Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Police beat journalist

Police beat journalist at G-20 summit in Toronto


A freelance journalist was beaten by police on June 26 as he was covering a demonstration related to the G-20 summit of world leaders in Toronto. Jesse Rosenfeld, a contributor to the opinion section of the Guardian online, later said in a press conference that Canadian police authorities attacked him after recognizing him as a “loud-mouthed kid” from previous demonstrations, and after noticing that the press credentials hanging around his neck did not include an official Canadian pass to cover the G-20 summit.



Rosenfeld said police struck him in the stomach and back as they forced him to the ground. The journalist, who has several years experience covering stories including in Israel and Palestinian territory, said he did not resist, but that the attacking officers yelled out as they were beating him, “Why are you resisting arrest?”



Police moved in on what, according to other reporters, were nonviolent demonstrators and journalists on Saturday evening in front of the Novotel Hotel on the Esplanade waterfront area of Toronto. Another prominent Canadian journalist said he saw police beat Rosenfeld.



“The journalist identified himself as working for the Guardian,” tweeted Steve Paikin, a well-known Canadian journalist and host of TVO’s “The Agenda” public affairs program, according to CBS News. “He talked too much and pissed the police off. Two officers held him. A third punched him in the stomach. Totally unnecessary. The man collapsed. Then a third officer drove his elbow into the man’s back.”



The voicemail box for press queries at the Integrated Security Unit for the G-20 summit in Toronto was full when CPJ tried to reach the office. A Canadian Embassy spokeswoman in Washington declined to comment.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Amy Miller - Alternative Media Centre, Independent Journalist - Darren Puscas


Amy Miller - Alternative Media Centre, Independent Journalist from Darren Puscas on Vimeo.


reports allegations of strip searches of women by male police; rape threats to 1 in detention centre - very inflammatory - true?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Panic, outrage as police detain hundreds for hours.

Panic, outrage as police detain hundreds for hours in pouring rain 

rain
Drew Halfnight  June 27, 2010 – 10:22 pm
Police detained hundreds of people for several hours in the rain at the intersection of Queen Street and Spadina Avenue before sending a large group to the temporary detention centre and releasing the rest.
The detained group included protesters, several journalists, many pedestrians who just happened to be passing by and at least a couple of puppies.
The group was made to stand in the rain for well over three hours without food, water, access to bathrooms, rainwear or shelter.
Police did not issue a warning before corralling the group in a thin strip just north of the intersection and afterward refused to explain why they were being detained.
“Mass arrests are illegal,” Natalie DesRosiers, president of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, said last night. “They are contrary to the presumption of innocence. They are arbitrary arrest. They should not be doing that. They know they should not be doing that.”
Police selected particular members of the crowd for arrest. At around 8 p.m., people began volunteering to be arrested. Later they actually began lining up to be cuffed so they could get out of the rain.
Eventually there were two large groups of people, one in cuffs, each person with an officer next to them; and a second in a large group hemmed in by dozens of officers in full riot gear. Most of the people were in shorts or pants and T-shirts and tank tops. Some could be seen on the television shivering as they were made to wait in the street.
“I’m freezing cold. We have no food, no water, no shelter and I’ve had to pee for the last five hours,” Sammy Katz, a man detained in the intersection, told CP24 by phone from inside the corral.
Another detainee said he had a panic attack and was allowed to leave.
At about 9 p.m., a man named Roop left the secured zone and crossed a line of police bikes north of the secure zone on Spadina.
He said he was released because he was a type 2 diabetic and said he needed medical care.
“I’ve been in there the whole time. I’ve never seen something like this before. People are freezing and soaking wet. I know they are saying we should have left, but not everyone heard them say that.”
Also inside were three legal monitors with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Ms. DesRosiers, president of the organization, said she had lost contact with the monitors and presumed they were arrested.
“It’s outrageous,” she said, calling the action an infringement of constitutional rights and “abusive.”
“I’ve been talking to them for the last hour and a half. They wanted to leave. We told them to leave, but they could not leave.”
She identified the three monitors as Julia Croome, Johnathan Deschman and Rachel Browne.
Ms. DesRosiers said all three had previously been introduced to police and were wearing special hats, T-shirts and identity cards.
“They know what they look like.
Two CCLA monitors were arrested yesterday. One was released after 16 hours of detention, while the other, Jon Pippitone, had been detained for almost 22 hours at press time.
“We’re quite distraught,” Ms. DesRosiers said. “It seemed completely chaotic in terms of what the police wanted them to do. It was peaceful, there was no violence. It seemed that probably the orders were not clear from the top brass.”
At 9:30 p.m., police loaded the cuffed detainees — many of whom had volunteered to be arrested — into four Toronto Transit Commission buses.
Ms. DesRosiers said she suspected police were frustrated and “in a punitive mode.”
At a press conference on Sunday, Toronto Police Staff Sergeant Jeff McGuire refused to apologize for the incident.
“We had reasonable grounds to believe that a breach of the peace was going to occur,” he said. “We did the best we could. I’m not saying we’re perfect.”
Sgt. McGuire looked sheepish as he said officers had been working 16 and 18 hours straight over the weekend. “This is a very challenging time for our officers as well,” he said. “I hope the public can continue to support us.”
“I cannot apologize to them, and I won’t,” he added. “The officers had the right to detain them for that breach of the peace.”
At 9:40 p.m., every member of the group was unconditionally released on orders from Police Chief Bill Blair.
Liem Vu, an intern with the National Post, had been on the scene shooting video and was among those detained during the nearly four-hour ordeal.
“The majority of [the detained people] were not a part of the protest. They just happened to be walking by,” he said. “It started raining. People were shivering. A lot of people were scared. They didn’t know what was happening. I’d say the general feeling was fear.”
National Post, with files
from Katherine Laidlaw
and Terrine Friday
Posted in: G20Posted Toronto 


Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/06/27/panic-outrage-as-police-detain-hundreds-for-hours-in-pouring-rain/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz0s7I2YJRG

Saturday, June 26, 2010

In the line of duty: Canada's casualties 150 members of the Canadian Forces have been killed serving in the Afghanistan mission. Four Canadian civilians have also been killed, including one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers Since 2002.

In the line of duty: Canada's casualties

Last Updated June 26, 2010

Since 2002, 150 members of the Canadian Forces have been killed serving in the Afghanistan mission.
Four Canadian civilians have also been killed, including one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers.
First nameLast nameRankUnitProvinceDate of incidentDescending
KristalGiesebrechtMaster Cpl.1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle GroupOntarioJune 26, 2010
AndrewMillerPrivate1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle GroupOntarioJune 26, 2010
JamesMacNeilSergeant1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle GroupNova ScotiaJune 21, 2010
MartinGoudreaultSergeant1 Combat Engineer RegimentOntarioJune 6, 2010
LarryRuddTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsOntarioMay 24, 2010
GeoffParkerColonelRoyal Canadian RegimentOntarioMay 18, 2010
KevinMcKayPrivate1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light InfantryOntarioMay 13, 2010
CraigBlakePetty Officer 2nd ClassFleet Diving Unit (Atlantic)OntarioMay 3, 2010
TylerToddPrivate1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioApril 11, 2010
DarrenFitzpatrickCorporal3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryBritish ColumbiaMarch 6, 2010
JoshuaBakerCorporalLoyal Edmonton Regiment, 4th Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaFebruary 12, 2010
JohnFaughtSergeant1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light InfantryOntarioJanuary 16, 2010
GarrettChidleyPrivate2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light InfantryOntarioDecember 30, 2009
ZacheryMcCormackCorporalLoyal Edmonton Regiment, 4th Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaDecember 30, 2009
GeorgeMiokSergeant41 Combat Engineer RegimentAlbertaDecember 30, 2009
KirkTaylorSergeant84 Independent Field Battery, Royal Canadian ArtilleryNova ScotiaDecember 30, 2009
AndrewNuttallLieutenant1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light InfantryBritish ColumbiaDecember 23, 2009
StevenMarshallSapper1 Combat Engineer RegimentAlbertaOctober 30, 2009
JustinBoyesLieutenant3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantrySaskatchewanOctober 28, 2009
JonathanCouturierPrivate2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd RegimentQuebecSeptember 17, 2009
PatrickLormandPrivate2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd RegimentOntarioSeptember 13, 2009
Jean-FrançoisDrouinCorporal5 Combat Engineer RegimentQuebecSeptember 6, 2009
YannickPépinMajor5 Combat Engineer RegimentQuebecSeptember 6, 2009
MathieuAllardSapper5 Combat Engineer RegimentQuebecAugust 1, 2009
ChristianBobbittCorporal5 Combat Engineer RegimentQuebecAugust 1, 2009
SébastienCourcyPrivate2nd battalion, Royal 22nd RegimentQuebecJuly 16, 2009
PatriceAudetMaster corportal430 Tactical Helicopter SquadronQuebecJuly 6, 2009
MartinJoannetteCorporal3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd RegimentQuebecJuly 6, 2009
NickBulgerCorporal3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioJuly 3, 2009
Charles-PhilippeMichaudMaster corporal2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd RegimentNew BrunswickJune 23, 2009
MartinDubéCorporal5 Combat Engineer RegimentQuebecJune 14, 2009
AlexandrePéloquinPrivate3rd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentQuebecJune 8, 2009
MichelleMendesMajorChief of Defence IntelligenceOntarioApril 23, 2009
KarineBlaisTrooper12e Régiment blindé du CanadaQuebecApril 13, 2009
JackBouthillierTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsOntarioMarch 20, 2009
TylerCrooksCorporal3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioMarch 20, 2009
CoreyHayesTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsNew BrunswickMarch 20, 2009
ScottVernelliMaster corporal3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioMarch 20, 2009
MarcDiabTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsOntarioMarch 8, 2009
DennisBrownWarrant officerThe Lincoln and Welland RegimentOntarioMarch 3, 2009
DanyFortinCorporal425 Tactical Fighter SquadronQuebecMarch 3, 2009
KennethO'QuinnCorporal2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals SquadronNewfoundland and LabradorMarch 3, 2009
SeanGreenfieldSapper2 Combat Engineer RegimentManitobaJanuary 31, 2009
BrianGoodTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsOntarioJanuary 7, 2009
GregoryKruseSergeant2 Combat Engineer RegimentOntarioDecember 27, 2008
GaetanRobergeWarrant officerRoyal 22nd RegimentOntarioDecember 27, 2008
MichaelFreemanPrivate3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioDecember 26, 2008
JohnCurwinPrivate2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNova ScotiaDecember 13, 2008
ThomasHamiltonCorporal2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNova ScotiaDecember 13, 2008
JustinJonesPrivate2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNewfoundland and LabradorDecember 13, 2008
DemetriosDiplarosPrivate1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioDecember 5, 2008
MarkMcLarenCorporal1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioDecember 5, 2008
RobertWilsonWarrant officer1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioDecember 5, 2008
PrescottShipwaySergeant2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantrySaskatchewanSeptember 7, 2008
AndrewGrenonCorporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioSeptember 3, 2008
ChadHornPrivate2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaSeptember 3, 2008
MikeSeggieCorporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryManitobaSeptember 3, 2008
ShawnEadesSergeant1 Combat Engineer RegimentOntarioAugust 20, 2008
StephanStockSapper1 Combat Engineer RegimentBritish ColumbiaAugust 20, 2008
DustinWasdenCorporal1 Combat Engineer RegimentSaskatchewanAugust 20, 2008
ErinDoyleMaster corporal3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryBritish ColumbiaAugust 11, 2008
JoshRobertsMaster corporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light InfantrySaskatchewanAugust 9, 2008
JamesArnalCorporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light InfantryManitobaJuly 18, 2008
ColinWilmotPrivate1 Field AmbulanceAlbertaJuly 6, 2008
BrendanDowneyCorporalMilitary Police DetachmentSaskatchewanJuly 4, 2008
JonathanSnyderCaptain1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryBritish ColumbiaJune 7, 2008
RichardLearyCaptain2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioJune 3, 2008
MichaelStarkerCorporal15th Field AmbulanceAlbertaMay 6, 2008
TerryStreetPrivate2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryQuebecApril 4, 2008
JasonBoyesSergeant2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryManitobaMarch 16, 2008
JérémieOuelletBombardier1st Royal Canadian Horse ArtilleryQuebecMarch 11, 2008
MichaelHayakazeTrooperLord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)AlbertaMarch 2, 2008
ÉtienneGonthierCorporal5e Régiment du génie de combatQuebecJanuary 23, 2008
RichardRenaudTrooper12e Régiment blindé du CanadaQuebecJanuary 15, 2008
EricLabbéCorporal2nd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentQuebecJanuary 6, 2008
HaniMassouhWarrant officer2nd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentQuebecJanuary 6, 2008
JonathanDionGunner5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du CanadaQuebecDecember 30, 2007
NicolasBeauchampCorporal5th Field Ambulance, 5 Area Support GroupQuebecNovember 17, 2007
MichelLévesquePrivate3rd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentQuebecNovember 17, 2007
NathanHornburgCorporalThe King's Own Calgary RegimentAlbertaSeptember 24, 2007
RaymondRuckpaulMajorArmoured Corps, The Royal Canadian DragoonsOntarioAugust 29, 2007
ChristianDuchesneMaster corporal5th Field Ambulance, 5 Area Support GroupQuebecAugust 22, 2007
MarioMercierMaster warrant officer2nd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentQuebecAugust 22, 2007
SimonLongtinPrivate3rd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentQuebecAugust 19, 2007
JordanAndersonCorporal3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryNunavutJuly 4, 2007
ColeBartschCorporal3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaJuly 4, 2007
ColinBasonMaster corporalThe Royal Westminster RegimentBritish ColumbiaJuly 4, 2007
MatthewDaweCaptain3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioJuly 4, 2007
JeffersonFrancisCaptain1st Royal Canadian Horse ArtilleryNew BrunswickJuly 4, 2007
LaneWatkinsPrivate3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryManitobaJuly 4, 2007
StephenBouzaneCorporal3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryNewfoundland and LabradorJune 20, 2007
ChristosKarigiannisSergeant3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryQuebecJune 20, 2007
JoelWiebePrivate3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaJune 20, 2007
DarrylCaswellTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsOntarioJune 11, 2007
DarrellPriedeMaster corporalArmy News Team, 3 Area Support GroupOntarioMay 30, 2007
MatthewMcCullyCorporal2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal SquadronOntarioMay 25, 2007
AnthonyKlumpenhouwerMaster corporalCanadian Special Operations Forces CommandOntarioApril 18, 2007
PatrickPentlandTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsNew BrunswickApril 11, 2007
AllanStewartMaster corporalRoyal Canadian DragoonsNew BrunswickApril 11, 2007
DavidGreensladePrivate2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNew BrunswickApril 8, 2007
KevinKennedyPrivate2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNewfoundland and LabradorApril 8, 2007
DonaldLucasSergeant2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNewfoundland and LabradorApril 8, 2007
BrentPolandCorporal2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioApril 8, 2007
ChristopherStannixCorporalPrincess Louise FusiliersNova ScotiaApril 8, 2007
AaronWilliamsCorporal2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNew BrunswickApril 8, 2007
KevinMegeneyCorporal1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North)Nova ScotiaMarch 6, 2007
RobertGirouardChief warrant officer1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNew BrunswickNovember 27, 2006
AlbertStormCorporal1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioNovember 27, 2006
DarcyTedfordSergeant1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentAlbertaOctober 14, 2006
BlakeWilliamsonPrivate1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioOctober 14, 2006
MarkWilsonTrooperRoyal Canadian DragoonsOntarioOctober 7, 2006
CraigGillamSergeantRoyal Canadian DragoonsNewfoundland and LabradorOctober 3, 2006
RobertMitchellCorporalRoyal Canadian DragoonsOntarioOctober 3, 2006
JoshKlukiePrivate1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioSeptember 29, 2006
GlenArnoldCorporal2nd Field AmbulanceOntarioSeptember 18, 2006
DavidByersPrivate2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioSeptember 18, 2006
ShaneKeatingCorporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantrySaskatchewanSeptember 18, 2006
KeithMorleyCorporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryManitobaSeptember 18, 2006
MarkGrahamPrivate1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioSeptember 4, 2006
WilliamCushleyPrivate1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioSeptember 3, 2006
FrankMellishWarrant officer1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNova ScotiaSeptember 3, 2006
RichardNolanWarrant officer1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNewfoundland and LabradorSeptember 3, 2006
ShaneStachnikSergeant2nd Combat Engineer RegimentAlbertaSeptember 3, 2006
DavidBraunCorporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantrySaskatchewanAugust 22, 2006
AndrewEykelenboomCorporal1st Field AmbulanceBritish ColumbiaAugust 11, 2006
JeffreyWalshMaster corporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantrySaskatchewanAugust 9, 2006
RaymondArndtMaster corporalThe Loyal Edmonton RegimentAlbertaAugust 5, 2006
KevinDallairePrivate1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaAugust 3, 2006
VaughanIngramSergeant1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryNewfoundland and LabradorAugust 3, 2006
BryceKellerCorporal1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantrySaskatchewanAugust 3, 2006
ChristopherReidCorporal1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryNova ScotiaAugust 3, 2006
FranciscoGomezCorporal1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaJuly 22, 2006
JasonWarrenCorporalThe Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaQuebecJuly 22, 2006
AnthonyBonecaCorporalLake Superior Scottish RegimentOntarioJuly 9, 2006
NicholaGoddardCaptain1st Royal Canadian Horse ArtilleryAlbertaMay 17, 2006
MatthewDinningCorporal2nd Military Police PlatoonOntarioApril 22, 2006
MylesMansellBombardier5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery RegimentBritish ColumbiaApril 22, 2006
RandyPayneCorporalCFB/ASU Wainwright Military Police PlatoonOntarioApril 22, 2006
WilliamTurnerLieutenantLand Force Western Area HeadquartersOntarioApril 22, 2006
RobertCostallPrivate1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioMarch 29, 2006
PaulDavisCorporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryNova ScotiaMarch 2, 2006
TimothyWilsonMaster corporal2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryAlbertaMarch 2, 2006
GlynBerryDiplomatDepartment of Foreign Affairs, CanadaWalesJanuary 15, 2006
BraunWoodfieldPrivate2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNova ScotiaNovember 24, 2005
JamieMurphyCorporal1st Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNewfoundland and LabradorJanuary 27, 2004
RobbieBeerenfengerCorporal3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentOntarioOctober 2, 2003
RobertShortSergeant3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian RegimentNew BrunswickOctober 2, 2003
AinsworthDyerCorporal3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryQuebecApril 18, 2002
RichardGreenPrivate3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryNova ScotiaApril 18, 2002
MarcLégerSergeant3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryOntarioApril 18, 2002
NathanSmithPrivate3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryNova ScotiaApril 18, 2002