By Nadine Moedt (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: September 19, 2012
In an attempt to protect our coast from the toxic tar sands industry, a peaceful act of planned civil disobedience is being organized by a group called Defend Our Coast. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is determined to poison our coastline with tar sands diluted bitumen; Defend Our Coast is calling on citizens to stand up for our environment and make it clear that we will not be a doormat for big oil companies and Harper’s personal agenda.
The tar sands question is a huge one for BC and its outcome will affect our coast, our province and our future. Tar sands diluted bitumen is hazardous both to our personal health and the overall health of our environment. If we don’t stand up for these things now, and the pipeline goes through, we will be prisoners of a destructive economy that will be largely dependent on fossil fuels.
This is the first time I have considered engaging in civil disobedience. I am urging you to consider the same. We should realize that now is the time; we are young, most of us without families to support and with flexible schedules. If you are arrested, it’s not a huge deal. I’m sure it would be a great character building experience.
Here are some things you need to know before going into a planned act of civil disobedience.
The definition of civil disobedience, taken from Protesters Guide to the Law of Civil Disobedience, outlines three distinct aspects. “First, it is always peaceful; second, those who engage in civil disobedience must be prepared to accept the penalty arising from the breach of the law; and thirdly, their purpose must be to expose the law breached to be immoral or unconstitutional, in the hope that it will be repealed or changed; or in the hopes that the law or administrative decision will be repealed or changed.” By following these rules, you can avoid being arrested for any criminal charges.
A successful protest is one that peacefully raises awareness. In September 2011, a group of protesters were arrested for civil disobedience; 500 people were protesting the tar sands at the House of Commons in Ottawa, 117 were arrested. According to Mongabay news, the protest occurred “without drama” and those arrested were simply given a $65 fine and banned from the House of Commons for a year.
Having participated in some student protests in Montreal, I’ve learned some things from veteran activists; their advice is to come prepared. If there’s any possibility of arrest, there are some things you should bring. A pen and paper to take notes on any incident that might occur during the protest, a recorder or video camera for documentation of your arrest, water for your eyes in case tear gas is used, and some form of identification are all useful. Valuables should be left at home, and so should anything that might resemble a weapon. Illegal drugs are a definite no.
Useful tips can be gained from looking at past protests gone wrong. Some tactics police have used (i.e., at the G20 summit) to disperse a crowd include tear gas, pepper spray and stun guns. If you are tear-gassed or pepper-sprayed, do not rub your eyes. Rinse your eyes (apparently adding baking soda to the water helps) and get to a well-ventilated area. The effects should wear off in around 15 minutes.
A helpful article online, “Protesters Guide to the Law of Civil Disobedience in British Columbia,” reminds readers that there is always a possibility of being arrested while engaging in civil disobedience. A key thing you need to remember is that, aside from the requirement to supply your first and last name, date of birth, and address, you should remain silent. Don’t talk to anyone else in your cell, and don’t speak to the police officers. You can only be held for 24 hours before being taken before a judge, and in that time you should ask to see a lawyer, or if you can’t afford one, get legal aid or talk to the appointed Duty Council. These people will advise you of your legal rights and walk you through what will happen next.
Often in an organized protest, some form of information or training will precede the protest itself. Defend our Coast takes place on October 22, but expects that its participants will attend a one-day training session on October 21. This session will provide both information on how to deal with the police in case of an arrest, and details about what the demonstration itself will entail. Take a look at Defendourcoast.ca for more details.
In his “Resistance to Civil Government,” Thoreau wrote “all men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable.” Harper’s war on the environment is tyrannical. We need to stand up for ourselves, and now is the time to do so.
