G20’s most wanted: a look behind the cops’ photos
Last week, the Toronto Police G20 Investigative Team released photographs of the top 10 most wanted individuals who caused property damage over the G20 weekend. The response by Toronto’s good Samaritan/tattle-tale community was so overwhelming that many from last week’s list have already been identified and arrested. The success inspired the cops to release another most wanted list, this time featuring 21 individuals (coincidentally, this is about the average age of the accused). The photos, which were given to the media Wednesday, often contain more than meets the eye. Here, our look at six of them »
Sporting what appears to be a $650 Sidewinder SV jacket by Arc’teryx, this apparently affluent protestor decided to stomp around on the roof and trunk of an abandoned police car before making his getaway. Arc’teryx: taking guerrilla advertising to a whole new level.
Status: arrested.
This baby-faced protestor makes Dennis the Menace look like Rod Flanders. He’s so slight and young it takes him 12 stomps to even make a dent in the abandoned police car’s windshield in this YouTube video. After the little guy finally gives up, he waves to the crowd before being whisked away by a woman who could very well have been his mother.
Status: at large.
Like everyone else, protestors are anxious to establish their environmental bona fides. Take this gentleman, who had the decency to wreak havoc using a reusable canvas tote bag.
Status: at large.
This ninja-warrior casts a level 4 hammer smash and is one of the few featured on both this week’s and last week’s most wanted lists. He reportedly caused “hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth” of damage. He’s also featured in this YouTube video punching fist-sized holes in panes of glass at Commerce Court.
Status: arrested.
Though his hairdo needs no introduction, this protestor remains a mystery. He can be seen here smashing the lights of an abandoned police car with a stick while witnesses laugh and make fun of him. He eventually runs out of steam and walks away while people sarcastically shout, “You showed them!”
Status: at large.
Because nothing says “Three Jewels of Taoism”—compassion, moderation, humility—like shattering the windows of a Tim Hortons.
hilarious!
I can’t tell if its just me, but the couple of articles I’ve read regarding the G20 from Toronto Life just seem really trashy, and in no way come across as any form of real journalism. I’m not sure if its intended to be real journalism, or just campy comment.
Making fun of these people seems to diminish the serious of their crimes (which the police would like us to take seriously), and also diminishes the seriousness of events that happened during the G20.
Regardless if one agrees with the actions of the police during that weekend, or feels that civil liberties were taken away from those who were protesting, the event brings up very important issues everyone should be aware of, and should not be reduced to trivial comment.
Patrick Bennett needs to learn how to write and research. Trite, mildly amusing captions on photographs under a misleading article title may have passed for journalism in the high school newspaper but adults want to be informed, not annoyed with breakfast table musings.r