EDITORIAL by Michael Burton
The Toronto G20 Summit has come and gone, but left a bruise that will not be forgotten.
I turned on the television to see a police cruiser go up in flames – with the “Toronto Police” logo strung across the side of the car melting away.
I watched “protesters” with sunglasses and masks run through Toronto attacking businesses and windows wherever they went. They wreaked havoc – sending across a message that was unclear to everyone looking on.
They ripped up interlock bricks, tore down signs, and used whatever they could for the purpose of destruction.
For years I thought that Canadians were different – better than this.
I have seen acts of violence on the news across the globe, many international media outlets reported that this outburst was minor. But when I saw chaos in a part of Ontario that I consider home – it felt much different.
Disgust, anger, and frustration arose as I watched members of an anarchist group destroy property. A group of world leaders were together in one city, and that was a green light for those who held an anti-anything view to smash whatever they could.
Nothing good has come from this, and for those who took part in this fiasco should be ashamed to call themselves Canadian.
Even more shocking was the amount of people that wondered the streets of Toronto – camera in hand waiting for something to happen. Like a field day – a tourist attraction – every photographer within 100 kilometers came out hoping to get a shot of something scary.
That is what they got – a row of police officers that clanked their riot shields in unison intimidating the masses. If that wasn’t the time to run – I don’t know what was.
Any sort of peaceful protest was over shadowed by the select few that were trying to justify violence, but were just causing trouble. I applaud the police for the little force they used on a group of people that pushed the patience of an entire city too far.
There was a moment when the police surrounded that burning cruiser when I truly thought they had lost control. They showed restraint – where they could have easily used force.
College Street was turned into a warzone – the entire city was shocked, and for the first time in my life I didn’t feel safe in my own home.
As a community, everyone in the town of Oakville should be proud of the town we are a part of today.
About the author: Michael Burton
Michael is journalist with experience in publishing, news writing and the magazine industry. He graduated from Sheridan College and is the former editor of TRAVIS magazine.
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Wow what a load of crying! I guess this is what people in Oakville want. Feed them their sob articles!
“That is what they got – a row of police officers that clanked their riot shields in unison intimidating the masses. If that wasn’t the time to run – I don’t know what was. ”
Protesters should not have to run!
“Any sort of peaceful protest was over shadowed by the select few that were trying to justify violence, but were just causing trouble. I applaud the police for the little force they used on a group of people that pushed the patience of an entire city too far.”
There were mothers and children in there! This is not the Canada I know!
I have to agree, My stomach turned when I saw the police car burning on Queen Street. What a horrible site, and what could justify this type of action? It was disgraceful. We should charge the culprits for all the damage, and maybe they’ll think twice about burning cars or breaking windows.
Hopefully we as a country will not have to see this type of vandalism in the future.