Protest on the HILL

I just arrived on the hill for the Tar Sands protest. Music and speeches fill the air along with a large police presence. There have been several moderated and almost planned arrests. All people arrested have been handled with a gentle hand and without any undue aggression from what I can see and hear. I am currently in the arrest zone but feel no immediate threat. The Peace Tower chimes are being drowned out by a drum circle. The media are all standing by ready for Something, anything to happen. For now the speeches have stopped and there is a sense of disorder as the tension begins to mount. One gentleman is screaming for Harper to emerge from Parliament as a few RCMP officers pay close attention to him. The drumming has stopped and an eerie silence has settled on the hill. Another arrest.

They have just announced that if would like to be arrested, to sign up at the table located beside the flame. You will be briefed on the legal ramifications of your actions by the protest organizers legal team. There is no one lined up! The drumming has resumed. There are four people with hands joined marching past the police to be arrested. They are being read their rights and taken to a secure location. There have 60 to 70 folks that have crossed the line to be arrested according to an RCMP officer I spoke to. The is the most organized resistance movement I have seen.  It lacks something.

There is a lone NDP member on the steps. I missed his name, bit he was just acknowledged by the MC. He is clearly a supporter and after being mentioned, proceeded to chant and wave to the crowd. A loud cheer.