So, G8/G20 leaders are coming to Toronto on June 25/26/27. And the area around the downtown is basically turned into a gated community, with three zones of influence. The “red zone” near the Metro Convention Centre will require a pass to get in and out of, and there will be checkpoint stations to ensure nobody gets in there who is not allowed.
The total cost of G8/G20 is topping ONE BILLION DOLLLARS.
There will be 10,000 security personnel in the city, taking up hotel rooms, etc, all of which adds to the gigantic tab (I’m still a bit unsure as to who is paying, except “taxpayers” in a general sense).
I of course don’t mind paying taxes, for health care, education, affordable housing, but magically, those things COST TO MUCH to build and maintain. They cost WAY TOO MUCH.
But a Billion dollars on security, accomodations, travel, and what-the-fuck-else, yeah, that gets approval.
There’s a deep dissonance to me about the way that security for a handful of the planet’s worst “elected” “leaders” is treated and the way the countries “led” by those “leaders” prioritize the needs of their more vulnerable and marginalized people. It’s beyond shame, it’s beyond ridiculous. It’s a farce of humanity.
And as a relatively rich Westerner, I’m ashamed. And I’ll be there, at the barricade, at the wall.
Some links:
Women, Children and the G20 Agenda
Resist Toronto G20 Summit
G8/G20 Toronto Community Mobilization
Krystalline Kraus blog from June 3