Thursday, March 30, 2006
Passivism and the Montreal poe
So there was a protest today in Montreal. Yeah you missed it -- and don't say your were there and I must have missed you in the crowd, because 
enough of you weren't there that the crowd was small enough that there is no way I would of missed you had you been there. But that is not why I'm writing this -- even though the majority of people there were just altruistic (and a few angry) Francophones that showed up to complain about hikes to non-quebecor residence tuitions... that's right 6% for international and 4% for your sorry domestic ass (I'm assuming your domestic because you read English). That isn't why I'm writing this either. I'm writing this because I hate the poe -- the Montreal police. Peaceful protests with peaceful people, for peaceful causes should end peacefully; thankfully this one did. But there was a moment, when the riot police cornered us at the top of Jean-Mance and Sherbrooke, when it looked like it would end in bloodshed and tears. I am a pacificist, actually I'm something of a born-again pacifist -- I was an angry mother fucking kid -- but the point is I don't 'do' violence. But never since the day I swore off 'the violence' have I felt so enraged. When peaceful folks have to tie shirts around their face and pull hoods over there head, sketch numbers of lawyers on their arms (for just in case), and contemplate the reality of a violent struggle, the Man has got things seriously wrong. So here I am hating the montreal poe, and I don't like to hate which only makes me more upset. Excuse me while i go cry in my pillow -- Roddie you coming?
Alas we got our revenge -- we took sherbrooke at McGill College. Ironically I think the plan was to protest in front of the HSBC building which houses Charest's office. After what happened earlier, instead of keeping off to the side we made it our point to block up Sherbrooke. This time I think the cops got a clue; they put their shields away, and kept there distance. We didn't feel a need to stay angry, we gave our speeches, caused a stir and fuct off. Anyways, all's well that ends well. Maybe next time the good children of McGill can do a little more than stare blankly at us from across the field.
enough of you weren't there that the crowd was small enough that there is no way I would of missed you had you been there. But that is not why I'm writing this -- even though the majority of people there were just altruistic (and a few angry) Francophones that showed up to complain about hikes to non-quebecor residence tuitions... that's right 6% for international and 4% for your sorry domestic ass (I'm assuming your domestic because you read English). That isn't why I'm writing this either. I'm writing this because I hate the poe -- the Montreal police. Peaceful protests with peaceful people, for peaceful causes should end peacefully; thankfully this one did. But there was a moment, when the riot police cornered us at the top of Jean-Mance and Sherbrooke, when it looked like it would end in bloodshed and tears. I am a pacificist, actually I'm something of a born-again pacifist -- I was an angry mother fucking kid -- but the point is I don't 'do' violence. But never since the day I swore off 'the violence' have I felt so enraged. When peaceful folks have to tie shirts around their face and pull hoods over there head, sketch numbers of lawyers on their arms (for just in case), and contemplate the reality of a violent struggle, the Man has got things seriously wrong. So here I am hating the montreal poe, and I don't like to hate which only makes me more upset. Excuse me while i go cry in my pillow -- Roddie you coming?Alas we got our revenge -- we took sherbrooke at McGill College. Ironically I think the plan was to protest in front of the HSBC building which houses Charest's office. After what happened earlier, instead of keeping off to the side we made it our point to block up Sherbrooke. This time I think the cops got a clue; they put their shields away, and kept there distance. We didn't feel a need to stay angry, we gave our speeches, caused a stir and fuct off. Anyways, all's well that ends well. Maybe next time the good children of McGill can do a little more than stare blankly at us from across the field.
// posted by Nicholas @ 8:07 PM 
Comments:
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What the heck, how did I miss this? I spent my entire day in the sherbrooke area etc ..and never saw the slightest hint of a protest.
Hahah, poe ...I prefer the term Po-po.
Pacifism's good in moderation. And I mean in that in terms of political realism. Ideally, no war, no violence, just words and understanding are the key to a better world. But, alas, we've done too much damage to turn back ..at least this quickly. Slowly ..it could work, I suppose. But I'm a Hobbesian when it comes to this sort of stuff.
If we're talking Gandhian Pacifism, then I will slap you. I swear.
Hahah, poe ...I prefer the term Po-po.
Pacifism's good in moderation. And I mean in that in terms of political realism. Ideally, no war, no violence, just words and understanding are the key to a better world. But, alas, we've done too much damage to turn back ..at least this quickly. Slowly ..it could work, I suppose. But I'm a Hobbesian when it comes to this sort of stuff.
If we're talking Gandhian Pacifism, then I will slap you. I swear.
well i didn't organize the thing... i'm all for showing up in solidarity. not to mention, i never claimed to be apethetic :P
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