When I lived in the woods, everything was alright

I’ve been thinking about topics to discuss in my blog, and on the streetcar today it hit me like a ton of bricks: G20! Oh my goodness! I almost forgot!

Actually, my memory should have been jogged today because it was revealed earlier that Trinity-Bellwoods park will be the designated site for protests. At least it is, according to its organizers. I was unaware till today that the protest sites were actually designated… but then again, Toronto really hasn’t had anything like this before, has it?

Why Trinity-Bellwoods? No clue. There are so many people who live right around there, not to mention the businesses that usually get the bad end of the protest stick. According to the Star, it’s 2 km away from the outer barrier… couldn’t they have done better, like at Exhibition Place or something? Better yet, couldn’t they have done the summit itself at Exhibition Place?

Did they pick Trinity Bellwoods because it’s off West Queen West or something? Why not High Park, where they won’t be totally surrounded by houses on all sides? I’m guessing it’s the only park big enough and close enough to be suitable, but, still…

And what about Toronto as a whole? I was actually in London during the last G20 meeting, and I can at least say that the entire city didn’t shut down or go up in smoke or anything. There were protests that marched through the streets. The area of the actual summit was a mess though; lots of violence and rioting, and there were a lot of warnings not to go near it. I’m assuming this will be the same sort of deal, but, really, I don’t know for sure if there are any key differences that might make this better.

Well, Torontonians can always escape to Cottage Country, right? Well, no, because that’s where the G8 meeting is going to be! Probably not at the same time though, but… ugh. Let’s just hope that this comes and goes really quickly.

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