Masked Protesters - new Law coming

Goober

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Jan 23, 2009
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Backbencher’s bill on masked protesters gets Conservative backing - The Globe and Mail

The Harper government is throwing its weight behind a private members' bill that would give police the power to arrest anyone hiding their identity during a riot or unlawful assembly.

Conservative backbencher Blake Richards is proposing penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 for protesters who wear a mask or disguise.

The bill, Mr. Richards said in an interview, is designed to give police more power to prevent the kinds of riots that have caused so much damage, including the current student riots in Quebec, the Stanley Cup riot of last spring in Vancouver and the G20 protests in Toronto two years ago.

“Certainly I've heard of instances where it is legitimate that there might be reasons that someone needs to protest anonymously and this bill certainly still allows for that,” said the second-term MP from Airdre, Alta., representing the riding of Wild Rose.

“I think it strengthens the right for peaceful protest. It's only when individuals engage in criminal activity or become violent where this law would apply.”

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson announced Sunday that the Conservative majority formally supports the legislation, meaning it is all but assured of becoming law.

“Destructive and reckless behaviour damages communities and should not be tolerated,” Mr. Nicholson said in a release.

Mr. Richards says the bill will allow police to step in and stop violence and property damage if a protest turns ugly.

“Primarily I see this as a tool that will be a preventative one, one that will deter these situations from developing or from escalating in the first place,” he said.

But some civil libertarians are concerned that the legislation will give police the power to break up peaceful protests, which are frequently filled with people in costumes, masks or even face paint that could be construed as concealing identity under the new law.

The provisions of the legislation specify that it only applies during riots or “unlawful assembly,” a legal term in which police deem there to be reasonable grounds to expect a disturbance of the peace.

Françoise Boivin, the NDP justice critic, said the official Opposition does not have a problem with the “concept” of the bill, but she says police already have the power to arrest and charge people intent on inciting a riot, and of using a mask to commit a crime.

Ms. Boivin argued that the additional law may simply muddy the water and give defence lawyers an opportunity to point out inconsistencies between the various statutes.

“We're still not really convinced of that factor, that for police it will be easier (to prevent property damage),” she said.

“What will be a legitimate excuse to cover your faces?”

The bill would create two classes of offence.

Those who incite a riot wearing a mask “without lawful excuse” face an indictable offence with prison terms of up to five years.

For those “who participate in an unlawful assembly while wearing a mask or disguise to conceal identity,” the charge could be an indictable offence or a summary offence. Under the summary offence, penalties range up to six months in jail and fines up to $5,000.
 

TenPenny

Hall of Fame Member
Jun 9, 2004
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'Unlawful assembly'...sounds suitably vague, that's a good thing. Any time you have more than one person together, you can arrest them for wearing winter clothing.

That said, I spent the weekend in Montreal, I had a riot.
 

55Mercury

rigid member
May 31, 2007
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I guess it won't just be bank employees getting antsy every hallowe'en.
 

Goober

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 23, 2009
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The question to ask does this target peaceful demonstrations. Look to Montreal - 1 young person in a coma.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
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The question to ask does this target peaceful demonstrations. Look to Montreal - 1 young person in a coma.

If the demonstration is peaceful, there is no need for masks or police incidents. If it turns violent, then if you are wearing a mask its to create mayhem without getting caught.
 

Nuggler

kind and gentle
Feb 27, 2006
11,596
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Backwater, Ontario.
Unfortunately, "peaceful" demonstrations accomplish squat.

Just walk over there to the fenced in "free speech zone" and demonstrate away.

During the famous G 20 it was the agent provocateurs, dressed in black, faces covered, smashing windows, etc. who were never touched by the cops.

Harpo continues to hark back to the good old days in Berlin.
 

damngrumpy

Executive Branch Member
Mar 16, 2005
9,949
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kelowna bc
When governments resort to making laws to cover everything, they are running out
of ideas to manage anything. I agree that violent people should be punished for
the crimes they commit. People should not be made into criminals for the way they
dress. Some may in fact disguise themselves for fear of reprisals from employers,
future employers, or even those who might work for or plan to work for government.
The problem is, we are living in a climate where the right to protest peacefully is
under threat. The right to speak your opinion has consequences, fair enough but
when the consequences are more like reprisals for speaking your mind, is unwarranted.
The western powers in general are creating a climate of fear as they fight a war against
potential terrorists in our midst. Those people number a few and do not warrant all
the actions initiated or proposed. When you supplant fear and remove hope democracy
disappears pretty fast.
Punish those who break the law. Do not invent laws to punish people for what they wear.
Those laws can be bent to subvert the intent of democracy itself.
 

Liberalman

Senate Member
Mar 18, 2007
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Government Wants To Unmask Protesters

Government Wants To Unmask Protesters

Government wants to unmask protesters | The Chronicle Herald

"The Harper government is throwing its weight behind a private member’s bill that would give police the power to arrest anyone hiding their identity during a riot or unlawful assembly."

"Conservative backbencher Blake Richards is proposing penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 for protesters who wear a mask or disguise."

If the protesters can't wear masks will riots be less violent?

I guess private members bills will be the norm for our federal government for introducing controversial bills and with their majority they win.
 

Walter

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 28, 2007
34,843
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Re: Government Wants To Unmask Protesters

Government Wants To Unmask Protesters

Government wants to unmask protesters | The Chronicle Herald

"The Harper government is throwing its weight behind a private member’s bill that would give police the power to arrest anyone hiding their identity during a riot or unlawful assembly."

"Conservative backbencher Blake Richards is proposing penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 for protesters who wear a mask or disguise."

If the protesters can't wear masks will riots be less violent?

I guess private members bills will be the norm for our federal government for introducing controversial bills and with their majority they win.
Bout effing time.
 

relic

Council Member
Nov 29, 2009
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Nova Scotia
Don't they already have that covered,something about wearing a mask or disguise while commiting a crime,one of the add on charges .
 

Liberalman

Senate Member
Mar 18, 2007
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48
Toronto
I can see why the police is happy about the bill







 

taxslave

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 25, 2008
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Re: Government Wants To Unmask Protesters

There is no legitimate reason to wear a mask to a peaceful demonstration unless you are intent on doing damage.