Hi Moondoggy readers. I finished the front page of the Gazette and I can't help but chuckle. Yesterday there was an early-morning protest against the World Trade Organization in downtown Montreal and more than 230 demonstrators were arrested.
Now I don't know too much about why these people were protesting. Some people seemed to be protesting because it is their "right" to protest. Other people seem to protesting Capitalism and promoting anarchy and others seem to be out there wanting to just smash things.
I have no problem with people exercising their right to protest something they do not agree with. However I do have a problem with protests that become uneccesarily violent. So I personally welcome the arrests.
As I understand it, some establishments were sought out because they represented "the evil corporations" such as The Gap - "a multinational corporation which has a terrible human rights record" and The Canadian Forces - which symbolizes "military campaigns which are completely illigitimate, like the campaign in Afghanistan and the thousands of civilians who lost their lives." But there was no rational behind the vandalism on Burger King, Jacob, other stores and even on the poor man who's Porsche's windshield was destroyed. Oh I get it, this man owns a Porsche therefore he has money and so he is evil and must be punished. Give me a break.
The protesters seem disorganized and unable to control themselves and to tell you the truth I still have no real idea as to what they are speaking out against. Isn't one of the purposes of a protest to inform the public what the protestors are fighting for and not to alienate everyone? I really don't see how smashing store windows and writing "F*@K the WTO" is going to solve anything.
Well those are my thoughts. Have a good evening.