Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 15:56:10 -0400 (EDT) From: Mike Pugsley <wobbly8-AT-mail.com> Subject: Quebec <<But I am like most protesters!>> << Chuck0 >> Yah, but it's too bad the media denies that. So, I'm back from Quebec, and it was the time of my life. After the march on Friday we arrived at the red/yellow block (there wasn't much of a yellow zone, most likely because of the fence) with all of the flags blowing towards the summit. All of the Global, CTV, and CBC vehicles present were trashed and some scuffles ensued. With the wind at our backs, I knew tear gas wouldn't pose as much of a problem for people. The Black Block quickly climbed the fence and started tearing it down. After 10 or 15 minutes there were four or five sections of fence down and people were entering the perimeter. There werehundreds of people in the perimeter, I was lining the perimeter with thousands of people moving in, I couldn't see much in front of me as people were standing on the concrete blocks in front of me. According to the media the perimeter was never in jeopardy. People started running when the cops fired tear gas, and some of us tried to keep everyone from running and getting hurt. This was to be my main job for the day, along with helping people wash out their eyes. I figured if people kept running from the perimeter the cops would just be able to keep pushing us back and finally trap us. This was after cops had already pushed us from the security fence. The Black Bloc and some punks (punk rockers) started throwing rocks and tear gas canisters at the riot cops lining the perimeter. It was fucking crazy for about half an hour to an hour. We slowly got pushed back though, and were a block away from the fence. This took a lot of extra riot cops to get us pushed back so far. We were at this area of Renee Levesque Street for quite a while. The Police started calling warnings in French and many people moved back. Police dogs were heard in the background, which I felt was a scare tactic. Although I remember police dogs attacking seven people in a New Brunswick school protest in 97(I think it was 97). People were still dancing in the street and throwing back tear gas canisters. A young protestor was hit with a rubber bullet or tear gas canister and required a medic. I moved closer to the police so I could yell emotionally charged political statements at them, such as "Fuck the Police!". After ten minutes or so the protestor got up and began yelling at the police and we cheered him on. It is always great to see people stand up after there injuries. The police began charging our perimeter as we had few people behind us and we were forced to retreat. I was soon forced to join a group of people entering an alleyway which opened up but I wasn't sure how much room we would have. I told people we would have to hold our ground, but this was hard to do with tear gas cannons being shot at such close quarters. We were soon on the other side of the alley with a line of riot cops at the other end. A Global television crew was there with us. There were between 50 and 75 of us and people began leaving slowly. Some peaceful protestors were sitting down and holding up peace signs while the media concentrated on the line of riot cops. The cops brought in two police dogs and the media packed up and left, apparently not safe television coverage. I held the line until there were only 3 or 4 of us left and then headed to find the crowd. Things were beginning to settle down and I was on a real high. I talked to some people as I slowly left. Had a chat with an older couple who felt they should truly punish bad corporations by completely shutting them down. They asked about my gas mask and how well it worked. It's amazingly empowering, I had tear gas landing right beside me, as did other people, and it doesn't bother you if you have a gas mask. I slowly made my way back to St. Jean Street where I met some friends. I talked to a group who was at the Green Block because I wanted to find out how it went. There was a water cannon there and some tear gas, and we had an excellent conversation. Me and my friends got some beer and went to the party under the bridge. Jello Biafra did a speech after a band played. I couldn't believe it. Punx picnic. I'll tell you all about Saturday later. Mike ______________________________________________ FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup
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