Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Details:

What: G20 Protest Watching
When: Fri June 25th, 2010
Time: 5PM
Where: NW Corner of Yonge and Queen
Bring: Cameras and maybe a monopod (NO TRIPODS). also dont forget your ID (cops require it if we get close to the fence and they can legally arrest you for not showing it now! Crazy eh?!?!)

Soit is a bit short notice, but I am on my way down to Henrys and then the Apple store in the Eaton Centre and then I figured I would go check out the G20 protests.

I will be starting off at the Eaton Centre at the NW corner of Yonge and Queen and then walking south from there to check things out around the fence perimeter and then I will head up through the city to Queens Park. This is all tentative based on where the action is/if there is any action, but it is a good rough idea of where we (or I if no one reads this in time) will be going.

I will be reachable by email at s.poborsa@gmail.com or by my cell (647) 242-8844 (just tell me your from TPMG) so when you arrive just look for me with my big Crumpler Bag (with TPMG TAG!) and my camera out. Ill hang around the corner for a bit

PS - I said monopod as it is a lot faster to pick up and go with then a tripod so either monopod or hand held. We dont want to get stuck because of a tripod.

Damn I really wanted to goto this Times cutting short for me

Ill be there for a while tyler and I also may go back tomorrow as it will be more active too.

Hmm I might try and make it out for tomorrow after work

Sounds good to me. Ill probably go down for the exact same time. Ill make a second event....

be careful guys

I may join you if it's happening Saturday... Unfortunetly I finish work at 5 tonight...

I am gonna be around NPS at this time, might drop by, but I have a bicycle, so not sure. Got my camera on me anyways

I work one block east of Yonge & Queen. Nothing happening. I have my camera, so I may see you.

So many security guards, so much boredom.

Want clean shots of the city with no pesky pedestrians & cars? Now's your chance.

The coolest protest so far is by the World Wildlife Foundation. An ice sculpture of a polar bear covers a bronze skeleton. It's melting pretty fast, so I'd run over there if you want a shot.

Passersby are encouraged to hasten the melting by touching the ice symbolizing our harmful interaction with the environment.

It's in the park near the Flatiron building on Front street. Near the fountain.

Ya there isn't much here except they just evac'd the eaton centre. Tons of fire trucks.

hmmm, Keep us updated if you hear anything!

I've officially been stopped and imterviewed by police! Outside te eaton centre! They saw my monopod and freaked. Then I saw Pam who watched the entire thing.

And an update on the eaton centre evac is that there was a small fire somewhere in the building. Cops thought it was washroom or something and apple store guy said food court.

I really curious about those sound cannons (no pun intended) - see if you can get them to fire one up!

I'm kinda thinking Saturday too -- more shots of Toronto shut down than of protesters.

Toronto fire normally has a list of all active incidents on the Toronto website, looks like it's been removed for the g20:

http://www.toronto.ca/fire/cadinfo/livecad.htm

I'm going to start making my way up there. Have to make a stop at Burrito Boyz first though

The Toronto Star has a pretty decent live blog and the ISU has twitter feed.

I got bored and went home, but things seem to be kicking off now. The mounted units passed Bay and Queen about 25 minutes ago. Last I heard the protest was at Bay & College. Which is near where a lot of the cops seem to be bivouacked. The riot gear is out. I've only seen cops on bikes up until now.

---------

I saw Scott walk by my office which overlooks Queen and Yonge. So I was actually looking for him when I saw him get nabbed. I was too chicken to haul out my 70-300.

Stay safe everyone!

SOOOOO.........
I am home now as everything downtown got dispersed before i even got up there and there really was not a whole lot going on.

ALSO I have now been interviewed a total of 3 times, searched all 3 times and info taken down twice. reasons: BIG black bag, monopod, tall guy in all black with skull and crossbones on the back of my t-shirt.

this means that for tomorrow:

NO tripods/monopods
NO big gear bags / really any kind of bag other then a camera holster
NO black t-shirts with skull and cross bones on it or all black clothing at all it seems.

also i was told, repeatedly, STAY AWAY FROM THE FENCE! and this was no where near the damn thing too.

i was stopped on queen outside the eaton centre where pam saw me, surrounded by police who jumped out of a van, questioned and searched and info taken down.

Next was Yonge and College where i went looking for the protest which i was asked to open up my bag and show them everything inside but info was not taken.

then i walked into college station where as i swiped my metropass i was pulled aside by two more officers searched, info taken down, seriously talked to but very casual at the same time. really happy to talk with me as i was "nice".

all of this between 4:30 and 5:45

Hey Scott, ya.... Glad I left work early.and headed home. Have fun, looks like the police don't care who or what you are. Lovely.

My office is in Front Street. It has been closed for last 2 days. I am Working from Home. Have planned to go that area for some pics but after this incident it is better to stay away from them. Sometime high security makes life miserable .

maybe the tpmg tag would help?

Scott was wearing it.

By the way there is an event posted for today. please post in it if you are going to come. i dont feel like going alone this time.

Yeah you need someone to watch your back. It's looking too hairy for me. Stay safe.

I'm stuck at work im free tomorrow though anyone want to go with me??

I'm stuck working tomorrow until 5:00 so i wouldnt be down until 5:30 ish

May be ill join you . I cant sit and just watch on tv . i actually feel like going right now

well currently there is not much going on it seems. all of the crazy stuff has been dispersed and the main parade of protestors seems to be finishing up now. also it is quite hard to get into the downtown core without walking the entire way as they have stopped all subway, bus, and streetcar access to the core.seems to be just the crazy ppl left and lots of people getting tossed away. everything is on lockdown. I dont think i will try and head down now at all. seems too much for me

seems to be just the crazy ppl left and lots of people getting tossed away. everything is on lockdown. I dont think i will try and head down now at all. seems too much for me