Quebec City, Canada

Anti FTAA Actions

Quick Index:

1- The Scene
2- People of Quebec
3- The Front Lines
4- Celebration
5- Conclusion and Links

"The corporate media operate an effective scam for discrediting social progressives. They glorify violent action by showing rock throwing and such so that when they cover the next protest, the kids 'know' how to get on TV. Do not be deceived. Despite the burning of "Old Gory" by a small group at Quebec, none of the two dozen received anything but kindness from our gracious hosts. Les Quebecois,the people of Quebec Province, were perfect hosts. they shared their food, provided lodging, and rushed to help when I was tear-gassed."

-Freeman Z. in Peacework magazine (adapted)

Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us long ago that the military industrial complex would attempt to rule civil society. As personal freedom erodes, corporate 'rights' expand. This is the time of the rise of corporate rule. The time of its fall is up to us.

Introduction (or skip ahead to pictures of Quebec)

Tremendous amounts of training, preparation and support preceeded the 'manifestation'. Churches, organizations (Boston Global Action Network) and individuals on both sides of the border welcomed strangers on the way to Quebec City. This is a well organized movement of people responding to the threat of corporate rule. The FTAA scares them. Perhaps it should scare you, too.

Despite the Battle in Seattle, the power addicts continue to hide their meeting transcripts and push for outrageously dangerous (revolutionary?) policies, such as passing 'agreements' allowing corporations to sue governments for revenue lost due to environmental policy. Our radical Supreme Court will allow Bush to bypass congress because this isn't a 'treaty', but an 'agreement'? Phooey! I ain't that stupid, are you? Of course not!

These are not the bottle-tossing teenagers shown on tv. Those are a small minority, and protesters cannot just beat them up, so they take the hits from the authorities that come as retalliation for these actions, as you'll see below. The vast majority are responsible adults and youngsters committed to nonviolent opposition to corporate world domination. The rock-throwers are the authorities' strongest asset. tv is about action, so tv producers encourage violence, setting the concept of what protest is about, then collecting the images of the violence they cause. Yet, the seemingly obtuse talking heads ponder "What could have caused these school shootings?" Then they blame Hollywood!

Our un-elected "president", an unsophisticated and marginally literate son of a rich former warmonger president and former head of the U.S. secret police (Hmmm...sounds like a third world nation, doesn't it?) signing away our national sovereignty is terrifying to many, and maybe it should have you thinking too.

Citizens worldwide are saying "Ya Basta!" (Enough Already!) to corporate rule. The WTO is showing its true colors as they retreat to iron-fisted countries such as Saudi Arabia to host their bizarre good 'ol boy back room sessions. Do not speak of what 'they' in congress and the courts are doing. Decide instead, what you will do.

Enjoy the pictures, Power to You, and God Bless General Eisenhower!

Freseman Z. with Photo Pooch International In Quebec
Your bestest fan,
Freeman Z.

Appreciation

My sincere thanks and a heartfelt merci to all the people who worked so hard to make this event possible. Churches, Grass Roots organizations and individuals proved that we can manage quite well without condescending ubergovernance and big business.

Staging

I arrived Friday at Derby Line, a small Vermont/Quebec border town, where I was treated to free food from a local church. I met with activists and other media workers and we discussed our travel plans. Not all were admitted by Canada customs, so the rejected fell back to Vermont to fill support roles for those who got across.I was booted from the local activist's meeting as 'press', which was a shame because I can be quite useful in a planning session.

Lesson: Know who your friends are!

Jim Page

composed a folk song on the spot. He sang about Derby Line, the people who gathered around, and my dog Photo Pooch International as he snootched about.

1 -The Scene

I arrived at 01:30 Saturday, driving straight into the action "This looks like it" I said to Mr Poochie, as I parked and assembled my photo gear for night shooting. I did not know this was the hot spot where a barricade had earlier been breached. I walked twenty feet before a gas-bearing mortar round slid to a stop another thirty feet away.
"This is crazy" I thought. "Nothing tells me I shouldn't be here...The Tourism website didn't mention this!" I ran a few steps toward the billowing round and snapped three shots of fleeing young men before I was overtaken by the noxious gas. "Way worse than I expected" I thought, then it was all I could do to breathe. What was worse, I saw the cloud drifting toward the car where my precious pooch sat looking out. I got my keys and opened the door, seating myself with all my gear still on. I could barely see to roll my '85 VW downhill, starting the engine while avoiding the blinded people streaking across the street in front of me. Bad move. I should have grabbed Le Pooch and left the car behind.

Lesson: Panic is the enemy

Crowds of tens of thousands of protesters obscured the front line, making street lamps into prized territory. Some came from thousands of miles away, some just walked outside from their homes, but almost everyone shared similar feelings about the FTAA summit, the occupation of the warlords, and their Satan-Sucking corpocratic, anti-environment, anti-democracy, anti-labor agenda...

"It sucks!"

For residents, gas masks were essential

People shared what protection they had when possible. Breathing through acid-soaked cloth neutralizes the tear gas, but does nothing for the eyes or skin.

Enormous tear gas clouds indicated the center of conflict

The tear gas mortars fired regularly, totalling over a thousand . Rarely was there no smoke rising and drifting. It could be smelled blocks away, and burned like hell as one approached where the warlords were cutting up the hemisphere in their towers. "I guess after all this driving, I'm not gonna get an autograph from my fearless leader" I sighed, having parked the pooch-mobile international in a legal space blocks away. Good thing, since one of those damned burning poison-gas bombs penetrated a car's windshield...and burned inside.

2 -Les Quebecois

Whadya know!

I saw several optically-impaired individuals braving the dangers

Goggles offered eye protection

to facilitate faster escape from mortar-launched gas bombs that streaked in randomly. The rounds were visible blocks away. They came in fast and low, colliding with people and skidding to a stop.

3 -The Front Lines

The riot cops gently pushed me aside

and they beat the hell out of many who challenged them and arrested about 420 on a variety of charges. I witnessed the broken windows and bottle throwing. rockswere also thrown, and, of course many of the billowing tear gas bombs were 'returned' to the police. Shortly after this shot, police beside me were smashed with a white paint-bomb. The result appears below, (A thoroughly sarcastic "thank you" to the moron who lobbed that one. Remind me to give you a lesson in martial arts next time I see you.)

I ran toward this scene for the shot and paid the price

I used a wide lens here, so I'm closer than it looks. I was effectively blinded and breathing was painful as we retreated as fast as the crowd allowed, (which was damn slowly). A young man brought me water as I sprayed the street with spit, tears, and snot. -Merci!

Lesson: violence brings retalliation!

A youth waves the flag of Quebec

as another drums atop a bus stop shelter. Quebec is heavily into the French language, and is interested in leaving Canada for its own nationhood.

4 -Celebration

After several hours of conflict, I found myself in a rather different scene. Under the autoroute was the after-battle party. Protestors ate free food, danced and drummed on anything they could. Some Canadians kindly shared their weed with their American guests. I guess it's legal up there!

Lesson: Socialism works!

Thousands of people gathered under the elevated highway

You can see a few here. Hundreds pounded the guard rails, signs and posts. The rhythms were pleasing and continued for hours.

"People unite!"

I scattered chalk around. Maybe she's using one of my sticks.

Some just relaxed and took in the scene.

Medics got a break

but another tear gas attack was anticipated. Croix Rouge du Canada (Red Cross) were on the scene as well as independent volunteers with and without medical credentials. They treated broken bones and chemical burns.

Fatally axed in Bolivia, Che always makes the scene

Contrary to my experiences at U.S. protests, many at Quebec insisted I should not photograph them, so I didn't, but I gave them hell for being so silly. (If a protest happens and nobody sees it...) I wanted to tell them that the 'authorities' use sophisticated equipment and methods to identify their opposition. The first to say "no" was a militant clad in black up to the eyes. (Note: Not these guys above, who posed at my request.) I didn't have the heart to tell him that the Gestapo created a tremendously successful system that identified Ally spies ...by their way of walking.

Lesson: Militancy causes paranoia

Lively slogans adorned the throbbing guard rails

I recorded the drumming. It was quite impressive. Each solitary voice contributing to a decentralized concert. A young man stood on a guard rail post, mocking a conductor's motions.

Lesson: Anarchy works!

(Please investigate this word if you have any doubt as to its meaning and etymology: an-archy) Brought to you by the non committee for Anarchy be evolution, not revolution!

An abandoned 'drum' awaits a new player.

All this rhythm inspired some serious dancing

Spontaneous raves and music were in integral part of the demonstrations.

Jello Biafra says..."Nazi Punks F--- Off"

Skinny dudes danced by the bonfire

I actually feared my equipment would melt! (except, of course for my trusty all-metal "New" F-1 which, along with the Land Cruiser, is one of postwar Japan's crowning achievements, Arrigato!)

"Free food, free your mind!"

Red meat is said to increase aggression, and certainly wastes tremendous amounts of resources, so this meal was all veggie! When America eats grains instead of meat we will be able to feed the world's people easily. Imagine the power we will have then!

Link to the Food not bombs site

These folks demonstrate the correct attitude for survival and success!

5 -Conclusion

I'm very curious to see the results of the next Quebec City elections...Aren't you?

Boston:

Boston Global Action.org

IAC Boston (International Action Center) sent a contingent to Quebec, as well as to the Bush inauguration.

NEWS FLASH! The corporate snooze networks are now obsolete.

More Independent Media reports:

Indymedia.org has local sites worldwide where you can get the low-down from people.

Quebec Indymedia has extensive coverage of the manifestation by people

Burlington Vermont Indymedia had overage on the border actions by (that's right...) people

See the nutty interpretations of the Quebec Manifestation at peterchoyce.com ...He's people, too!

Quicktime Movie

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