Activists scout Montebello as leaders of Canada, U.S., Mexico set to meet

from infoshop, Sunday, July 15 2007: Ottawa's anarchists have their sights set on Montebello, where North America's three leaders will meet for two days next month.

Dan Sawyer with PGA Bloc Ottawa said activists have been scouting Montebello, about 80 km east of Ottawa, in preparation for various demonstrations during Security and Prosperity Partnership meetings.

"I hope during the summit we're able to show there's militant resistance to the SPP," Sawyer said.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderon to discuss the SPP at Chateau Montebello on Aug. 20 and 21.

The SPP was launched in March 2005 to promote co-operation and information-sharing between the three countries. The leaders will be met with anything but co-operation when they arrive in the resort community.

PGA Bloc Ottawa endorses tactics that go beyond lobbying at the gates. In fact, the group embraces a "confrontational attitude" and civil disobedience.

The group says it's organizing "effective, direct confrontations" during the summit.

The goal of the group is to shut down the meetings, or at least disrupt them in some significant way. But the group knows its limitations.

"We're realistic," Sawyer said. "We know what we're up against: Thousands of officers and the U.S. military."

Sawyer said the anarchist group won't meet with police to co-ordinate protests.

Sgt. Manon Gaignon of the Quebec Provincial Police said although people have the right to peacefully demonstrate, police will be doing everything they can to protect residents' safety.

"We have to be aware of those things and assure the security of people living in the area," Gaignon said.

She couldn't discuss specific plans police have involving security at the summit.

With the meetings happening outside a major centre, Sawyer said there have been some "logistic challenges" while planning the demonstrations, especially when it comes to transporting people to Montebello.

One advocacy group says it has already been shooed away from holding its own forum during the SPP meetings.

The Council of Canadians says it wanted to rent meeting space in Papineauville, just outside Montebello, but was denied because of concerns brought forward by authorities.

Sawyer said his group is helping organize a base camp in Montebello to hold events, such as teachings and workshops.

PGA Bloc Ottawa will only be one of many organizations raising a voice during the summit. Dozens of groups have been meeting to prepare demonstrations and events during the full month of August, Sawyer said.

[original article]

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