiopod at 4:28 PM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
They're nearly all Canadian Trump supporters….waving the flag while they beg fascists to invade. Trudeau is right to treat this as a threat to the nation. I can’t believe anyone is suggesting that being less confrontational would have been better.
posted by brachiopod at 4:28 PM on February 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
An argument can be made that in certain areas, civilian counterprotesting was more effective than police intervention at preventing clownvoy disruptions. As one of those interviewed in that article put it:
“The residents of Ottawa were very patient and we decided not to intervene [at first]. We put our faith in police and authorities — and like many people, we finally wanted to say no,” Devine said. “Here we are so many weeks later and the police and authorities haven’t appeared to take care of it. So I think it came to the citizens of Ottawa — I guess this is up to us to show some form of organized resistance.”
Which is all well and good, but (a) in a functioning society, we shouldn't reach a point where civilians feel compelled to act because no one else will, and (b) that works right up to the point where those on the offensive side decide that violence is appropriate when words and anger fail. While Canada's firearms laws are generally far saner than their American equivalents, the confiscations in this event demonstrate that gun laws (as an example) work best against those who respect gun laws, or any other laws that they may dislike.
Those whose town/city/neighborhood ends up the site of the next uprising (because be sure that there will be more, given the ineffectual responses to this one) shouldn't reach a point where it feels like locals need to start their own Volunteer Antifa groups to make sure that someone will be there on the other side, so that the fascists don't flow into a vacuum unopposed. It is unsafe for all involved for that to happen. But a fair percentage of Canadians may find themselves feeling like they need to do precisely that, using this siege as a barometer.
I hope that there are persuasive arguments to tell them that they're wrong.
posted by delfin at 4:46 PM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
“The residents of Ottawa were very patient and we decided not to intervene [at first]. We put our faith in police and authorities — and like many people, we finally wanted to say no,” Devine said. “Here we are so many weeks later and the police and authorities haven’t appeared to take care of it. So I think it came to the citizens of Ottawa — I guess this is up to us to show some form of organized resistance.”
Which is all well and good, but (a) in a functioning society, we shouldn't reach a point where civilians feel compelled to act because no one else will, and (b) that works right up to the point where those on the offensive side decide that violence is appropriate when words and anger fail. While Canada's firearms laws are generally far saner than their American equivalents, the confiscations in this event demonstrate that gun laws (as an example) work best against those who respect gun laws, or any other laws that they may dislike.
Those whose town/city/neighborhood ends up the site of the next uprising (because be sure that there will be more, given the ineffectual responses to this one) shouldn't reach a point where it feels like locals need to start their own Volunteer Antifa groups to make sure that someone will be there on the other side, so that the fascists don't flow into a vacuum unopposed. It is unsafe for all involved for that to happen. But a fair percentage of Canadians may find themselves feeling like they need to do precisely that, using this siege as a barometer.
I hope that there are persuasive arguments to tell them that they're wrong.
posted by delfin at 4:46 PM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
> Case in point, if you watched Trudeau's speech yesterday what was most telling was his main claim for the measures was to not harm the economy. Any despot can use the exact same words to justify their measures, and any climate denier can use this economic argument, so rhetorically Trudeau is using the assumption that his listeners can distinguish why in this case the convoy's obstructionism is harming Canadians by harming the Canadian economy. Trudeau didn't call these people racists or fascists.
Arguably, he could use the Windsor blockade and economic consequences as a clear, line-in-the-sand, reason to crack down on these fascists back here in Ottawa, and get small-c conservatives to sign off on it.
As opposed to "they're honking horns and have put up a bouncy castle" and are confronting/assaulting residents, especially vulnerable minorities, but in such a way that small-c conservatives could think it's a legitimate protest.
Secondly, but perhaps more importantly, the economic framing made it easier to attack white supremacists' banking/funding. Reading about Yanukovych's titushky rent-a-mob elements, we don't want crowdfunded thugs here, political or apolitical but venal.
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:53 PM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Arguably, he could use the Windsor blockade and economic consequences as a clear, line-in-the-sand, reason to crack down on these fascists back here in Ottawa, and get small-c conservatives to sign off on it.
As opposed to "they're honking horns and have put up a bouncy castle" and are confronting/assaulting residents, especially vulnerable minorities, but in such a way that small-c conservatives could think it's a legitimate protest.
Secondly, but perhaps more importantly, the economic framing made it easier to attack white supremacists' banking/funding. Reading about Yanukovych's titushky rent-a-mob elements, we don't want crowdfunded thugs here, political or apolitical but venal.
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:53 PM on February 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Catherine McKenney (they/them)@cmckenney 6:46PM
Welcome to my world.
Welcome to my world.
Evan Solomon@EvanLSolomon · 1hposted by sebastienbailard at 5:02 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
So what does it say that Mayor of Ottawa used a private citizen/fmr Ford CofS Dean French as a mediator with the truckers days before his police chief resigns and Fed invoke Emerg act? It looks like no central plan, chaotic free-lancing & revealing about the current mess #cdnpoli
Fuck around and find out. Via the Toronto Star (sorry, you'll probably hit a paywall, so here's the key bit):
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones’s director of communications is out of a job after donating $100 earlier this month to the the convoy protests that have blockaded border crossings and occupied Ottawa, sources told the Star.
Marion Isabeau-Ringuette parted ways with Premier Doug Ford’s government on Tuesday afternoon, 10 days after she donated money to the so-called “Freedom Convoy.”
“Ms. Isabeau-Ringuette no longer works for the Ontario government,” Ivana Yelich, Ford’s executive director of media relations, said Tuesday evening.
“We’re not commenting any further as this is a staffing matter.”
Isabeau-Ringuette did not immediately return emails from the Star on Tuesday evening.
Her name surfaced online after hackers breached GiveSendGo security and took over the Christian crowdfunding website.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:23 PM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones’s director of communications is out of a job after donating $100 earlier this month to the the convoy protests that have blockaded border crossings and occupied Ottawa, sources told the Star.
Marion Isabeau-Ringuette parted ways with Premier Doug Ford’s government on Tuesday afternoon, 10 days after she donated money to the so-called “Freedom Convoy.”
“Ms. Isabeau-Ringuette no longer works for the Ontario government,” Ivana Yelich, Ford’s executive director of media relations, said Tuesday evening.
“We’re not commenting any further as this is a staffing matter.”
Isabeau-Ringuette did not immediately return emails from the Star on Tuesday evening.
Her name surfaced online after hackers breached GiveSendGo security and took over the Christian crowdfunding website.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:23 PM on February 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
‘Coutts police honors, greets and hugs truckers who have blocked the US - Canada border for 18 consecutive days.’ (Posted on YT by the protesters…feels kinda like the end of a hockey game)
posted by brachiopod at 6:02 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by brachiopod at 6:02 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Text of Emergency Act order is out: PDF
posted by clawsoon at 6:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 6:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
"WITNESS: Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon."
I assume that's normal.
Is that normal?
posted by clawsoon at 6:41 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
I assume that's normal.
Is that normal?
posted by clawsoon at 6:41 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
‘Coutts police honors, greets and hugs truckers who have blocked the US - Canada border for 18 consecutive days.’
"4 Alberta border protesters charged with conspiring to murder RCMP officers. Young roommates among 9 others charged in blockade at Coutts, Alta."
posted by Rumple at 6:57 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
"4 Alberta border protesters charged with conspiring to murder RCMP officers. Young roommates among 9 others charged in blockade at Coutts, Alta."
posted by Rumple at 6:57 PM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
>Text of Emergency Act order is out: PDF
html and pdf here
Pretty readable.
I think they're impounding property, but not summarily seizing it? I think.
There's some FINTRAC reporting rules for electronic currency exchanges that are interesting, but I'm not sure how it will play out.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:08 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
html and pdf here
Pretty readable.
I think they're impounding property, but not summarily seizing it? I think.
There's some FINTRAC reporting rules for electronic currency exchanges that are interesting, but I'm not sure how it will play out.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:08 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Interesting comment from over on the Reddits:
"Now, it depends on if it has been declared an unlawful assembly, and today in the OPS board meeting Bell avoided the question of whether the protest has been declared an unlawful assembly at all."
posted by clawsoon at 7:10 PM on February 15, 2022
"Now, it depends on if it has been declared an unlawful assembly, and today in the OPS board meeting Bell avoided the question of whether the protest has been declared an unlawful assembly at all."
posted by clawsoon at 7:10 PM on February 15, 2022
→
Everything about that situation is wrong: Doug Ford's ex-chief of staff leads back-channel talks between City of Ottawa, protesters | CBC News. I mean, Dean's dodgy deals (like the Ron "Unqualified" Taverner appointment) and iffy connections are legendary.
posted by scruss at 7:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Mayor of Ottawa used a private citizen/fmr Ford CofS Dean French
Everything about that situation is wrong: Doug Ford's ex-chief of staff leads back-channel talks between City of Ottawa, protesters | CBC News. I mean, Dean's dodgy deals (like the Ron "Unqualified" Taverner appointment) and iffy connections are legendary.
posted by scruss at 7:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
current r/ottawa megathread, immediately after the Emergency Act came out:
Tons of honking just started. More than I’ve heard in quite a while. Not sure why.posted by sebastienbailard at 7:39 PM on February 15, 2022 [10 favorites]It's truck mating season
So I'm in Ottawa right now. I spent my afternoon riding shotgun with @pdmcleod, checking out some of the occupiers' satellite encampments, outside the city of Ottawa itself. A few thoughts:
--Justin Ling on twitter
posted by valkane at 8:31 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
--Justin Ling on twitter
posted by valkane at 8:31 PM on February 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
rikschell: "And yes, I would agree with arson as a protest against, say, arresting and imprisoning children while deporting their parents. Or burning down a police station after cops shoot another unarmed Black person."
That is very much NOT the sort of arson Ottawa has seen. At 5am in the morning, not long after a verbal conflict between Convoy participants and residents of an apartment building over the constant blaring of truck horns and fireworks, two people (one of whom allegedly identified themself as a convoy participant) obstructed the main doors of the apartment building and set a fire in the lobby by the elevators. Someone walking by outside saw the fire, got the doors open, and put the fire out. The perpetrators were caught on camera and police are investigating.
posted by Secret Sparrow at 12:05 AM on February 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
That is very much NOT the sort of arson Ottawa has seen. At 5am in the morning, not long after a verbal conflict between Convoy participants and residents of an apartment building over the constant blaring of truck horns and fireworks, two people (one of whom allegedly identified themself as a convoy participant) obstructed the main doors of the apartment building and set a fire in the lobby by the elevators. Someone walking by outside saw the fire, got the doors open, and put the fire out. The perpetrators were caught on camera and police are investigating.
posted by Secret Sparrow at 12:05 AM on February 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Right. And I believe the streets were blocked to firetrucks.
Then, one week later:
Ottawa Citizen: McLeod Street condo residents rattled after men seen attempting to 'handcuff' lobby doors - 'A resident of the building across the street from 360 McLeod captured the incident on video.'
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:23 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Then, one week later:
Ottawa Citizen: McLeod Street condo residents rattled after men seen attempting to 'handcuff' lobby doors - 'A resident of the building across the street from 360 McLeod captured the incident on video.'
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:23 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Youtube streamer : "I see some cops getting out of vehicles, I think they're bored of it, too, they know they're not going to come back, they need orders to come back." ... moments later ... 8-10 cops give trucker a $1130 fine, and a very clear, calm warning he can be arrested for mischief and towed. In his own words, he'd been shouting at them with a bullhorn earlier, and is now blathering at streamer-guy, when they show up to have this little chat.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:32 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:32 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/359896/Protesters-showed-up-at-Southern-Okanagan-Secondary-school-Friday
A group of about 30 protesters showed up at Oliver's Southern Okanagan Secondary School Friday afternoon and yelled at students about their masks, leading to a "very heated" confrontation.(A few minutes in, one of the adults magically gets racist, unsurprisingly. )
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:44 AM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Twitter:
Chris Walker@ChrisWalkerCBC
Chris Walker@ChrisWalkerCBC
NEW: RCMP confirm that Silke Schulze, of Oliver BC, who was filmed yelling racist abuse during an anti-mask protest at an Okanagan school, will be fined $2300 under the Access to Services Act. (Online story to come shortly.)posted by sebastienbailard at 1:51 AM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
Oh hey, Todd the -$1130 trucker is well known in Winnipeg as a Proud Boy: https://www.reddit.com/r/Winnipeg/comments/nnc79d/comment/gztrqqj/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:59 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:59 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
(If some r/ottawa comment is entirely correct. )
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:27 AM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:27 AM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
My favourite bisexual paralegal clarifies the Emergencies Act for Americans (and probably a lot of Canadians too).
posted by Kitteh at 3:36 AM on February 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 3:36 AM on February 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
Oliver BC, huh? I've got some genuinely wonderful, kind and caring family out there... who happened to be sucked into vaccine skepticism and then convoy enthusiasm.
posted by clawsoon at 3:41 AM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 3:41 AM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
(A few minutes in, one of the adults magically gets racist, unsurprisingly. )
[sigh]
posted by clawsoon at 3:54 AM on February 16, 2022 [13 favorites]
...the woman responded with “Well you should care, I have a right to be in the country, do you?”Be racist, and then get angry when someone points it out.
Navrit, a young Punjabi woman, questioned the woman’s comment, and asked “Are you telling me to go back to my country?”
The woman said “yes” and began yelling at Navrit for calling her “racist."
[sigh]
posted by clawsoon at 3:54 AM on February 16, 2022 [13 favorites]
Billy Graham rapid-response crisis-trained chaplains offering prayer and Christ’s love at Ottawa truck protest
Based on the stories in the sidebar, I see they are ready and eager to take advantage of any crisis they can.
posted by clawsoon at 4:16 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Based on the stories in the sidebar, I see they are ready and eager to take advantage of any crisis they can.
posted by clawsoon at 4:16 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
The right-wing half of my Facebook feed is *full* of Fox News right now. Fox News infecting Canadian politics after destroying American politics is like that cancer that spreads from one Tasmanian devil to another.
posted by clawsoon at 4:33 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 4:33 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Washington Post is more clear-headed than the NYTimes:
Justin Trudeau’s move to end the trucker protest was risky but correct
Justin Trudeau’s move to end the trucker protest was risky but correct
That the protesters enjoy bellowing the word “liberty” does not negate the fact that their demands are blatantly antidemocratic and anti-constitutional. What they really favor is “liberty” from democratic norms.posted by mumimor at 4:48 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Nor do the protesters represent a broad-based social movement. While many in their ranks are peaceable, the leadership includes extremists and white nationalists who have railed against immigrants, trafficked in misinformation and conspiracy theories, and brandished Confederate flags. According to a poll released Monday, 3 in 4 Canadians are fed up and want an end to the protest, which was launched in anger over a government move to broaden already tough pandemic measures. The most prominent Canadian politician to give the protesters wholehearted support is Maxime Bernier, leader of a far-right party.
Fundamentally, the protesters are engaged in a resolute effort to play havoc with the strictures of civilized society because they are disgruntled with the actions of a fairly elected government. The government is right to proceed with caution to restore order.
Didn't the New York Times say Trudeau had suspended the Charter, then quickly and quietly retracted that bit of misinformation?
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:55 AM on February 16, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:55 AM on February 16, 2022
So specific government action and measures can be justified and supported. But obviously leftists should not stop being vigilant about what the government is doing. The government is a structure, not our friend, not our tribal leader, and that is why it cannot save us.
I'm probably centre-left, depending on the Overton window of the moment, but what I've learned from this is that we need better government, preferably one which is required to account for their decisions when they make decisions against expert advice.
For me, the conservative push to make government bad so that we can eliminate it and exploit all the resources (people. planet) is something to fight against. Not by giving up on government but pushing hard for better.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:45 AM on February 16, 2022 [16 favorites]
I'm probably centre-left, depending on the Overton window of the moment, but what I've learned from this is that we need better government, preferably one which is required to account for their decisions when they make decisions against expert advice.
For me, the conservative push to make government bad so that we can eliminate it and exploit all the resources (people. planet) is something to fight against. Not by giving up on government but pushing hard for better.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:45 AM on February 16, 2022 [16 favorites]
For many inside the Freedom Convoy, faith fuels the resistance
I've been idly musing for a while that there's a high church vs. low church thesis to be had in here somewhere. In some ways it's still a battle between apocalyptic Roundheads who see faith in God and end times hopes as their trump card against aristocratic oppression on the one hand, and Charles II's restoration Royal Society and all the scientific Anglican vicars who followed on the other.
posted by clawsoon at 6:44 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
I've been idly musing for a while that there's a high church vs. low church thesis to be had in here somewhere. In some ways it's still a battle between apocalyptic Roundheads who see faith in God and end times hopes as their trump card against aristocratic oppression on the one hand, and Charles II's restoration Royal Society and all the scientific Anglican vicars who followed on the other.
posted by clawsoon at 6:44 AM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
This is easily the saddest story I've seen so far. A father and mother haven't visited their 9-year-old daughter who is in palliative care in months, because doing so requires them to be vaccinated.
posted by clawsoon at 7:26 AM on February 16, 2022 [12 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 7:26 AM on February 16, 2022 [12 favorites]
For me, the conservative push to make government bad so that we can eliminate it and exploit all the resources (people. planet) is something to fight against. Not by giving up on government but pushing hard for better.
I feel like the whole "institutions won't save you" was a bit of a derail in this respect. I am trying to imagine the next 30-40 years where an abrupt and/or violent change across the broad base of Canadian institutions results in net gains for the majority of people. These imperfect and often oppressively unfair systems and structures may be frequently ineffective and/or damaging to many people at any given time, but criticism and action to change the institutions or redeem/reform them seems at least plausible. What is the alternative? And so: we should be angry with the failures of elected leaders to allow this outcome, we should demand consequences for the lack of law enforcement, and recognize that this is all happening in very fraught times.
If you wanted just a hint of how it might feel in Ukraine, this is a hint.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:29 AM on February 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
I feel like the whole "institutions won't save you" was a bit of a derail in this respect. I am trying to imagine the next 30-40 years where an abrupt and/or violent change across the broad base of Canadian institutions results in net gains for the majority of people. These imperfect and often oppressively unfair systems and structures may be frequently ineffective and/or damaging to many people at any given time, but criticism and action to change the institutions or redeem/reform them seems at least plausible. What is the alternative? And so: we should be angry with the failures of elected leaders to allow this outcome, we should demand consequences for the lack of law enforcement, and recognize that this is all happening in very fraught times.
If you wanted just a hint of how it might feel in Ukraine, this is a hint.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:29 AM on February 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
For many inside the Freedom Convoy, faith fuels the resistance
This is easily the saddest story
So many Mennonite names in these stories. Klassen, Dyck, Albrecht. A reporter who knew the right questions to ask could write an interesting story linking Manitoba Mennonite resistance to compulsory public schooling during WWI (and resistance to assimilation into the broader culture in general) to some of the threads in this protest. Suffering and dying for your faith is a vivid part of Mennonite tradition, even if it hasn't happened for a long time and even if most western Canadian Mennonites have converted to various born-again sects.
posted by clawsoon at 7:46 AM on February 16, 2022 [12 favorites]
This is easily the saddest story
So many Mennonite names in these stories. Klassen, Dyck, Albrecht. A reporter who knew the right questions to ask could write an interesting story linking Manitoba Mennonite resistance to compulsory public schooling during WWI (and resistance to assimilation into the broader culture in general) to some of the threads in this protest. Suffering and dying for your faith is a vivid part of Mennonite tradition, even if it hasn't happened for a long time and even if most western Canadian Mennonites have converted to various born-again sects.
posted by clawsoon at 7:46 AM on February 16, 2022 [12 favorites]
Live discussion from the counter-protest side on Twitter spaces. https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1vAxRkLrQzYKl
(Sorry, can’t link properly for some reason. Title is Radio Free Ottawa.)
posted by rpfields at 8:28 AM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
(Sorry, can’t link properly for some reason. Title is Radio Free Ottawa.)
posted by rpfields at 8:28 AM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm probably centre-left, depending on the Overton window of the moment, but what I've learned from this is that we need better government, preferably one which is required to account for their decisions when they make decisions against expert advice.
For me at least, this has been a reminder that the quality of our government & our institutions depend an awful lot on what we are doing - are we getting involved, asking questions, showing up? The next time my municipality is looking for citizen members on various boards/committees, maybe I need to throw my name out there for some of them. Including representation on things like the police commission; I feel like some of these roles & responsibilities have been made to feel very intimidating or require specialized knowledge, when I sometimes wonder if its more a matter of who showed up. I highly doubt that my city's police commission will want someone with an MSW, but I won't know until I try, and maybe that leads to a conversation about why they don't want someone with knowledge and skills about working with vulnerable populations. But I'm also sure I could be of use there, or somewhere else.
Feels like things have been slowly getting shitty for a while, and I think paying attention to some of what seem like the small roles is becoming more and more important before they get completely over-run by conspiracy nuts.
posted by nubs at 8:48 AM on February 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
For me at least, this has been a reminder that the quality of our government & our institutions depend an awful lot on what we are doing - are we getting involved, asking questions, showing up? The next time my municipality is looking for citizen members on various boards/committees, maybe I need to throw my name out there for some of them. Including representation on things like the police commission; I feel like some of these roles & responsibilities have been made to feel very intimidating or require specialized knowledge, when I sometimes wonder if its more a matter of who showed up. I highly doubt that my city's police commission will want someone with an MSW, but I won't know until I try, and maybe that leads to a conversation about why they don't want someone with knowledge and skills about working with vulnerable populations. But I'm also sure I could be of use there, or somewhere else.
Feels like things have been slowly getting shitty for a while, and I think paying attention to some of what seem like the small roles is becoming more and more important before they get completely over-run by conspiracy nuts.
posted by nubs at 8:48 AM on February 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
This is easily the saddest story I've seen so far. A father and mother haven't visited their 9-year-old daughter who is in palliative care in months, because doing so requires them to be vaccinated.
This is really terrible. These people are Mennonites (their last name is 'Klassen', that is a Mennonite name). And I am a Mennonite from Winnipeg, left the faith and the city a looong time ago. Despite all the other issues I have with the faith group I was born into (the homophobia, the patriarchal authoritarianism, the arrogance etc. etc.), I always held out some sense of pride that Mennonites held a basic idea of community responsibility and goodwill.
That has been completely shattered with their response to covid and embrace of Trump. I feel so very sad about it all. I have had to cut ties to my sister and her family who have gone down this route, and there is just, nothing...left to salvage.
posted by nanook at 8:52 AM on February 16, 2022 [22 favorites]
This is really terrible. These people are Mennonites (their last name is 'Klassen', that is a Mennonite name). And I am a Mennonite from Winnipeg, left the faith and the city a looong time ago. Despite all the other issues I have with the faith group I was born into (the homophobia, the patriarchal authoritarianism, the arrogance etc. etc.), I always held out some sense of pride that Mennonites held a basic idea of community responsibility and goodwill.
That has been completely shattered with their response to covid and embrace of Trump. I feel so very sad about it all. I have had to cut ties to my sister and her family who have gone down this route, and there is just, nothing...left to salvage.
posted by nanook at 8:52 AM on February 16, 2022 [22 favorites]
I feel like some of these roles & responsibilities have been made to feel very intimidating or require specialized knowledge
If Donald Trump is qualified to be president then anyone here is qualified for any role at any level of government.
The more people are engaged with their government (voting at a minimum) the better that government tends to be.
posted by VTX at 9:01 AM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
If Donald Trump is qualified to be president then anyone here is qualified for any role at any level of government.
The more people are engaged with their government (voting at a minimum) the better that government tends to be.
posted by VTX at 9:01 AM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
Coutts blockade was spiritually motivated by far-right Christian ideology
posted by No Robots at 10:26 AM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by No Robots at 10:26 AM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
So many Mennonite names in these stories.
And it doesn't have to be that way either. A friend of mine is a nurse practitioner and speaks Plautdietsch and works with Old Order and Amish Mennonites to get them vaccinated and to encourage them, particularly, with women's health issues. Being able to connect in their language and understand their religion has helped a lot of members of those communities to get vaccinated and get proper care.
With my Russian Mennonite in-laws in Manitoba, who are very conservatively evangelical, it is really a mixed bag. Easily derailed by random Church community opinions and distrustful of anything even remotely labelled as "liberal" or "progressive" (I always joke that they wouldn't even trust progressive lenses). We had some who were threatening to move to Alberta due to the Manitoban health measures... Utterly ridiculous.
posted by Ashwagandha at 10:41 AM on February 16, 2022 [10 favorites]
And it doesn't have to be that way either. A friend of mine is a nurse practitioner and speaks Plautdietsch and works with Old Order and Amish Mennonites to get them vaccinated and to encourage them, particularly, with women's health issues. Being able to connect in their language and understand their religion has helped a lot of members of those communities to get vaccinated and get proper care.
With my Russian Mennonite in-laws in Manitoba, who are very conservatively evangelical, it is really a mixed bag. Easily derailed by random Church community opinions and distrustful of anything even remotely labelled as "liberal" or "progressive" (I always joke that they wouldn't even trust progressive lenses). We had some who were threatening to move to Alberta due to the Manitoban health measures... Utterly ridiculous.
posted by Ashwagandha at 10:41 AM on February 16, 2022 [10 favorites]
Let's be clear, the "protestors" are not strategically trying to get any sane outcome here. As was mentioned numerous times during the emergency debate, the mask and vaccine mandates are under provincial jurisdiction, not federal. The only federal law concerning the truckers is needing to be vaccinated to cross the US border back into Canada, which applies on the other side as well. So when they go around screaming about deposing Trudeau there is really no logic to it, just blind misdirected rage.
The majority of Canadian truckers dissociate themselves from the movement. See the statement by the Canadian Trucking Alliance:
"The trucking industry and its drivers are paying a heavy price for the unlawful actions of those who choose to politicize and target our borders and highways and choke off trade between Canada and the United States. Their actions simply hurt Canadians and they have shown a blatant disregard for all the lives they are impacting,” says Stephen Laskowski, president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance."
Hopefully most leftists can tell the difference between legitimate peaceful protests and deranged and delusional conspiracy theorists with no connection to reality and no vision besides wanting to see democracy go up in flames.
posted by winterportage at 10:45 AM on February 16, 2022 [10 favorites]
The majority of Canadian truckers dissociate themselves from the movement. See the statement by the Canadian Trucking Alliance:
"The trucking industry and its drivers are paying a heavy price for the unlawful actions of those who choose to politicize and target our borders and highways and choke off trade between Canada and the United States. Their actions simply hurt Canadians and they have shown a blatant disregard for all the lives they are impacting,” says Stephen Laskowski, president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance."
Hopefully most leftists can tell the difference between legitimate peaceful protests and deranged and delusional conspiracy theorists with no connection to reality and no vision besides wanting to see democracy go up in flames.
posted by winterportage at 10:45 AM on February 16, 2022 [10 favorites]
With my Russian Mennonite in-laws in Manitoba
I grew up with stories of the great aunt on my Russian Mennonite side who barely escaped the Communists with her life. I guess that counts as a relatively recent experience (in the 1930s or 1940s, I'm guessing?) that would feed into a cultural memory of "progressive = bad".
(The fact that the Nazis helped that last wave of Russian Mennonites escape may have played into cultural memories of who the "good guys" and "bad guys" were, too, even if the Nazi connection was never talked about after the war.)
posted by clawsoon at 10:53 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
I grew up with stories of the great aunt on my Russian Mennonite side who barely escaped the Communists with her life. I guess that counts as a relatively recent experience (in the 1930s or 1940s, I'm guessing?) that would feed into a cultural memory of "progressive = bad".
(The fact that the Nazis helped that last wave of Russian Mennonites escape may have played into cultural memories of who the "good guys" and "bad guys" were, too, even if the Nazi connection was never talked about after the war.)
posted by clawsoon at 10:53 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Yes who the "good" guys and "bad" guys are in Russian Mennonite culture is tricky to navigate for outsiders as it is highly personal and variable. To abuse the Daily Bonnet links once again... Mennonite Man Can’t Decide Whether Politician He Hates is a Nazi or a Commie. Currently for all of them it is a pretty clear winner - Justin Trudeau.
posted by Ashwagandha at 11:22 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Ashwagandha at 11:22 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/truck-convoy-police-hand-out-notices-to-protesters-occupation-organizers-accuse-critics-of-harassment
Roundup of the last 24 hours. Mentions Pat King calling out critics, elides the fact he calls for their deaths modern/right-wing jargon. "Send them to the train station".
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:51 AM on February 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
*SIGH*
Fox's Jesse Watters Calls For U.S. Takeover Of Canada
posted by fimbulvetr at 12:00 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Fox's Jesse Watters Calls For U.S. Takeover Of Canada
posted by fimbulvetr at 12:00 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
I mean, come on, that's not even good trolling, Jesse Waters. If you're going to make specious claims about Trudeau's love for Communism, you obviously go for his relationship with Castro, not China.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:09 PM on February 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 12:09 PM on February 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Thank God the Dulles brothers aren't in office any more, or they would've operationalized that plan already.
posted by clawsoon at 12:12 PM on February 16, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 12:12 PM on February 16, 2022
Strong Canadian Bacon vibes. RIP John Candy.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:17 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:17 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Roundup of the last 24 hours. Mentions Pat King calling out critics, elides the fact he calls for their deaths modern/right-wing jargon. "Send them to the train station".
Always a good sign that you're winning when you send out a violent Holocaust-denier to not only threaten critics, but also the police.
"Protest organizer Pat King calls on police to "stand down" and put down their badges, suggests there will be legal repercussions if they don't when it's over. "Just following orders is not going to be your saving grace when you're standing on the other side of the witness box."" (Glen McGregor, CTV News)
posted by delfin at 12:35 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Always a good sign that you're winning when you send out a violent Holocaust-denier to not only threaten critics, but also the police.
"Protest organizer Pat King calls on police to "stand down" and put down their badges, suggests there will be legal repercussions if they don't when it's over. "Just following orders is not going to be your saving grace when you're standing on the other side of the witness box."" (Glen McGregor, CTV News)
posted by delfin at 12:35 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
My Pillow's Mike Lindell barred from entering Canada to support convoy protestors.
Lindell, as well as a truck full of 10,000 pillows destined for protesters, were denied entry into Canada Tuesday evening.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:57 PM on February 16, 2022 [13 favorites]
Lindell, as well as a truck full of 10,000 pillows destined for protesters, were denied entry into Canada Tuesday evening.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:57 PM on February 16, 2022 [13 favorites]
Negotiating with the convoy may have legitimized them, but at least it accomplished absolutely nothing [The Beaverton]
posted by piyushnz at 1:12 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by piyushnz at 1:12 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
"These “No Trespassing” signs are on a bunch of semis, at least a dozen. They warn that any officer who tries to enter the truck without a warrant may be charged, arrested and prosecuted, and that “the occupiers may use force against you.”"
posted by clawsoon at 1:15 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 1:15 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
I am no expert on Canada's search and seizure laws, but I'm pretty sure that defying court and emergency orders to get out constitutes reasonable grounds for your arrest and checking out your truck, no matter what SovCit sign you post.
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:28 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:28 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
"You're under arrest."
"No you're under arrest!"
posted by clawsoon at 1:29 PM on February 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
"No you're under arrest!"
posted by clawsoon at 1:29 PM on February 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
Actually, they've tried that already. Just without the "no, you're under arrest" part; more like ruffling their hair playfully and calling them little scamps.
posted by delfin at 1:52 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by delfin at 1:52 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Setting yourself up as a separate government with the legitimacy to set up your own law enforcement is sedition with the threat of violence. I hope Canada takes the separatist threat seriously, because the longer this goes on, the more emboldened the separatists get.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:03 PM on February 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:03 PM on February 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
Unlawful assembly and riots are dealt with under the Criminal Code sections 63 -69
includes reading the Riot Act:
Her Majesty the Queen charges and commands all persons being assembled immediately to disperse and peaceably to depart to their habitations or to their lawful business on the pain of being guilty of an offence for which, on conviction, they may be sentenced to imprisonment for life.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Neglect by peace officer
69 A peace officer who receives notice that there is a riot within their jurisdiction and, without reasonable excuse, fails to take all reasonable steps to suppress the riot is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years;
posted by yyz at 2:13 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
includes reading the Riot Act:
Her Majesty the Queen charges and commands all persons being assembled immediately to disperse and peaceably to depart to their habitations or to their lawful business on the pain of being guilty of an offence for which, on conviction, they may be sentenced to imprisonment for life.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Neglect by peace officer
69 A peace officer who receives notice that there is a riot within their jurisdiction and, without reasonable excuse, fails to take all reasonable steps to suppress the riot is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years;
posted by yyz at 2:13 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
We have to finish the wall and build a fresh one in the north if this keeps up. (from the jesse watters link)
"we're having a bad time with this part of the wall - the bricks keep sinking"
posted by pyramid termite at 2:24 PM on February 16, 2022
"we're having a bad time with this part of the wall - the bricks keep sinking"
posted by pyramid termite at 2:24 PM on February 16, 2022
The only measure of satisfaction I will get at the end of this is if the following happens:
- no loss of life
- harsh financial and legal penalties, including incarceration for some organizers and participants
- repercussions for individuals in law enforcement where there is documented evidence of abdication of duty and/or fraternizing with occupiers
- Emergency Act will ensure a report and hopefully some names are named
I don't expect any elected representatives to suffer any blowback in the short-term, but it really grinds my gears to see an area MP (rural Alberta) taking selfies with another Albertan (convoyer/occupier), I happen to know the person and they're irredeemably lost to this whole movement. They were among the first organizers of the "Freedom Rallies" we've seen around here, going back to 2020. Multiple court orders either torn up, or the case has been extended multiple times as the judge responds/capitulates to ridiculous stalling tactics. Talk about privilege.
posted by elkevelvet at 2:31 PM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
- no loss of life
- harsh financial and legal penalties, including incarceration for some organizers and participants
- repercussions for individuals in law enforcement where there is documented evidence of abdication of duty and/or fraternizing with occupiers
- Emergency Act will ensure a report and hopefully some names are named
I don't expect any elected representatives to suffer any blowback in the short-term, but it really grinds my gears to see an area MP (rural Alberta) taking selfies with another Albertan (convoyer/occupier), I happen to know the person and they're irredeemably lost to this whole movement. They were among the first organizers of the "Freedom Rallies" we've seen around here, going back to 2020. Multiple court orders either torn up, or the case has been extended multiple times as the judge responds/capitulates to ridiculous stalling tactics. Talk about privilege.
posted by elkevelvet at 2:31 PM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
harsh financial and legal penalties, including incarceration for some organizers and participants
Hopefully strong enough where they'd be barred from entering the US.
posted by nathan_teske at 2:40 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Hopefully strong enough where they'd be barred from entering the US.
posted by nathan_teske at 2:40 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
GiveSendGo back online after hack targeting Canadian ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests
The cause has become especially popular with religious voices who championed forms of Christian nationalism in the lead up to the Jan. 6 insurrection, and Canadian demonstrators appear to be sharing some of their tactics: Protesters have begun conducting “Jericho Marches” around Canada’s parliamentary precinct, just as religious supporters of former President Donald Trump did in the days before the attack on the U.S. Capitol.posted by clawsoon at 2:51 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Lindell, as well as a truck full of 10,000 pillows destined for protesters, were denied entry into Canada Tuesday evening.
*throws 2022 bingo card out the window*
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:19 PM on February 16, 2022 [26 favorites]
*throws 2022 bingo card out the window*
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:19 PM on February 16, 2022 [26 favorites]
The only measure of satisfaction I will get at the end of this is if the following happens:
I also want to see the Rat King cry. Real tears or chemically-assisted, I'm not fussy.
posted by rpfields at 4:09 PM on February 16, 2022
I also want to see the Rat King cry. Real tears or chemically-assisted, I'm not fussy.
posted by rpfields at 4:09 PM on February 16, 2022
I don't know if it's still true, but Lindell used to sell to Canadians by saying he built a pillow factory in Quebec (I think it was), so he's a Canadian job creator. This was before he became known as a Trump sycophant. (Note: this is not in any way an endorsement of the man, his politics or his products.)
posted by sardonyx at 4:38 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sardonyx at 4:38 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm depressed. I wasn't expecting civilization here in Canada to start collapsing so soon. The worst could have been avoided if some generic transport fines were handed out a few weeks ago. Every level of government: municipal, provincial, and federal have all waited too long for the problem to go away, and fvkced up as much as humanly possible. It's like there was no-one anywhere in the system who understands basic crisis response. This mess will be swept away eventually, along with the lessons that should have been learned.
posted by ovvl at 5:30 PM on February 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by ovvl at 5:30 PM on February 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
Mayor Watson think this is the perfect time to kick off 3 of the city councillors off the Police Oversight Board, in order to slot in his flunkies.
As always, the suburb and exurb councillors are lining up to stab the core in the back.
In the worst crisis this city has seen.
City Council meeting:
https://youtu.be/UCpkA_3_gpU
Commentary :
https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/su62c4/convoy_megathread_62/
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:42 PM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
As always, the suburb and exurb councillors are lining up to stab the core in the back.
In the worst crisis this city has seen.
City Council meeting:
https://youtu.be/UCpkA_3_gpU
Commentary :
https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/su62c4/convoy_megathread_62/
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:42 PM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
This is some Game of Thrones shit.
Call-outs, councillors crying, Watson is stone-cold.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:56 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Call-outs, councillors crying, Watson is stone-cold.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:56 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Mayor Watson think this is the perfect time to kick off 3 of the city councillors off the Police Oversight Board, in order to slot in his flunkies.
Something something city councillor who once talked about the "non-whites" coming to her neighbourhood and causing trouble?
posted by clawsoon at 5:57 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Something something city councillor who once talked about the "non-whites" coming to her neighbourhood and causing trouble?
posted by clawsoon at 5:57 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
As always, the suburb and exurb councillors are lining up to stab the core in the back.
*leans back in chair, gives a sad smile of recognition in Torontonian*
Ya, that happens, eh?
On a lighter note, Ottawa Balcony Guy just got a Heritage Minute [Twitter link; NSFW language]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:01 PM on February 16, 2022 [14 favorites]
*leans back in chair, gives a sad smile of recognition in Torontonian*
Ya, that happens, eh?
On a lighter note, Ottawa Balcony Guy just got a Heritage Minute [Twitter link; NSFW language]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:01 PM on February 16, 2022 [14 favorites]
According to the YouTube livestream as of right now (over 5 hours into the meeting) 5,154 people are watching the Ottawa city council meeting there alone - that's bananas, and I lived through the Rob/Doug Ford city council years here in Toronto.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:04 PM on February 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:04 PM on February 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
Ottawa Balcony Guy for Mayor!
Strong Roy Kent energy with this guy.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:25 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Strong Roy Kent energy with this guy.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:25 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
"we're having a bad time with this part of the wall - the bricks keep sinking
Few particularly cared that the Rio Grande was been walled off but there is lots of lake front property, owned by wealthy people, that would suddenly be on the wrong side of a northern wall.
Hopefully strong enough where they'd be barred from entering the US.
Border control can deny entry for any or no reason so it doesn't have to be all that serious especially if you are on the secret multinational terrorist list.
posted by Mitheral at 6:31 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Few particularly cared that the Rio Grande was been walled off but there is lots of lake front property, owned by wealthy people, that would suddenly be on the wrong side of a northern wall.
Hopefully strong enough where they'd be barred from entering the US.
Border control can deny entry for any or no reason so it doesn't have to be all that serious especially if you are on the secret multinational terrorist list.
posted by Mitheral at 6:31 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
The ram ranch counter-protestor trolls taking a serious moment, talking about what led up to this: Twitter Space
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:43 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:43 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
The ram ranch counter-protestor trolls
For a second I thought you were going to say they were interrupting Jim Watson.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:58 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
For a second I thought you were going to say they were interrupting Jim Watson.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:58 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Nah, it'd like socioeconomics in the oil patch, what it's like to be a visible minority in all this, etc.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:12 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:12 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Banks are moving to freeze accounts linked to convoy protests [CBC]
Using powers granted under the Emergencies Act, the federal government has directed banks and other financial institutions to stop doing business with people associated with the anti-vaccine mandate convoy occupying the nation's capital. [...]posted by heatherlogan at 7:21 PM on February 16, 2022 [10 favorites]
The order says that banks and other financial entities (like credit unions, co-ops, loan companies, trusts and cryptocurrency platforms) must stop "providing any financial or related services" to people associated with the protests — a move that will result in frozen accounts, stranded money and cancelled credit cards.
The government is also ordering insurance companies to suspend policies on vehicles that are part of an unlawful "public assembly." [...] "Those authorities are now in force and they're being used," said Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino. "It's incredibly important that we follow the money." [...]
The regulation's definition of a "designated person" also includes people who "provide property to facilitate or participate in any assembly." In other words, under these regulations, anyone sending funds to support these protests could be facing a shaky financial future. [...]
Mark Blumberg is a lawyer at Blumberg Segal LLP who specializes in non-profit and charity law. In an interview, he said that while the Emergencies Act gives banks time-limited powers [the regulations are in effect for at most 30 days], these institutions "may just decide to shut the person's account down" because there could be "huge risks" for banks servicing these customers in the future. [...]
Because the organizers of this protest have been so public about their participation on social media, "banks won't have a hard time identifying who these people are," [Jessica Davis, president of Insight Threat Intelligence and a former CSIS strategic analyst] said.
According to the YouTube livestream as of right now (over 5 hours into the meeting) 5,154 people are watching the Ottawa city council meeting there alone - that's bananas, and I lived through the Rob/Doug Ford city council years here in Toronto.
That city council meeting is bonkers — clip of councilor Catherine McKenney video conferencing in from the street. I’m not from Canada and don’t have a firm understanding of the dynamics at play, but McKenney is a god damned force of nature. We need more people in office like them.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:36 PM on February 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
What if we just built a wall around them? Not even sure I'm kidding… just start laying bricks around the perimeter. No need to find a way to tow their trucks or anything, and once they're sealed in, negotiations could begin. Just throwing that out there in case the leaflets don't do the trick.
posted by Crane Shot at 7:40 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Crane Shot at 7:40 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've already accidentally referred to them as Mayor McKenney like 3 times today. Marty McFly voice: "That's right, they're gonna be mayor!"
posted by heatherlogan at 7:40 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by heatherlogan at 7:40 PM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I had to follow along with r/ottawa open, to explain context and background.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:41 PM on February 16, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:41 PM on February 16, 2022
There are tens of thousands of Ottawa residents living in the occupied zone -- building a wall around them would not be ok.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:42 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by heatherlogan at 7:42 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
What if we just built a wall around them? Not even sure I'm kidding… just start laying bricks around the perimeter.
An engine attached to a train
was afraid of a few drops of rain
He went into a tunnel
and closed up his funnel
and wouldn't come out again
posted by clawsoon at 7:44 PM on February 16, 2022
An engine attached to a train
was afraid of a few drops of rain
He went into a tunnel
and closed up his funnel
and wouldn't come out again
posted by clawsoon at 7:44 PM on February 16, 2022
What if we just built a wall around them? Not even sure I'm kidding…
Time for the good ol' firehose. That and a nice Ottawa winter? They'll be there until May.
'You said you weren't leaving, and boy, did you get that right.'
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:06 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Time for the good ol' firehose. That and a nice Ottawa winter? They'll be there until May.
'You said you weren't leaving, and boy, did you get that right.'
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:06 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
A transcript of a live emergency "truckers"meeting: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1493360716946059266.html. They are a confused bunch.
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:22 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:22 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
More or less confused than Ottawa city council?
posted by clawsoon at 8:23 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 8:23 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Enjoyed this - Abbie Richards over on twitter describes the Convoy - “Organisational structure of coleslaw”
posted by phigmov at 8:38 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by phigmov at 8:38 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
More or less confused than Ottawa city council?
Let's go with differently confused.
posted by Ashwagandha at 9:31 PM on February 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
Let's go with differently confused.
posted by Ashwagandha at 9:31 PM on February 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
Ottawa Balcony Guy for Mayor!
Strong Roy Kent energy with this guy.
I was thinking Ricky Lafleur
[includes swearing]
posted by philip-random at 9:38 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Strong Roy Kent energy with this guy.
I was thinking Ricky Lafleur
[includes swearing]
posted by philip-random at 9:38 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
>Enjoyed this - Abbie Richards over on twitter describes the Convoy - “Organisational structure of coleslaw”
Via that, Amarnath Amarasingam's short primer on the trucker convoy and populist movements generally.
And, via that,
The ‘freedom convoy’ protesters are a textbook case of ‘aggrieved entitlement’, by Fiona MacDonald,
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:10 PM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
Via that, Amarnath Amarasingam's short primer on the trucker convoy and populist movements generally.
And, via that,
The ‘freedom convoy’ protesters are a textbook case of ‘aggrieved entitlement’, by Fiona MacDonald,
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:10 PM on February 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
> Let's go with differently confused
Certainly Jimbo and the convoyers share the same enthusiasm for building random physical structures in Ottawa with minimal oversight and with a gross disregard for the inhabitants of the afflicted neighborhood
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:14 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Certainly Jimbo and the convoyers share the same enthusiasm for building random physical structures in Ottawa with minimal oversight and with a gross disregard for the inhabitants of the afflicted neighborhood
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:14 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Meanwhile, in NZ, people are getting increasingly annoyed. A Māori aunty lets rip on TikTok (link via Twitter, CW sweary) and correctly describes the Convoy types as making a mockery of protest & lacking in the type of Mana protesters for real social change have accrued through a lifetime of peaceful protest.
posted by phigmov at 10:18 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by phigmov at 10:18 PM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Also, that transcript was mostly a trollish improv session.
The real thing would have had more Americans checking in with long digressions about the Iraq war and 'globalist elites'.
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:22 PM on February 16, 2022
The real thing would have had more Americans checking in with long digressions about the Iraq war and 'globalist elites'.
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:22 PM on February 16, 2022
The ‘freedom convoy’ protesters are a textbook case of ‘aggrieved entitlement’, by Fiona MacDonald
Interesting that it's important for the perceived elites to not feed into the people-vs-elites narrative:
Interesting that it's important for the perceived elites to not feed into the people-vs-elites narrative:
To mitigate and reduce these divisions, leaders must walk a fine line, balancing the need to acknowledge and recognize these sentiments while offering alternative, more unifying messages and opportunities to bring citizens together.posted by clawsoon at 10:32 PM on February 16, 2022
Unfortunately, both the federal and Ontario governments failed to do this early on, and we now have the first invocation of the Emergencies Act since it replaced the War Measures Act in 1988.
I have trouble understanding Prof. MacDonald's argument; the first part lays out that these are entitled racists and fascists so how does the essay conclude that the state failed to reach out to.. fascists.. with a unifying message and opportunity? How would that work at all? It's a contradictory argument there.
posted by polymodus at 11:29 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by polymodus at 11:29 PM on February 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
I have trouble understanding Prof. MacDonald's argument; the first part lays out that these are entitled racists and fascists so how does the essay conclude that the state failed to reach out to.. fascists.. with a unifying message and opportunity? How would that work at all? It's a contradictory argument there.
She does a good job of laying out the motivations of the convoy, but the million dollar question is how exactly you can reasonably "acknowledge and recognize [the] sentiments" in a way that "brings citizens together" when the sentiments are those of white supremacists attempting to stage a coup against a government, four months after a free and fair election, when even their face-value cover story is that they are attempting to overthrow the Canadian federal government because of policies put in place... by provincial governments and the US federal government.
In fact, plenty of political leaders have acknowledged and recognized these sentiments, and this has egged these fuckers on; if premiers and MPs and leaders (and desperately-wannabe leaders) of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition weren't cheering them and posing for selfies with the protesters and their swastikas, the convoyists would have less of a feeling that they are a 'silent majority', and would have less credibility.
In part because political leaders have spent time acknowledging the sentiments of these assholes, the news media have been both-sidesing an illegal occupation undertaken for a melange of racist, fascist and pants-on-head-crazy SovCit motivations. Legitimately -- the media doesn't need to cover every musing of every random preacher cum terrorist, but when the leading Conservatives or the premiers of provinces speak, the media does need to cover that. There will always be a few percent of racist lunatics, it's the credibility and recognition that helps push them from a few percent into the double digits, into actual minority status.
posted by Superilla at 12:01 AM on February 17, 2022 [14 favorites]
She does a good job of laying out the motivations of the convoy, but the million dollar question is how exactly you can reasonably "acknowledge and recognize [the] sentiments" in a way that "brings citizens together" when the sentiments are those of white supremacists attempting to stage a coup against a government, four months after a free and fair election, when even their face-value cover story is that they are attempting to overthrow the Canadian federal government because of policies put in place... by provincial governments and the US federal government.
In fact, plenty of political leaders have acknowledged and recognized these sentiments, and this has egged these fuckers on; if premiers and MPs and leaders (and desperately-wannabe leaders) of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition weren't cheering them and posing for selfies with the protesters and their swastikas, the convoyists would have less of a feeling that they are a 'silent majority', and would have less credibility.
In part because political leaders have spent time acknowledging the sentiments of these assholes, the news media have been both-sidesing an illegal occupation undertaken for a melange of racist, fascist and pants-on-head-crazy SovCit motivations. Legitimately -- the media doesn't need to cover every musing of every random preacher cum terrorist, but when the leading Conservatives or the premiers of provinces speak, the media does need to cover that. There will always be a few percent of racist lunatics, it's the credibility and recognition that helps push them from a few percent into the double digits, into actual minority status.
posted by Superilla at 12:01 AM on February 17, 2022 [14 favorites]
On a lighter note the Strategists podcast twitter account is on a delightful run of Tucker Carlson "Canadian-style tyranny" memes.
posted by Superilla at 12:24 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Superilla at 12:24 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Who knew, that when neo-nazi goons had invaded Canada's capital, that our favorite ice cream shop would turn on us, like a rabid pet dog?
r/ottawa, current megathread:
r/ottawa, current megathread:
I tried to make a post but the sub didn't let me. Tammy Giuliani of Stella Luna is going through bad facebook reviews, calling and threatening and harassing any former employer you have listed on your profile. I have filed an official police report and I assume I'm not the only one she has done this too so if anyone wants the file number to link to it, lemme know.posted by sebastienbailard at 3:48 AM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
how does the essay conclude that the state failed to reach out to.. fascists.. with a unifying message and opportunity?
You're not reaching out to the fascists. You're reaching out to get to the people the fascists are reaching out to before the fascists get to them. Which, at this point, we appear to be much too late to do.
posted by clawsoon at 4:45 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
You're not reaching out to the fascists. You're reaching out to get to the people the fascists are reaching out to before the fascists get to them. Which, at this point, we appear to be much too late to do.
posted by clawsoon at 4:45 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
This article that was in the sidebar of the Macdonald article offers some suggestions to that problem.
posted by Ashwagandha at 4:48 AM on February 17, 2022
posted by Ashwagandha at 4:48 AM on February 17, 2022
Ottawa's 2nd most promising mayoral candidate.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:04 AM on February 17, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:04 AM on February 17, 2022
Yesterday cops were handing out warning flyers, today crowd control fences are going up.
The rat that lives in Pat King's skull chewed through the wrong wires and he decamped from his posh hotel room to chase around downtown exhorting his followers to wake up and honk. Which they did. And to plan to stay up for 48 hours, and to check under their vehicles, for planted objects. Or boogeymen, presumably.
current r/ottawa megathread:
The rat that lives in Pat King's skull chewed through the wrong wires and he decamped from his posh hotel room to chase around downtown exhorting his followers to wake up and honk. Which they did. And to plan to stay up for 48 hours, and to check under their vehicles, for planted objects. Or boogeymen, presumably.
current r/ottawa megathread:
Some girl live streaming on YouTube just asked cops why the fence is going up. They’re standing about 15 feet from it on the west side of parliament.posted by sebastienbailard at 5:40 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
“Where?”
“That one. Right there.”
“We don’t know”.
There are plenty of people who lean fascist - just look at all the public support for crackdowns on First Nations protests, for example - but it takes a very narrow set of conditions to get that large number of people to support the tiny number of fascists who actively want to overthrow democracy. Trudeau contributed to creating that narrow set of conditions by using populist us-vs-them appeals himself.
I can't say I predicted this, because I didn't, but I've been uncomfortable with Trudeau's approach since he introduced it in the last election campaign, and I think events have given my discomfort some justification.
posted by clawsoon at 5:40 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
I can't say I predicted this, because I didn't, but I've been uncomfortable with Trudeau's approach since he introduced it in the last election campaign, and I think events have given my discomfort some justification.
posted by clawsoon at 5:40 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Fences are going up this morning. Tempers are up.
Stay for the twist ending: https://twitter.com/CarymaRules/status/1494309486546374657
posted by bonehead at 6:14 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Stay for the twist ending: https://twitter.com/CarymaRules/status/1494309486546374657
posted by bonehead at 6:14 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
King Rat is fleeing. Pat King is credited as the lead organizer of this hullabaloo.
posted by bonehead at 6:36 AM on February 17, 2022
posted by bonehead at 6:36 AM on February 17, 2022
I think he came back? Betting someone might have told him that abandoning the insurrection he started immediately before the cops moved in could be hazardous to his health.
posted by grouse at 6:39 AM on February 17, 2022
posted by grouse at 6:39 AM on February 17, 2022
He seems to have been at the main site this morning complaining that his bank accounts were in trouble. Perhaps that's related.
posted by bonehead at 6:48 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 6:48 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
🎻
posted by grouse at 6:50 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by grouse at 6:50 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Here's a little thing I wrote about the invoking of the Emergency Measures Act and the pass we find ourselves in, and have shared on my Facebook page and on Twitter:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergency Measures Act in order to get the situation in Ottawa under control. I don't blame him for this -- under the circumstances, he's doing the right thing. But these circumstances should not have arisen.
It was the responsibility of the Ottawa police and the OPP to keep the lid on any and all violent and lawless behaviour on the part of the protestors in Ottawa using the usual existing laws. They should have been closely policing the situation from the beginning, tagging and towing illegally parked vehicles, issuing tickets for reckless driving, ordering people to stop blowing their horns day and night or face the legal consequences for noise violations, preventing the stockpiling of fuel or the building of a shed on public property, and otherwise making arrests or issuing fines for any illegal behaviour that they saw or that was reported to them. If they didn't have the resources to do this, they could have called in the RCMP for back up and/or borrowed equipment from the military. And they failed to do so.
I don't know exactly what the reason for this was. Did the Chief of Police Peter Sloly mistakenly decide to just let the convoyers have their tantrum with the idea that they'd stomp their feet around Ottawa for a few days and then it would all die down? Were the police too sympathetic to or complicit with the convoyers to be willing to police them? Were they simply incompetent? When this is over, there needs to be an investigation into the matter, and there will be heads that should roll (indeed, Ottawa Chief of Police Peter Sloly has already resigned), and systemic changes that need to be implemented.
Meanwhile, given that this was a *provincial* responsibility, as head of the *federal* government, Justin Trudeau's hands were tied until he invoked the Emergency Measures Act, which gives him the authority to send in the RCMP and cut off the convoyers' financial funding. Again, I think he did the right thing under the circumstances. The situation was out of control, with the people of Ottawa being held hostage in their own city for weeks by violent, lawless occupiers whose goal is to bring down our democratically elected government, and he had to step in.
But I don't like it. This sets a dangerous precedent for future governments to use the Emergency Measures Act in a far less justifiable way against peaceful demonstrators with far more valid concerns, such as in the case of Indigenous or Black Lives Matter protests. However, this is the pass we find ourselves in. The current federal government is taking reasonable steps to safeguard its citizens and our democracy, and I would hope that, rather than blaming Justin Trudeau for "invoking martial law", which the Emergency Measures Act is NOT, we Canadians would start taking the rise of right wing extremism and fascism and the corruption/incompetence of our police more seriously, and start working towards making some changes. If we don't, the occupation of Ottawa by swastika-waving violent, lawless protestors is going to prove just a taste of the things that are to come.
posted by orange swan at 7:05 AM on February 17, 2022 [20 favorites]
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergency Measures Act in order to get the situation in Ottawa under control. I don't blame him for this -- under the circumstances, he's doing the right thing. But these circumstances should not have arisen.
It was the responsibility of the Ottawa police and the OPP to keep the lid on any and all violent and lawless behaviour on the part of the protestors in Ottawa using the usual existing laws. They should have been closely policing the situation from the beginning, tagging and towing illegally parked vehicles, issuing tickets for reckless driving, ordering people to stop blowing their horns day and night or face the legal consequences for noise violations, preventing the stockpiling of fuel or the building of a shed on public property, and otherwise making arrests or issuing fines for any illegal behaviour that they saw or that was reported to them. If they didn't have the resources to do this, they could have called in the RCMP for back up and/or borrowed equipment from the military. And they failed to do so.
I don't know exactly what the reason for this was. Did the Chief of Police Peter Sloly mistakenly decide to just let the convoyers have their tantrum with the idea that they'd stomp their feet around Ottawa for a few days and then it would all die down? Were the police too sympathetic to or complicit with the convoyers to be willing to police them? Were they simply incompetent? When this is over, there needs to be an investigation into the matter, and there will be heads that should roll (indeed, Ottawa Chief of Police Peter Sloly has already resigned), and systemic changes that need to be implemented.
Meanwhile, given that this was a *provincial* responsibility, as head of the *federal* government, Justin Trudeau's hands were tied until he invoked the Emergency Measures Act, which gives him the authority to send in the RCMP and cut off the convoyers' financial funding. Again, I think he did the right thing under the circumstances. The situation was out of control, with the people of Ottawa being held hostage in their own city for weeks by violent, lawless occupiers whose goal is to bring down our democratically elected government, and he had to step in.
But I don't like it. This sets a dangerous precedent for future governments to use the Emergency Measures Act in a far less justifiable way against peaceful demonstrators with far more valid concerns, such as in the case of Indigenous or Black Lives Matter protests. However, this is the pass we find ourselves in. The current federal government is taking reasonable steps to safeguard its citizens and our democracy, and I would hope that, rather than blaming Justin Trudeau for "invoking martial law", which the Emergency Measures Act is NOT, we Canadians would start taking the rise of right wing extremism and fascism and the corruption/incompetence of our police more seriously, and start working towards making some changes. If we don't, the occupation of Ottawa by swastika-waving violent, lawless protestors is going to prove just a taste of the things that are to come.
posted by orange swan at 7:05 AM on February 17, 2022 [20 favorites]
Photo of the new warning flyer the police are handing out.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:05 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:05 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
orange swan, I'm with you re: the wake-up call to Canada to the threat of increasingly organized movements with connections to generally fascist and/or ethno-nationalist (racist) groups in the world.
by invoking the Emergency Act, I'm hopeful we come away from this with (at least) a detailed report that really spells out the failures that led to this point: the individuals who failed in their duties, those who receive salaries and responsibilities, who simply proved to be incompetent and/or willfully reluctant to take action. The report *could* be a basis for planning for the next occupation attempt, because you're right: we will see more of this, and it will be worse. So if this is a big dress rehearsal, let's just hope that a sufficient percentage of Canadians, their elected representatives, and their institutions, also took the right lessons from it.
you lost me re: the precedent. I don't think invoking the Emergency Act will have any great bearing on the treatment of other (non-violent and civil) protests.. they did not need the Emergency Act to take off the gloves in the past, and I doubt it will make them any less heavy-handed in their dealing with future actions. All we have is the rank hypocrisy and double standard, brazen proof that if you are the "right kind of white" you can get away with, well, I hesitate to say murder but it looks awfully close.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:43 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
by invoking the Emergency Act, I'm hopeful we come away from this with (at least) a detailed report that really spells out the failures that led to this point: the individuals who failed in their duties, those who receive salaries and responsibilities, who simply proved to be incompetent and/or willfully reluctant to take action. The report *could* be a basis for planning for the next occupation attempt, because you're right: we will see more of this, and it will be worse. So if this is a big dress rehearsal, let's just hope that a sufficient percentage of Canadians, their elected representatives, and their institutions, also took the right lessons from it.
you lost me re: the precedent. I don't think invoking the Emergency Act will have any great bearing on the treatment of other (non-violent and civil) protests.. they did not need the Emergency Act to take off the gloves in the past, and I doubt it will make them any less heavy-handed in their dealing with future actions. All we have is the rank hypocrisy and double standard, brazen proof that if you are the "right kind of white" you can get away with, well, I hesitate to say murder but it looks awfully close.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:43 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think the main problem the bq has with the occupiers is ... that their signage isn't in French first, then English below, in smaller letters.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:16 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:16 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Wow. Good speech by Jagmeet Singh right now in HOC. I respect the way he is avoiding petty politicking, talking plainly, and getting to the point. Still holding government to account while acknowledging the troubling situation we're in.
posted by mazola at 8:47 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by mazola at 8:47 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Unfortunately, anyone in Parliament discussing this like an adult is going to be drowned out (and not shown on the evening news) because everyone else will be acting like it is kindergarten.
posted by nubs at 9:13 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by nubs at 9:13 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Everybody says its a bazooka to kill a fly. But the the guys holding the fly swatters are asleep at the wheel and the other guy is only allowed to scream at the guys with fly swatters or use it's bazooka. So bazooka it is...
posted by WaterAndPixels at 9:16 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by WaterAndPixels at 9:16 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Jagmeet Singh right now in HOC.
Do you have a link for that?
posted by nanook at 9:22 AM on February 17, 2022
Do you have a link for that?
posted by nanook at 9:22 AM on February 17, 2022
> orange swan: "I don't know exactly what the reason for this was."
While it's quite important to investigate what specifically happened in this case, I can't help but observe -- and I'm certainly not the first to do so -- that law enforcement throughout North America treat right-wing protest actions much, much differently than left-wing actions. It may just be my biased memory, but I can't think of a single right-wing protest action in either the US or Canada that was treated with even a fraction of the aggression that police forces have routinely enacted on left-wing protests (e.g.: kettling, mass arrests, infiltration & agent provocateurs, tear gas, etc...) I fear that analyzing each individual case of police handling right-wing actions with kid gloves as separate and unrelated phenonmena may be missing the forest for the trees.
posted by mhum at 9:23 AM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
While it's quite important to investigate what specifically happened in this case, I can't help but observe -- and I'm certainly not the first to do so -- that law enforcement throughout North America treat right-wing protest actions much, much differently than left-wing actions. It may just be my biased memory, but I can't think of a single right-wing protest action in either the US or Canada that was treated with even a fraction of the aggression that police forces have routinely enacted on left-wing protests (e.g.: kettling, mass arrests, infiltration & agent provocateurs, tear gas, etc...) I fear that analyzing each individual case of police handling right-wing actions with kid gloves as separate and unrelated phenonmena may be missing the forest for the trees.
posted by mhum at 9:23 AM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
Do you have a link for that?
Here, but you have to go back in the stream to find him.
posted by clawsoon at 9:25 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Here, but you have to go back in the stream to find him.
posted by clawsoon at 9:25 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Justin Ling in the Guardian just now:
Days before the so-called Freedom Convoy reached Ottawa, starting a weeks-long occupation of Canada’s capital and triggering a string of copy-cat blockades, the federal government was warned that violent extremist groups were deeply involved in the protest movement.
Intelligence assessments – prepared by Canada’s Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre (ITAC) and seen by the Guardian – warned in late January that it was “likely” that extremists were involved and said that the scale of the protests could yet pose a “trigger point and opportunity for potential lone actor attackers to conduct a terrorism attack”.
The assessments offer the first real glimpse in how federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have assessed the threat of Canada’s anti-vaccine and conspiracy movement.
“We knew these people were coming,” said a federal government source, who indicated that the Security Intelligence Service Canada – Canada’s main intelligence service, of which ITAC is a part – had flagged the involvement of extremist groups and individuals in official briefings.
The intelligence reports also show that clear warnings were sent to Ottawa police ahead of the convoy’s arrival in the capital. The city’s police has become the focus of a fierce debate over whether they should have done more to prepare for, or prevent, the occupation.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:13 AM on February 17, 2022 [13 favorites]
Days before the so-called Freedom Convoy reached Ottawa, starting a weeks-long occupation of Canada’s capital and triggering a string of copy-cat blockades, the federal government was warned that violent extremist groups were deeply involved in the protest movement.
Intelligence assessments – prepared by Canada’s Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre (ITAC) and seen by the Guardian – warned in late January that it was “likely” that extremists were involved and said that the scale of the protests could yet pose a “trigger point and opportunity for potential lone actor attackers to conduct a terrorism attack”.
The assessments offer the first real glimpse in how federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have assessed the threat of Canada’s anti-vaccine and conspiracy movement.
“We knew these people were coming,” said a federal government source, who indicated that the Security Intelligence Service Canada – Canada’s main intelligence service, of which ITAC is a part – had flagged the involvement of extremist groups and individuals in official briefings.
The intelligence reports also show that clear warnings were sent to Ottawa police ahead of the convoy’s arrival in the capital. The city’s police has become the focus of a fierce debate over whether they should have done more to prepare for, or prevent, the occupation.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:13 AM on February 17, 2022 [13 favorites]
I'm floored at reports from journalists that police are telling blockaders they need to be out by Friday morning. Why would they give them a timeline?
posted by grouse at 10:21 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by grouse at 10:21 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Meanwhile, in NZ, people are getting increasingly annoyed. A Māori aunty lets rip on TikTok (link via Twitter, CW sweary) and correctly describes the Convoy types as making a mockery of protest & lacking in the type of Mana protesters for real social change have accrued through a lifetime of peaceful protest.
Yeah she's great, channeling how lots of people are thinking - NZ has a long history of "hikoi" - historically used for Māori protest, particularly land protest - where you WALK to parliament, from the other end of the country - there's lots of mana in doing this and in the past it's ended up on that same piece of land that's currently been occupied.
I've seen this current occupation described as a "candy assed white people's hikoi" because they took off a holiday weekend and drove, didn't do the hard mahi and walk
posted by mbo at 10:33 AM on February 17, 2022 [17 favorites]
Yeah she's great, channeling how lots of people are thinking - NZ has a long history of "hikoi" - historically used for Māori protest, particularly land protest - where you WALK to parliament, from the other end of the country - there's lots of mana in doing this and in the past it's ended up on that same piece of land that's currently been occupied.
I've seen this current occupation described as a "candy assed white people's hikoi" because they took off a holiday weekend and drove, didn't do the hard mahi and walk
posted by mbo at 10:33 AM on February 17, 2022 [17 favorites]
When the Conservative Member asked Singh why he wasn't upholding the great NDP tradition of supporting protests and resisting emergency measures, the child in me was half disappointed that Singh didn't ask in return why the CPC isn't upholding the great Conservative tradition of busting protester heads.
posted by clawsoon at 10:49 AM on February 17, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 10:49 AM on February 17, 2022 [17 favorites]
Why would they give them a timeline?
I'm not trying to be glib here, but it's probably for the same reason these guys were sitting in a hot tub not long after they assaulted this TVA journalist in full view of the cops.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:57 AM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
I'm not trying to be glib here, but it's probably for the same reason these guys were sitting in a hot tub not long after they assaulted this TVA journalist in full view of the cops.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:57 AM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
Twitter
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:14 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Glen McGregor @glen_mcgregor(Union 613 is a local restaurant. Happy Goat is a local small coffee chain (good coffee, iffy desserts) the neo-nazis broke their window because they had a pride flag up.)
The proposed class-action lawsuit over Ottawa protests adds Union 613 and Happy Goat Coffee as plaintiffs, joining Zexi Li, as claim expands to include a class of8 businesses. Claim now up to $306 million.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:14 AM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
The Coutts 13: New details on the men and women arrested at border blockade
Two have ties to a man who founded a neo-fascist, white supremacist group that aims to accomplish its goals through violence.
posted by No Robots at 11:18 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Two have ties to a man who founded a neo-fascist, white supremacist group that aims to accomplish its goals through violence.
posted by No Robots at 11:18 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
> I'm not trying to be glib here, but it's probably for the same reason these guys were sitting in a hot tub not long after they assaulted this TVA journalist in full view of the cops.
I think the police plan is to arrest all of them in every part of Ottawa at once, so that you don't have 100 trucks boxing in one police car. With reinforcements coming up from the staged encampments.
Some of these buggers are itching for a fight.
As per some redditor's RCMP buddy, the occupiers did swarm swarm a couple cops when they tried a simple police action, early on. And there was no plan.
Same reason they send 9 cops to hand out a single, $1130 noise complaint.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:27 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think the police plan is to arrest all of them in every part of Ottawa at once, so that you don't have 100 trucks boxing in one police car. With reinforcements coming up from the staged encampments.
Some of these buggers are itching for a fight.
As per some redditor's RCMP buddy, the occupiers did swarm swarm a couple cops when they tried a simple police action, early on. And there was no plan.
Same reason they send 9 cops to hand out a single, $1130 noise complaint.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:27 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
And Musk just compared Trudeau to Hitler. Link to La Presse in french since I couldn't find an english one with the screen cap.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 11:29 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by WaterAndPixels at 11:29 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Isn't that a compliment in Musk-ese? I am confuse.
posted by hangashore at 11:31 AM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
posted by hangashore at 11:31 AM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
Embarrassingly, in my post above, I referred to the "Emergency Measures Act". The act in question is actually the Emergencies Act. My queendom for an edit button.
posted by orange swan at 11:32 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 11:32 AM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
I suspect one reason for the “out by Friday morning” warnings is that, after the occupation is over, there are going to be public inquiries as to how the police handled it. If it ends in bloodshed, the right is going to try to characterize them as murderous monsters - particularly if occupiers’ children are killed or injured. The cops are going to want to have documented proof that the occupiers were given fair warning and a last chance to leave peacefully, if only to stop some Conservative MP making their lives more miserable than they are already going to be.
posted by Epixonti at 11:38 AM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Epixonti at 11:38 AM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Makes sense, Epixonti. I guess it's just surprising that on Wednesday the police sent around two sets of warnings that said to get out, full stop, and that today they're saying get out by tomorrow.
posted by grouse at 11:44 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by grouse at 11:44 AM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
^ agreed, and I hate to say it but.. that's such a 20th century way of thinking.
thinking you can somehow take steps and plan and try to execute some kind of marvel of enforcement/crowd control, and somehow emerge where a percentage of elected (CPC) MPs plus a good chunk of hopelessly radicalized nutjobs don't claim some kind of tyrannical overreach.
it's a shitty new world
posted by elkevelvet at 11:47 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
thinking you can somehow take steps and plan and try to execute some kind of marvel of enforcement/crowd control, and somehow emerge where a percentage of elected (CPC) MPs plus a good chunk of hopelessly radicalized nutjobs don't claim some kind of tyrannical overreach.
it's a shitty new world
posted by elkevelvet at 11:47 AM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
And Musk just compared Trudeau to Hitler.
at least he didn't call him a pedo guy
posted by philip-random at 11:51 AM on February 17, 2022
at least he didn't call him a pedo guy
posted by philip-random at 11:51 AM on February 17, 2022
These people are fascists with zero connection to the reality you live in.
which ones though? Everybody who has shown any support/sympathy for the protests? Or just those who are actual fascists? Which (my quick definition) means they believe might is right -- achieve your ends with violence, whether by threat or genuine action, fuck the rights and freedoms of those who disagree with you.
Meanwhile, over on my Facebook, I've got people on both sides of the conflict accusing the others of being fascists. Like it or not, I think we need a better word. Or at least, an imposed reading break where everybody has to go read at least a few chapters from The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich* (or similar), or at least watch the documentary.
* I know. That's just Hitler's particular fascism. History is bloated with others. But it is the one I suspect most of us think we know best -- have read the most books about, seen the most movies and TV shows ...
posted by philip-random at 12:06 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
which ones though? Everybody who has shown any support/sympathy for the protests? Or just those who are actual fascists? Which (my quick definition) means they believe might is right -- achieve your ends with violence, whether by threat or genuine action, fuck the rights and freedoms of those who disagree with you.
Meanwhile, over on my Facebook, I've got people on both sides of the conflict accusing the others of being fascists. Like it or not, I think we need a better word. Or at least, an imposed reading break where everybody has to go read at least a few chapters from The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich* (or similar), or at least watch the documentary.
* I know. That's just Hitler's particular fascism. History is bloated with others. But it is the one I suspect most of us think we know best -- have read the most books about, seen the most movies and TV shows ...
posted by philip-random at 12:06 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Rock 'em Sock 'em: These people are fascists with zero connection to the reality you live in.
I grew up with these people and I still talk with these people quite often. (So much, in fact, that Facebook seems to have concluded that they're my best friends.)
Right now I'd break them down into three groups:
- The religious. These, interestingly, were shocked and genuinely heartbroken when they learned about what happened at residential schools. They are also the group who believe that we're either getting close to the End Times and/or a second go-round of Nazi Germany (with the Liberals being the Nazis, of course).
- Blue collar heavy-equipment operator types. They mostly kept their mouths shut during the BLM protests and residential schools revelations, except for the occasional snide remark about riots. They are posting a lot of Fox News clips lately.
- Disaffected men in the city; a somewhat random mix of Canadian-born and immigrant, white and PoC, single and married, burger eaters and health nuts.
All of them have disliked Trudeau for a long time. That's something that wouldn't have changed no matter what Trudeau's rhetoric was.
However, none of them were supporting groups who wanted to overthrow democracy last year. And none of them, as far as they've said, are supporting that goal now, though they are supporting the other goals of the convoy as they understand them: Ending the lockdowns and mandates, getting Trudeau to resign if possible, feeling good about "being free".
Those are the people I know who are being influenced by the fascists.
posted by clawsoon at 12:12 PM on February 17, 2022 [8 favorites]
I grew up with these people and I still talk with these people quite often. (So much, in fact, that Facebook seems to have concluded that they're my best friends.)
Right now I'd break them down into three groups:
- The religious. These, interestingly, were shocked and genuinely heartbroken when they learned about what happened at residential schools. They are also the group who believe that we're either getting close to the End Times and/or a second go-round of Nazi Germany (with the Liberals being the Nazis, of course).
- Blue collar heavy-equipment operator types. They mostly kept their mouths shut during the BLM protests and residential schools revelations, except for the occasional snide remark about riots. They are posting a lot of Fox News clips lately.
- Disaffected men in the city; a somewhat random mix of Canadian-born and immigrant, white and PoC, single and married, burger eaters and health nuts.
All of them have disliked Trudeau for a long time. That's something that wouldn't have changed no matter what Trudeau's rhetoric was.
However, none of them were supporting groups who wanted to overthrow democracy last year. And none of them, as far as they've said, are supporting that goal now, though they are supporting the other goals of the convoy as they understand them: Ending the lockdowns and mandates, getting Trudeau to resign if possible, feeling good about "being free".
Those are the people I know who are being influenced by the fascists.
posted by clawsoon at 12:12 PM on February 17, 2022 [8 favorites]
(Paraphrased quote from a recent conversation: "I support the truckers, but I don't support those Maverick Party weirdos who think they're running things.")
posted by clawsoon at 12:13 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 12:13 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
> If it ends in bloodshed, the right is going to try to characterize them as murderous monsters - particularly if occupiers’ children are killed or injured
Yeah, there were some photos going around twitter of a kid frolicking near parliament, wearing a jerrycan with strap done up as a backpack.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:20 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah, there were some photos going around twitter of a kid frolicking near parliament, wearing a jerrycan with strap done up as a backpack.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:20 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
The banks are freezing accounts now.
Not just those on site either: "The law also allows banks to target for account closure donors to the GoFundMe and the GiveSendGo fundraising campaigns that fuelled this protest."
posted by bonehead at 12:21 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Not just those on site either: "The law also allows banks to target for account closure donors to the GoFundMe and the GiveSendGo fundraising campaigns that fuelled this protest."
posted by bonehead at 12:21 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
More Ottawa residents, businesses join lawsuit against protesters
A number of businesses have now joined the suit as a result of forced closures (as noted above). The action is now up to $306M from the original $9.8.
I think this may be one of the more persistent and worrisome outcomes for many of the occupiers. The lawyer has been independently collecting pictures and licence plate information. It's going to run independent of the police.
posted by bonehead at 12:25 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
A number of businesses have now joined the suit as a result of forced closures (as noted above). The action is now up to $306M from the original $9.8.
I think this may be one of the more persistent and worrisome outcomes for many of the occupiers. The lawyer has been independently collecting pictures and licence plate information. It's going to run independent of the police.
posted by bonehead at 12:25 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
but I would suggest that you consider that shit is actually pretty bad. Just sayin'.
I agree that it's bad. I wish we hadn't gotten to this point.
posted by clawsoon at 12:28 PM on February 17, 2022
I agree that it's bad. I wish we hadn't gotten to this point.
posted by clawsoon at 12:28 PM on February 17, 2022
I have a 63-year-old foster sister who has been through a lot of trauma and abuse in her life, and is... unstable. I've known for years that she believes in a lot of crazy conspiracy theories and was a Trump supporter who is convinced Justin Trudeau is evil incarnate. She unfriended me on Facebook several years back, probably because she didn't want to see my frequent political musings which are, shall we say, unlike hers. But she's still friendly towards me whenever I message her. I hadn't been looking at her public view page, but today when I messaged her to tell her we have a new grandnephew and then we chatted a bit about ourselves, she messaged me this:
i am busy fighting to keep our country Canada for 2 yrs now i have been on the front lines with many others im sure you know whats happening in Ottawa been there and going back
I checked her page, and yep, she's anti-vaxxer and anti-masker who talks about "the Plandemic" and fervently supports the occupiers. Facebook has most of her posts marked as false information.
Oh Lord. Do I even bother saying anything?
posted by orange swan at 12:45 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
i am busy fighting to keep our country Canada for 2 yrs now i have been on the front lines with many others im sure you know whats happening in Ottawa been there and going back
I checked her page, and yep, she's anti-vaxxer and anti-masker who talks about "the Plandemic" and fervently supports the occupiers. Facebook has most of her posts marked as false information.
Oh Lord. Do I even bother saying anything?
posted by orange swan at 12:45 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Oh Lord. Do I even bother saying anything?
"Hope you stay safe. We love you."
posted by clawsoon at 12:50 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
"Hope you stay safe. We love you."
posted by clawsoon at 12:50 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
current megathread:
Sorry to be so lazy, eh. I was in a meeting for QP when Freeland spoke. Anyone got a link or timestamp so I can hear my daddy mamma?posted by sebastienbailard at 12:54 PM on February 17, 2022
live: OPS deputy chief Bell giving press conference, explaining checkpoints, ...
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:56 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:56 PM on February 17, 2022
Two-thirds (66%) of Canadians support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bringing in the Emergencies Act. PDF summary.
posted by clawsoon at 12:59 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 12:59 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
The banks are freezing accounts now.
there's going to be a lot of people running to bitcoin over this - which is a lot like buying money from parker bros, but ... i think in some ways this is a trial run where people test the system and see what works and what doesn't
i am appalled at how much actually has worked for these people and how the police seem to want nothing to do with shutting this mess down
of course, it won't happen down here in the states this way because someone is bound to start firing a gun somewhere sometime - which is even more appalling
by the way aren't there laws in the us against american citizens interfering with another country by funding public disorder? our justice dept should be a good neighbor and look into this
posted by pyramid termite at 1:09 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
there's going to be a lot of people running to bitcoin over this - which is a lot like buying money from parker bros, but ... i think in some ways this is a trial run where people test the system and see what works and what doesn't
i am appalled at how much actually has worked for these people and how the police seem to want nothing to do with shutting this mess down
of course, it won't happen down here in the states this way because someone is bound to start firing a gun somewhere sometime - which is even more appalling
by the way aren't there laws in the us against american citizens interfering with another country by funding public disorder? our justice dept should be a good neighbor and look into this
posted by pyramid termite at 1:09 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Or at least, an imposed reading break where everybody has to go read at least a few chapters from The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich* (or similar)
I can heartily recommend Volker Ullrich's Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939 and Hitler: Downfall, 1939-1945. Because I'm fun at parties.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:14 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
I can heartily recommend Volker Ullrich's Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939 and Hitler: Downfall, 1939-1945. Because I'm fun at parties.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:14 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
However, none of them were supporting groups who wanted to overthrow democracy last year. And none of them, as far as they've said, are supporting that goal now, though they are supporting the other goals of the convoy as they understand them: Ending the lockdowns and mandates, getting Trudeau to resign if possible, feeling good about "being free".
That last sentence is where the problem is. They don't respect the last election or the polls that say most Canadians want to stay safe. They believe their understanding of reality is more valuable than that of their fellow Canadians. And that is pr definition not democratic.
posted by mumimor at 1:16 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
That last sentence is where the problem is. They don't respect the last election or the polls that say most Canadians want to stay safe. They believe their understanding of reality is more valuable than that of their fellow Canadians. And that is pr definition not democratic.
posted by mumimor at 1:16 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
by the way aren't there laws in the us against american citizens interfering with another country by funding public disorder? our justice dept should be a good neighbor and look into this
Heh. Citizens, maybe. But for the state apparatus, it is SOP.
posted by No Robots at 1:21 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Heh. Citizens, maybe. But for the state apparatus, it is SOP.
posted by No Robots at 1:21 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Prominent trucker drives away from protest. Allegedly, the accounts of the company he works for, Load Safe, have been frozen, and now they want him to leave and they no longer want their logo on a truck illegally blocking traffic. Only took 21 days.
posted by grouse at 1:28 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by grouse at 1:28 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
An interesting take on Sloly: He was trying to bring cultural changes to the Ottawa police; his officers went on a "silent strike" during the protest to get rid of him and bring a stop to the reforms.
Anybody with Ottawa knowledge know how true that might be?
posted by clawsoon at 1:51 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Anybody with Ottawa knowledge know how true that might be?
posted by clawsoon at 1:51 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
I was wondering how a company decides to let employees go AWOL with > 100K$ in equipment, but it seems Load Safe drivers are independent owner-operators and paid a commission on the runs they do. So that at least explains that.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 1:55 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by WaterAndPixels at 1:55 PM on February 17, 2022
Sloly’s replacement has already quit
posted by rodlymight at 2:01 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by rodlymight at 2:01 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
The Ottawa Life links I posted upthread provide a different profile of the man.
Both may be true at once. He could have been sandbagged by a misogynistic and racist force. OPS has had a number of excessive force to minority complaints and straight up corruption convictions (pay-to-tow schemes) in the past five years. The OP union head is sometimes called the "unofficial" police chief. And he's a piece of work. Indeed changing OPS culture was a major reason he was hired in the first place.
But it's equally true Sloly probably wasn't the right guy for the job: volatile behind closed doors, indecisive and short on real-world police operational experience. He'd gone through four incident commanders in the last two week alone, for example.
There's room for both things to be true, IMO.
posted by bonehead at 2:07 PM on February 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
Both may be true at once. He could have been sandbagged by a misogynistic and racist force. OPS has had a number of excessive force to minority complaints and straight up corruption convictions (pay-to-tow schemes) in the past five years. The OP union head is sometimes called the "unofficial" police chief. And he's a piece of work. Indeed changing OPS culture was a major reason he was hired in the first place.
But it's equally true Sloly probably wasn't the right guy for the job: volatile behind closed doors, indecisive and short on real-world police operational experience. He'd gone through four incident commanders in the last two week alone, for example.
There's room for both things to be true, IMO.
posted by bonehead at 2:07 PM on February 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
> rodlymight: "Sloly’s replacement has already quit"
From the statement:
posted by mhum at 2:12 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
From the statement:
Acheiving this objective is clearly something that requires the support of the people of Ottawa as expressed by city council. Events in the past two days have made it clear that this support is lacking.I haven't been following along super closely so I'm not exactly sure what this is referring to. Is it about this vote to remove two councillors from the OPS board?
posted by mhum at 2:12 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
I haven't been following along super closely so I'm not exactly sure what this is referring to.
"Deans was ousted after sources said she led an effort to hire a new interim police chief [Matt Torigian] without a proper competition and without consulting with other councillors or the mayor's office."
posted by RGD at 2:14 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
"Deans was ousted after sources said she led an effort to hire a new interim police chief [Matt Torigian] without a proper competition and without consulting with other councillors or the mayor's office."
posted by RGD at 2:14 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Steve Bell remains interim chief, according to CBC News.
posted by RGD at 2:18 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by RGD at 2:18 PM on February 17, 2022
This is part of a (hopefully unrelated) power-struggle going on between two unofficial coalitions on the municipal council. The Mayor's people won this round and ousted the more liberal head of the police board chair who had hired Sloly (and tried to hire his replacement without reference to the full council).
posted by bonehead at 2:18 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 2:18 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Watson kicked her off for literally doing her job on the the Police Oversight Board, there was no time for a competition.
Setting her and fellow Police Oversight Board as scapegoats, then his patsies take the credit for fixing the situation that he and Sloly created.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:19 PM on February 17, 2022 [6 favorites]
Setting her and fellow Police Oversight Board as scapegoats, then his patsies take the credit for fixing the situation that he and Sloly created.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:19 PM on February 17, 2022 [6 favorites]
Protest leader Chris Barber arrested.
Things are starting to happen.
posted by rpfields at 2:23 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Things are starting to happen.
posted by rpfields at 2:23 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Apparently they managed to arrest the one Black guy at the protest, too, the one going by Black Buffalo? Still looking for more details.
posted by clawsoon at 2:31 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 2:31 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
"It's getting real now. Protestors are deflating the bouncy castle."
Ontario Provincial Police closing downtown exits of Highway 417.
posted by grouse at 2:32 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Ontario Provincial Police closing downtown exits of Highway 417.
posted by grouse at 2:32 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
You know you have white privilege when you have a bouncy castle and a hot tub at your protest.
posted by nubs at 2:33 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by nubs at 2:33 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
The Star had an editorial on Sloly the other day that echoes that. But I could believe that he wasn't the right person for the job right now and that the union and senior officers were against him.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:34 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:34 PM on February 17, 2022
> You know you have white privilege when you have a bouncy castle and a hot tub at your protest.
Helps if you have a lot of human shields.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:39 PM on February 17, 2022
Helps if you have a lot of human shields.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:39 PM on February 17, 2022
The planned class action will take some time to unfold, but it's starting to look like those incoherent press conferences weren't such a bright idea...
The amended claim also adds more organizers as defendants, including Tom Marazzo and other road captains, many of whom identified themselves during a video roll call at Marazzo's "coalition with GG" last week.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:42 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
The amended claim also adds more organizers as defendants, including Tom Marazzo and other road captains, many of whom identified themselves during a video roll call at Marazzo's "coalition with GG" last week.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:42 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Those two things in particular, the castle and the hot tub, were marks of the "PSYOPS" these bozos thought they were being clever doing. In the end, I think it had the opposite effect than they hoped. Instead of casting the protestors as a bunch of regular families and friendly guys, the bouncy castle and hottub have now become symbols of their privilege and ill-intent.
posted by bonehead at 2:43 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 2:43 PM on February 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
I have learned that Ottawalks on Twitter and Ottawalks on Youtube are not the same people, and both are very happy to tell you that.
posted by clawsoon at 2:44 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 2:44 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Those two things in particular, the castle and the hot tub, were marks of the "PSYOPS" these bozos thought they were being clever doing. In the end, I think it had the opposite effect than they hoped. Instead of casting the protestors as a bunch of regular families and friendly guys, the bouncy castle and hottub have now become symbols of their privilege and ill-intent.
According to my sources* those things prove they are just regular folks like everyone else, except standing up for democratic rights.
* Albertan family.
posted by warriorqueen at 2:46 PM on February 17, 2022
According to my sources* those things prove they are just regular folks like everyone else, except standing up for democratic rights.
* Albertan family.
posted by warriorqueen at 2:46 PM on February 17, 2022
And now the CCLA (Canadian Civil Liberties Association) is suing the Federal Government over its use of the Emergencies Act.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:50 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:50 PM on February 17, 2022
In sportsball terms, one of these is play-by-play, and the other is color commentary.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/supisf/police_activity_downtown/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/sutugc/convoy_megathread_64/
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:50 PM on February 17, 2022
https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/supisf/police_activity_downtown/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/sutugc/convoy_megathread_64/
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:50 PM on February 17, 2022
That last sentence is where the problem is. They don't respect the last election or the polls that say most Canadians want to stay safe. They believe their understanding of reality is more valuable than that of their fellow Canadians. And that is pr definition not democratic.
The definition of conservatism, as has been often stated, is an in-group that the law protects but does not restrict, and an out-group that the law restricts but does not protect.
That is what this is all about. They feel that, as the Real Canadians, their opinions and their beliefs and their conspiracy theories are the only ones that should matter. Substitute Americans for Canadians and move everything further south and it'll sound just as familiar.
And when did we Americans know that we were screwed and that the thrill ride had begun in earnest? When the not-just-twisted-but-literally-sprained wackaloons were no longer ignored or quietly shoved off to the side by the mainstream party, but echoed by the party and brought into the mainstream, because of the power that the wackaloon voters and donors could bring them.
Kind of like what the Conservative Party in Canada is doing right now.
posted by delfin at 3:08 PM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
The definition of conservatism, as has been often stated, is an in-group that the law protects but does not restrict, and an out-group that the law restricts but does not protect.
That is what this is all about. They feel that, as the Real Canadians, their opinions and their beliefs and their conspiracy theories are the only ones that should matter. Substitute Americans for Canadians and move everything further south and it'll sound just as familiar.
And when did we Americans know that we were screwed and that the thrill ride had begun in earnest? When the not-just-twisted-but-literally-sprained wackaloons were no longer ignored or quietly shoved off to the side by the mainstream party, but echoed by the party and brought into the mainstream, because of the power that the wackaloon voters and donors could bring them.
Kind of like what the Conservative Party in Canada is doing right now.
posted by delfin at 3:08 PM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
And now the CCLA (Canadian Civil Liberties Association) is suing the Federal Government over its use of the Emergencies Act.
The BC Civil Liberties Association has also come out against the Emergencies Act, though they don't say they're joining the CCLA lawsuit.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 3:40 PM on February 17, 2022
The BC Civil Liberties Association has also come out against the Emergencies Act, though they don't say they're joining the CCLA lawsuit.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 3:40 PM on February 17, 2022
Protest leader Chris Barber arrested.
And now Tamara Lich.
posted by clawsoon at 5:46 PM on February 17, 2022 [9 favorites]
And now Tamara Lich.
posted by clawsoon at 5:46 PM on February 17, 2022 [9 favorites]
Take out the leadership then convince the hangers-on to go home.
posted by bonehead at 6:02 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by bonehead at 6:02 PM on February 17, 2022
Hm. She's not listed here under "Notable liches."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:03 PM on February 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:03 PM on February 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
Simple, effective and could have been done weeks ago.
posted by bonehead at 6:03 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 6:03 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Don't kill her or she'll just respawn in a safe location in a week.
posted by bonehead at 6:04 PM on February 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 6:04 PM on February 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
Say what you will about Metafilter but it delivers on the Lich jokes.
posted by Ashwagandha at 6:06 PM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
posted by Ashwagandha at 6:06 PM on February 17, 2022 [12 favorites]
Protest leader Chris Barber arrested.
And now Tamara Lich.
I'm currently scrolling through the Twitter search results for "Pat King", hoping for a trifecta.
posted by orange swan at 6:07 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
And now Tamara Lich.
I'm currently scrolling through the Twitter search results for "Pat King", hoping for a trifecta.
posted by orange swan at 6:07 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Via Twitter: Baaz has unearthed video clips of #FreedomConvoy2022 organizer Pat King in which he shares Anti-Sikh comments, including attacking Sikh truckers and alleging that the community is "taking over" at the cost of Anglo-Saxons. [CW for, well, a racist diatribe]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:08 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:08 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Some banal pedestrian livestreamer encounters one of the new checkpoints around the secure area, watches a local go through and a would-be occupier get turned away. The police are being curteous and firm, but they're not playing Officer Friendly anymore.
About 49 minutes ago, as of the timestamp on my comment.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:17 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
About 49 minutes ago, as of the timestamp on my comment.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:17 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
They keep yelling "Hold the line!" but thankfully appear to have no idea what that means in practise.
posted by clawsoon at 6:21 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 6:21 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Just saw one of the yahoos on a live stream hoisting an upside-down Canadian pot-leaf flag. Pretty sure cannabis is still legal even under the Emergencies Act.
posted by Crane Shot at 6:26 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Crane Shot at 6:26 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
Live: new Twitter space, red hot takes
Adults Only Occupation Chat. Talking about the state of the affairs, redeeming the flock, and a FREE PHD IN PYSCOLOGY!
Also you can cheer on the people being arrested!
(IF TWITTER LETS ME LET YOU TALK
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:29 PM on February 17, 2022
Adults Only Occupation Chat. Talking about the state of the affairs, redeeming the flock, and a FREE PHD IN PYSCOLOGY!
Also you can cheer on the people being arrested!
(IF TWITTER LETS ME LET YOU TALK
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:29 PM on February 17, 2022
oh the tyranny (fhhht)
posted by elkevelvet at 6:30 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by elkevelvet at 6:30 PM on February 17, 2022
Pretty sure cannabis is still legal even under the Emergencies Act.
now more than ever
posted by philip-random at 6:49 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
now more than ever
posted by philip-random at 6:49 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Adults Only Occupation Chat
Any mention of genuflecting ranch hands yet?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:53 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Any mention of genuflecting ranch hands yet?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:53 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
clawsoon I think the DM mixed some fantasy elements in their neo-fascist LARP event. They really do want to live in a violent fantasy where they're the heroes liberating the country. Some of those people will never come back to reality, the other ones are in for a shock when they realize a significant majority of the country does not have their back.
I've been discussing (remotely) amongst friends, and somebody was mentionning that in Qc the 1980 referendum was a very polarizing event that caused rifts in families that took a while to heal, lots of people couldn't talk to each other or do it without angry screaming for a while. I think the split on FluTruxKlan/antivaxx/covid-denial this will be worse, much much worse, I just can't see myself getting along or maintaining a relationship with any of those people.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:57 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
I've been discussing (remotely) amongst friends, and somebody was mentionning that in Qc the 1980 referendum was a very polarizing event that caused rifts in families that took a while to heal, lots of people couldn't talk to each other or do it without angry screaming for a while. I think the split on FluTruxKlan/antivaxx/covid-denial this will be worse, much much worse, I just can't see myself getting along or maintaining a relationship with any of those people.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 6:57 PM on February 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
I mean it's gotten to a point where I'm rooting for Jean Charest to make a run for leadership of the CPC, win and cause it split in two with the old reform elements going back to their own party just to be sure the crazy side doesn't get the apparent legitimacy it'll have if it takes over one of the traditional major parties. Me rooting for that guy, that wasn't on my 2022 bingo card.
Now I'll admit that this is a "fantasy" scenario, I don't think the "progressive" side of the CPC is strong enough to tilt the balance.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 7:05 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Now I'll admit that this is a "fantasy" scenario, I don't think the "progressive" side of the CPC is strong enough to tilt the balance.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 7:05 PM on February 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Let's be clear, the "protestors" are not strategically trying to get any sane outcome here. As was mentioned numerous times during the emergency debate, the mask and vaccine mandates are under provincial jurisdiction, not federal. The only federal law concerning the truckers is needing to be vaccinated to cross the US border back into Canada, which applies on the other side as well. So when they go around screaming about deposing Trudeau there is really no logic to it, just blind misdirected rage.
Well yes. I have noticed in comments sections that the PM is revealed to be behind everything from the world price of oil to adjustments to opening hours and menu of a local restaurant.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:15 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Well yes. I have noticed in comments sections that the PM is revealed to be behind everything from the world price of oil to adjustments to opening hours and menu of a local restaurant.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:15 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
>Any mention of genuflecting ranch hands yet?
It's picked up once the primary host figured out how to get other speakers on the mike. Twitter spaces bug.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:24 PM on February 17, 2022
It's picked up once the primary host figured out how to get other speakers on the mike. Twitter spaces bug.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:24 PM on February 17, 2022
That twitter space just ended.
They speculated that Lich et.al. pulled the MOU the instant she talked to a lawyer and realized just . how . much . legal trouble she was in, even without a document advocating the overthrow of the government.
That may be when she started negotiating surrendering to the police, and this may have been exploited by a hypothesized plan by the police to pick off the really loud public faces in order to demoralize and drive away the low-information, no-actual-plan patsies.
Now to finish hanging up laundry and then see if there's news about the Conventry site, where the hardcore violent extremists hang out and where they've been keeping the cameras away.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:32 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
They speculated that Lich et.al. pulled the MOU the instant she talked to a lawyer and realized just . how . much . legal trouble she was in, even without a document advocating the overthrow of the government.
That may be when she started negotiating surrendering to the police, and this may have been exploited by a hypothesized plan by the police to pick off the really loud public faces in order to demoralize and drive away the low-information, no-actual-plan patsies.
Now to finish hanging up laundry and then see if there's news about the Conventry site, where the hardcore violent extremists hang out and where they've been keeping the cameras away.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:32 PM on February 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
An Ottawa judge has frozen the bank accounts and digital “wallets” of convoy leaders believed to hold more than $1 million in bitcoin and cryptocurrency
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 7:34 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 7:34 PM on February 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Randy "Suspenders" Hillier has got some helpful advice.
posted by Ashwagandha at 7:50 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by Ashwagandha at 7:50 PM on February 17, 2022
r/ottawa current megathread:
u/ouestjojo 1h:posted by sebastienbailard at 9:11 PM on February 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Video of Tamara getting arrested.
Two of her co-conspirators proudly identify themselves in an apparent attempt to join Tammy in jail, but are rebuffed by police who say they don’t know who they are. Hahaha
An Ottawa judge has frozen the bank accounts and digital “wallets” of convoy leaders believed to hold more than $1 million in bitcoin and cryptocurrency
Cool, let's see which Americans and Russians man up and take ownership of their "donations".
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 12:12 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Cool, let's see which Americans and Russians man up and take ownership of their "donations".
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 12:12 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Didn't that article say people were moving coins out of that wallet?
We might end by banning cryptocoins.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:22 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
We might end by banning cryptocoins.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:22 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Not banning them. Just mandatory declarations of the vendor, purchaser, and price when they’re sold. Like stocks and other speculative instruments.
posted by saturday_morning at 4:49 AM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by saturday_morning at 4:49 AM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
An Ottawa judge has frozen the bank accounts and digital “wallets” of convoy leaders believed to hold more than $1 million in bitcoin and cryptocurrency
I guess this is now the “... and find out” stage.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:07 AM on February 18, 2022
I guess this is now the “... and find out” stage.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:07 AM on February 18, 2022
It seems they suspended the house session that was due to happen today to not stay clear of the police operation. Members are been told not to come to parliament, those who are there to wait for security to help them out.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 5:18 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by WaterAndPixels at 5:18 AM on February 18, 2022
There's some small irony to the debate over the use of the EA being suspended for security concerns.
In other news, Pierre Poilievre's twitter has pivoted for the past couple of weeks to mostly being about "Justinflation". No more pictures with white nationalists.
posted by bonehead at 6:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
In other news, Pierre Poilievre's twitter has pivoted for the past couple of weeks to mostly being about "Justinflation". No more pictures with white nationalists.
posted by bonehead at 6:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
random Twitter feed that normally follows the radio scanner and the daily LRT derailing, sidetracked into moment by moment details of the occupation, and now breaking news the police actions:
https://mobile.twitter.com/OccTranspo
Twitter space hosted by the same.
Pro: might be pretty decent, especially now that the host figured out Twitter space bugs and is now getting decent commentors in.
Con: uses his mechanical keyboard on an open mike stamp out tweets about new cop deployments.
https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1PlJQaeOwpnJE?s=20
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:31 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
https://mobile.twitter.com/OccTranspo
Twitter space hosted by the same.
Pro: might be pretty decent, especially now that the host figured out Twitter space bugs and is now getting decent commentors in.
Con: uses his mechanical keyboard on an open mike stamp out tweets about new cop deployments.
https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1PlJQaeOwpnJE?s=20
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:31 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ottawa Police have changed the background of their stern warnings from blue to red. Guess that means they're really serious!
posted by grouse at 7:18 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by grouse at 7:18 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Apparently, they've started towing on Nicholas and Waller, north of u ottawa, via that twitter feed and via reddit.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:32 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:32 AM on February 18, 2022
I'm seeing some very large police tow trucks.
Which I guess means that the police have had their own towing ability all this time?
posted by clawsoon at 7:56 AM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
Which I guess means that the police have had their own towing ability all this time?
posted by clawsoon at 7:56 AM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
Oh, those tow trucks.
posted by No Robots at 8:00 AM on February 18, 2022 [16 favorites]
posted by No Robots at 8:00 AM on February 18, 2022 [16 favorites]
Those are octranspo tow trucks, with shiny new decals.
Some might be deputized tow trucks, with shiny new decals.
Think normally, police generally would contract a local private tow truck.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:00 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Some might be deputized tow trucks, with shiny new decals.
Think normally, police generally would contract a local private tow truck.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:00 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
For all the talk about how impossible it was to remove these trucks, they seem to be towing them away without too much problem.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:06 AM on February 18, 2022 [18 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:06 AM on February 18, 2022 [18 favorites]
Huh. Imagine that.
posted by grouse at 8:08 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by grouse at 8:08 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Twitter list with lots of reporters in the area for all your doomscroling needs
posted by grouse at 8:12 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by grouse at 8:12 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
r/ottawa seems to have forgotten how terrible the police are.
Gross.
posted by Yowser at 8:16 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Gross.
posted by Yowser at 8:16 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Justin Ling@Justin_Ling · 2h
In a normal protest, stealing a snowplow would be a terrifying escalation. In this, however, the sidewalk-clearing snowplow is the smallest thing they've got.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:17 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
In a normal protest, stealing a snowplow would be a terrifying escalation. In this, however, the sidewalk-clearing snowplow is the smallest thing they've got.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:17 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Via that twitter stream: cbc: The police have formed a skirmish line outside Rideau.
This list of journalists is confirming that, with lots of photos:
https://mobile.twitter.com/i/lists/1494335404991868928
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:18 AM on February 18, 2022
This list of journalists is confirming that, with lots of photos:
https://mobile.twitter.com/i/lists/1494335404991868928
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:18 AM on February 18, 2022
Pro-convoy streamer ZOT gets arrested, stream ends.
posted by clawsoon at 8:25 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 8:25 AM on February 18, 2022
...and shocked commenters have apparently never seen how many people get arrested at left-wing protests and think this is some unprecedented tyranny.
posted by clawsoon at 8:29 AM on February 18, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 8:29 AM on February 18, 2022 [17 favorites]
For all the talk about how impossible it was to remove these trucks, they seem to be towing them away without too much problem.
I'm pretty sure the impossibility always was towing them if you've got protesters able to interve or just convincing the specialized truck towing contractors to do it. There was some talk about emergency brakes (the ones that activate by spring action when there's no air pressure in the braking system) causing issues with towing, but I'll be damned if tow operators don't know how to work around that.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:29 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm pretty sure the impossibility always was towing them if you've got protesters able to interve or just convincing the specialized truck towing contractors to do it. There was some talk about emergency brakes (the ones that activate by spring action when there's no air pressure in the braking system) causing issues with towing, but I'll be damned if tow operators don't know how to work around that.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:29 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Police line has moved up, meeting mob of protesters.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:32 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:32 AM on February 18, 2022
And, as always, that was about moving the trucks out with minimal damage. Heavy construction equipment exists that can clear away any debris of this magnitude.
posted by grouse at 8:34 AM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by grouse at 8:34 AM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Those look like amateur protesters, not ready for pepper spray and tear gas.
Some parents coming up,human shields kids in tow.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:35 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Some parents coming up,
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:35 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
The CBC was showing some lone loudmouth protester trying to goad a line of cops.
Just go home, buddy.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:38 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Just go home, buddy.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:38 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
The jaws of life could have ended this three weeks ago, but the Ottawa Police were too busy making bank doing nothing(and making it someone else's problem) to care.
posted by Yowser at 8:38 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Yowser at 8:38 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
so apparently, this is how you stop a truck convoy from shutting down the nation's capital. you've got to scroll down the page a bit for:
Secure perimeter limits access to downtown core
hindsight 20/20 etc ...
posted by philip-random at 8:42 AM on February 18, 2022
Secure perimeter limits access to downtown core
hindsight 20/20 etc ...
posted by philip-random at 8:42 AM on February 18, 2022
Oh, like what Toronto Police did before the very first weekend of protests? Yeah. Hindsight.
posted by grouse at 8:44 AM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by grouse at 8:44 AM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
this just popped up on Facebook:
This is scary shit. Friends of mine who donated $10-20 to the truckers have had their bank accounts/ credit cards frozen by their bank. While I don't agree with their decision to help fund these so-called Truckers, it's a bit draconian to punish such minor players.
anyone else hearing stuff like this?
posted by philip-random at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
This is scary shit. Friends of mine who donated $10-20 to the truckers have had their bank accounts/ credit cards frozen by their bank. While I don't agree with their decision to help fund these so-called Truckers, it's a bit draconian to punish such minor players.
anyone else hearing stuff like this?
posted by philip-random at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
From watching the live feeds from Ottawa, I gather that these are people whose idea of bravery is spitting on a grocery store employee for asking them to wear a mask.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2022 [14 favorites]
That twitter space:
Occasionally Occupied Transportposted by sebastienbailard at 8:51 AM on February 18, 2022
@OccTranspo
yeah i think i think the suggestion of them cleaning up the
yeah i think i think the suggestion of them cleaning up the rear is exactly what they're doing they're they're making a big show to hold the majority of the protesters at rito and then meanwhile they're picking off the all the undefended spots because these guys are idiots and don't understand basic tactics
@OccTranspo
Yeah, I think I think the suggestion of them cleaning up the rear is exactly what they're doing. They're they're making a big show to hold the majority of the protesters at Rito and then meanwhile they're picking off the all the undefended spots. Because these guys are idiots and don't understand basic tactics.
Marilyn Bergstra (she/her)
@marilynbergstra
This is awesome.
Rebel with the #RamRanchResistance
@peasant_rebel
Yeah, there's definitely a pincer movement going on right like they're coming in from the flanks they've got. Yeah, there's some cool tactics going on, it's cool.
This is scary shit. Friends of mine who donated $10-20 to the truckers have had their bank accounts/ credit cards frozen by their bank. While I don't agree with their decision to help fund these so-called Truckers, it's a bit draconian to punish such minor players.
There's a big distinction between people who donated to the GoFundMe campaign (which charitably, had some plausible deniability about what was going to happen), and people who donated to the GiveSendGo campaign that sprung up after the GoFundMe was stopped because it appeared to be used to support criminal activity.
posted by grouse at 8:55 AM on February 18, 2022 [9 favorites]
There's a big distinction between people who donated to the GoFundMe campaign (which charitably, had some plausible deniability about what was going to happen), and people who donated to the GiveSendGo campaign that sprung up after the GoFundMe was stopped because it appeared to be used to support criminal activity.
posted by grouse at 8:55 AM on February 18, 2022 [9 favorites]
Those look like amateur protesters, not ready for pepper spray and tear gas.
"Naive" is the word that's coming to my mind.
posted by clawsoon at 8:57 AM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
"Naive" is the word that's coming to my mind.
posted by clawsoon at 8:57 AM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
One difference, of course, is that these right-wing copycat services that spring up for the market of people whose activities are too shitty for mainstream services, always seem to have horrible, horrible security. For some reason.
posted by grouse at 8:58 AM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by grouse at 8:58 AM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
From watching the live feeds from Ottawa, I gather that these are people whose idea of bravery is spitting on a grocery store employee for asking them to wear a mask.
And then popping on their mask to enter their hotel.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:03 AM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
CBC is reporting protestors are using children as human shields.
posted by fimbulvetr at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by fimbulvetr at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Marieke Walsh@MariekeWalsh · 51s
Protesters play hockey and continue speeches as the main stage as just two blocks away, police advance. Some demonstrators are walking up from where the police are advancing #cdnpoli #ottawa #convoyposted by sebastienbailard at 9:35 AM on February 18, 2022
Adam Huras @adamhuras · 3m
Meanwhile, the epicentre stage is still going.posted by sebastienbailard at 9:37 AM on February 18, 2022
The cops aren’t even in full riot gear - you can see their faces, and no shields in most of the photos and videos on twitter. This /should/ be the norm for other protests too, of course, but the ignorance and entitlement of the ones here thinking that they are somehow being subjected to uniquely heavy-handed treatment is quite eyeroll-inducing.
posted by eviemath at 9:37 AM on February 18, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by eviemath at 9:37 AM on February 18, 2022 [13 favorites]
Police are rolling up the occupiers, over by Rideau Centre. And the other bozos are just hanging out by the stage or playing street hockey.
Don't think this follows best practices for urban sieges or street protests.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:39 AM on February 18, 2022
Don't think this follows best practices for urban sieges or street protests.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:39 AM on February 18, 2022
360 degree view from the epicenter. There was someone talking on the stream earlier, but they left (out of shed? out of the area?) when a police liaison contacted them and said they'd be arrested if they stayed.
posted by clawsoon at 9:43 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 9:43 AM on February 18, 2022
Only in Canada do protesters think street hockey, bouncy houses and hot tubs are legitimate political discourse.
posted by valkane at 9:44 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by valkane at 9:44 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Charles Bordeleau speaking live on CBC makes the point that the police aren't kettling, because that's dangerous.
They're trying to disperse these bozos away. Then arrest them.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:44 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
They're trying to disperse these bozos away. Then arrest them.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:44 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Only in Canada do protesters think street hockey, bouncy houses and hot tubs are legitimate political discourse.
And they're not wrong. "We are the real Canada" is the message.
posted by clawsoon at 9:47 AM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
And they're not wrong. "We are the real Canada" is the message.
posted by clawsoon at 9:47 AM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
Via that twitter space, the police raided Conventry. The host had no eyes over there. So I don't have confirmation.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:48 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:48 AM on February 18, 2022
I just heard someone on the inside point out how they're cleaning up garbage as the police are moving in. It reminded me of all the attention on Rittenhouse cleaning up graffiti. "We are the clean, orderly people, therefore we are the good people."
posted by clawsoon at 9:52 AM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 9:52 AM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
Pat King, another organizer, has been arrested while he was streaming.
posted by bonehead at 9:57 AM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 9:57 AM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
it says "Pat King was live"
does that mean they killed him? A little harsh but ...
posted by philip-random at 10:00 AM on February 18, 2022
does that mean they killed him? A little harsh but ...
posted by philip-random at 10:00 AM on February 18, 2022
Trifecta achievement unlocked!
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:01 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:01 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Justin Ling@Justin_Ling· 7m:
In front of Parliament, occupiers build snow barriers to fortify their position.posted by sebastienbailard at 10:04 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
A snow barrier might slow down SQ by tenths of a second, if the occupiers are lucky.
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:07 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:07 AM on February 18, 2022
From earlier, and from the "random SovCit-esque bullshit" file:
Meanwhile Pat King is telling truckers the OPS has said they will let truckers leave. He recommends taking their white shirts or underwear off to hold a white flag because the cops "cannot touch you if you are holding a white flag. That is international law."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:08 AM on February 18, 2022 [7 favorites]
Meanwhile Pat King is telling truckers the OPS has said they will let truckers leave. He recommends taking their white shirts or underwear off to hold a white flag because the cops "cannot touch you if you are holding a white flag. That is international law."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:08 AM on February 18, 2022 [7 favorites]
Huh. Wonder why he didn't try that when they came to arrest him.
posted by grouse at 10:09 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by grouse at 10:09 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
*draws up new 2022 bingo card*
*adds "Pat King tries to represent himself in court"*
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:10 AM on February 18, 2022 [7 favorites]
*adds "Pat King tries to represent himself in court"*
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:10 AM on February 18, 2022 [7 favorites]
The lack of kettling, tear gas, and storm trooper cosplay really highlights how much of a thumb is on the right side of the scale when it comes to free speech.
posted by Slackermagee at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [19 favorites]
posted by Slackermagee at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [19 favorites]
He recommends taking their white shirts or underwear off to hold a white flag because the cops "cannot touch you if you are holding a white flag. That is international law."
Got his degree from Stuff I Heard from Kids on the Playground Law School?
posted by clawsoon at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Got his degree from Stuff I Heard from Kids on the Playground Law School?
posted by clawsoon at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Huh. Wonder why he didn't try that when they came to arrest him.
Confusion over what "going commando" actually means in this context?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
Confusion over what "going commando" actually means in this context?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
newest r/ottawa megathread:
Farrell21 Vanier 20m:
Farrell21 Vanier 20m:
“Truckers want to turn themselves into police to avoid having their windows smashed”u/Nerve-Familiar 19m:
Overhead on stream, funny how consequences, once they present themselves, sends them running.
“I WILL DIE FOR MY CAUSE… hey wait leave my window alone those are expensive”posted by sebastienbailard at 10:13 AM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Justin Ling reporting that he's seen no violence or real resistance to the police so far. It seems to be pretty peaceful at the moment.
posted by bonehead at 10:18 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by bonehead at 10:18 AM on February 18, 2022
cbc.ca live video: the police have recovered the sidewalk plow!
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2022
oh canada
posted by philip-random at 10:43 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by philip-random at 10:43 AM on February 18, 2022
And now the CCLA (Canadian Civil Liberties Association) is suing the Federal Government over its use of the Emergencies Act.
Ah, there's that "so open minded their brain fell out" stance that I've seen from a particular sort of civil liberties sort who thinks that if we were just nicer to the fascists, they would change their tune. Of especially hilarious note is their comment that police in other areas are having success, which makes me think the spokesperson was absent the day the arrow of causation was discussed in school.
I'm sorry, but I have had it with the usual suspects who are decrying the government taking measures to deal with an armed insurrection as "a violation of freedom".
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:46 AM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Ah, there's that "so open minded their brain fell out" stance that I've seen from a particular sort of civil liberties sort who thinks that if we were just nicer to the fascists, they would change their tune. Of especially hilarious note is their comment that police in other areas are having success, which makes me think the spokesperson was absent the day the arrow of causation was discussed in school.
I'm sorry, but I have had it with the usual suspects who are decrying the government taking measures to deal with an armed insurrection as "a violation of freedom".
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:46 AM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
At least some of the protesters are wearing masks now, even if it’s from the risk of tear gas.
posted by cardboard at 10:47 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by cardboard at 10:47 AM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
This is scary shit. Friends of mine who donated $10-20 to the truckers have had their bank accounts/ credit cards frozen by their bank. While I don't agree with their decision to help fund these so-called Truckers, it's a bit draconian to punish such minor players.
I am not glued to any feeds, but from the bit of checking (reddits etc) I am seeing this type of comment and it may be accurate but it's also the exact kind of misinformation that gets deliberately injected into any given moment of social media. The r/canada thread where this type of thing was plopped in looked a lot like sustained brigading efforts.. comment gets posted, followed by multiple responses.
Anyhow, I'm looking forward to getting a better picture of the financial ops resulting from the enactment of the EA. I have no proof, but my expectation is that it's a fairly surgical approach to glaringly obvious cases of malfeasance and funding of the occupation. Is Baba's account frozen because she donated $20? I suppose it's possible, but do we have any proof this is actually happening?
posted by elkevelvet at 10:48 AM on February 18, 2022 [14 favorites]
I am not glued to any feeds, but from the bit of checking (reddits etc) I am seeing this type of comment and it may be accurate but it's also the exact kind of misinformation that gets deliberately injected into any given moment of social media. The r/canada thread where this type of thing was plopped in looked a lot like sustained brigading efforts.. comment gets posted, followed by multiple responses.
Anyhow, I'm looking forward to getting a better picture of the financial ops resulting from the enactment of the EA. I have no proof, but my expectation is that it's a fairly surgical approach to glaringly obvious cases of malfeasance and funding of the occupation. Is Baba's account frozen because she donated $20? I suppose it's possible, but do we have any proof this is actually happening?
posted by elkevelvet at 10:48 AM on February 18, 2022 [14 favorites]
As of yesterday, the freezing of bank accounts was focused on a few dozen protest organizers, not on small donors who are otherwise uninvolved. That could be spreading, but for now I'm skeptical of random social media claims about this.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 10:50 AM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by Gerald Bostock at 10:50 AM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
r/ottawa megathread:
littlethoughts8 - 7m :
littlethoughts8 - 7m :
CTV reporter: 10 rigs have left in last 90 mins, more preparing to leaveposted by sebastienbailard at 10:51 AM on February 18, 2022
I honestly don't know what's given me more joy this week: the birth of my new grandnephew, or scrolling Twitter during the last 24 hours, watching the Ottawa occupiers discover in real time that that their violent, abusive, lawless behaviour has legal and societal consequences. I am seriously cackling with delight over both outcomes.
posted by orange swan at 10:55 AM on February 18, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 10:55 AM on February 18, 2022 [13 favorites]
cbc.ca:
...posted by sebastienbailard at 10:59 AM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Kobliuk and other central Edmonton residents and business owners say they have seen protesters in large trucks and passenger vehicles, and on foot, descend on the core and loudly make their presence known for about eight hours each Saturday for the past three weekends.
Kobliuk and other people CBC interviewed about the weekend protests say that many of participants aren't harassing residents and businesses — but those who are have been making life difficult.
CBC reached out to two people affiliated with the protest. One declined to comment, and the other has yet to respond.
A temporary injunction granted to the City of Edmonton, prohibiting the frequent honking of horns, was largely ignored during last weekend's demonstration.
...
Michelle Peters-Jones told the commission that she and her five-year-old son were yelled at by protesters and called "sheep" for wearing masks while downtown last weekend.
"There were no police officers anywhere in sight that I could actually turn to and say, 'Hello, help me,'" she said. "Instead I cowered in fear and distress."
Today I learned that I have a deep-seated long unfulfilled need to see pictures and videos of fleeing Nazi scumbags with their tighty-not-so-whities pulled over their heads.
Fingers crossed.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:03 AM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Fingers crossed.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 11:03 AM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
CBC News YouTube stream. (Working for me in US)
posted by nathan_teske at 11:03 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by nathan_teske at 11:03 AM on February 18, 2022
Today I learned that I have a deep-seated long unfulfilled need to see pictures and videos of fleeing Nazi scumbags with their tighty-not-so-whities pulled over their heads.
Many of us share that need!
posted by rpfields at 11:05 AM on February 18, 2022
Many of us share that need!
posted by rpfields at 11:05 AM on February 18, 2022
The 'in the core' journalists Twitter group, now that they towed the rv with the propane tanks in it:
Andrew Pinsent @a_pinsent · 2m:
Andrew Pinsent @a_pinsent · 2m:
Police telling supporters the big trucks now want to leave and are clearing the street.posted by sebastienbailard at 11:06 AM on February 18, 2022
They are writing down the plate numbers, right?!?
posted by Crane Shot at 11:10 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Crane Shot at 11:10 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
I think that happened days or weeks ago.
posted by grouse at 11:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by grouse at 11:11 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Think the cops, the insurance companies, and some of the counter-protestors have every plate.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:20 AM on February 18, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:20 AM on February 18, 2022
Video snippit - horsies going up into the market Hey! My art school is up there.
Slightly surreal.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:25 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Slightly surreal.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:25 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Danny Bulford (link to Toronto Star, limited free articles) reportedly has turned himself in. (Poor guy couldn't persuade them to arrest him when they took Tamara Lich, so I guess he had to take matters into his own hands..._
posted by rpfields at 11:29 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by rpfields at 11:29 AM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
In front of Parliament, occupiers build snow barriers to fortify their position.
posted by mazola at 11:30 AM on February 18, 2022
A snow barrier might slow down SQ by tenths of a second, if the occupiers are lucky.CBC now showing footage of people shoveling snow onto a concrete barrier. Hosts are saying they're digging a truck out which might be true but it also seems that they're concealing a big hunk of concrete in the middle of the road.
posted by mazola at 11:30 AM on February 18, 2022
The Manx is closed tonight and for tomorrow’s brunch, and will reassess later.
Fucking trucker goobers.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:40 AM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Fucking trucker goobers.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:40 AM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Hosts are saying they're digging a truck out
If I'm thinking of the same scene, at this point it's pretty clear they're trying to build another snow barrier.
posted by aramaic at 11:41 AM on February 18, 2022
If I'm thinking of the same scene, at this point it's pretty clear they're trying to build another snow barrier.
posted by aramaic at 11:41 AM on February 18, 2022
Previous r/ottawa megathread:
BFG_Scott 13m:
BFG_Scott 13m:
CBC News just had a shot alongside the Rideau Centre/Westin and there’s a BUNCH of tow trucks waiting in the wings. Apparently, they’ve put Police crest stickers over the company names to prevent some backlashposted by sebastienbailard at 12:04 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
They are writing down the plate numbers, right?!?
convoytraitors.ca has you covered.
posted by bonehead at 12:05 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
convoytraitors.ca has you covered.
posted by bonehead at 12:05 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
It is ridiculous how much earlier they could have done all this.
posted by saturday_morning at 12:06 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by saturday_morning at 12:06 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
From the convoytraitors rolodex....this is about as unintentionally Ram Ranch as it gets:
Hot Bottom Baits Inc.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:07 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Hot Bottom Baits Inc.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:07 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
"Folks, another sign the protest is coming to an end, the hot tub is now deflated" —Mackenzie Gray
posted by grouse at 12:29 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by grouse at 12:29 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
Apparently, they’ve put Police crest stickers over the company names to prevent some backlash
There is also likely a penalty multiplier for damaging a police vehicle. And I bet those stickers mean the police department has made the tow trucks more official police vehicles than a regular contract tow truck. Especially since those trucks are going to be very recognizable to people in the business via paint and chrome patterns even sans company names.
posted by Mitheral at 12:36 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
There is also likely a penalty multiplier for damaging a police vehicle. And I bet those stickers mean the police department has made the tow trucks more official police vehicles than a regular contract tow truck. Especially since those trucks are going to be very recognizable to people in the business via paint and chrome patterns even sans company names.
posted by Mitheral at 12:36 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
“Truckers want to turn themselves into police to avoid having their windows smashed”
no joke when I first read this I read it as "truckers are swearing themselves in as cops to defend their precious windows."
maybe they put little fringed flag curtains on them. cops can't breach an admiralty flag.
posted by Sauce Trough at 12:40 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
no joke when I first read this I read it as "truckers are swearing themselves in as cops to defend their precious windows."
maybe they put little fringed flag curtains on them. cops can't breach an admiralty flag.
posted by Sauce Trough at 12:40 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
As per that twitter space, there were some of the occupiers were flying sovereign citizen flags. No mention of whether or not said flags had gold fringe, so they may be invalid.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:59 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:59 PM on February 18, 2022
Various news outlets are reporting that the Ottawa police arrested at least 70 people today.
posted by orange swan at 1:29 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by orange swan at 1:29 PM on February 18, 2022
As anti-maskers, how would the Ottawa occupiers even deal with tear gas?
posted by orange swan at 1:35 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by orange swan at 1:35 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ivermectin
posted by Hairy Lobster at 1:42 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Hairy Lobster at 1:42 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
Ivermectin for eye protectin’
posted by saturday_morning at 1:44 PM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by saturday_morning at 1:44 PM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Judy Trinh @judyatrinh · 16m:
Before this massive show of force, policing this occupation was costing $800,000 a day. That was before the huge influx of officers we’ve seen these past two days.posted by sebastienbailard at 1:48 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
So on day 22- that’s at least $17.6 million dollars.
Former police board member
@MeehanCarolAnne
: Why were trucks allowed downtown in the first place? We’re going to have to question the intelligence former police chief received.
Also @MeehanCarolAnne
:Policing in Ottawa is “jurisdictional nightmare”
Ottawa Police responsible for city streets
RCMP responsible for federal properties ie.Parliament Hill
Ont.Prov Police - highways
Gatineau Police - jurisdiction begins at halfway mark on bridges across river
Ivermectin for eye protectin’
And some hydroxychloroquine to get ya goin' again.
This is an interesting bit...
Antihate published this piece, which details a curious incident from the beginning of the Ottawa occupation:
Originally started in 1997 by the Canadian anti-abortion lobbying group Campaign Life Coalition, LifeSiteNews is now a transnational far-right media outlet, claiming to publish 4,000 articles a year and consumed by over 20 million readers. The organization’s most recent IRS filings indicate that they brought in $1.97 million in revenue in 2019 (the latest year for which records are available).
Prior to the convoy arriving in the capital, Madawaska Valley resident, co-founder and editor-in-chief of LifeSiteNews, John Henry Westen, covered a gathering of convoy supporters in Pembroke, Ontario.
[...]
St. Hedwig’s’ administrator, Reverend Pawel Ratajczak, led the group — including Westen — in reciting the Holy Rosary.
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant live-streamed from the gathering, declaring “We’re having Canada Day today, since we didn’t have ours in July.”
[...]
Living in Madawaska Valley, Westen has himself provided on the ground — and in the air — coverage of the convoy. On January 31, before boarding a helicopter to try to capture aerial footage of the demonstrations, he claimed that recent airspace restrictions over downtown Ottawa were “to hide the truth of what’s happening from you, the Canadian public.”
Shortly afterwards, as Westen pursued his goal of “bringing [the Canadian people] that truth,” his pilot repeatedly violated the long-restricted airspace over Rideau Hall, incurring a Class F airspace violation.
Can you imagine the cries of "they're a bunch of terrorists!" if, say, BLM protesters had violated restricted air space over Rideau Hall?
Here is the airspace incident.
As a side note, before you say "'tradcath' sounds like hipsters with an interest in urology," some of the most mind-bendingly homophobic things (to say nothing of how they deal with trans rights... it's a whole other level of unhinged hatred -- it's a lot) that I've ever read in my life have been published by LifeSite.
Speaking as someone who used to read St*rmfront forums (in a know-thine-enemy sort of way), I know from mindbending.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:55 PM on February 18, 2022 [7 favorites]
And some hydroxychloroquine to get ya goin' again.
This is an interesting bit...
Antihate published this piece, which details a curious incident from the beginning of the Ottawa occupation:
Originally started in 1997 by the Canadian anti-abortion lobbying group Campaign Life Coalition, LifeSiteNews is now a transnational far-right media outlet, claiming to publish 4,000 articles a year and consumed by over 20 million readers. The organization’s most recent IRS filings indicate that they brought in $1.97 million in revenue in 2019 (the latest year for which records are available).
Prior to the convoy arriving in the capital, Madawaska Valley resident, co-founder and editor-in-chief of LifeSiteNews, John Henry Westen, covered a gathering of convoy supporters in Pembroke, Ontario.
[...]
St. Hedwig’s’ administrator, Reverend Pawel Ratajczak, led the group — including Westen — in reciting the Holy Rosary.
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant live-streamed from the gathering, declaring “We’re having Canada Day today, since we didn’t have ours in July.”
[...]
Living in Madawaska Valley, Westen has himself provided on the ground — and in the air — coverage of the convoy. On January 31, before boarding a helicopter to try to capture aerial footage of the demonstrations, he claimed that recent airspace restrictions over downtown Ottawa were “to hide the truth of what’s happening from you, the Canadian public.”
Shortly afterwards, as Westen pursued his goal of “bringing [the Canadian people] that truth,” his pilot repeatedly violated the long-restricted airspace over Rideau Hall, incurring a Class F airspace violation.
Can you imagine the cries of "they're a bunch of terrorists!" if, say, BLM protesters had violated restricted air space over Rideau Hall?
Here is the airspace incident.
As a side note, before you say "'tradcath' sounds like hipsters with an interest in urology," some of the most mind-bendingly homophobic things (to say nothing of how they deal with trans rights... it's a whole other level of unhinged hatred -- it's a lot) that I've ever read in my life have been published by LifeSite.
Speaking as someone who used to read St*rmfront forums (in a know-thine-enemy sort of way), I know from mindbending.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:55 PM on February 18, 2022 [7 favorites]
Did anybody catch the name of the organizer mentioned by David Common (I think) who was a former RCMP officer assigned to the protection detail of people like the PM?
posted by sardonyx at 1:55 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by sardonyx at 1:55 PM on February 18, 2022
That's Daniel Bulford.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:58 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:58 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Thanks. I thought that was him, and tried to look at that Star link above, but it wouldn't open properly for me. Just trying to keep track of which people worthy of arrest have been arrested.
posted by sardonyx at 2:01 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by sardonyx at 2:01 PM on February 18, 2022
Adam Huras, laying out with text and marks on a map, how, besides the checkpoints on the perimeter, all the visible police presence is the wall of cops up to the North-East, at the intersection of Rideau and Sussex.
I think the police really want to just keep pulling occupiers out through that wall. While as many truckers as possible get spooked and leave through the nice, open, non-scary roads to the West and South.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:02 PM on February 18, 2022
I think the police really want to just keep pulling occupiers out through that wall. While as many truckers as possible get spooked and leave through the nice, open, non-scary roads to the West and South.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:02 PM on February 18, 2022
Yep, here's a link to the video showing two ex-RCMP officers as planners, the other is Tom Quiggin. Jump to about 1:20 in to see both.
Link courtesy of clawsoon in the Siege of Ottawa thread.
posted by hangashore at 2:05 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Link courtesy of clawsoon in the Siege of Ottawa thread.
posted by hangashore at 2:05 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Just trying to keep track of which people worthy of arrest have been arrested.
Heh. I had to double check before responding because it's a very full clown car at this point. And by "clown car" I mean my brain.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:05 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Heh. I had to double check before responding because it's a very full clown car at this point. And by "clown car" I mean my brain.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:05 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
BREAKING: brave occupiers making a last ditch effort to entrench in the face of experienced riot police
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:11 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
a last ditch effort
"All you Diggers stand up for glory, stand up now."
Oops. Wrong Diggers.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:15 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
"All you Diggers stand up for glory, stand up now."
Oops. Wrong Diggers.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:15 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Paul McLeod @pdmcleod · 7m
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:28 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Protesters had to clear their own barricades on Metcalfe to let a couple of their cars through.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:28 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Advanced cultural appropriation: white guy banging a medicine drum with a Chinese dragon silkscreened on it.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:40 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:40 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Dean Blundell@ItsDeanBlundell
Protestors are in 'Disbelief' police are there. Part of the problem is there are two realities here. Most protestors live in the echo chamber of Telegraph and Gab instead of traditional platforms where they soak up a ridiculous existence not based on objective reality.
It's sad. Most of these people have been radicalized over time. Most TRULY believe it's their God-given duty to live under the umbrella of their faith and faith leaders dictate tactics. They have literally been co-opted to bring Christ back to Canada at any cost.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:50 PM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Protestors are in 'Disbelief' police are there. Part of the problem is there are two realities here. Most protestors live in the echo chamber of Telegraph and Gab instead of traditional platforms where they soak up a ridiculous existence not based on objective reality.
It's sad. Most of these people have been radicalized over time. Most TRULY believe it's their God-given duty to live under the umbrella of their faith and faith leaders dictate tactics. They have literally been co-opted to bring Christ back to Canada at any cost.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:50 PM on February 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Dean Blundell. Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.
A long time.
posted by saturday_morning at 3:00 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
A long time.
posted by saturday_morning at 3:00 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Previous megathread:
ilikefood_foodisgood 2h
ilikefood_foodisgood 2h
CBC reporter “the pedestrian mall, Sparks Street is virtually deserted”notabot99_thousand 2h
But for us, it’s Friday
A shining beacon of normalcy in these troubled times. Very reassuringHeyItsJuls 2h
Who is gonna tell themEl_le_va_tor 2h
Nature is healingposted by sebastienbailard at 3:05 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Justin Ling: Gotta love the grift of instructing thousands of people to put their livelihoods on the line, then fleeing to avoid arrest and going on Tucker. Benjamin Dichter is one of the few core organizers to avoid arrest.
Hmm. I feel like we've seen this playbook before. Can't quite place where...
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:25 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Hmm. I feel like we've seen this playbook before. Can't quite place where...
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:25 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Running updates by the Ottawa Citizen.
Has anybody heard about anything happening at the Coventry Road camp? I saw that the OPP were waiting for the ones that tried to regroup in Arnprior, but I haven't seen anything about Coventry.
posted by rpfields at 3:26 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Has anybody heard about anything happening at the Coventry Road camp? I saw that the OPP were waiting for the ones that tried to regroup in Arnprior, but I haven't seen anything about Coventry.
posted by rpfields at 3:26 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Maybe they just realized the futility of achieving a glorious martyrdom in service of global race war if none of the popular livestreamer are present?
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:52 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:52 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Paul McLeod@pdmcleod - 1h:
Guy with an idea: "What if we all lie on our backs and do freedom angels. What are they going to run us over with horses?"
Other guy: "Yes!"
-
Several protesters have taken a knee and are chanting "Peace! Love!"
Kind of hard to convey the physical discomfort of all this. It's currently -12 Celsius / 10 Fahrenheit and has been windy all day. Have heard a couple protesters talk enviously about being arrested and getting to sleep indoors again.
-
Picking up an undercurrent of acceptance amidst the calls to hold the line. People talking into phones about returning in bigger numbers, or how they succeeded in exposing Trudeau.
"This isn't the end!" one guy nearby screams. He makes sure to specify "next time in the summer!"
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:03 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Guy with an idea: "What if we all lie on our backs and do freedom angels. What are they going to run us over with horses?"
Other guy: "Yes!"
-
Several protesters have taken a knee and are chanting "Peace! Love!"
Kind of hard to convey the physical discomfort of all this. It's currently -12 Celsius / 10 Fahrenheit and has been windy all day. Have heard a couple protesters talk enviously about being arrested and getting to sleep indoors again.
-
Picking up an undercurrent of acceptance amidst the calls to hold the line. People talking into phones about returning in bigger numbers, or how they succeeded in exposing Trudeau.
"This isn't the end!" one guy nearby screams. He makes sure to specify "next time in the summer!"
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:03 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
"This isn't the end!" one guy nearby screams. He makes sure to specify "next time in the summer!"
This is one of the things that has been keeping me up at night. They managed to mobilize this many people to travel across the country and stay for three weeks in Ottawa in February.
Imagine what they will be able to do in the summer, when it's actually fun to camp outside?
posted by rpfields at 4:14 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
This is one of the things that has been keeping me up at night. They managed to mobilize this many people to travel across the country and stay for three weeks in Ottawa in February.
Imagine what they will be able to do in the summer, when it's actually fun to camp outside?
posted by rpfields at 4:14 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
METAFILTER: they just realized the futility of achieving a glorious martyrdom in service of global race war if none of the popular livestreamer are present
posted by philip-random at 4:16 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by philip-random at 4:16 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
freedom angels
I see they've arrived at the concept of martyrdom in a rather roundabout winter carnival way.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:20 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
I see they've arrived at the concept of martyrdom in a rather roundabout winter carnival way.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:20 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
> Imagine what they will be able to do in the summer, when it's actually fun to camp outside?
Some wag on reddit, about 8000 comments back, opined that were the SQ to have the hypothetical chance to use force on anglophone protesters "was like offering steak to a hungry dog".
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:30 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Some wag on reddit, about 8000 comments back, opined that were the SQ to have the hypothetical chance to use force on anglophone protesters "was like offering steak to a hungry dog".
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:30 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
So far I've heard two people at the protest right now saying they were arrested earlier today and released.
posted by clawsoon at 4:34 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 4:34 PM on February 18, 2022
And all those SQ officers are aiming for the guy in the Turd Ferguson hat.
posted by Capt. Renault at 4:39 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 4:39 PM on February 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
And all those SQ officers are aiming for the guy in the Turd Ferguson hat.
I feel confident in guaranteeing you these words have never appeared in this combination before.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:50 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
I feel confident in guaranteeing you these words have never appeared in this combination before.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:50 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
current r/ottawa megathread:
ll-Army 35m
ll-Army 35m
I think each cop standing on the line has one person that they’re really looking forward to trouncingZedZabeth 24m
Tinfoil hat hi-vis vest guy has gotta have a few cops looking at him longinglyposted by sebastienbailard at 4:56 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
The scumbag who threw a bike at the police horse got arrested. Good.
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:06 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:06 PM on February 18, 2022
Their commitment to not covering their faces even though it's winter in Ottawa is... is... well, it's something.
posted by clawsoon at 5:13 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 5:13 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Clicking through to the livestreamers among the mob, commentors are unyieldingly certain that the two people knocked down by the Toronto mounted police are glorious martyrs to the cause.
Beyond that, discourse is about average for a youtube comments section, if a little more hatey and antivaxxy.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:18 PM on February 18, 2022
Beyond that, discourse is about average for a youtube comments section, if a little more hatey and antivaxxy.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:18 PM on February 18, 2022
Previous r/ottawa megathread:
OrderOfZune 14m
OrderOfZune 14m
I really hope Ottawa makes a “Liberation Day” holiday. I will definitely come down from Toronto to visit and celebrate for that.scroogemcdee 11m
I hear you guys have a great LRT system.
Your mocking of our transportstion is hurtful. Truthful but hurtfulposted by sebastienbailard at 5:21 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Imagine what they will be able to do in the summer, when it's actually fun to camp outside?
On one hand sure it'll be warmer. On the other January/February is sort of a slow period for outdoor recreational activity. There is a lot more going on in the summer to peel off the less dedicated.
posted by Mitheral at 5:23 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
On one hand sure it'll be warmer. On the other January/February is sort of a slow period for outdoor recreational activity. There is a lot more going on in the summer to peel off the less dedicated.
posted by Mitheral at 5:23 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Siding with the protesters seems to have helped the Conservatives, at least in one poll. It'll be interesting to see if other pollsters see the same trend.
posted by clawsoon at 5:44 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 5:44 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Irritated by CBC's Truckers say they'll face arrests peacefully — but will defend their rights bit because it describes the unvaccinated Leamington cross-border truckers in the present tense. They have decided not to be cross-border truckers by their actions.
Best way to make 'em go home is to show them Ottawa-style Mexican food: that would be real homesick blues.
[For the non-Ontarians still in thread: Leamington, in far SW Ontario, has a huge population of people from Mexico because of all the agricultural work in the area. With access to unlimited fresh produce, the restaurants and diners in and around Leamington make phenomenal Mexican food for the local community. It's also home to a large population of people known as Mexican Mennonites: of Germanic origin, moved to South/Central America to escape persecution and to establish farms, then later moved to SW Ontario.]
posted by scruss at 5:48 PM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
Best way to make 'em go home is to show them Ottawa-style Mexican food: that would be real homesick blues.
[For the non-Ontarians still in thread: Leamington, in far SW Ontario, has a huge population of people from Mexico because of all the agricultural work in the area. With access to unlimited fresh produce, the restaurants and diners in and around Leamington make phenomenal Mexican food for the local community. It's also home to a large population of people known as Mexican Mennonites: of Germanic origin, moved to South/Central America to escape persecution and to establish farms, then later moved to SW Ontario.]
posted by scruss at 5:48 PM on February 18, 2022 [10 favorites]
Best Mexican Mennonite drugs, too, from what I hear.
posted by clawsoon at 5:50 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 5:50 PM on February 18, 2022
Still no news about the hardcases at the
Embrun site, with the ex military/law enforcement, where they kept the cameras out:
Embrun site, with the ex military/law enforcement, where they kept the cameras out:
pressprogress.ca: The Convoy is Dividing a Rural Community Being Used as a Staging Ground for the Illegal Siege of Ottawaposted by sebastienbailard at 5:56 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Rural residents say the far-right convoy and COVID-19 conspiracies are turning neighbours against one another in Russell Township
....
Mexican food in Ottawa is indeed very thin on the ground but Ahora in the market is pretty good, and there's a food truck local to us out in Osgoode, La Cantina Streetery. No one tell the red-noses.
posted by bonehead at 5:58 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by bonehead at 5:58 PM on February 18, 2022
With local delicacies like this, who needs Mexican food?
I just wish we had a better selection of Japanese food, ersatz or otherwise.
And that all the Lebanese entrepreneurs, who are pushing traditional and modern Lebanese food in exciting new directions, could maybe lay off r.e. schwarma on ottawa-style pizza, seeing as ottawa-style pizza already needs some alone time to go work on its personal problems and grow as a person.
----
Bread and Sons has amazing pizza, but they're up near the red zone, and locked their doors a few weeks into the occupation.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:24 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
I just wish we had a better selection of Japanese food, ersatz or otherwise.
And that all the Lebanese entrepreneurs, who are pushing traditional and modern Lebanese food in exciting new directions, could maybe lay off r.e. schwarma on ottawa-style pizza, seeing as ottawa-style pizza already needs some alone time to go work on its personal problems and grow as a person.
----
Bread and Sons has amazing pizza, but they're up near the red zone, and locked their doors a few weeks into the occupation.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:24 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
Just here to say that Ottawa's shawarma/falafel game is on-fucking-point. I don't think that's in dispute, right?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:27 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:27 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
current r/ottawa megathread:
KillerTwinky 5m
KillerTwinky 5m
https://twitter.com/dylandyson/status/1494790073509978112?s=21satanicwaffles 4m
Convoy goons to a CTV reporter after they ran back to Arnprior.
"Why doesn't the media only ever show us being aggressive and hostile?" says the aggressive and hostile group.posted by sebastienbailard at 6:38 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Following the chat in a youtube livestream and twitter, the woman with the mobility scooter at the front of the crowd that was edging towards the police line, who was knocked over by the mounted policeman, has had her condition upgraded to an indigenous holocaust survivor in an electric wheelchair. And dead. And has had her death covered up.
The lack of evidence of her death is proof of this.
Also, she may have a bruised shoulder.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:24 PM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
The lack of evidence of her death is proof of this.
Also, she may have a bruised shoulder.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:24 PM on February 18, 2022 [8 favorites]
The Daily Show's Jordan Klepper was on the scene in Ottawa, talking to the occupiers in his inimitable way.
posted by orange swan at 7:40 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 7:40 PM on February 18, 2022 [4 favorites]
the restaurants and diners in and around Leamington make phenomenal Mexican food for the local community
y'know, I've been wanting to go somewhere nice in Ontario for a week getaway this summer, and I see that's close to Point Pelee, and beaches... thank you for this important information!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 7:53 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
y'know, I've been wanting to go somewhere nice in Ontario for a week getaway this summer, and I see that's close to Point Pelee, and beaches... thank you for this important information!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 7:53 PM on February 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Justin Ling: Our running scrum with Member of Parliament Glen Motz.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:47 PM on February 18, 2022
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:47 PM on February 18, 2022
I am living for the look on this guy's face. "Oh man, nothing ever works out right for meeeeeee."
posted by orange swan at 8:52 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 8:52 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
It looks like just a handful of protesters are out this morning. I wonder if the number will stay low or if the police cordon will remain as porous as it seemed to be yesterday and allow the number to rise.
posted by clawsoon at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2022
Todays forecast: Mid to light protesting, with the possibility of sedition.
posted by valkane at 5:43 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by valkane at 5:43 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Many of the trucks have fled, from photos and someone who went and counted them.
Mackenzie Gray @Gray_Mackenzie 8am
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:51 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Mackenzie Gray @Gray_Mackenzie 8am
Via the journalists in the core twitter list
I just walked the full length of Wellington, and there are 60 vehicles left. Here’s a per street breakdown
4 - Metcalfe to Elgin
29 - Metcalfe to O’Connor
19 - O’Connor to Bank
1 - Bank to Kent
0 - Kent to Lyon
7 - Lyon to Bay
Biggest chunk are in front of Parliament #cdnpoli
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:51 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Following the chat in a youtube livestream and twitter, the woman with the mobility scooter at the front of the crowd that was edging towards the police line, who was knocked over by the mounted policeman, has had her condition upgraded to an indigenous holocaust survivor in an electric wheelchair. And dead. And has had her death covered up.
The lack of evidence of her death is proof of this.
Also, she may have a bruised shoulder.
I keep cringing at the sight of that photo, which is getting a metric tonne of play. The reality is that the woman wasn't trampled, and was just knocked over and was able to get back up again, but the photo looks so bad.
posted by orange swan at 6:36 AM on February 19, 2022
The lack of evidence of her death is proof of this.
Also, she may have a bruised shoulder.
I keep cringing at the sight of that photo, which is getting a metric tonne of play. The reality is that the woman wasn't trampled, and was just knocked over and was able to get back up again, but the photo looks so bad.
posted by orange swan at 6:36 AM on February 19, 2022
Yeah, the Fox News reporter/disinformation specialist who's operating in this conflict zone has made several tweets to that effect.
"I'm hearing reports." etc. "She's dead of a heart attack in hospital", basically.
Only way the reporter would be happier is if one of the parents had shoved their child in front of a horse.
Extraordinary mercenary behavior.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:42 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
"I'm hearing reports." etc. "She's dead of a heart attack in hospital", basically.
Only way the reporter would be happier is if one of the parents had shoved their child in front of a horse.
Extraordinary mercenary behavior.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:42 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
From that twitter list:
David Cochrane @DavidWCochrane
David Cochrane @DavidWCochrane
Protestors backpedaling fast. Police rapidly retaking ground. They have nearly advanced to the area where you saw the party stage and the hot tub.posted by sebastienbailard at 6:43 AM on February 19, 2022
A lot of trucks and occupiers left in last 24 hours. Police & police vehicles have moved in and reclaimed east part of Wellington
I keep cringing at the sight of that photo, which is getting a metric tonne of play.
We are still talking about police and protesters. As light as their touch has been compared to previous protests, I don't expect the police to not occasionally go ACAB just because they're "on our side" this time around.
posted by clawsoon at 6:46 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
We are still talking about police and protesters. As light as their touch has been compared to previous protests, I don't expect the police to not occasionally go ACAB just because they're "on our side" this time around.
posted by clawsoon at 6:46 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
OccTranspo's Twitter space/radio show/grad student seminar on civics, race, and urbanism is up again:
Ottawa Liberation Radio
Featuring play by play and color commentary on the occupiers/police actions.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:49 AM on February 19, 2022
Ottawa Liberation Radio
Featuring play by play and color commentary on the occupiers/police actions.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:49 AM on February 19, 2022
Just watching the action on CBC. The police made another push and captured a lot of ground.
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 6:50 AM on February 19, 2022
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 6:50 AM on February 19, 2022
> I don't expect the police to not occasionally go ACAB just because they're "on our side" this time around.
Dunno. They may be playing for the cameras.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:52 AM on February 19, 2022
Dunno. They may be playing for the cameras.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:52 AM on February 19, 2022
current r/ottawa megathread:
Harvey-Specter Carlington 1m
Harvey-Specter Carlington 1m
My girlfriend sitting here watching the coverage on cbc with me, critiquing the horses for being “mutt horses”posted by sebastienbailard at 6:58 AM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
Her dad trains race horses in Germany, so she’s being a snob lol.
vinylcassettethe horses are perfect and we love them
Police have been picking up occupiers, processing them, and dropping them in a different part of ottawa. With instructions not to come back. And to report to a court at some point.
On their own recognizance.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:02 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
On their own recognizance.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:02 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
David Cochrane @DavidWCochrane:
Police are moving fast on Wellington. They’ve pushed the protests back to the PMO and are quickly moving on the occupation core. They have seemingly breached the snow wall the protestors built yesterday.
"Breached the snow wall" = "stepped over it".
But the dry irony of Cochrane's phrase is just... *chef's kiss*.
posted by orange swan at 7:02 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Police are moving fast on Wellington. They’ve pushed the protests back to the PMO and are quickly moving on the occupation core. They have seemingly breached the snow wall the protestors built yesterday.
"Breached the snow wall" = "stepped over it".
But the dry irony of Cochrane's phrase is just... *chef's kiss*.
posted by orange swan at 7:02 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
"Good morning from Ottawa where shit is tense. Huge line of cops and a line of protestors two or three deep. Chants of “Were not going to take it” and “hold the line.” -- Mack Lamoureux on twitter
posted by valkane at 7:09 AM on February 19, 2022
posted by valkane at 7:09 AM on February 19, 2022
CBC's Raffy Boudjikanian @CBCRaffy :
Meanwhile convoy organizer Tamara Lich is a no-show at her bail hearing. #protestconvoy #cdnpoliposted by sebastienbailard at 7:10 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Looking from afar, it is just so incredibly frustrating that this isn't handled rapidly and decisively as the bunch of thugs and idiots it is. For screaming out loud: these people have no legitimacy!! If you don't treat them that way, you are giving them a legitimacy they don't have.
posted by mumimor at 7:23 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 7:23 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Maybe the police planners don't want to enable events that can be exploited as propagana to feed the Right's victimization complex. #horsiegate
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:29 AM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:29 AM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
Cbc.ca's video showing police going over some trucks with a bomb sniffing dog.
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:40 AM on February 19, 2022
posted by sebastienbailard at 7:40 AM on February 19, 2022
Glen McGregor @glen_mcgregor
Lich is now in court, wearing a black “I Love Canada Oil and Gas” sweatshirt and a white covid mask. Her husband is here, too, as a surety.posted by sebastienbailard at 7:44 AM on February 19, 2022Glen McGregor @glen_mcgregor · 46mThe judge is some unhappy with the delay, that the accused is not in court as expected. Unclear why she was brought earlier. twitter.com/glen_mcgregor/…
Glen McGregor @glen_mcgregor
Lots of trucks leaving from Wellington St.posted by sebastienbailard at 7:56 AM on February 19, 2022
I was just looking out my window at Gladstone and O'Connor and at least four transport trucks were fleeing out of the city. Good to see.
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 7:58 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 7:58 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
There seems to be a lot of arguing about the police in front of the police. Lots of conflicted feelings about whether the police could or should be on their side. A confused stance from the protesters as a group.
posted by clawsoon at 8:03 AM on February 19, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 8:03 AM on February 19, 2022
Police have a presence on the west and east sides of the occupiers, they want them to flee to the south.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:07 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:07 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
I was just looking out my window at Gladstone and O'Connor and at least four transport trucks were fleeing out of the city. Good to see.
This made me flash back to a quote I once saw from a Netherlander who lived through the German occupation in WWII. I can't find it online or remember where I read it, so I'll quote what he said as best as I can: "We watched them march in with their goosestepping and their singing, and in the end we saw them run away in their socks."
posted by orange swan at 8:07 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
This made me flash back to a quote I once saw from a Netherlander who lived through the German occupation in WWII. I can't find it online or remember where I read it, so I'll quote what he said as best as I can: "We watched them march in with their goosestepping and their singing, and in the end we saw them run away in their socks."
posted by orange swan at 8:07 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
CBC just apologized for the protesters' profanity. What a very Canadian thing to do.
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 8:12 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 8:12 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Police now hold all of Wellington and they're pushing the occupiers down O'Connor.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:24 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:24 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
One of the remaining occupiers is handing out copies of "the Charter of the Bill of Rights" to other occupiers.
These clowns don't even know what country they're in.
posted by orange swan at 8:31 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
These clowns don't even know what country they're in.
posted by orange swan at 8:31 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Lately I've read a few articles about how various police and intelligence forces infiltrated, divided, and sowed mistrust in various left-wing protest movements over the past couple of decades, leading to disruptions and demoralization.
I was talking to a friend yesterday who has an old hippy friend at these protests, a woman who you'd expect to be in a left-wing protest but who is at this one and loving it. It got me wondering how much the disruption of left-wing movements has left this as the last high-morale anti-government movement around.
posted by clawsoon at 8:31 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
I was talking to a friend yesterday who has an old hippy friend at these protests, a woman who you'd expect to be in a left-wing protest but who is at this one and loving it. It got me wondering how much the disruption of left-wing movements has left this as the last high-morale anti-government movement around.
posted by clawsoon at 8:31 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
One of the remaining occupiers is handing out copies of the "Charter of the Bill of Rights" to other occupiers.
Diefenbaker's Bill of Rights is still in force. I'm guessing that's not the one they're handing out.
posted by clawsoon at 8:33 AM on February 19, 2022
Diefenbaker's Bill of Rights is still in force. I'm guessing that's not the one they're handing out.
posted by clawsoon at 8:33 AM on February 19, 2022
A good analysis of the failures that lead to the occupation and blockades and why the Emergencies Act was necessary to deal with it:
... [W]hile the provincial emergency powers were suitable for clearing the streets, they probably were not up to the task of dealing with the underlying issues of funding those factions within the convoy who may be violent extremists or be seeking to install a different system of government,” said Lazar.posted by bonehead at 8:34 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing that's not the one they're handing out.
A lot of early anti-vax/anti-mask protests featured people insisting something or other about Magna Carta so that's pretty on brand.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:36 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
A lot of early anti-vax/anti-mask protests featured people insisting something or other about Magna Carta so that's pretty on brand.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:36 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
They were also complaining that their "Miranda rights" were not being respected.
posted by orange swan at 8:38 AM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 8:38 AM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
Oh, you know what, I've taken a closer look at the video I linked to, and it does actually look like the occupier is handing out poster copies of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, with French on one side and English on the other, an illustration of the Parliament buildings, and the Canadian coat of arms. The guy in the video just called it by the wrong name.
posted by orange swan at 8:43 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 8:43 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
I can't find the link on the fast moving threads, but there was a picture posted this morning of one of the cars leaving the occupation voluntarily stopped at one of the many police checkpoints in the core. Apparently police are letting vehicles disperse away from the main site, then stopping them (alone) within a few blocks and handing out $1000 tickets to each person inside.
posted by bonehead at 8:45 AM on February 19, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 8:45 AM on February 19, 2022 [7 favorites]
I wonder how the police chants of "Move!" are coordinated. They all say it at the same time, but they don't seem to be following a rhythm.
posted by clawsoon at 8:54 AM on February 19, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 8:54 AM on February 19, 2022
Yup:
Clearly a lot of people have never been part of a demonstration ended by police before. Can't tell you how many expressions of shock and astonishment I've heard. "I can't believe this," "this is the craziest thing I've ever seen," "it's like we're in China" etc.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:14 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Clearly a lot of people have never been part of a demonstration ended by police before. Can't tell you how many expressions of shock and astonishment I've heard. "I can't believe this," "this is the craziest thing I've ever seen," "it's like we're in China" etc.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:14 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
current r/ottawa megathread:
ah-tow-wah 7m
ah-tow-wah 7m
Does anyone else kind of feel like all the different forms of police are somewhat fashion show-esque? "And coming up next, it's the SQ, and they're sporting dark green solids today!" ... "oh and next up, check out those horses!!!"posted by sebastienbailard at 9:14 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
With all the yelling about "communism", I have to conclude that none of these people has heard of (or could conceive of) a capitalist police state.
posted by clawsoon at 9:27 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 9:27 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Lovin' the police pageantry.
It's kind of groovy to have started out protesting the Vietnam War and now rooting for the cops. The past 50 years have put the Left fully in charge, and the Right doesn't know how to handle it. The best they can come up with is to mimic the aggrieved tone and the counter-culture tactics that propelled the Left to power. There are two big problems with that. First, issues matter. Protesting war is inherently good; protesting public health measures, not so much. Second, numbers are against the Right. The tactics they are using only work when your movement is growing. If you are shrinking, your extremism just looks pathetic.
Totally digging Chrystia Freeland. Good Edmonton gal from a solid socialist background. Hey, Putin, you're next.
posted by No Robots at 9:34 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's kind of groovy to have started out protesting the Vietnam War and now rooting for the cops. The past 50 years have put the Left fully in charge, and the Right doesn't know how to handle it. The best they can come up with is to mimic the aggrieved tone and the counter-culture tactics that propelled the Left to power. There are two big problems with that. First, issues matter. Protesting war is inherently good; protesting public health measures, not so much. Second, numbers are against the Right. The tactics they are using only work when your movement is growing. If you are shrinking, your extremism just looks pathetic.
Totally digging Chrystia Freeland. Good Edmonton gal from a solid socialist background. Hey, Putin, you're next.
posted by No Robots at 9:34 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Tamara Lich's bail hearing is going well:
Glen McGregor @glen_mcgregor
...posted by sebastienbailard at 9:46 AM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
Lich ('s husband) says he was there in Ottawa because he supports "First Amendment rights" and want to protect her because he knew what happened to John F Kennedy and John Lennon. (I am not making this up.)
...
The past 50 years have put the Left fully in charge, and the Right doesn't know how to handle it.
Liberal (in the broad sense, not the specific Canadian political party) is not the same as Left. A better framework perhaps is that of the three way fight (see the second section of this long book review, most specifically).
posted by eviemath at 9:59 AM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
Liberal (in the broad sense, not the specific Canadian political party) is not the same as Left. A better framework perhaps is that of the three way fight (see the second section of this long book review, most specifically).
posted by eviemath at 9:59 AM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
on the CBC live right now: a white flag, a Canada First flag, and a rainbow-bedecked person with a pigeon on their head
posted by scruss at 10:08 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by scruss at 10:08 AM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Carol Off:
Here is the headline in the @nytimes
The newspaper that’s supposed to be the standard bearer for the industry.
Truckers Arrested at Gunpoint as Police Advance Against Ottawa Protest
Also:
This US reporter from Fox now apologizes for “any confusion” since she reported “from sources” that a woman had been trampled to death by police horses. After thousands of retweets.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:11 AM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
Here is the headline in the @nytimes
The newspaper that’s supposed to be the standard bearer for the industry.
Truckers Arrested at Gunpoint as Police Advance Against Ottawa Protest
Also:
This US reporter from Fox now apologizes for “any confusion” since she reported “from sources” that a woman had been trampled to death by police horses. After thousands of retweets.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:11 AM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
It is pretty obvious that someone coordinating things in Ottawa either never saw Watchmen or definitely saw Watchmen. (Twitter link with photo).
Paul McLeod (Buzzfeed): "Yikes, all the tow truck drivers have covered their vehicles and are wearing bright yellow masks to hide their faces. The Emergencies Act gave the government the power to force to truck drivers to remove vehicles (with pay.) Reports were they were afraid to anger the protesters."posted by maudlin at 10:21 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
This guy has certainly spent a lot of time listening to Alex Jones et al, because this is a pretty common set of talking points in that bananaverse.
Via Justin Ling:
"The mainstream media has painted us as anti-government," Marazzo says. He scoffs. Literally his next sentence: "The only plan that that they have is violence and the institution of a Chinese style credit social credit score system."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:24 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Via Justin Ling:
"The mainstream media has painted us as anti-government," Marazzo says. He scoffs. Literally his next sentence: "The only plan that that they have is violence and the institution of a Chinese style credit social credit score system."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:24 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
"The NYT has taken "truckers arrested at gunpoint" out of its Ottawa headline and changed the story's first sentence, making it "advanced on trucks sometimes at gunpoint" rather than "advanced on demonstrators at gunpoint."
-- Daniel Dale on twitter
posted by valkane at 10:37 AM on February 19, 2022
-- Daniel Dale on twitter
posted by valkane at 10:37 AM on February 19, 2022
The New York Times have always loved Nazis until they don't.
posted by valkane at 10:38 AM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by valkane at 10:38 AM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
Mike Moffat: "The Times went on to release this map of the protest site." (Twitter link with a golden oldie)
posted by maudlin at 10:40 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by maudlin at 10:40 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
This weekend the Toronto cops have cordoned off a km-square region centred on Queen's Park (Bloor/Spadina/Queen/Church) and are only letting in local traffic, and I am sure they are very quick to move-along anyone who pulls over within that area.
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:50 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:50 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
eviemath: Liberal (in the broad sense, not the specific Canadian political party) is not the same as Left. A better framework perhaps is that of the three way fight (see the second section of this long book review, most specifically).
That's a great read, eviemath. Thanks. I guess I was slyly suggesting that traditional liberalism is represented by Trudeau, whereas Freeland adds enough leftism to ensure a vigorous response to fascist activity. I imagine the meeting where the decision to implement the Emergencies Act was taken:
That's a great read, eviemath. Thanks. I guess I was slyly suggesting that traditional liberalism is represented by Trudeau, whereas Freeland adds enough leftism to ensure a vigorous response to fascist activity. I imagine the meeting where the decision to implement the Emergencies Act was taken:
Freeland: Now, you get out there and tell them we're doing this.posted by No Robots at 10:56 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Trudeau: But, Chrystia...!
Freeland: Uh-uh! Shht! You get out there right now!
Trudeau: Alright....
Twitter: Walking Eagle News @TheEagleist:
Ottawa Police's ED-209 robot kills millions of Ottawa protesters, New York Times reportsposted by sebastienbailard at 11:28 AM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
r/ottawa megathread:
katedigby 12m
katedigby 12m
watching PressforTruth stream .... there is no way these protestors are lasting more than a few more hours in this weather. He's basically crying about the wind at this point. just wait until the sun starts to setposted by sebastienbailard at 11:30 AM on February 19, 2022
it is just so incredibly frustrating that this isn't handled rapidly and decisively as the bunch of thugs and idiots it is.
No I like it. For the people who live there, I wish it were faster getting rid of the nuisance. But I like the prolonged loser image. Losing losers, losing on TV. Losing yesterday, losing today, will still be losing tomorrow. And they're not even lovable underdogs. Every idiot on TV or on Twitter just makes them less-likable losers. Keep it coming.
posted by ctmf at 12:19 PM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
No I like it. For the people who live there, I wish it were faster getting rid of the nuisance. But I like the prolonged loser image. Losing losers, losing on TV. Losing yesterday, losing today, will still be losing tomorrow. And they're not even lovable underdogs. Every idiot on TV or on Twitter just makes them less-likable losers. Keep it coming.
posted by ctmf at 12:19 PM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
The bail decision on Tamara Lich hasn't been rendered yet AFAIK, but this came up...
Glen McGregor: "The maximum she can pledge before the court is $5,000," he adds. Notes that husband Dwayne Lich testified a friend of his "Joseph" spent $5,000 to fly him to Ottawa for protests on a private yet.
Very relatable people!
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:25 PM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Glen McGregor: "The maximum she can pledge before the court is $5,000," he adds. Notes that husband Dwayne Lich testified a friend of his "Joseph" spent $5,000 to fly him to Ottawa for protests on a private yet.
Very relatable people!
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:25 PM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Protesters tearing down Conventry, even as others try to regroup there.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:57 PM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:57 PM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ottawa-based lawyer friend of mine:
There was such a good moment when a protestor ran up to a reporter on cbc crying because “people need to know the truth!”, then when the reporter asked her what happened, turned around and said “I’m not telling you anything!”"posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:00 PM on February 19, 2022 [12 favorites]
From an Ottawa-based lawyer:
That's it for submissions. Judge is reserving. Her Honour is coming back Tuesday, 9AM, same court.
To me that indicates she's going give reasons to detain the accused. She's keeping her [Lich] in all weekend, and she's taking the time to make clear and proper reasons.
Now, I'm no lawyer, but I'm thinking that maybe making sure your bail surety isn't someone who's incoherently screaming things about laws that don't exist in the jurisdiction you're in would be a more sound approach to the process.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:29 PM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
That's it for submissions. Judge is reserving. Her Honour is coming back Tuesday, 9AM, same court.
To me that indicates she's going give reasons to detain the accused. She's keeping her [Lich] in all weekend, and she's taking the time to make clear and proper reasons.
Now, I'm no lawyer, but I'm thinking that maybe making sure your bail surety isn't someone who's incoherently screaming things about laws that don't exist in the jurisdiction you're in would be a more sound approach to the process.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:29 PM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
They're straight up copy pasting USA-style crazy.
posted by Selena777 at 1:43 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Selena777 at 1:43 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
we do watch the TV shows
posted by philip-random at 1:53 PM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 1:53 PM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
The online US people have radicalized our Canadians.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:56 PM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:56 PM on February 19, 2022 [6 favorites]
On my way home from Ikea this afternoon I was very mildly inconvenienced by not being allowed to use my usual highway exit, but as we drove past toward the next exit, we caught up with one of the convoy trucks being towed away in a little procession - flag car, tow truck pulling the rig, OPP suburban.
Smiling and waving bye-bye made the extra ten minutes driving totally worth it.
posted by jacquilynne at 1:57 PM on February 19, 2022 [16 favorites]
Smiling and waving bye-bye made the extra ten minutes driving totally worth it.
posted by jacquilynne at 1:57 PM on February 19, 2022 [16 favorites]
Clearly a lot of people have never been part of a demonstration ended by police before. Can't tell you how many expressions of shock and astonishment I've heard. "I can't believe this," "this is the craziest thing I've ever seen," "it's like we're in China" etc.
I mean, yeah, these reactions are hilariously naive, given how gentle and moderate the police are being. But it is genuinely shocking to have the cops move against you like this. You go through life taking the social order for granted; it feels completely natural, and if you're a white middle-class conservative, you never experience anything outside of it. And then one day the riot cops show up, and they've got all this crazy equipment that you didn't even know they had, and you get this visceral sense of unreality. Because it turns out the social order isn't natural at all; when threatened, it upholds itself with sheer naked force. And for the first time in your life, you're the threat.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 2:00 PM on February 19, 2022 [16 favorites]
I mean, yeah, these reactions are hilariously naive, given how gentle and moderate the police are being. But it is genuinely shocking to have the cops move against you like this. You go through life taking the social order for granted; it feels completely natural, and if you're a white middle-class conservative, you never experience anything outside of it. And then one day the riot cops show up, and they've got all this crazy equipment that you didn't even know they had, and you get this visceral sense of unreality. Because it turns out the social order isn't natural at all; when threatened, it upholds itself with sheer naked force. And for the first time in your life, you're the threat.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 2:00 PM on February 19, 2022 [16 favorites]
journalists in the core group:
Rachel Aiello @rachaiello
Rachel Aiello @rachaiello
But we’ll always have the memories.Mackenzie Gray @Gray_Mackenzie · 34m
The fence is up, the stage is gone, the dream is dead. Ottawa’s Hottest Club, Wellington St, is officially closed. #cdnpoli #ottnewsposted by sebastienbailard at 2:06 PM on February 19, 2022
But it is genuinely shocking to have the cops move against you like this.
I guess I got over that before high school was over. Suburban parties gone wrong. And we weren't even trying to overthrow the government.
posted by philip-random at 2:08 PM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
I guess I got over that before high school was over. Suburban parties gone wrong. And we weren't even trying to overthrow the government.
posted by philip-random at 2:08 PM on February 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
The Crown lawyer in the Lich bail hearing made a lot of how she kept telling her followers to “hold the line”. I wonder if the justice of the peace wants to delay the decision till Tuesday in the hope that by then, there won’t be a line to hold anymore and she won’t be able to do further damage.
posted by Epixonti at 2:17 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Epixonti at 2:17 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Because it turns out the social order isn't natural at all; when threatened, it upholds itself with sheer naked force. And for the first time in your life, you're the threat.
ACAB isn't just an acronym; it's one of the laws of thermodynamics.
Being white, conservative and/or vaguely normal-looking does not make you immune to this law; it merely tends to extend the necessary time and/or stimulus necessary to provoke the cops into Bastard Mode.
posted by delfin at 2:21 PM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
ACAB isn't just an acronym; it's one of the laws of thermodynamics.
Being white, conservative and/or vaguely normal-looking does not make you immune to this law; it merely tends to extend the necessary time and/or stimulus necessary to provoke the cops into Bastard Mode.
posted by delfin at 2:21 PM on February 19, 2022 [5 favorites]
They're straight up copy pasting USA-style crazy.
We need Cancon rules for crazy.
posted by clawsoon at 2:30 PM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
We need Cancon rules for crazy.
posted by clawsoon at 2:30 PM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
We need Cancon rules for crazy.
That wouldn’t help - although the latest manifestations are definitely strongly influenced by US political rhetoric, Canada has had just as serious a home-grown problem for quite a long time.
posted by eviemath at 2:42 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
That wouldn’t help - although the latest manifestations are definitely strongly influenced by US political rhetoric, Canada has had just as serious a home-grown problem for quite a long time.
posted by eviemath at 2:42 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
One thing that Trudeau has done for Cancon crazy is finally turn us into a net exporter. We've just never had a communist dictator who's the son of Fidel Castro in charge before. Now that we do, the world is finally interested in what we have to offer.
posted by clawsoon at 3:00 PM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 3:00 PM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Seen on Twitter:
Dearest Martha, We lost the bouncy castles and hot tub yesterday to enemy forces. We used our shovels to build a mighty snow wall to hold back the intruders, but I fear they have a snow blower. Pray for us.
posted by orange swan at 3:28 PM on February 19, 2022 [12 favorites]
Dearest Martha, We lost the bouncy castles and hot tub yesterday to enemy forces. We used our shovels to build a mighty snow wall to hold back the intruders, but I fear they have a snow blower. Pray for us.
posted by orange swan at 3:28 PM on February 19, 2022 [12 favorites]
SCENE: Weeks into the occupation of a capital city in an attempt to overthrow the elected government. 4-5 days after the PM has invoked the Emergencies Act, 2 days after the police have started warning people to clear the area or be arrested.
Middling popular livestreamer with pronounced personal issues: Hey, it's the SQ riot police telling us to move, let's get riiiiiight up in their face and make fun of their accents!
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:39 PM on February 19, 2022
Middling popular livestreamer with pronounced personal issues: Hey, it's the SQ riot police telling us to move, let's get riiiiiight up in their face and make fun of their accents!
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:39 PM on February 19, 2022
I guess I got over that before high school was over. Suburban parties gone wrong. And we weren't even trying to overthrow the government.
Sounds like my high school classmates threw different sorts of parties from yours.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:48 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Sounds like my high school classmates threw different sorts of parties from yours.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:48 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
it was the pre-punk 70s. We just wanted to rock and roll all night and party every day.
posted by philip-random at 3:58 PM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 3:58 PM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
From Justin Ling on Twitter:
For about a week, I've been chasing a lead: that someone was sharing internal police communications with folks involved in the occupation. I haven't been able to nail it down.posted by eviemath at 5:41 PM on February 19, 2022 [8 favorites]
But: Far-right influencer Jeremy MacKenzie just posted a bunch of screenshots of an RCMP group chat.
Alex Vriend, who was arrested today (but seemingly released), has also shared info supposedly from an Ottawa Police Service source. These spread fairly widely in the occupation Telegram channels. This seems legit, but the info is general enough it's not necessarily a real cop.
A source in the emergency response team told me that Ottawa Police planned, then cancelled, at least one operation after discovering details may have been leaked to the occupiers. They suspected an officer who was on leave without pay for refusing to get vaccinated.
Anti-Hate Canada has great background on the MacKenzie, Vriend, and the Diagolon movement: [link]
Watching this crowd of jackasses holding up their stupid phones has honestly put me off the very idea of livestreaming. I guess it doesn't help that the most popular Toronto "walktubers" seem to be, at best, agnostic on the idea of alt-right fascists taking over town.
posted by Crane Shot at 6:22 PM on February 19, 2022
posted by Crane Shot at 6:22 PM on February 19, 2022
Anti-Hate Canada has great background on the MacKenzie, Vriend, and the Diagolon movement
Well that is terrifying and I barely made it two paragraphs in before noping right out.
posted by Glinn at 6:28 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Well that is terrifying and I barely made it two paragraphs in before noping right out.
posted by Glinn at 6:28 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Alberta government sought aid from Ottawa in midst of Coutts border blockade
posted by No Robots at 7:47 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by No Robots at 7:47 PM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Meanwhile in Washington, DC, Capitol Police ups security ahead of SOTU amid concerns of truck convoy protesting, Caroline Vakil, The Hill, February 18, 2022:
Capitol Police issued a statement on Friday saying they are planning for extra security ahead of President Biden's first State of the Union address [March 1, 2022], noting that law enforcement agencies "are aware of plans" of truck convoys arriving into Washington, D.C. around that time.Capitol girding for potential ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest at State of the Union…, Zach Cohen, Billy House, Bloomberg; FORTUNE, February 18, 2022:
"Law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region are aware of plans for a series of truck convoys arriving in Washington, DC around the time of the State of the Union. As with any demonstration, the USCP will facilitate lawful First Amendment activity," Capitol Police said.
"The USCP is closely coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including DC's Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Park Police, the United States Secret Service and other allied agencies to include the DC National Guard," the law enforcement agency added….
…The Capitol remains closed to the public because of the pandemic. Security barricades erected after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection have come down and both chambers of Congress are in recess until Feb. 28. But authorities will likely be on high alert again when Biden is scheduled to deliver his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.posted by cenoxo at 8:52 PM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Trucks and vans are prohibited from entering the area around Capitol complex without the delivery companies and drivers having letters on file with the Capitol Police….
It's inexplicable why the occupiers did not achieve their goals.
LIVE: Twitch rebroadcast of
bewildered livestreamers trying to find action/lizard people on a boring Ottawa Sunday morning while one MP rips the the Cons a new one in Parliamentary debate.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:42 AM on February 20, 2022
LIVE: Twitch rebroadcast of
bewildered livestreamers trying to find action/lizard people on a boring Ottawa Sunday morning while one MP rips the the Cons a new one in Parliamentary debate.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:42 AM on February 20, 2022
From Tamara Lich's bail hearing:
Given this and reported complaints about Miranda rights, the next week should be entertaining.
posted by cheshyre at 8:00 AM on February 20, 2022 [15 favorites]
"Honestly? I thought it was a peaceful protest and based on my first amendment, I thought that was part of our rights," he told the court.The speaker here is Dwayne Lich, Ms. Lich's husband, who is, in fact, Canadian.
"What do you mean, first amendment? What's that?" Judge Julie Bourgeois asked him.
Given this and reported complaints about Miranda rights, the next week should be entertaining.
posted by cheshyre at 8:00 AM on February 20, 2022 [15 favorites]
Because it turns out the social order isn't natural at all; when threatened, it upholds itself with sheer naked force. And for the first time in your life, you're the threat.
I have zero sympathies for the neo-Nazis in this movement, but they rose up against Capital, and that rarely ends well unless you're unionizing and willing to accept the consequences, i.e., state violence. And these neo-Nazis, as was once said to Donny, these men are cowards.
Some of the leaders of the protest are a little bit smarter than their mob. At her court hearing, one of the leaders Tamara Lich — an Albertan secessionist — wore a sweater with the words "I ❤️ 🍁 OIL & GAS" printed on it. The trick is to get on the side of the corporations that run things or strive to take over from the state. Corporate-state integration is how you classically fascist.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 8:09 AM on February 20, 2022 [5 favorites]
I have zero sympathies for the neo-Nazis in this movement, but they rose up against Capital, and that rarely ends well unless you're unionizing and willing to accept the consequences, i.e., state violence. And these neo-Nazis, as was once said to Donny, these men are cowards.
Some of the leaders of the protest are a little bit smarter than their mob. At her court hearing, one of the leaders Tamara Lich — an Albertan secessionist — wore a sweater with the words "I ❤️ 🍁 OIL & GAS" printed on it. The trick is to get on the side of the corporations that run things or strive to take over from the state. Corporate-state integration is how you classically fascist.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 8:09 AM on February 20, 2022 [5 favorites]
The trick is to get on the side of the corporations that run things or strive to take over from the state. Corporate-state integration is how you classically fascist.
eviemath's link above had an interesting take on this. As I understood the thesis, the liberal capitalist state will ally with the left when it's fighting off a threat to egalitarianism from the right, and it'll ally with the right when it's fighting off a threat to capitalism from the left.
posted by clawsoon at 8:43 AM on February 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
eviemath's link above had an interesting take on this. As I understood the thesis, the liberal capitalist state will ally with the left when it's fighting off a threat to egalitarianism from the right, and it'll ally with the right when it's fighting off a threat to capitalism from the left.
posted by clawsoon at 8:43 AM on February 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
"What do you mean, first amendment? What's that?" Judge Julie Bourgeois asked him.
It probably means he wishes to exercise his right to recognize Manitoba as a province.
posted by bonehead at 9:33 AM on February 20, 2022 [14 favorites]
It probably means he wishes to exercise his right to recognize Manitoba as a province.
posted by bonehead at 9:33 AM on February 20, 2022 [14 favorites]
canadians can thank henry patrick and his moving speech in which he passionately concluded - "give me manitoba or give me death"
posted by pyramid termite at 9:57 AM on February 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by pyramid termite at 9:57 AM on February 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
Eviemath's link is saying quite explicitly some things that many people just do not like to hear: a) that progressives are bourgeoisie and thus are in a fundamental conflict against left interests, b) that the bourgeois left (i.e. your mainstream Democrat, etc.) will try to turn the tables and accuse the left of being fascists (because actually existing liberalism offers no coherent theory of colonialism and capitalism), c) that the bourgeoisie are racists just on a higher plane than the fascists in their fragility and inability to admit it, and d) most controversially (IMO) that this bourgeois (neo)liberalism structurally creates the phenomenon of fascism.
Each of these points is used in the essay. Point d) is the most radical accusation which I see in various guises in left discourse, but most of the time I just see leftists asserting it rather than offer compelling justification for such a claim.
posted by polymodus at 10:17 AM on February 20, 2022 [4 favorites]
Each of these points is used in the essay. Point d) is the most radical accusation which I see in various guises in left discourse, but most of the time I just see leftists asserting it rather than offer compelling justification for such a claim.
posted by polymodus at 10:17 AM on February 20, 2022 [4 favorites]
canadians can thank henry patrick and his moving speech in which he passionately concluded - "give me manitoba or give me death"
"...or at least the Dictators."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:35 AM on February 20, 2022
"...or at least the Dictators."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:35 AM on February 20, 2022
More in the "Dearest Martha" vein, from Peggy Blair, retired lawyer, mystery author, and Ottawa resident. A professional voice over actor named Bill Newton has done audio recordings of them.
Dearest Martha,
Morale continues to plunge. The enemy forces have assembled their horses, and the huge steeds seem highly agitated. I now regret hoarding huge stockpiles of Ivermectin. It's as if they blame me for their discomfort.
Dearest Martha,
We are holding the line, but morale is low. There are eighteen mounted police at the back of the enemy forces. Some of the patriots fear these are Trojan horses, harbouring naked cowboys. God bless our souls.
Dearest Martha,
I have done my very best to maintain order in trying circumstances. Despite my best efforts, one of the young men impulsively released a smoke bomb. My eyes are painful and watering. If only we had masks.
Dearest Martha,
I feel a deep sense of despair. The porta potties have been removed. We no longer have access to clean water. I have had to instruct our brave forces holding the line not to eat the yellow snow.
Dearest Chastity, the field is lost. The police stepped over the snow fortifications we had thought so invincible. Our stalwart leader Pat King told us -- before his own tragic arrest -- that under international law, if we waved a white flag using our shirts or underwear, the police would not be able to touch us, but I had to burn my shirt in order to roast the last of the weenies, and my undies ain't white.1
1 This one's mine.
posted by orange swan at 10:43 AM on February 20, 2022 [12 favorites]
Dearest Martha,
Morale continues to plunge. The enemy forces have assembled their horses, and the huge steeds seem highly agitated. I now regret hoarding huge stockpiles of Ivermectin. It's as if they blame me for their discomfort.
Dearest Martha,
We are holding the line, but morale is low. There are eighteen mounted police at the back of the enemy forces. Some of the patriots fear these are Trojan horses, harbouring naked cowboys. God bless our souls.
Dearest Martha,
I have done my very best to maintain order in trying circumstances. Despite my best efforts, one of the young men impulsively released a smoke bomb. My eyes are painful and watering. If only we had masks.
Dearest Martha,
I feel a deep sense of despair. The porta potties have been removed. We no longer have access to clean water. I have had to instruct our brave forces holding the line not to eat the yellow snow.
Dearest Chastity, the field is lost. The police stepped over the snow fortifications we had thought so invincible. Our stalwart leader Pat King told us -- before his own tragic arrest -- that under international law, if we waved a white flag using our shirts or underwear, the police would not be able to touch us, but I had to burn my shirt in order to roast the last of the weenies, and my undies ain't white.1
1 This one's mine.
posted by orange swan at 10:43 AM on February 20, 2022 [12 favorites]
One thing that Trudeau has done for Cancon crazy is finally turn us into a net exporter. We've just never had a communist dictator who's the son of Fidel Castro in charge before. Now that we do, the world is finally interested in what we have to offer.
The best part of the joke is that Trudeau is actually JFK Jr.
posted by srboisvert at 12:21 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
The best part of the joke is that Trudeau is actually JFK Jr.
posted by srboisvert at 12:21 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Does anyone else kind of feel like all the different forms of police are somewhat fashion show-esque? "And coming up next, it's the SQ, and they're sporting dark green solids today!" ... "oh and next up, check out those horses!!!"
At one time the RCMP outsourced their marketing to Disney Co. so yeah it all seems plausible.
posted by srboisvert at 12:23 PM on February 20, 2022
At one time the RCMP outsourced their marketing to Disney Co. so yeah it all seems plausible.
posted by srboisvert at 12:23 PM on February 20, 2022
They're straight up copy pasting USA-style crazy.
We need Cancon rules for crazy.
Oh there are CanCon rules. Like that Canaidan crazy has to be funded by Canadian sources. The rules will make themselves known in then next couple of months as Canadian law enforcement rolls up on illegal foreign funding on Canadian unrest. Should be fun times filled with hearings for some red-faced Americans who are going to learn that they broke Canadian laws and that Canada and the United States have pretty comprehensive extradition agreements. Should be delightfully politically awkward for both sides of the border.
posted by srboisvert at 12:29 PM on February 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
We need Cancon rules for crazy.
Oh there are CanCon rules. Like that Canaidan crazy has to be funded by Canadian sources. The rules will make themselves known in then next couple of months as Canadian law enforcement rolls up on illegal foreign funding on Canadian unrest. Should be fun times filled with hearings for some red-faced Americans who are going to learn that they broke Canadian laws and that Canada and the United States have pretty comprehensive extradition agreements. Should be delightfully politically awkward for both sides of the border.
posted by srboisvert at 12:29 PM on February 20, 2022 [2 favorites]
This could have literally come straight out of a transcript of an Alex Jones broadcast:
Today's Conservative Party: During debate on Emergencies Act, MP Colin Carrie asks about "subversive" World Economic Forum "infiltration" and "penetration" of Canadian government, demands names of cabinet ministers who "are on board with the WEF's agenda."
This has been a specific talking point of Jones' for quite some time.
And now it's showing up in the Hansard in the remarks of sitting MPs.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:33 PM on February 20, 2022 [5 favorites]
Today's Conservative Party: During debate on Emergencies Act, MP Colin Carrie asks about "subversive" World Economic Forum "infiltration" and "penetration" of Canadian government, demands names of cabinet ministers who "are on board with the WEF's agenda."
This has been a specific talking point of Jones' for quite some time.
And now it's showing up in the Hansard in the remarks of sitting MPs.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:33 PM on February 20, 2022 [5 favorites]
That makes me angrier than anything else. Or maybe it's just the final straw, I don't know. Like in the middle of a debate on a fairly important issue this yahoo is wasting everyone's time with a question that isn't even wrong. How does someone even respond to something like that?
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:45 PM on February 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:45 PM on February 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
Metafilter: How does someone even respond to something like that?
posted by No Robots at 1:55 PM on February 20, 2022
posted by No Robots at 1:55 PM on February 20, 2022
> on the CBC live right now: a white flag, a Canada First flag, and a rainbow-bedecked person with a pigeon on their head
The white flag indicates the bearer's wish to to surrender/negotiate/magically not get arrested by the cops.
The pigeon indicates the bearer's wish to soil and otherwise desecrate a revered statue symbolizing grit, hope, and faith in medical science. And the memorial to our war dead. Or it may be a simply and honest desire for bird seed and street food.
The occupiers have gotten pushed away from the halls of government, and their associated stretch goal of abusing/murdering our prime minister
destroying our democracy.
Some of them were, briefly, holding the line at one of their prearranged fall-back positions, a municipal baseball field parking lot.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:33 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
The white flag indicates the bearer's wish to to surrender/negotiate/magically not get arrested by the cops.
The pigeon indicates the bearer's wish to soil and otherwise desecrate a revered statue symbolizing grit, hope, and faith in medical science. And the memorial to our war dead. Or it may be a simply and honest desire for bird seed and street food.
The occupiers have gotten pushed away from the halls of government, and their associated stretch goal of abusing/murdering our prime minister
destroying our democracy.
Some of them were, briefly, holding the line at one of their prearranged fall-back positions, a municipal baseball field parking lot.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:33 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
They've now fallen back out of the city, to Almonte and to Embrun. The later is uncomfortably close to where I live. Notably, both are just outside the municipal boundaries.
I think this resents a dilemma to the federal government. I'm certain they want to end the Emergenices Act as soon as possible politically, but the lurking threat that the occupier might return or find other targets, like border crossings, might mean they need to keep it active for a while longer.
posted by bonehead at 3:22 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
I think this resents a dilemma to the federal government. I'm certain they want to end the Emergenices Act as soon as possible politically, but the lurking threat that the occupier might return or find other targets, like border crossings, might mean they need to keep it active for a while longer.
posted by bonehead at 3:22 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Eviemath's link is saying quite explicitly some things
Well, no. My link was saying that the book it was reviewing (and comparing to a second book and some other peoples’ thought) was quite explicitly saying some things. The specific notion of the three-way fight seems to have originally come from one of those other people’s thought, but was applied in the book being reviewed.
posted by eviemath at 4:03 PM on February 20, 2022
Well, no. My link was saying that the book it was reviewing (and comparing to a second book and some other peoples’ thought) was quite explicitly saying some things. The specific notion of the three-way fight seems to have originally come from one of those other people’s thought, but was applied in the book being reviewed.
posted by eviemath at 4:03 PM on February 20, 2022
RE: the woman with the mobility scooter at the front of the crowd that was edging towards the police line, who was knocked over by the mounted policeman, has had her condition upgraded to an indigenous holocaust survivor in an electric wheelchair. And dead. And has had her death covered up.
@mypoortiredsoul uses this story to demonstrate how misinformation via twitter spreads in general and this piece in particular {threadreader compilation}
posted by Mitheral at 5:16 PM on February 20, 2022 [8 favorites]
@mypoortiredsoul uses this story to demonstrate how misinformation via twitter spreads in general and this piece in particular {threadreader compilation}
posted by Mitheral at 5:16 PM on February 20, 2022 [8 favorites]
Speaking of misinformation: Mark Strahl, sitting Conservative MP for Chilliwack--Hope has tweeted out what strongly appears to be false information about single Chilliwack mother "Blaine", a $50 donor to the convoy, getting her bank account frozen {currently ~10K retweets and ~3K replies}.
posted by Mitheral at 5:43 PM on February 20, 2022 [5 favorites]
Briane is a single mom from Chilliwack working a minimum wage job. She gave $50 to the convoy when it was 100% legal. She hasn’t participated in any other way. Her bank account has now been frozen. This is who Justin Trudeau is actually targeting with his Emergencies Act orders.Except there is no one named Blaine in the GiveSendGo donor dump from a Chilliwack postal postal code (or BC for that matter); no one who has donated such a trivial amount has had bank action taken against them; and the Emergencies Act banking measures do not apply retroactively. Strahl later says he'll keep working with Blaine to resolve this issue implying he or at least his office have talked to/seen "Blaine" in person.
posted by Mitheral at 5:43 PM on February 20, 2022 [5 favorites]
That makes me angrier than anything else. Or maybe it's just the final straw, I don't know. Like in the middle of a debate on a fairly important issue this yahoo is wasting everyone's time with a question that isn't even wrong. How does someone even respond to something like that?
Welcome to modern conservatism.
The goal is not to win the day through rhetorical excellence, but rather to:
a) say what the increasingly wacky right-wing base wants to hear,
b) say it loudly because volume trumps facts, and
c) watch as the Overton window gets nudged a little further to the right because the mainstream media chooses not to report it as the non-factual sludge that it is.
Videos of the person babbling with titles like "Blarf Fargleson DESTROYS Liberal Communists" come later.
posted by delfin at 6:27 PM on February 20, 2022 [4 favorites]
Welcome to modern conservatism.
The goal is not to win the day through rhetorical excellence, but rather to:
a) say what the increasingly wacky right-wing base wants to hear,
b) say it loudly because volume trumps facts, and
c) watch as the Overton window gets nudged a little further to the right because the mainstream media chooses not to report it as the non-factual sludge that it is.
Videos of the person babbling with titles like "Blarf Fargleson DESTROYS Liberal Communists" come later.
posted by delfin at 6:27 PM on February 20, 2022 [4 favorites]
“Amazing how typical Canadian cities' reaction to convoys were. Vancouver blocked them with bicycles; Toronto screamed "fuck off" at them until they left; Ottawa did nothing for 3 weeks then dropped 10,000 lbs of federally-mandated reporting and legislation on their heads.”—Jonathan Dursi
posted by grouse at 7:04 PM on February 20, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by grouse at 7:04 PM on February 20, 2022 [17 favorites]
During all this I managed to miss that guy. He can also be mayor.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 7:26 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by WaterAndPixels at 7:26 PM on February 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
How Facebook twisted Canada’s trucker convoy into an international movement.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 11:22 PM on February 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Gerald Bostock at 11:22 PM on February 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
Sober second thought: Conservative senator MacDonald derides Ottawa residents in video
He's drunk, says his wife is a "Karen", says everybody in Ottawa makes 6 figures for working 20 hours a week.
posted by clawsoon at 5:03 AM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
He's drunk, says his wife is a "Karen", says everybody in Ottawa makes 6 figures for working 20 hours a week.
posted by clawsoon at 5:03 AM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
Jason Kenney talks about the "Great Reset". (Facebook video, sorry.)
posted by clawsoon at 6:39 AM on February 21, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 6:39 AM on February 21, 2022
Conservative senator MacDonald derides Ottawa residents in video
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:53 AM on February 21, 2022 [9 favorites]
Reached Sunday night, MacDonald said the video was recorded Wednesday night when he was returning from dinner and had been drinking. He said he had asked the person with the camera not to record.Ah. I do wish more public figures would use this defense. “Well, if people insist on documenting the things I say in public while I am intoxicated, what do you think is going to happen?”
“I’m mortified,” he told CTV News.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:53 AM on February 21, 2022 [9 favorites]
"Ottawa did nothing..."
Certainly the local police failed miserably here, but one of the other major failures was the complete silence from the province for the first few weeks. Our premier was at his cottage snowmobiling the entire time, all the while the OPS kept saying they were overwhelmed and requesting help.
Everything got dumped into the Federal government's lap to fix. They don't have a lot of jurisdiction to act on a municipal or provincial level, for good reason, unless asked to help. Not only were they not asked for help, their offered help was refused for the early part of the occupation.
The story of why Ottawa "did nothing" is really about how the city was abandoned by those who should have been doing something, as they did in Vancouver and Toronto. Ottawa, the city, didn't get any attention until the rest of the country, including the blockades in BC, Alberta and Detroit, were sorted out.
I don't have a lot of respect for the view that "Ottawa" over-reacted. We were left to fester by those who should have been looking after things. A big intervention was necessary to fix a problem that should never have been allowed to get as big as it did.
posted by bonehead at 8:00 AM on February 21, 2022 [14 favorites]
Certainly the local police failed miserably here, but one of the other major failures was the complete silence from the province for the first few weeks. Our premier was at his cottage snowmobiling the entire time, all the while the OPS kept saying they were overwhelmed and requesting help.
Everything got dumped into the Federal government's lap to fix. They don't have a lot of jurisdiction to act on a municipal or provincial level, for good reason, unless asked to help. Not only were they not asked for help, their offered help was refused for the early part of the occupation.
The story of why Ottawa "did nothing" is really about how the city was abandoned by those who should have been doing something, as they did in Vancouver and Toronto. Ottawa, the city, didn't get any attention until the rest of the country, including the blockades in BC, Alberta and Detroit, were sorted out.
I don't have a lot of respect for the view that "Ottawa" over-reacted. We were left to fester by those who should have been looking after things. A big intervention was necessary to fix a problem that should never have been allowed to get as big as it did.
posted by bonehead at 8:00 AM on February 21, 2022 [14 favorites]
I’ve been seeing speculation online that Doug Ford’s failure to do anything might, in some part, be related to his daughter’s support of the FluTruxClan.
posted by eviemath at 8:40 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by eviemath at 8:40 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ah. I do wish more public figures would use this defense. “Well, if people insist on documenting the things I say in public while I am intoxicated, what do you think is going to happen?”
"I was shithouse wasted" contains slightly more implied agency than "I was hacked," so there's that.
Certainly the local police failed miserably here, but one of the other major failures was the complete silence from the province for the first few weeks.
Smarter people have said the following better elsewhere, but: there was no way that there wasn't a political calculation at some point among Ford and his coterie that the optics of this would be bad for Trudeau and the Liberals.
It's pretty apparent that letting the situation in Ottawa ride until the feds had to act using the (optically, and in some cases practically) blunter tools at their disposal was a strategy, not a blunder.
Using the ghost of Trudeau Sr. and the War Measures Act to create the narrative that use of the Emergencies Act is tantamount to Soviet tanks rolling into Prague in August 1968 is one way of moving the Overton window to the right.
And moving it is, like shit through a goose.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:48 AM on February 21, 2022 [9 favorites]
"I was shithouse wasted" contains slightly more implied agency than "I was hacked," so there's that.
Certainly the local police failed miserably here, but one of the other major failures was the complete silence from the province for the first few weeks.
Smarter people have said the following better elsewhere, but: there was no way that there wasn't a political calculation at some point among Ford and his coterie that the optics of this would be bad for Trudeau and the Liberals.
It's pretty apparent that letting the situation in Ottawa ride until the feds had to act using the (optically, and in some cases practically) blunter tools at their disposal was a strategy, not a blunder.
Using the ghost of Trudeau Sr. and the War Measures Act to create the narrative that use of the Emergencies Act is tantamount to Soviet tanks rolling into Prague in August 1968 is one way of moving the Overton window to the right.
And moving it is, like shit through a goose.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 8:48 AM on February 21, 2022 [9 favorites]
One good thing about scrolling down this never ending thread last night and early this morning was having Bored Panda's 35 Canadian Memes That Are Making People Crack Up At The Country’s Stereotypes pop up on my Facebook feed.
So, among other things, I now know that portapotties in the Great White North wear down coats; Santa Claus is officially a Canadian citizen with his own passport and postal code and that the way you keep Canadian bacon from curling in the frying pan is to take away their tiny brooms. I am so grateful for having learned these things.
posted by y2karl at 10:08 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
So, among other things, I now know that portapotties in the Great White North wear down coats; Santa Claus is officially a Canadian citizen with his own passport and postal code and that the way you keep Canadian bacon from curling in the frying pan is to take away their tiny brooms. I am so grateful for having learned these things.
posted by y2karl at 10:08 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Deployment of Emergencies Act expected to pass with support of the NDP
posted by porpoise at 10:12 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by porpoise at 10:12 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Weird how this "martial law" is subject to...
*checks notes*
...the assent of an elected legislature, which continues to function as such after the law's invocation.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:19 AM on February 21, 2022 [5 favorites]
*checks notes*
...the assent of an elected legislature, which continues to function as such after the law's invocation.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:19 AM on February 21, 2022 [5 favorites]
Or how "martial law" didn't involve the use of the military at all.
posted by bonehead at 11:15 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 11:15 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Weird, eh?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:46 AM on February 21, 2022
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:46 AM on February 21, 2022
Jason Kenney talks about the "Great Reset".
It's always funny to see professional political elites like Kenney pretending to be populists. Here's Naomi Klein's response (archive.org link) from back in 2020, when this video first came out.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 1:10 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's always funny to see professional political elites like Kenney pretending to be populists. Here's Naomi Klein's response (archive.org link) from back in 2020, when this video first came out.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 1:10 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
One of the most annoying results of this protest for me personally is that, as a result of following the going-ons in my city online, all my feeds, youtube, facebook, etc are now recommending all sorts insane right-wing bullshit.
If this can happen after only clicking on a few things a day over the course of a week, to an old-skool hardcore lefty like me that has been on-line since the internet started, then I really understand how so many people are getting radicallised and fed misinformation by the internet. It's fucking nuts how quickly it changed.
posted by fimbulvetr at 1:31 PM on February 21, 2022 [17 favorites]
If this can happen after only clicking on a few things a day over the course of a week, to an old-skool hardcore lefty like me that has been on-line since the internet started, then I really understand how so many people are getting radicallised and fed misinformation by the internet. It's fucking nuts how quickly it changed.
posted by fimbulvetr at 1:31 PM on February 21, 2022 [17 favorites]
"I see you're interested in fascist insurrection! May I recommend for your viewing pleasure..."
posted by clawsoon at 1:50 PM on February 21, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 1:50 PM on February 21, 2022 [4 favorites]
Oddly, tiktok's algorithm is handling this beautifully. It keeps throwing more Canadian leftists and Indigenous people upset at the disparity in how they've been treated at protests my way.
posted by peppermind at 1:59 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by peppermind at 1:59 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
all my feeds, youtube, facebook, etc are now recommending all sorts insane right-wing bullshit.
Algorithm cleanser for you.
posted by clawsoon at 2:48 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Algorithm cleanser for you.
posted by clawsoon at 2:48 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Parliament votes on the Emergency Act tonight.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith gives a speech no one will like.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith gives a speech no one will like.
I appreciate the federal leadership over the last week. And this is not the War Measures Act, as this particular legislation highlights the role of the Charter and provides for a significant amount of independent and parliamentary scrutiny. But I’m skeptical that the strict legal test was met for the Act’s invocation, and I’m not convinced that the emergency measures should continue to exist beyond today.posted by bonehead at 3:10 PM on February 21, 2022 [6 favorites]
I would vote accordingly, but for the fact it is now a confidence vote. The disagreement I’ve expressed here does not amount to non-confidence, and I have no interest in an election at this time.
Is it required to be a confidence vote, or did the government decide to make it one?
posted by clawsoon at 3:24 PM on February 21, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 3:24 PM on February 21, 2022
Decided. Trudeau announced it this afternoon.
posted by bonehead at 3:34 PM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 3:34 PM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
Does that mean he probably got significant pushback from either his own caucus or the NDP? Maybe both, given Erskine-Smith's speech?
posted by clawsoon at 3:39 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 3:39 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
If I had to guess, the PM felt it politically necessary to present a united front to reduce the government's attack surface to conspiracies. I think with the NDP support, there wasn't any real doubt it would pass, however, with some of the more thoughtful types taking a nuanced view of this---it's hard not to take them seriously---I think the concern was that this would have been weaponized by the bad-faith actors already spinning as hard as they can. Any slight disagreement gets turned into a critical weakness.
I don't think it was felt that the country has the luxury of thoughtful nuance right now. I think member Erskine-Smith understands that too, and makes his choice in that context.
posted by bonehead at 3:47 PM on February 21, 2022 [6 favorites]
I don't think it was felt that the country has the luxury of thoughtful nuance right now. I think member Erskine-Smith understands that too, and makes his choice in that context.
posted by bonehead at 3:47 PM on February 21, 2022 [6 favorites]
A little delightful division among the Convites.
Wonder if RamRanch will be able to do anything with this?
posted by rpfields at 4:27 PM on February 21, 2022
Wonder if RamRanch will be able to do anything with this?
posted by rpfields at 4:27 PM on February 21, 2022
The Emergencies Act is no War Measures Act. I can say that as someone who voted against the War Measures Act in 1970. And as someone who sought the creation of the Emergencies Act to replace it.
posted by bonehead at 5:06 PM on February 21, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 5:06 PM on February 21, 2022 [8 favorites]
If I had to guess, the PM felt it politically necessary to present a united front to reduce the government's attack surface to conspiracies
It also gives a great line of defense - if declaring the Emergencies Act was so tyrannical, why didn't you bring down the government over it? You were given the chance to turf the Liberals from office over it.
I do think there needs to be a serious examination of why it happened and how it was used, because I am afraid of it becoming a normalized tool when dealing with protests - but the fact it was up for debate and a vote that could have removed the government is a pretty decent counter to those claiming this is a massive suspension of civil liberties.
posted by nubs at 5:47 PM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
It also gives a great line of defense - if declaring the Emergencies Act was so tyrannical, why didn't you bring down the government over it? You were given the chance to turf the Liberals from office over it.
I do think there needs to be a serious examination of why it happened and how it was used, because I am afraid of it becoming a normalized tool when dealing with protests - but the fact it was up for debate and a vote that could have removed the government is a pretty decent counter to those claiming this is a massive suspension of civil liberties.
posted by nubs at 5:47 PM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
Santa Claus is officially a Canadian citizen with his own passport and postal code
Well, yes. Those from abroad may not know that Canadian postal codes are letter-number-letter number-letter-number. For example, as Randy Bachman used to remind me every week, the Vancouver offices of the CBC are V6B 4A2 (“Vacuum six basements; four attics too.”)
Of course, the constant shifting between upper-case letters and unmodified numerals makes data entry of addresses like driving a pothole-filled road that wrecks your suspension. However, it does mean that every little kid knows the address:
Well, yes. Those from abroad may not know that Canadian postal codes are letter-number-letter number-letter-number. For example, as Randy Bachman used to remind me every week, the Vancouver offices of the CBC are V6B 4A2 (“Vacuum six basements; four attics too.”)
Of course, the constant shifting between upper-case letters and unmodified numerals makes data entry of addresses like driving a pothole-filled road that wrecks your suspension. However, it does mean that every little kid knows the address:
Santa Clausposted by ricochet biscuit at 7:18 PM on February 21, 2022 [5 favorites]
North Pole
H0H 0H0
For example, as Randy Bachman used to remind me every week, the Vancouver offices of the CBC are V6B 4A2 (“Vacuum six basements; four attics too.”)
I'm trying to remember what Arthur Black used...
posted by clawsoon at 7:38 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm trying to remember what Arthur Black used...
posted by clawsoon at 7:38 PM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Make five weiners I'll eat six
posted by Mitheral at 7:40 PM on February 21, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Mitheral at 7:40 PM on February 21, 2022 [4 favorites]
Tamara Lich denied bail - the judge said she was not convinced Lich would go home, stay there and stop her alleged counselling (to commit mischief)
posted by porpoise at 7:37 AM on February 22, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by porpoise at 7:37 AM on February 22, 2022 [3 favorites]
Imprisoning them only makes them stronger, has D&D taught us nothing?
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:38 AM on February 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:38 AM on February 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
r/ottawa basically live blogging Pat King's bail hearing
Also:
https://mobile.twitter.com/glen_mcgregor
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:01 AM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also:
https://mobile.twitter.com/glen_mcgregor
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:01 AM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
Things I've learned about bail over the last few days:
- after you get charged, continuing to engage in the same behavior that got you charged is a bad idea
- being evasive in the bail hearing is a bad idea
- proposing as a surety someone who was involved in the same activities you got charged for is a bad idea
Maybe unrelated, but hearing reports of an armed man in the Rideau Centre
posted by nubs at 9:50 AM on February 22, 2022
posted by nubs at 9:50 AM on February 22, 2022
It's ironic in the Morisettian sense (in part owing to the fact it's where Gavin McInnes came from) that Vice's far-right coverage is very good, and Mack Lamoreux is responsible for a good chunk of that coverage.
He said this today: "Watching people and reporters whose brains haven’t completely rotted away like mine have to learn who Pat King is and deal with him has been one of the more personally bizarre things for me during this whole thing."
There's a whole bunch of video generated by King himself (going back years and then as recently as the last few days) that is hard evidence that he's a violent racist and has a long history of urging people to commit said racist violence.
While this stuff has been too widely ignored by too many people for too long, at least it does not play well in a bail hearing.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:59 AM on February 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
He said this today: "Watching people and reporters whose brains haven’t completely rotted away like mine have to learn who Pat King is and deal with him has been one of the more personally bizarre things for me during this whole thing."
There's a whole bunch of video generated by King himself (going back years and then as recently as the last few days) that is hard evidence that he's a violent racist and has a long history of urging people to commit said racist violence.
While this stuff has been too widely ignored by too many people for too long, at least it does not play well in a bail hearing.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:59 AM on February 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
(Bit early, since police took down a tweet about arresting the gunman and are searching Rideau.)
r/ottawa:
martens92 Old Ottawa South 1m
r/ottawa:
martens92 Old Ottawa South 1m
Happy for it to be over before 1pm with nobody harmed. Now we can move on to part 2 of Rat King hearing.u/zpeacock Battle of Billings Bridge Warrior
The police have been kind to us! What an intermissionu/HerderOfZues 0m
Yup, that was enough excitement for lunch. Back to the showposted by sebastienbailard at 10:07 AM on February 22, 2022
A one-two punch of criminal and civil legal trouble is a good way to punch Nazis:
"While Pat King was in the prisoner box as the proceeding went to lunch break he was served with notice from the Paul Champ law firm of the civil suit against the convoy."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:09 AM on February 22, 2022 [5 favorites]
"While Pat King was in the prisoner box as the proceeding went to lunch break he was served with notice from the Paul Champ law firm of the civil suit against the convoy."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:09 AM on February 22, 2022 [5 favorites]
Bury them in documents. Canada: there's a form for everything, and if there isn't a form they'll make one. My partner works for the feds and what are they doing in a meeting right now but designing forms. On the plus side, the forms will, at least, be very easy to understand, because civil servants take pride in that.
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:14 AM on February 22, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:14 AM on February 22, 2022 [7 favorites]
One person in custody after Ottawa's Rideau Centre mall locked down
Not a lot of details yet, but police response was significant. The Rideau Centre was to open today for the first time in weeks.
For those not familiar, the Rideau Centre is a large mall about a 5 minute walk from Parliament, just off the square with the Cenotaph. The one that got pooped on.
posted by bonehead at 10:21 AM on February 22, 2022
Not a lot of details yet, but police response was significant. The Rideau Centre was to open today for the first time in weeks.
For those not familiar, the Rideau Centre is a large mall about a 5 minute walk from Parliament, just off the square with the Cenotaph. The one that got pooped on.
posted by bonehead at 10:21 AM on February 22, 2022
What a place to shoplift—a mall that is surrounded by cops on high alert because of recent disturbances at the mall.
posted by grouse at 10:41 AM on February 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by grouse at 10:41 AM on February 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
Pat King is trying to get a woman by the name of Kerry Komix, who was involved in the convoy, to be his surety.
Here are some other, equally great surety/person out on bail combinations:
-- Bonnie & Clyde
-- Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
-- Frank & Jesse James
-- Leopold & Loeb
-- Paul Bernardo & Karla Holmolka
-- Lyle & Erik Menendez
More seriously, the guy may not even know anyone who is suitable to be his surety and is willing to act as such. I suspect that many of the people involved in the Ottawa Occupation have probably narrowed down their social/familial circle to the point that it includes only other right wing extremist nutcases, as any functional, responsible people they've ever known have long since gotten fed up and walked away.
posted by orange swan at 11:44 AM on February 22, 2022 [4 favorites]
Here are some other, equally great surety/person out on bail combinations:
-- Bonnie & Clyde
-- Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
-- Frank & Jesse James
-- Leopold & Loeb
-- Paul Bernardo & Karla Holmolka
-- Lyle & Erik Menendez
More seriously, the guy may not even know anyone who is suitable to be his surety and is willing to act as such. I suspect that many of the people involved in the Ottawa Occupation have probably narrowed down their social/familial circle to the point that it includes only other right wing extremist nutcases, as any functional, responsible people they've ever known have long since gotten fed up and walked away.
posted by orange swan at 11:44 AM on February 22, 2022 [4 favorites]
grouse: What a place to shoplift—a mall that is surrounded by cops on high alert because of recent disturbances at the mall.
That almost reads like you'd be in it for the thrill. What a place to shoplift! Yesssss!
posted by clawsoon at 11:59 AM on February 22, 2022
That almost reads like you'd be in it for the thrill. What a place to shoplift! Yesssss!
posted by clawsoon at 11:59 AM on February 22, 2022
It's pretty funny that Lich and others are being charged with counselling to commit mischief. Sounds like encouraging your buddy to TP someone house or something, not a real crime.
posted by ssg at 1:36 PM on February 22, 2022
posted by ssg at 1:36 PM on February 22, 2022
The name "mischief" does make the charge sound trivial, but it's really not. The charge relates to property damage or destruction, including not only tangible physical objects but also computer data, and/or the obstruction of someone's lawful use of property. You can get up to ten years in prison for causing damage to property that is valued at $5000 or more. If you commit mischief that causes actual danger to anyone's life, you can get life in prison.
posted by orange swan at 3:33 PM on February 22, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 3:33 PM on February 22, 2022 [5 favorites]
Mischief could/would be one of the charges if your ran a bulldozer through the house with people inside. It's a big category.
The charges against the people who demolished the CostalLink construction camp would very likely include indictable mischief.
posted by bonehead at 4:07 PM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
The charges against the people who demolished the CostalLink construction camp would very likely include indictable mischief.
posted by bonehead at 4:07 PM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
Proposed ad copy:
"Mischief! It's more than just throwing some eggs at your neighbour's house and cackling about it."
It's a "hybrid" offence - meaning that, depending on what you did (or your motivations for it, like under subsection 4.1, "Mischief relating to religious property, educational institutions, etc.") you're subject to summary or indictable conviction (to compare it to the U.S., a "summary" offence is akin to a misdemeanor while an "indictable" one is akin to a felony).
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:31 PM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
"Mischief! It's more than just throwing some eggs at your neighbour's house and cackling about it."
It's a "hybrid" offence - meaning that, depending on what you did (or your motivations for it, like under subsection 4.1, "Mischief relating to religious property, educational institutions, etc.") you're subject to summary or indictable conviction (to compare it to the U.S., a "summary" offence is akin to a misdemeanor while an "indictable" one is akin to a felony).
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:31 PM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
The name "mischief" does make the charge sound trivial, but it's really not.
Yes, exactly, it's just one of those things were the legal meaning of a word is very different from common usage. And in this case, it probably does unfortunately make what Lich et al have done sound not so serious to someone watching TV news.
posted by ssg at 7:36 PM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yes, exactly, it's just one of those things were the legal meaning of a word is very different from common usage. And in this case, it probably does unfortunately make what Lich et al have done sound not so serious to someone watching TV news.
posted by ssg at 7:36 PM on February 22, 2022 [1 favorite]
Pentagon approves 700 National Guardsmen and 50 tactical vehicles ahead of possible trucker convoys in DC, CNN; Whitney Wild, Geneva Sands, Gabe Cohen, Oren Liebermann; Tue February 22, 2022:
posted by cenoxo at 1:36 AM on February 23, 2022
The Defense Department on Tuesday approved the use of 700 National Guard members and 50 large tactical vehicles ahead of possible trucker convoy protests descending on the Washington area in the coming days, according to the DC National Guard.More details in the article. Who will handle things better, Ottawa or Washington, DC?
The guard members, activated on two separate missions, will provide command and control and support at traffic points, but they will not be armed and they will not be authorized to conduct law-enforcement or domestic-surveillance activities. The DC Guard also is not approved to use helicopters or other aircraft, according to the statement.
The Defense Department had received two separate requests for guard support. The first request, last Wednesday, came from the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved 400 members of the DC National Guard and 50 large tactical vehicles for that mission. The vehicles will be placed at designated traffic posts around the clock starting no later than 1 p.m. on Saturday or as soon as possible. This mission is approved to continue until March 8….
posted by cenoxo at 1:36 AM on February 23, 2022
I've been following a bit of the Senate debate via the tweets of Sen. Paula Simons, some of it has been interesting.
And then in the middle of scrolling through my tweet stream, I see reports that Trudeau is about to revoke the EA. Still, I hope the debate about it continues; using it is a big event and we need to fully understand it and also make sure it isn't used for overreach.
posted by nubs at 12:53 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
And then in the middle of scrolling through my tweet stream, I see reports that Trudeau is about to revoke the EA. Still, I hope the debate about it continues; using it is a big event and we need to fully understand it and also make sure it isn't used for overreach.
posted by nubs at 12:53 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have the vague impression that every invocation must be reviewed afterwards by Parliament or a committee or something. Hopefully someone who has been paying better attention can chime in.
posted by clawsoon at 2:55 PM on February 23, 2022
posted by clawsoon at 2:55 PM on February 23, 2022
Of the four major satellite encampments, two evaporated in the last 48 hours, and two yet remain. The large encampments in Embrun and Greely have dispersed --- we had miserable freezing rain for most of yesterday afternoon and into the evening. The two that remain, Arnprior and Van Kleek Hill, are apparently smaller.
Local journalists have been keeping a close eye on them, and the police have been visiting several times a day apparently. I'm sure there's aerial surveillance going on too. There have been lots of eyes on them.
I think someone had a security briefing this afternoon.
posted by bonehead at 2:58 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Local journalists have been keeping a close eye on them, and the police have been visiting several times a day apparently. I'm sure there's aerial surveillance going on too. There have been lots of eyes on them.
I think someone had a security briefing this afternoon.
posted by bonehead at 2:58 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Here's what Wikipedia says: "Within 60 days of the expiration of the emergency, the law requires the government to convene an inquiry, and table a report in Parliament within 360 days following the emergency's expiration."
The law doesn't say much about how the inquiry is supposed to be constituted. Does anybody know who's usually appointed to conduct inquiries which are caused to be held by the Governor in Council?
posted by clawsoon at 3:02 PM on February 23, 2022
The law doesn't say much about how the inquiry is supposed to be constituted. Does anybody know who's usually appointed to conduct inquiries which are caused to be held by the Governor in Council?
posted by clawsoon at 3:02 PM on February 23, 2022
I think someone had a security briefing this afternoon.
Or a briefing on how things were going behind the scenes in the Senate.
posted by clawsoon at 3:03 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Or a briefing on how things were going behind the scenes in the Senate.
posted by clawsoon at 3:03 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have the vague impression that every invocation must be reviewed afterwards by Parliament or a committee or something. Hopefully someone who has been paying better attention can chime in.
There will be a inquiry struck within 60 days to look at it. Looking forward to the terms of reference for that.
posted by nubs at 3:04 PM on February 23, 2022
There will be a inquiry struck within 60 days to look at it. Looking forward to the terms of reference for that.
posted by nubs at 3:04 PM on February 23, 2022
I guess I'm less cynical about the process. I think it's very defensible to say that the threat of a return of blockades in the capital was greatly reduced by Wednesday morning compared to Monday, say. And that is enough, taking them at their word, to trigger dropping the act.
There is going to be an inquiry anyway. That's going to be a lot more thorough than the hypotheticals spinning around in the Senate debates.
posted by bonehead at 3:24 PM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
There is going to be an inquiry anyway. That's going to be a lot more thorough than the hypotheticals spinning around in the Senate debates.
posted by bonehead at 3:24 PM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
Whatever the Senate would have done, as I understand it, the EA would have remained in force until it was either (a) revoked or (b) voted down; the effects of it can't be revoked retroactively - i.e., what happened during that period of time under its orders would be valid no matter what outcome of the vote in either House of Parliament. Actions taken during the time of the EA can still be charged, or compensated for (e.g., the tow trucks), or whatever needs to happen.
Really hoping the inquiry digs into the "how we got to this" side of things, because I'm watching my grandstanding Premier rant all of this, while his government apparently also sent a letter to the Feds on Feb 5 asking for federal help in dealing with the situation.
posted by nubs at 4:19 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Really hoping the inquiry digs into the "how we got to this" side of things, because I'm watching my grandstanding Premier rant all of this, while his government apparently also sent a letter to the Feds on Feb 5 asking for federal help in dealing with the situation.
posted by nubs at 4:19 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Protip: B2B publications for the trucking industry will have the latest poop on what's happening to trucking companies that had vehicles involved...
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has effectively shut down 39 trucking businesses in the wake of a crackdown on so-called Freedom Convoy protesters.
Responding to questions from trucknews.com, the ministry confirmed that 12 suspension and seizure orders were issued to Ontario-based large truck operators involved in the protests, suspending their operating authority throughout Canada, and issuing an order to seize all the plates registered to them.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:23 PM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has effectively shut down 39 trucking businesses in the wake of a crackdown on so-called Freedom Convoy protesters.
Responding to questions from trucknews.com, the ministry confirmed that 12 suspension and seizure orders were issued to Ontario-based large truck operators involved in the protests, suspending their operating authority throughout Canada, and issuing an order to seize all the plates registered to them.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:23 PM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Emergencies Act: nine days that didn't really shake the world all that much Globe & Mail, Andrew Coyne (paywall bypass)
Was it unnecessary, though? There’s no serious dispute that the authorities had a legitimate problem on their hands: The occupation of Ottawa looked set to run indefinitely, with satellite blockades popping up across the country. But, so the argument runs, the police already had all the powers they needed to bring them to heel. They just weren’t using them...
...But suppose the critics are right: The police had all the powers they needed but didn’t use them. That, surely, is the point: They didn’t use them. For three solid weeks. They didn’t use the powers they had under the authority of the City of Ottawa. They didn’t use the powers they had under the authority of the Province of Ontario. Perhaps the point of invoking the federal Emergencies Act was not the emergencies part, but the federal part.
Federalizing the operation seemed to set in motion things that were not moving under either the city or the province...
...There’s no doubt that the powers police had at their command for the nine days the emergency was in effect were extraordinary. The potential for abuse was obvious. Actual instances of abuse, however, were hard to come by...
...Hauling out the Emergencies Act was a kludge, a messy, improvised fix for a messy situation. It should never have come to this; it should never have to come to this again. But this was hardly Darkness at Noon.
posted by nubs at 6:26 PM on February 23, 2022 [3 favorites]
Was it unnecessary, though? There’s no serious dispute that the authorities had a legitimate problem on their hands: The occupation of Ottawa looked set to run indefinitely, with satellite blockades popping up across the country. But, so the argument runs, the police already had all the powers they needed to bring them to heel. They just weren’t using them...
...But suppose the critics are right: The police had all the powers they needed but didn’t use them. That, surely, is the point: They didn’t use them. For three solid weeks. They didn’t use the powers they had under the authority of the City of Ottawa. They didn’t use the powers they had under the authority of the Province of Ontario. Perhaps the point of invoking the federal Emergencies Act was not the emergencies part, but the federal part.
Federalizing the operation seemed to set in motion things that were not moving under either the city or the province...
...There’s no doubt that the powers police had at their command for the nine days the emergency was in effect were extraordinary. The potential for abuse was obvious. Actual instances of abuse, however, were hard to come by...
...Hauling out the Emergencies Act was a kludge, a messy, improvised fix for a messy situation. It should never have come to this; it should never have to come to this again. But this was hardly Darkness at Noon.
posted by nubs at 6:26 PM on February 23, 2022 [3 favorites]
Bit surprised at the even handed take from the Globe & Mail. Of course, they're no National Post which had been amplifying conservative grievances.
I'm still sorely disappointed by our conservative politicians downplaying the the illegal protests as "friendly, hard-working, patriotic Canadians."
But, there are examples of pushback, for example Independent Senator Paula Simons (albeit, appointed by Trudeau); 'While some "ordinarily decent Canadians" may have taken part in the protest, Simons said, they were "seduced and hoodwinked" by nefarious characters who preyed on frustrations and fears about the pandemic.'
"This event was not infiltrated or appropriated by racists. It was organized by them. Those bouncy castles, barbecues and hot tubs — those were stunts designed to distract, delude and troll us,"
posted by porpoise at 7:10 PM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm still sorely disappointed by our conservative politicians downplaying the the illegal protests as "friendly, hard-working, patriotic Canadians."
But, there are examples of pushback, for example Independent Senator Paula Simons (albeit, appointed by Trudeau); 'While some "ordinarily decent Canadians" may have taken part in the protest, Simons said, they were "seduced and hoodwinked" by nefarious characters who preyed on frustrations and fears about the pandemic.'
"This event was not infiltrated or appropriated by racists. It was organized by them. Those bouncy castles, barbecues and hot tubs — those were stunts designed to distract, delude and troll us,"
posted by porpoise at 7:10 PM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
https://mobile.twitter.com/OccTranspo/status/1496529366582505480
Occasional Transport @OccTranspo · 12hposted by sebastienbailard at 9:17 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Bringing this to a top level post so it gets the attention it requires. If you know of of acts of sabotage going on in the downtown core drop me a message. It looks like the suspect is at large, and possibly not done yet. #Ottawa
All right not to sound alarmist but there's something going on
Metcalfe
> Gloucester (previous)
> Nepean (today)
- One from Bay and Slater (The CenterT)
- One from Bronson and Albert
- Rideau is plausible
Going back to at least the 16th last week.
Another report just came in of Lyon/Albert of a saboteur breaking into the boiler room.
There's apparently evidence of a person shutting off Breakers and cutting wires, in another place on Metcalfe.
Waiting to hear back about it.
1:25 PM · Feb 23, 2022 from Ottawa, Ontario·Twitter for Android
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has effectively shut down 39 trucking businesses in the wake of a crackdown on so-called Freedom Convoy protesters.
Maybe they could have done that two weeks ago?
posted by grouse at 6:41 AM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Maybe they could have done that two weeks ago?
posted by grouse at 6:41 AM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
The New York Times, reporting on New zealand, says Ottawa used tear gas to break up the protest. Is this true?
posted by uans at 6:59 AM on February 24, 2022
posted by uans at 6:59 AM on February 24, 2022
It is false. Tear gas was not used in Ottawa. A very limited amount of pepper spray was used.
New York Times has made more than one false report about the Ottawa occupation.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:25 AM on February 24, 2022 [7 favorites]
New York Times has made more than one false report about the Ottawa occupation.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:25 AM on February 24, 2022 [7 favorites]
From what I saw on Ottawa journalist twitter, the police use of pepper spray happened on one occasion later in the weekend, but also some protester(s) used some sort of smoke bomb and/or bear spray or something at one point earlier in the weekend, which got spun into the false NYT reporting?
posted by eviemath at 7:28 AM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by eviemath at 7:28 AM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
The New York Times @nytimes
Correction: An earlier tweet incorrectly suggested that Trudeau would temporarily suspend civil liberties. We deleted the incorrect tweet. Feb 14posted by sebastienbailard at 7:28 AM on February 24, 2022
uans, it doesn't look like it - the reporting I trust indicates that a "chemical irritant" was used by police, but that might just be pepper spray; another article indicates that the police used anti-riot weapons that can be used to fire tear gas, but that tear gas wasn't used. There are reports of the protestors having smoke bombs, which could explain why there are images of what appears to be tear gas amongst the crowds.
As always, I expect more details to emerge in the coming days/weeks about what exactly happened, and I'm trying to take all reports with a grain or two of salt, but the NYT has not covered this situation well in general, so I'm pretty skeptical of them at the moment.
posted by nubs at 7:31 AM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
As always, I expect more details to emerge in the coming days/weeks about what exactly happened, and I'm trying to take all reports with a grain or two of salt, but the NYT has not covered this situation well in general, so I'm pretty skeptical of them at the moment.
posted by nubs at 7:31 AM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
There's a bun fight going on as well about whether police "pointed weapons" at those they arrested or not too. There's a summary of the nonsense at CanadaLand.
In summary, it probably happened once, and probably happened for reasonable cause. Some of these individuals were armed. The NYT person is making a huge deal about it for some reason, and Jesse Brown is doing all he can to stir that pot as usual.
I'm not sure why it matters, but there you are.
posted by bonehead at 8:45 AM on February 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
In summary, it probably happened once, and probably happened for reasonable cause. Some of these individuals were armed. The NYT person is making a huge deal about it for some reason, and Jesse Brown is doing all he can to stir that pot as usual.
I'm not sure why it matters, but there you are.
posted by bonehead at 8:45 AM on February 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
The New York Times, reporting on New zealand, says Ottawa used tear gas to break up the protest. Is this true?
Inside the End of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ Occupation of Ottawa:
The protest's mood shifted dramatically from Friday to Saturday morning. Any hope that protesters could stand their ground was utterly extinguished on Saturday, when police, brandishing batons and clubs, advanced on the crowd in a far quicker and more militant manner than the previous day. Protesters who resisted arrest were hit with clubs and roughly dragged away. When police were able to push the protesters back past some of the trucks parked on the road, they would break the window and arrest whoever was inside. At one point there was smoke in the air leading many people, including reporters, to believe it was tear gas. While there was clearly an irritant in the air it was far too mild to be tear gas (police also alleged protesters set off a smoke bomb.).
This is from a journalist who was there.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:08 AM on February 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Inside the End of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ Occupation of Ottawa:
The protest's mood shifted dramatically from Friday to Saturday morning. Any hope that protesters could stand their ground was utterly extinguished on Saturday, when police, brandishing batons and clubs, advanced on the crowd in a far quicker and more militant manner than the previous day. Protesters who resisted arrest were hit with clubs and roughly dragged away. When police were able to push the protesters back past some of the trucks parked on the road, they would break the window and arrest whoever was inside. At one point there was smoke in the air leading many people, including reporters, to believe it was tear gas. While there was clearly an irritant in the air it was far too mild to be tear gas (police also alleged protesters set off a smoke bomb.).
This is from a journalist who was there.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:08 AM on February 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
they got him!
(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service Break & Enter Unit has laid charges in connection to an ongoing investigation involving break and enters to 23 commercial and residential buildings that took place between January 11, 2022 and February 23, 2022 in the downtown core.posted by sebastienbailard at 7:10 PM on February 24, 2022 [8 favorites]
The suspect targeted electrical, mechanical and fire suppression panels and turned off power or damaged wiring, rendering the systems inoperable.
...
Mischief endangering life is not far off what other places might call attempted murder. It potentially means going to jail for life. Two charges of it.
I'm really glad to see they caught the person.
posted by bonehead at 8:40 PM on February 24, 2022 [4 favorites]
I'm really glad to see they caught the person.
posted by bonehead at 8:40 PM on February 24, 2022 [4 favorites]
The various pieces of footage of Ottawa occupiers crying and screeching about how they were being "repressed" as a line of cops wandered in their general direction came to mind when I saw this photo from protests in St. Petersburg (via the Meduza blog).
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:16 PM on February 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:16 PM on February 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
US Version of Canadian Trucker Convoy Gets Off to Embarrassing Start, Chris Walker, Truthout, February 24, 2022:
posted by cenoxo at 1:46 AM on February 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
Conservative truck drivers in the United States have been attempting to emulate a movement of truck drivers in Canada who disrupted their nation’s capital for several weeks over COVID regulations – but they have had little success so far.More (or less) in the article: it looks like they’re running out of gas.
Far right individuals who are organizing the convoys are protesting COVID-19 masking and vaccine requirements that they say are too burdensome. Many organizers also appear to be motivated by a general antipathy toward the Biden administration.
…several journalists have reported that the convoy movement is disunited, and that its attempts to disrupt the D.C. area are lacking any real organization. While the protest could still theoretically last for several weeks, just as it did in Canada, organizers of the U.S. movement are unclear on exactly when they’re going to be in Washington, D.C….
posted by cenoxo at 1:46 AM on February 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
Theory: Russian operatives are to distracted with other matters to give support to the American Convoy.
posted by Mitheral at 5:46 AM on February 26, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by Mitheral at 5:46 AM on February 26, 2022 [7 favorites]
Trucker Protest Organizer Pat King Denied Bail, Joins Tamara Lich in Jail, Katherine Fung, Newsweek, 2/25/22:
Another leader of Canada's Freedom Convoy trucker protests has been denied bail based on his "substantial likelihood" to reoffend should he be released from custody.posted by cenoxo at 5:33 AM on February 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Protest organizer Pat King was denied bail by Justice of the Peace Andrew Seymour on Friday during a hearing that had been delayed after the Crown applied to present new evidence against him.
King, who was among one of the most notable leaders of the 24-day occupation in Ottawa, will join one of his fellow organizers, Tamara Lich, in jail. Lich was denied bail on Tuesday and remains in custody.
/r/Canada, normally infested with a hive of neo-facist trolls has been quite a bit less shouty for the past week. Many fewer month-old accounts.
posted by bonehead at 7:56 AM on February 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 7:56 AM on February 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
I hear many of the Fruckers (as my brother calls them) have formed a convoy to go help fight the Russians in Ukraine. I'm not sure if they realize there's an ocean in the way ...
posted by philip-random at 9:31 AM on February 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 9:31 AM on February 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
'What a DISGRACE!!': California trucker convoy disbands, then angry supporters vent on Facebook, Eric Ting, SFGATE, Feb. 28, 2022 11:28 a.m:
A convoy of trucks headed from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to protest COVID-19 restrictions disbanded prematurely, organizers announced over the weekend.posted by cenoxo at 4:55 AM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
"The launch in California had a good turn out of supporters, but only 5 trucks were with us on arrival in Vegas," the organizers wrote in a Facebook post. "There are 2 other convoys that have massive turnouts, and are in progress to the DC area as we speak."
The convoy, named "Freedom Convoy USA 2022," is now encouraging truckers to join up with the "The People’s Convoy" and the "Texas Convoy" instead. All three convoys are modeled after the Canadian trucker convoys that have made international headlines. The Freedom Convoy USA was scheduled to make stops in Salt Lake City and Denver, and some drivers expressed their frustration with the last-minute announcement on the convoy's Facebook page.
"I spent days trying to coordinate a rally in support of our truckers," reads another comment. "I have three tiny kids and work a full time job and stretched myself thin then made myself look so stupid. I'm pretty hurt by all this."
Some Facebook commenters also accused the organizers of scamming supporters out of money, as they had solicited donations in the days leading up to the convoy's departure from Los Angeles. The group raised just over $8,000 on GiveSendGo.
"What a DISGRACE!! Yesterday, this guy and his convoy were supposed to come through Springville Utah, but they never showed up," reads one particularly long comment. "According to their schedule, they were running late due to snow, but there isn't ANY snow on the route they were taking."
The comment continues, "So now he can openly use other images while he takes donations and credit from everyone who truly believes in this cause. What a shame. He'll get his karma."
The organizers replied to users and strongly denied being a scam, stating that the convoy fell apart due to poor turnout and nothing more. Some Facebook users were sympathetic to that explanation, noting that because the "People's Convoy" departed from Southern California first, it probably siphoned off most of the interested truckers in the region. Still, some questioned why the organizers scheduled a second convoy departing from California knowing about the first one's existence.
The People's Convoy is expected to reach Washington, D.C., on Saturday.
"Dammit," one commenter wrote. "We’re almost to Wamsutter, WY to support. Wish we had this info last night."
"This is so disappointing for everyone who made plans to show up in support in Denver to only be told THE DAY OF that this in fact is no longer happening," wrote another.
What is the secret right-wing group funding the US truckers? The group funding the truckers has raised more than $500,000 for the convoy, Graig Graziosi, The Independent, Feb 28, 2022:
posted by cenoxo at 6:16 AM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
…The group bankrolling the pugnacious truckers is the American Foundation for Civil Liberties and Freedoms [link from Daily Beast story noted below], with partners including QAnon conspiracy theorist General Mike Flynn and Dr Aaron Kheriaty, a professor who was fired from University of California Irvine for refusing to take the coronavirus vaccine and who has suggested Canada should face sanctions for its crackdown on protesters.Per The Daily Beast:
According to an exhaustive report published at The Daily Beast [Feb. 24, 2022], the group has raised $464,731 to fund the "People's Convoy”, a US group inspired by the Canadian trucker protest that shut down border crossings and clogged Ottawa streets for nearly a month. The money the AFCLF will pour into the convoy will likely increase as the truckers make their way across the country.
According to the AFCLF, all of the donations will go to supporting the convoy, though it's unclear exactly how that process will work. The group says the funds will "reimburse fuel and hard costs of the trucker," and that the money is "being handled by volunteer accountants and overseen by a law firm." Chris Marston, the chair of the AFCLF, told The Daily Beast that the funds would not be used to cover the truckers’ return trips to their homes.
…the convoy itself will strain the financial resources of its participants, especially with donor funds only available for the 10-day journey east, not the return trip. At today’s gas prices, an 18-wheeler averaging a generous eight miles per gallon would burn around $1,200 in diesel fuel along the 2,500-mile one-way trek from Adelanto to the Beltway—and that’s before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine increases gas prices more….The People's Convoy plans to arrive in DC on March 5th, and will cooperate with local authorities. They won’t enter central Washington DC or set up any blockades.
posted by cenoxo at 6:16 AM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
How Ottawa residents took care of each other when no one else did
Lack of immediate action to end ‘Freedom Convoy’ occupation spurred network of mutual aid, defiance in Canada’s capital.
posted by eviemath at 6:51 AM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Lack of immediate action to end ‘Freedom Convoy’ occupation spurred network of mutual aid, defiance in Canada’s capital.
posted by eviemath at 6:51 AM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
The group says the funds will "reimburse fuel and hard costs of the trucker,"
So, paid protesters then?
posted by ctmf at 9:17 AM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
So, paid protesters then?
posted by ctmf at 9:17 AM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
crisis actors.
posted by bonehead at 9:44 AM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 9:44 AM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
This is several days old:
The US Version of the Canadian Trucker Convoy Had a Tough First Day
...but the amount of...stuff attached to that truck in the photo accompanying this article reminds me of this incident in Detroit back in November 2020:
Owner of 'Trump Unity Bridge,' a roving shrine to Trump, arrested in Detroit for riding dirty
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:41 AM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
The US Version of the Canadian Trucker Convoy Had a Tough First Day
...but the amount of...stuff attached to that truck in the photo accompanying this article reminds me of this incident in Detroit back in November 2020:
Owner of 'Trump Unity Bridge,' a roving shrine to Trump, arrested in Detroit for riding dirty
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:41 AM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
This is a couple of weeks old, but relates strongly to eviemath's link above, and I can't recall seeing this posted here before: Class-action complainant alleges trucker threatened her by backing pickup onto sidewalk. Lest anyone think this was nonviolent and the threats weren't real. Ms. Li was targeted for bodily harm or worse, lawfully collecting video and plate information for her ongoing lawsuit. The one that is currently the only thing really putting major financial pressure on the occupation leaders and donors.
posted by bonehead at 12:13 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 12:13 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
Trucker convoy protest in Washington DC flops as no-one shows up – Organisers had expected thousands of people to attend Freedom Convoy event, The Independent, Graeme Massie (Los Angeles), Mar 1, 2022.
posted by cenoxo at 8:26 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by cenoxo at 8:26 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
thanks, Putin
posted by philip-random at 8:45 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 8:45 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
(With a TOTH to sebastienbailard), The MAGA Trucker Convoy Is Mad Ukraine Is Getting All the Attention Right Now – As Russia's invasion dominates headlines, some freedom convoy "truckers" are desperately trying to figure out how to make it about them., VICE News, Mack Lamoureux, Mar 1, 2022.
Do they know about the Bering Strait Bridge?
posted by cenoxo at 9:45 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
Do they know about the Bering Strait Bridge?
posted by cenoxo at 9:45 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
Oopsie!
Ford government-appointed Ottawa police board member protested with truckers:
Robert Swaita is one of three members of the Ottawa Police Services Board who was installed by the provincial government. QP Briefing can confirm Swaita attended protests near Parliament Hill a few days after they started.
Ottawa's police have been blamed for not taking protesters seriously, nor preparing adequately for their arrival.
The civilian police services boards do not direct the police. Boards set budgets, objectives and priorities for the police force, recruit and appoint chiefs of police, and monitor the chief's performance.
Thousands of protesters originally rallying against a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cross-border transport truck drivers began arriving in Ottawa in droves on Jan. 28. They would occupy the city's downtown for more than three weeks, gaining international notoriety in the process.
To end the protests, police brought from across Canada used never-before-invoked powers to conduct an operation unlike any before it in Canadian history and forcibly remove demonstrators and their vehicles from Ottawa.
At the time QP Briefing can confirm Swaita was at the protests, none of the three jurisdictions of government had declared an emergency yet, as they all eventually did.
On the first weekend of the protests, demonstrators drew widespread ire for desecrating the National War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Terry Fox statue near Parliament, and for Confederate and Nazi flags being seen at the protests. Swaita was uninvolved in these incidents, as far as QP Briefing is aware.
Reached by phone on Wednesday morning, Swaita declined to answer questions from QP Briefing about attending the protests.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Swaita said when asked about attending demonstrations.
Asked if he denied attending the Ottawa protests, Swaita did not.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:07 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Ford government-appointed Ottawa police board member protested with truckers:
Robert Swaita is one of three members of the Ottawa Police Services Board who was installed by the provincial government. QP Briefing can confirm Swaita attended protests near Parliament Hill a few days after they started.
Ottawa's police have been blamed for not taking protesters seriously, nor preparing adequately for their arrival.
The civilian police services boards do not direct the police. Boards set budgets, objectives and priorities for the police force, recruit and appoint chiefs of police, and monitor the chief's performance.
Thousands of protesters originally rallying against a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cross-border transport truck drivers began arriving in Ottawa in droves on Jan. 28. They would occupy the city's downtown for more than three weeks, gaining international notoriety in the process.
To end the protests, police brought from across Canada used never-before-invoked powers to conduct an operation unlike any before it in Canadian history and forcibly remove demonstrators and their vehicles from Ottawa.
At the time QP Briefing can confirm Swaita was at the protests, none of the three jurisdictions of government had declared an emergency yet, as they all eventually did.
On the first weekend of the protests, demonstrators drew widespread ire for desecrating the National War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Terry Fox statue near Parliament, and for Confederate and Nazi flags being seen at the protests. Swaita was uninvolved in these incidents, as far as QP Briefing is aware.
Reached by phone on Wednesday morning, Swaita declined to answer questions from QP Briefing about attending the protests.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Swaita said when asked about attending demonstrations.
Asked if he denied attending the Ottawa protests, Swaita did not.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:07 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Not that we needed more drama: Ontario replacing three Ottawa police board members after one attended 'Freedom Convoy' protest
CTV reports that the province has canned all their appointees to the police board since the QP Briefing piece linked above came to light.
posted by bonehead at 6:15 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
CTV reports that the province has canned all their appointees to the police board since the QP Briefing piece linked above came to light.
posted by bonehead at 6:15 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
his restaurant, KS on the Keys
As a gay man of a certain age, I gotta say that's an unfortunate name for a restaurant, but wholly consistent with his pig ignorance.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:02 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
As a gay man of a certain age, I gotta say that's an unfortunate name for a restaurant, but wholly consistent with his pig ignorance.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:02 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
Deans and former board member Sandy Smallwood said they were shocked Swaita didn't disclose to the board he attended the protests, especially given the confidential policing intelligence he had access to as a member of the board.
"I think it’s very problematic, especially because he was privy to in-camera, confidential information in his role as a board member," Deans said. Council voted last month to remove Deans from the board.
What a mess.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:05 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
"I think it’s very problematic, especially because he was privy to in-camera, confidential information in his role as a board member," Deans said. Council voted last month to remove Deans from the board.
What a mess.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:05 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
I used to live fairly near that restaurant. It's a pretty terrible restaurant. Looks flashy but all cheap boil-in-the-bag Sysco and expensive alcopops in martini glasses. Food like an Olive Garden, but half again more expensive because it's got a lot of MDF painted last year's colours.
posted by bonehead at 7:13 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 7:13 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
Randy Hillier will not be running for re-election, having decided that change is no longer possible from within the political system. He has also protected his tweets.
I'm sure his decision has nothing to do with the police investigation into his support for the Convoy.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 9:56 PM on March 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm sure his decision has nothing to do with the police investigation into his support for the Convoy.
posted by Gerald Bostock at 9:56 PM on March 3, 2022 [2 favorites]
I don't think "support for the convoy" really covers it—it was encouraging people to call 911 and disrupt emergency services.
posted by grouse at 5:58 AM on March 4, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by grouse at 5:58 AM on March 4, 2022 [6 favorites]
A convoy of truckers protesting Covid-19 measures is expected to arrive in the DC area this weekend. Here's what we know!, Alaa Elassar, CNN, Updated 2:24 AM EST, Sat March 05, 2022:
…Convoy groups led by American truckers are making their way toward the nation's capital to demand an end to all Covid-19 mandates and restrictions. The protestors, with members coming from at least three individual convoy groups, are expected to arrive in Washington, DC throughout the upcoming weekend.posted by cenoxo at 11:47 PM on March 4, 2022
There are several groups from all over the country participating in the protest, with a few primary convoys including the "People's Convoy," who have traveled across the country from California and are expected to arrive Saturday. The group, which has nearly 300,000 Facebook followers, will include truckers as well as others such as doctors, teachers, and pilots.
Another group, who named themselves the "American Freedom Convoy" and includes members mostly from the Midwest, is also headed to Washington, DC but are behind and will arrive around March 7. It is unclear how many people or trucks will be participating in the convoys.
Organizers told CNN the protest will be tame and "lawful," and the group has no plan to mimic Canada with roadblocks, clashes, or other disruptions. "The People's Convoy will abide by agreements with local authorities, and terminate in the vicinity of the DC area, but will not be going into DC proper," the group said. The People's Convoy said they are distancing themselves from other groups who may have other, less peaceful plans.
Participating convoy "American Freedom Convoy" told CNN they have no intention of being violent, but insinuated it could happen if law enforcement "sends troops to prevent the protests."…
I was just downtown on Wellington this afternoon. There is still a small crowd of anti mask and vaccine protestors there. I am glad they are not getting any attention from the press, as that just feeds the insanity and encourages them.
posted by fimbulvetr at 2:07 PM on March 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by fimbulvetr at 2:07 PM on March 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
Truckers protesting Covid mandates are amassing outside the capital. – The convoy and its supporters could move into Washington imminently., Esha Ray, New York Times, March 5, 2022, 7:58 p.m. ET. [alternate archive.org link]:
posted by cenoxo at 11:26 PM on March 5, 2022
At least one group of truckers called the People’s Convoy that left California more than a week ago has made it to the East Coast and is stationed in Hagerstown, Md., about 70 miles northwest of the capital. There were reports on Saturday of at least a thousand trucks, recreational vehicles and cars gathered there — opening up the possibility that the trucks and their supporters could move into Washington to hold protests against pandemic restrictions in the next few days.More in the article.
It was not clear what the convoy’s exact travel plans were. A post on its Facebook page on Saturday afternoon noted that a rally would be taking place on Saturday evening at the Hagerstown Speedway where the trucks were amassing, and several people commented that the group would be leaving on Sunday for the Capital Beltway, a highway that surrounds Washington.
…
Christopher Rodriguez, director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said the convoy had signaled that it was planning to stay outside the city. But in the event that protesters entered Washington, Mr. Rodriguez noted that law enforcement was ready to handle them. “We’ve been planning for this for over a month now,” Mr. Rodriguez said….
posted by cenoxo at 11:26 PM on March 5, 2022
As idiotic and distasteful as they were, at least the Canadian truckers were "protesting" mandates that were currently active, and taking actions that forced the government and media to pay attention to them. A bunch of trucks circling the DC Beltway and being annoyances rather than outright obstructions is any day ending in 'y.'
But if they want to preen in Hagerstown for a day or two, then burn lots of $5-a-gallon fuel driving in circles in protest of any government anywhere's ability to tell anyone to do or not to do anything at all, that's a thing, I guess.
posted by delfin at 9:39 AM on March 6, 2022
But if they want to preen in Hagerstown for a day or two, then burn lots of $5-a-gallon fuel driving in circles in protest of any government anywhere's ability to tell anyone to do or not to do anything at all, that's a thing, I guess.
posted by delfin at 9:39 AM on March 6, 2022
‘People’s Convoy’ creates congestion on Capital Beltway to protest pandemic restrictions, plans to return Monday; Ellie Silverman, Steve Thompson, Jessica Contrera; Washington Post (published in The Baltimore Sun), Mar 06, 2022 At 10:04 PM:
posted by cenoxo at 8:11 PM on March 6, 2022
An armada of drivers calling themselves the “People’s Convoy” circled the Capital Beltway for more than four hours Sunday to protest pandemic restrictions, and it plans to do so again on Monday.More in the article.
Organizers said their goal is to be a “huge pain.” On Sunday, the disruption they caused was fairly minimal. Though the convoy of hundreds of trucks, cars and SUVs started out in a deliberately slow-moving formation that stretched roughly 30 miles, it became diluted after merging with normal Beltway traffic.
By the time the demonstrators completed their second loop around the District of Columbia on Sunday afternoon, their vehicles were far fewer in number and far more spread out. For most of their journey, traffic around them moved as usual. But their presence could create far more chaos during a weekday, when Beltway traffic will already be thick with commuters.
“It is an unpredictable and fluid event that we are witnessing,” said Christopher Rodriguez, director of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. “Our residents, commuters and visitors should expect traffic disruptions over the next several days.”
The Department of Defense has agreed to extend the presence of the D.C. National Guard through Wednesday. Rodriguez said D.C. police are working with Virginia and Maryland state police to monitor the situation. “While we respect everyone’s rights to come to the nation’s capital and exercise their First Amendment rights, what we won’t tolerate are people who break our laws,” Rodriguez said.
Convoy organizer Brian Brase has repeatedly said the People’s Convoy will not enter the District. Instead, the demonstrators, who have based themselves at the Hagerstown Speedway, plan to increase the number of trips around the Beltway each day to pressure lawmakers and public officials.
posted by cenoxo at 8:11 PM on March 6, 2022
WaterAndPixels: I mean it's gotten to a point where I'm rooting for Jean Charest to make a run for leadership of the CPC
Jean Charest to launch Conservative leadership bid Thursday, Radio-Canada sources say
posted by clawsoon at 9:17 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Jean Charest to launch Conservative leadership bid Thursday, Radio-Canada sources say
posted by clawsoon at 9:17 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Randy Hillier will not be running for re-election, having decided that change is no longer possible from within the political system. He has also protected his tweets.
He has no tweets left to protect:
Independent MPP Randy Hillier has twitter account suspended
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:16 PM on March 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
He has no tweets left to protect:
Independent MPP Randy Hillier has twitter account suspended
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:16 PM on March 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
Phew! Glad Twitter was able to act so quickly and protect people who would've been endangered by his calls to flood emergency lines! Timely!
posted by clawsoon at 5:34 PM on March 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 5:34 PM on March 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
Moved with lightning speed they did, if lightning were molasses in January.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:49 PM on March 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:49 PM on March 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
I mean it's gotten to a point where I'm rooting for Jean Charest to make a run for leadership of the CPC
So, on the lighter side of, well...
*waves hands all around at everything*
...I have to say this tweet from Shawn Micallef responding to this bit of news was pretty good...
NEW: The @TorontoStar’s @althiaraj reports @patrickbrownont and Jean Charest, long-time friends and fellow centrists, have a pact that could make one of them @CPC_HQ leader.
Micallef: Teenage bed room poster-wise, this would be like me forming a pact with Madonna, Skinny Puppy and U2.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:03 PM on March 9, 2022
So, on the lighter side of, well...
*waves hands all around at everything*
...I have to say this tweet from Shawn Micallef responding to this bit of news was pretty good...
NEW: The @TorontoStar’s @althiaraj reports @patrickbrownont and Jean Charest, long-time friends and fellow centrists, have a pact that could make one of them @CPC_HQ leader.
Micallef: Teenage bed room poster-wise, this would be like me forming a pact with Madonna, Skinny Puppy and U2.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:03 PM on March 9, 2022
Leaders of truck convoy protests sought to overthrow government, Canada’s national security adviser says. Non-partisan, security expert assessment of the risks posed by the Convoy and why the Emergencies Act was necessary to deal with it.
Jody Thomas, former deputy minster at National Defence who became Mr. Trudeau’s top national security adviser in January, said the Emergencies Act was meant for an extreme situation like the truck convoy protests.posted by bonehead at 12:36 PM on March 10, 2022
She said the protests that clogged Canada’s capital were sufficient to justify the Emergencies Act, even leaving aside separate blockades of vital border crossings. “The occupation of Ottawa in and of itself was enough,” she told the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence.
“The occupation of Ottawa was dug in. They had supply chains. They had organization. They had funding coming in from across Canada but also other countries,” Ms. Thomas said. “The people who organized that protest - and there were several factions ... there is no doubt - came to overthrow the government.”
Whether organizers had the ability to overthrow the federal government is irrelevant, she said. The fact they sought to mount a coup justified Ottawa giving police unprecedented powers including the freezing of bank accounts.
Whether organizers had the ability to overthrow the federal government is irrelevant, she said. The fact they sought to mount a coup justified Ottawa giving police unprecedented powers including the freezing of bank accounts.
That seems not quite right to me. Surely you have to take ability into account. Like... we don't have to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with our very own pretender to the throne, since regular police actions can so far deal with the threat.
posted by clawsoon at 5:41 PM on March 10, 2022
That seems not quite right to me. Surely you have to take ability into account. Like... we don't have to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with our very own pretender to the throne, since regular police actions can so far deal with the threat.
posted by clawsoon at 5:41 PM on March 10, 2022
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It has encouraged absolute shitty behaviour because apparently white people need to be the victim. And goddammit, remember when the provincial election comes and beyond.
posted by Kitteh at 4:53 AM on February 15, 2022 [108 favorites]