Vancouver Police Department should stop bringing semi-automatic military weaponry to demonstrations in Vancouver, even where there's a risk of rioting, says the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association in a press release issued today that includes a photo of VPD officer carrying a high-powered Colt C8 carbine rifle.
The release quotes BCCLA president Robert Holmes arguing, "Even in a scenario like Saturday where a group of protesters engage in illegal property damage, as well as reprehensible violence against police and citizens, the Police were able to restore order without pepper spray, tear gas, rubber bullets, Tasers or handguns. Do they really need military grade semi-automatic rifles?"
The release continues:
The BCCLA has monitored police action over a number of major public order events over many years, including the Guns and Roses riot, the so-called "Riot at the Hyatt", and the Stanley Cup riot. Saturday is the first instance the BCCLA is aware of where military guns have been deployed for civilian crowd control purposes in Vancouver.
High powered rifles in a stressful situation add to the risk of law enforcement and security measures going seriously wrong," said Holmes. "The public has not been told of any security threat that would justify the presence of such weaponry. Just as the sonic gun raised controversy last fall, so too the presence of these weapons should be explained and, unless absolutely necessary, they should be withdrawn.
Vancouver Police Department public order officer Vince Forsberg confirmed that the weapons were deployed to back up Crowd Control Unit police officers who do not carry firearms, and said that he understood them to be "intermediate weapons" designed "to allow an accurate shot at an intermediate range (usually under 100 meters).
David Beers is editor of The Tyee.
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IranianDude
2 years ago
David, how do you suppose ...
David
With all due respect, how do you suppose corporate fascim could be sustained? by respecting the right of people to dissent? by allowing ordinary citizens to voice their disapproval in a peaceful way?
No!
Brutality, use of force, deploying an army of agent provacatuers, etc. are the ways to go when it comes to accompolishing the lofty aims of a class based society governed by mega corporations.
Let's accept the fact that we live in a corporatacracy and have to collectively bend over (and smile!) while taking it from our corporate masters, shall we?
frances
2 years ago
Sorry, but...
After a near lifetime of trying to figure out why our "democracy" doesn't work very well for most of us, yesterday I came to the same conclusion as IranianDude. The corporate orgy we are witnessing while our entire planet cries out for help is beyond belief.
W Laurier
2 years ago
And...
Does Eby need to be a toady for violent protesters?
His credibility is shot. His movement would be much better off to dump him and tell him to get a real job.
DPL
2 years ago
The CBC announced a staff
The CBC announced a staff Sgt Female Mountie has been picked up for theft as she was working for the circus. As a 19 year vet of the force one can only wonder was this her first time on the wrong ide of the law. And she gets to carry a gun too. There is no need for heavy weapons but lets not forget the F18's carry a pretty potent load and no doubt have the authority to shoot. The circus is no longer the friendly games or so it seems.
IranianDude
2 years ago
Don't forget two of them
Don't forget two of them sexually assaulting another person.
Law enforcement in this city is a joke.