2010-06-26
Protests at the G8/G20 in Toronto today turned violent as world leaders discussed how to emerge from the world’s worst financial crises in 80 years. In fact, there is a do not travel advisory for downtown Toronto. Protestors have thrown molitov cocktails at police.
During the protests protestors smashed out the windows of a Starbucks and Scotia Bank on Queen Street. They also set fire to at least two police cars, which were quickly put out by firetrucks.
The demonstrators scuffled with police while chanting ‘resist, resist. Raise up your fists.’ At least 8 people have been arrested on the streets of Toronto while protesting the summit.
Meanwhile, while people are protesting on the streets, the world’s leaders have decided to focus on cutting deficits in half by 2013. I am no world leader, but that seems very quick. Perhaps its not total deficits but just deficits for one year. However, the countries are actually expected to be able to chose their own pace and ways to do this.
The group is also discussing levying a tax on banks to try to recoup some of the cost of the bailouts. Both the US and Europe are behind the tax. However, Canada does not want the tax because they say that their banks behaved responsibly during the crises.
During the summit the US has also said that the world should not rely on the US’s economy so much especially as consumers. The G8 also intends to ‘deplore’ North Korea’s actions.
It is unfortunate that the protests outside did not remain peaceful. It is always disappointing for protests to turn violent. They really accomplish nothing this way.