Re: Forwarded from Mac Stainsby

["Macdonald Stainsby" <mstainsby@xxxxxx>]

> Joan
>
> I have read of the long-term effects of teargas in various discussions
> from Seattle and from Quebec. The cannisters themselves can leave third
> degree burns, and can break bones if fired at close range.
>
> They have carcinogenics and unknown compounds. They have caused abortions
> and altered menstruation cycles, months after an attack. They deform the
> lungs when breathed in by babies and children, causing life-time
> respiratory problems.



First off, I had originally intended this little note for Lou and Les (they can 
tell
you about the mushy stuff included they snipped), and didn't really intend to 
panic
listmembers. I am simply sore and coughing, with my brain clearing up quickly. 
The
carcinogens which concern myself as well as Joan here are making their way out 
of my
system- a wonderful friend has me currently loaded up on health store-type
anti-oxidants, and my brain is fairly much back to normal. So long as I have no 
long
term back problems, I'll be fine. Thank you all for the concern. I have just 
about
finished writing out a report back that will cover most of Joans' questions, but
quickly:

> You say it was different from Seattle. I keep seeing reports that the cops
> were pretty much absent along the peaceful parade route, which itself is
> highly unusual.

And not entirely true- the "green zones"- where people could march without fear 
of
arrest- did get attacked, and gassed- just not as methodically.


> During the ant-Vietnam war days, the Quebec police were
> notorious for their horseback charges upon peacefull protestors.
>
> Why did it take 4000 cops and half the Canadian army to isolate and arrest
>
Over 6 000, actually.

> 75-300 known and easily identifiable anarchists, anaarchists who had
> announced their plans well ahead of time. Why did they wait behind
> the wall if their intention was to protect the wall? How did it
> come down so easily? Clearly, they were using the anarchists as an excuse
> for a police riot.

This was clearly designed to send a message to people not to fuck with Free 
Trade or
the Canadian State. In a nutshell, it has backfired- and done so across the 
country
even to people living in the small towns who generally don't question anything. 
I
have met almost pure rage across the country, and nearly ZERO condemnation of 
the
Black Bloc. Why we need to "analyse" them, I don't know. I haven't gone through 
the
archives of the list yet, I've been pretty much keeping to my work on my write 
up-
but suffice to say if people think the property damage was even close to 3% of 
what
the Black Bloc did, you are wrong. They destroyed that fucking wall. So did the 
rest
of us. I love them for it.

Macdonald

>
> Joan Cameron
>
>