Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Protesters disrupt Mayor Ford's New Year's levee

Protesters in Toronto tried to disrupt Mayor Rob Ford's New Year's levee on Monday, with one man detained by police.

Hundreds of people attended the event at City Hall for the chance to meet the mayor for a few moments. Most brought warm wishes for 2012, but some citizens delivered angry tirades.

Activists from a group called Stop the Cuts Toronto launched a helium balloon inside the City Hall lobby, with a few people applauding in response.

Protesters also unfurled a "Stop the cuts" banner near the mayor.

Police and security guards moved some the activists who'd gotten close to the mayor, shoving one against a glass wall before detaining him.

The protesters said they were there to tell Ford that any cuts to city services aren't welcome and that they'll be making their voices heard on Jan. 17, the first day of debate during council's final budget process.

Dozens of journalists also arrived to ask questions about a 911 call made from Rob Ford's home on Christmas and about the costs of the Eglinton subway line, which infrastructure magazine ReNew Canada has named the most expensive project in the country, based on total costs including materials and labour.

The mayor's office said Ford is too busy to comment.

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday told the media that council would be taking all voices into consideration.

“We can’t control the timing on the protests," he said. "I guess people come here to make a point and they’re going to do it in whatever way they can. They certainly want to gets the media’s attention and I guess they did.”

Holyday said the vast majority of the people in attendance were congratulating the mayor.

Original Article
Source: CBC 

No comments:

Post a Comment