Posted on 11/23/2004 9:27:11 AM PST by areafiftyone
OTTAWA - Organizers say they're expecting a huge turnout of protesters during the visit to Ottawa by U.S. President George W. Bush next week.
The "No to Bush" committee also says it's decided not to co-operate with the Major Events Liaison Team (MELT), made up of officers from several police forces.
An organizer with the committee, Dan Sawyer, says the executive committee voted not to co-operate with police, as they have done in some previous protests, because they felt they had been manipulated by the MELT unit.
Sawyer says, this time, the activists are not interested in helping to police their own protest.
"The decision to not work with the Major Events Liaison Team was taken by the entire committee, 60 to 70 members on the organizing committee, because of past experience dealing with the MELT team, where we felt we were negotiating with this team that was sincerely interested in some way in negotiating with us and coming to some kind of happy conclusion," Sawyer says.
"But, in reality, the MELT team just kind of occupied our time until the [police] tactical team was organized, and then in they come. So we don't trust the MELT team. I don't know why they keep on showing up at our meetings, because we've decided not to talk to them," he says.
Ottawa police are making their preparations for the Bush visit, Chief Vince Bevan told the Ottawa Police Services Board, Monday night. But he apparently is still hoping for some co-operation with the protesters.
"We have learned from our past experiences, and we will be focusing on co-operation, which is building on strong relationships which exist between police and activists," Bevan said.
Precise security arrangements have not yet been announced. But they can be expected to be restrictive. President Bush has been a lightning rod for protest almost every time he's ventured outside the United States. Just last week, in Chile, President Bush's visit to the APEC summit led to riots broken up with water cannon and tear gas.
Skull-cracking time!
Pedafiles!
This should get interesting. The pro-Bush rally is also expected to be quite large. Let the games begin...
As if they ever were. Hell, I've met Frenchmen who are more civilized.
I guess the good news is that these dummies have given the police a heads-up that they are going to ignore the law.
they obviously have to many free drugs.
I hope Bush causes the break-up of Canada! (laughing)
Any info on that? I would love to see how that is developing. I heard Canadian Freepers are organizing.
"no to Bush"? a fine example of idiots with nothing better to do.
People in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia wouldn't lose any sleep if Canada were to be broken into West and East!
What is it with W visiting the 3rd world lately anyway?
As I read the article I wondered whether there would be the same level of Anit-Americanism / Anti-Bush activity if the press was silenced for a month....just wondered, of course.
We have a 7.1% unemployment rate so there's lots of people who are basically sitting around and won't mind being bussed into Ottawa for $10 and a meal to protest something they probably could care less about. It's been known to happen at Canadian protests. Also, look for a large Palestinian contingent. Islamic hatred in Canada is alive and well folks.
Canadians and Chileans...LOLOLOLOLOL!
Rene LeVesque (sp) couldn't do it so I would say that no one can.
They'll be discussing border issues (soft lumber and cows) in addition to pushing the missile defense system. It should be a pretty successful visit for the Bush administration.
temp in the mid to low 30's...it's water cannon time!
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