G8/G20 Security Highlights, 24 Jun 10

Techie Arrest This (via Milnet.ca) from a Toronto Police Service news release:

On Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at approximately 2 p.m., as a result of an ongoing investigation, Toronto Police Service officers executed a search warrant at 58 Elderwood Drive, in the Bathurst and Lawrence area of Toronto. Byron Sonne, 37, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with: 1) Intimidation of Justice System Participant by Threat 2) Intimidation of Justice System Participant by Watch and Beset 3) Mischief interfere with property 4) Attempt mischief 5) Possess explosive for unlawful purpose 6) Weapons dangerous. (….)

And just who IS Byron Sonne? The Toronto Star has pulled together some interesting information – he appears to be an IT security consultant who may not have been happy with the amount of money being spent on security for the Summit Season.  CBC techie correspondent Jesse Hirsch says he heard Sonne say he “was trying to trigger alerts by buying innocuous items” as well as “monitor police & share via twitter”.  One opinion, from a former employer:

None of the posts (via Twitter) made threats or suggested potential for harm. His talk is innocuous. And this all looks like a very large over-reaction from a police service that felt somewhat embarrassed that someone was publicly calling them out on their failure to encrypt their communications and poor placement of security cameras.

Here’s some of Sonne’s posts from his Twitter account over the past while:

don’t forget design flaw in most G20 fence: holes are small enough to thread big bolts in for extra leverage and grip #g20report these would be handy for scaling G20 fences; the ones I have at home would fit the smaller grid fence http://tinyurl.com/36hs6vp #g20report New videos of G20 Fence line finished uploading http://www.youtube.com/user/torontogoat these ones got me some police trouble #g20report

You be the judge. Sonne’s bail hearing reportedly continues Saturday.

---

Why They Won’t Denounce Violence

Globe & Mail columnist Marcus Gee nails it:

…. The fact is that activists find the violent fringe useful. Violence draws television cameras – if it bleeds, it leads – and cameras draw attention to the struggle. Activist leaders may not throw bricks themselves, but many will be quite content if others do. And when it happens, you can be sure they will blame the violence entirely on the police. To sock the copper and cry police brutality when he hits back is the oldest trick in the book. Activists are already calling the fence and the massed police a “provocation” – in other words, a green light for brick tossing ….

---

Sound Cannon Legal Fight Begins

A decision on whether so-called sound cannons can be legally used against G20 protesters will come Friday. An Ontario judge is hearing arguments today from two civil rights groups that want an injunction preventing their use. Lawyer Paul Cavalluzzo says Toronto residents should not be used as “guinea pigs” to see whether the sound cannons are safe. Cavalluzzo says the devices have the potential to permanently damage hearing ….

---

What Next – Locusts? First, there was the earthquake felt in Toronto. Now, a tornado not all that far from Huntsville:

A funnel cloud apparently touched down in Midland, Ont., tonight, damaging many town businesses including a trailer park.  ‘‘If you saw the movie Twister, that’s pretty much what happened,” said Alisdair MacLean, the business manager of Midland Toyota on the town’s main thoroughfare, King Street ….

---

What DIDN’T Cause the Earthquake

Twitter smartass @G20Security is trying to reassure us regarding alternative theories of the earthquake that rattled Toronto and Ottawa Wednesday.  His mythbusters:

Rumours are FALSE that Canada’s #G20 gift to Obama is a “tectonic plate”. No further rumours, or #fakequake, will be entertained.

Rumours are FALSE that “the quake was felt even by Scrooge, The Grinch, and the Prime Minister”

Rumours are FALSE that the “world’s most powerful vibrating dildo” is part of #G20 entertainment expense. You people are sick.

Rumours are FALSE that “Canada’s pension system is on shaky ground.”

Rumours are FALSE that it was “unstoppable rumbling of protester dissent”. This is a particularly cheesy and unimaginative rumour

Rumours are FALSE that it was a “vuvuzela attack”

Rumours are FALSE that it was “The HST impacting consumers”. This rumour is particularly esoteric and unhelpful

Rumours are FALSE that “Quebec is trying to separate”

Rumours are FALSE that a tsunami warning has been issued for G20 Lake.

I feel better already.

---

For more from all sides,
check out the page o’ links here.

About these ads