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Gordon Askwith recalls visiting the provincial legislature in 1990 for a large open house.
On that October evening over 5,000 people wandered through the legislature.
That seems like a long time ago to Askwith now. Nearly ten years later on June 15th (2000), the 79-year old was knocked to the ground at Queen’s Park during a riot. He believes it was the police who put him there.
Askwith was not part of the demonstration that day. He had been attending a course at the University of Toronto, just a stone’s throw away (no pun intended), and decided to come over and see what was going on.
Photographs Askwith took that day document a smoke bomb going off on the steps of the legislature, mounted police officers moving into the crowd and more.
The one picture that is missing is of a woman being arrested by six officers. Askwith was preparing to take that shot when he suddenly found himself upended.
He tells me he was well away from the demonstrators at this time, under some trees. The only individuals close him were Toronto police.
I have known Dr. Askwith, a Burlington resident, for some time. An artist, veteran of World War II, social worker, active in his church and on peace and social justice issues, he doesn’t know why he couldn't stand under some trees approximately 75 metres from the legislature’s doors.
This should concern us. There seems to be nowhere for those who disagree with the policies of the Harris government to stand. In days gone by, protesters could expect to convene outside the legislature and criticize the government of the day. Opposition politicians and government representatives would be cheered and jeered. That is what is supposed to happen in a democratic society. But that opportunity doesn’t exist anymore
The demonstrators had gathered some distance from Queen’s Park, listening to the emotional accounts of the 22 homeless people who had died since last November.
Brenda Dolling, a retired schoolteacher who was part of the protest, says they proceeded to Queen’s Park “in an orderly, calm fashion.”
(Other accounts, mainly from a Harris-friendly media, suggest some had come looking for the fight they got.) Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) leaders demanded an opportunity to address the legislature.
Now, Premier Harris will stand in his place and accept responsibility for creating a housing crisis in Ontario before OCAP leaders will be given the opportunity to speak to our Provincial Parliamentarians. OCAP knows this. But apparently, they believe the symbolism of not being allowed to speak makes an important statement. Unfortunately for their cause, this “statement" got lost in the mad media rush to denounce the protesters as instigators. An inquiry now being called for by a coalition of community groups and unions may, in fact, show that it was the police who were out of control,
Whatever is proved, it’s clear that OCAP has not been successful at getting its message to the broader public. What do opponents of the Harris government need to do?
Alan Borovoy, general counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association has spent a lifetime fighting for justice. His tactics, described in Uncivil Obedience – The Tactics and Tales of A Democratic Agitator, could provide a blueprint for those wanting to develop a broad coalition.
Simply put Borovoy believes that there is no justification in a democratic society for breaking the law to get justice. Borovoy believes that there are enough legal tools at the disposal of activists to right injustice without resorting to breaking the law.
“We should obey the law but stick it to the government anyway,” he writes.
Some recommendations from Borovoy:
• Exert enough pressure to make authorities negotiate but not so much they will lose. Arguing against the use of violence for moral and tactical reasons, Borovoy believes the key to any kind of victory is public opinion. You have to get the fence-sitters on your side and the way to do is to negotiate and compromise.
• Speak over the heads of those attending. While only the converted may attend a rally or demonstration, the message must go over the heads of those present to be effective. A well organized event achieves this.
• Use the strength of your opponent. Borovoy recognizes that publicizing the extreme positions of his opponents was often the key to success. Pull your adversaries’ tails and they will squeal obligingly.
To be effective groups must use strategies like these to broaden their collation and present effective alternatives.
When this happens people like Gordon Askwith may feel at home at Queen’s Park again.
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This story originally appeared in FOREVER YOUNG in August 2000.
