(CJFE/IFEX) – Seven accredited photographers were hit with pepper spray by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on 4 June 2000 while covering a protest against the Organization of American States (OAS). CJFE is deeply concerned by the infringement of the rights to free expression and information that occurred in Windsor, Ontario. The site of the […]
(CJFE/IFEX) – Seven accredited photographers were hit with pepper spray by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on 4 June 2000 while covering a protest against the Organization of American States (OAS). CJFE is deeply concerned by the infringement of the rights to free expression and information that occurred in Windsor, Ontario. The site of the OAS General Assembly was surrounded by a heavy police presence that one journalist called “intimidating.” Hundreds of RCMP and Ontario Provincial Police, many of them in riot gear, patrolled the streets and guarded the perimeter of the meeting area.
“The first row of police advanced with shields. Then a second row of police had the pepper spray, which they sprayed from between the shields so you couldn’t see where it was coming from,” said Rob Gurdebeeke of the daily “Windsor Star”. Ted Rhodes, also of the “Windsor Star”, was also sprayed.
The photographers and scores of protesters were sprayed without any warning by police.
“It was pretty indiscriminate on the police’s part,” said photographer Dave Chidley of
the “London Free Press”. “I was out of commission for 2 to 3 minutes.”
“I think they just didn’t want us to take more photos,” said Ted Andkilde, a freelance photographer. “He aimed the thing right in my eyes and blasted it.” Covering his eyes with one hand, Andkilde then took a photo of the officer with the other.
“I was wearing my credentials around my neck as well as two cameras and a satchel of lenses. It is very unlikely he mistook me for a protestor,” said Andkilde.
Other photographers sprayed were Chris Bolin of the “National Post”, Jeff Kowalski of Agence France-Presse (AFP), Kevin Freyer of Associated Press (AP) and Taras Kovaliv of “The Globe and Mail”.
Police apparently advanced on the photographers and other bystanders to push them back before a separate group of riot police came forward to arrest protesters who were blocking the passage of a bus carrying delegates into a security zone. Some thirty-five protestors were eventually arrested. The General Assembly of the OAS met in Windsor from 4 to 6 June.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
-protesting the infringement of free expression, including the right to peaceful protest
-expressing strong disagreement with the use of pepper spray against photographers and protesters
-questioning the excessive mobilization of police in Windsor
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
Prime Minister of Canada
Room 309-S Centre Block
Parliament Hill
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Canada
Fax: +1 613 941 6900
E-mail: chretj@parl.gc.caThe Honourable Anne McLellan
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Room 707, Confederation Building
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Canada
Fax: +1 613 992 4524
E-mail: mcLelA@parl.gc.caThe Honourable Maria Minna
Minister for International Cooperation
Room 133, Confederation Building
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: +1 613 996 7942
E-mail: MinnaM@parl.gc.caPlease copy appeals to the source if possible.
