Student strike enters dangerous phase #7

So when does Charest ask Harper to declare the WMA?

There used to be Aid to the Civil Power which was used to crush strikes in industrial Cape Breton back in the day.  I'm not sure exactly what legislative means are available at the moment for Federal governments to assist provincial governments. Then again who needs legislative authority anway. For how much longer will Mulcair and his trained seals remain quiet on this issue? (Of course, wiyth my apologies to trained seals.)

The police have become so militarized during the last 40 years that the army itself needn't be employed directly against demonstrators, at least not to this point, unless of course the demonstrators are First Nations in which case all brute force options always remain visible and on the table.  A declaration of martial law at the national level is quite unnecessary as well, unlike the Trudeau era where a skit was produced from arousing the entire country.  Nowadays overt repression is better contained to localized specificities as much as possible, in order to maintain the usual state of pacifity everywhere else.  G20 demonstrated that any zone, radius or street anywhere in the country can be administered under the auspices of a total dictatorial police state on a moment's notice.  When this occurs, it only highlights the fact that all other areas outside of those zones exist under the illusion of freedom at best, like an inmate on a temporary day pass.

Unionist wrote:

In fact, wasn't the WMA replaced by some other legislation way back when the October crisis took place - something that didn't have the word "war" in it, but allowed the same arrest and detention without warrant or charge provisions?

Unionist wrote:

It's about fascist repression, not about which instrument is used. Doesn't matter if the arrests are made by municipal or provincial or federal or military or "deputized" peace officers.

I didn't bring up the WMA actually.  I said it was quite unnecessary to do so nowadays.  This thread is about a new phase, which in the historical context of state repression from one end of the country to the other, is really just an old phase being dusted off, meaning that everything is permitted to the state in whatever configuration it deems necessary.  I respect you as well Unionist, but you might think about stopping with the old warhorse routine, where no one is allowed to talk about war in his presence because he's the only legitimate voice.

The network of womens' centres in Quebec has gone on a one day strike in solidarity with the student movement. 45 centres are participating across the province. Along with a group of social workers in the working class neighbourhood of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, social workers and artists seem to be the only sectors answering CLASSE's call for a social strike today.

Partout au Québec, des centres de femmes sont en grève dans la rue

MONTRÉAL, le 14 mai 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Le mardi 15 mai 2012, L'R des centres de femmes du Québec fait la grève sociale et plusieurs de ses membres réalisent des actions politiques, en appui au mouvement étudiant, en faveur de l'accessibilité universelle aux services publics et contre la répression policière.

Actions partout au Québec
Des centres de femmes, dont 45 en grève, seront en action dans 13 régions du Québec, le mardi 15 mai 2012. Par exemple, en Abitibi, les centres de femmes feront du piquetage et une action « tannante ». Dans le Bas-Saint-Laurent, les centres de femmes feront une action symbolique à Rivière-du-Loup, dans le cadre d'un piquetage devant le bureau du député libéral de la circonscription, Jean D'Amours.  D'autres actions auront lieu à Montréal, à Québec, à Gatineau et ailleurs....

http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/974317/partout-au-quebec-des-centres-de-...

It is my view of mass protests that face police states that it is the mothers that are always the key to any successes.  When the mothers come out in the streets to lead the marches, the bad boys and girls in the police ranks hardly ever riot. Egypt is a good example as are Chile, Argentina and Venezuela.

The students will soon find out whether their parents will allow them to be mowed down in the streets with tear gas and rubber bullets or whether they will say enough is enough I will stand with them.

Tks for all the great pics, which often say a thousand words Unionist.

Michelle Courchesne convoque les acteurs du conflit étudiant

La nouvelle ministre de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, Michelle Courchesne, convoque les représentants des associations étudiantes et les dirigeants des cégeps et des universités pour une rencontre mardi. Deux rencontres auront lieux. Mme Courchesne se réunira avec les représentants des quatre associations étudiantes puis avec les représentants de la Fédération des cégeps du Québec et de la Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec (CRÉPUQ)....

http://journalmetro.com/actualites/national/73149/michelle-courchesne-co...

google translate:

The new Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Michelle Courchesne, summon the representatives of student associations and leaders of colleges and universities for a meeting Tuesday. Two meetings will take place. Ms. Courchesne will meet with representatives of the four student associations and with representatives of the Federation of Quebec CEGEPs and the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ).

Unionist wrote:

Like every Nazi and fascist in history, the Liberal government, in preparation for more brutal and violent crackdowns, is blaming "Marxists" and "anti-capitalists" for all their problems. The savagery of their rhetoric is increasing by the minute.

Unbelievable. Who do they think is going to believe contrived nonsense like that?

6079_Smith_W wrote:

Unbelievable. Who do they think is going to believe contrived nonsense like that?

That type of language was enough to get the Ontario and federal governments a free pass on the G8/G20 police state tactics.  Where was the outcry over the anarchists they jailed for months, for the crime of organizing a protest? Manufacturing consent is a complicated process and just because you don't believe the lies they are proffering doesn't mean that a large number of your neighbors might not be sucked in. Just say Black Bloc and you get many jumping the shark to terrorist even on this board let alone in the MSM.

Gee, kropotkin, maybe you should have turned on The National. I wouldn't say they exactly got a free pass. 

And I asked the question because I might expect accusations of Marxist or anti-capitalist from our federal government, and i might expect it to sell in places like Calgary or even Toronto. I am a little surprised to hear it from the Quebec government. And I don't mean it as a slight on the political culture there. I am honestly surprised that Charest would play those cards. 

Is that the best they can do?

À l'aube d'une nouvelle ronde de discussion, la FEUQ tient à faire le point sur les derniers évènements

http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/975291/a-l-aube-d-une-nouvelle-ronde-de-...

google translate:

At the dawn of a new round of discussion, the FEUQ is to take stock of recent events

QUEBEC CITY, May 15, 2012 / PRNewswire-FirstCall / - First, the Quebec Federation of University Students (FEUQ) reacted positively to the possibility of open dialogue that involves the appointment of Michelle Courchesne as Minister of Education , Recreation and Sport, replacing Ms. Line Beauchamp, MP who resigned yesterday. Indeed, several times in the past, the FEUQ noted the constructive attitude of Madame Courchesne at the last bargaining blitz and she hopes to work on developing a crisis win-win. As she demonstrated in the past, the Federation is in solution, as the occasion of the meeting of May 5, 2012, and able to compromise: "The government was very aware of the fragility of the offer that we accept to submit to our members after 22 hours of negotiations. We had agreed to talk about student contribution instead of tuition, to make a bet where we are committed to finding savings in the poor management of universities. That students have never had water in their wine comes to renounce their work and to deny the legitimacy of their claims, "says Martine Desjardins, president of the FEUQ.

Moreover, the FEUQ adds that she never wanted the departure of Ms. Beauchamp, and had denoted a new openness on the part of the Minister at the meeting that preceded the telephone announcement of his resignation. "We are fighting for a society in which everyone can have access to university, regardless of socio-economic environment in which it arises. This calls for a freeze on tuition fees, not by the resignation of a minister, "says Desjardins.

FEUQ would also return to the words of Mrs. Beauchamp when he resigned as Minister of Education of the Liberal government of Jean Charest on the fact that students have refused a moratorium on rising tuition. "This is completely false, it is ourselves who had brought this option at the previous meeting. However, the Charest government refused from the beginning to consider a moratorium, a word that seems allergic to the Liberals, "says the president of the FEUQ.

In closing, the FEUQ wants the meeting to be held at 18 am in Quebec between the Minister Courchesne and representatives of student organizations to be successful and allow real discussion on the core problem: rising tuition fees. "While the resignation of Mrs. Little, members of the Charest government has made many statements bordering on laconic threat, some taking a" hard line "fuzzy and disturbing, we remain confident that we can address issues of funding, as everything will be on the table and we will not see a repeat of past meetings, "says Martine Desjardins.

Week 14: Still In The Streets

plus video

New Education Minister, More Protests

quote:

No Independent Inquiry Into Victoriaville: SQ

The Sécurité du Québec announced it will not have an independent inquiry into the event of the Victoriaville riots, despite numerous calls from the public and even political figures, including Quebec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir.

Amnesty International called for an inquiry on May 14 citing the “number of people injured, the repeated use of irritant gas,” and the “high number of arrests and their circumstances.” The human rights organization cites the March 25th demonstration and the SQ intervention on May 4th

Power Corps Annual Shareholder Meeting Disturbed

Approximately 200 protesters gathered around 10 a.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel in Montreal on May 15th to disrupt Power Corporation of Canada’s annual shareholder meeting.

The first clashes happened after 30 minutes when protesters approached police officers blocking access to the hotel. Police used pepper-spray on the crowd before deploying riot police, mounted police, and police on bicycles to form three separate lines of defence against the advancing group.

The protesters soon left, marching to Jacques Cartier bridge. They momentarily blocked access to the Ville-Marie expressway before returning to the Intercontinental hotel.

Citing physical altercations between students and bystanders, the SPVM declared the demonstration illegal around 2pm.

Police in riot gear then dispersed the students.

At press time the SPVM confirmed 2 arrests had been made.

#Manifencours

Following the March 22nd demonstration where between 100,000 and 200,000 students marched through downtown Montreal, a new march is scheduled for May 22nd.

At press time more than 7,000 people indicated their attendance to the event.

As nightly student demonstration is now becoming a tradition, the 22nd consecutive march is scheduled to kick off at 8:30pm, Parc Emile Gamelin on May 15.

http://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/2996#.T7L3c2TY5N4.facebook

I believe RDI said she was being held at least overnight pending a court appearance, unionist.

Thanks everyone for all the updates. We're sll good.

Unionist wrote:

This will end badly, unless students and their allies work out a way to snatch a victory, even a small one, from the situation. Already, the massive defiance and mobilization of the past months is a historic accomplishment that will mark this generation and the progressive movement here as a whole. It's vital that it should not go down in history, however, as: "What's the point, we fought, but we lost." I don't know how this will all play out, but obviously we need broader and more active alliances, otherwise even the most militant and self-sacrificing sections of the movement can be taken on by the state one at a time.

By victory, I'm assuming you mean some sort of negotiated settlement in terms of tuition or some related item? Do you have a suspicion of what we'll see or some idea as to what you'd like to see the students angle for? Because you're right: I think the demonstration is already a "victory" and I wonder what kind of contract "victory" could be used as a symbol of the former's success other than total or near-total capitualtion by the government, which appears unlikely. Aren't the students better off using the movement itself as its symbol, noting that (if Charest succeeds in crushing this movement with draconian policies and force) this battle is suspended, but la lutte continue?