I have written a letter to those I believe are responsible for caling a public inquiry into the G20 debacle in Toronto. My son was beaten and arrested by police as were hundreds of other innocent civilians. It is important that a public inquiry be launched so that we can find out exactly who it was who stole our civil liberties for a weekend and how they managed to do it.

I know, if a letter is to be effective, it is supposed to be a single page. But I couldn't stop.

July 8, 2010

Ms. Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva; Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Mr. Vic Toews, Minister, Public Safety; Mr. Michael Ignatieff. Leader, Liberal Party; Mr. Jack Layton, Leader, NDP; Dan McTeague, MP; Wayne Arthurs, MPP; Mr. William Blair, Chief of Police, Toronto; Mr. Alok Mukherjee, Chair, Toronto Police Services Commission; Mr. Dalton McGuinty, Premier, Ontario; Mr. David Onley, Lieutenant Governor, Ontario

Dear Ms. Pillay,

As a Canadian who cherishes our right to freely express ourselves and who upholds the rule of just law, I write with a heavy heart. It is weighed by the stark images I’ve seen and stories I’ve heard from direct eye witnesses of so many of our civil liberties being denied, again and again, by police officers as they carried out their duties in downtown Toronto during the weekend of the G20. My son, having just celebrated his 19th birthday, was one of those taken out of a peaceful crowd of protesters by police, kicked, stomped upon, arrested without charge, and held for 24 hours in a cage without legal counsel or medical attention. His arrest is recorded on YouTube but, as in other recorded situations, police hid their actions behind shields and impermeable lines thereby preventing the public from filming what they were doing; all you can hear is his cry, “What did I do? What did I do?” It is terrible to watch.

I would like to know what it is that he, and hundreds like him, did to deserve the treatment they experienced at the hands of those charged with protecting them. I would like to know why he was pulled down while part of a peaceful crowd. I would like to know why he and others who were with him were beaten as they were being arrested. I would like to know why when my son asked for medical attention, an officer told him he hoped his wound would get infected. I would like to know why, when asked for his badge number, that same officer replied “Fuck you.” I would like to know why, when my son stared at him that same officer told him “Stop looking at me or I’ll kick you in the chest again“, both threatening my son and identifying himself as one of those who kicked my son during his arrest. I would like to know why officers did not tell my son what he did that caused his arrest.

I would like to know why the Eastern Avenue temporary detention facility was a place of overcrowding, debasement, and humiliation. I would like to know why civilians detained there were not allowed the medical attention they needed, were not allowed consideration for special needs, were not given toilet paper, were held in cuffs that caused their fingers to tingle for hours, were referred to only by number, were not provided enough space to lie down or sleep, were not allowed a phone call or legal representation, were allowed to soil themselves if they were not able to use the exposed toilets and then allowed to remain in a soiled state, and why some had to resort to creating shoulder to shoulder body walls to protect their privacy. I would like to know why they were not allowed to contact legal counsel or even family members.

I would like to know why “finding members of the Black Bloc” is offered as though it is an acceptable justification for mass arrests of innocent people. I would like to know why the Black Bloc was allowed to run a 24 block rampage in the centre of our city undeterred by police. I would like to know why police, who are purported to have already infiltrated the Black Bloc, did not move to prevent their destructive actions. I would like to know why police cars were left unattended for hours before the Black Bloc torched them. I would like to know why photo journalists were able to get so close to such violent criminals but police are reported to have fled from them. I would like to know why the interests of those who sought to bring their concerns peacefully to the attention of this city and the G20 leaders who were meeting here, were surrounded by police while the Black Bloc was ignored. I would like to know why police are filmed in the attire of Black Bloc members and if, as has happened before in Canada, they were acting as agents provocateurs.

I would like to know why Toronto was put at such a level of risk by holding the G20 in its downtown core that it merited a 1 billion dollar security force. I would like to know why the distinction between the fence and those buildings protected by the invoking of the Public Works Act was not clarified for the public. I would like to know why police continued to arrest and impede individuals within and beyond 5 metres of the fence throughout the weekend of the G20. I would like to know why arrests were made as far away from the "secure" area as Queen and River Streets. I would like to know why a York Regional Police Officer advised civilians who were not within 5 metres of the fence, that they were “not in Canada” with his colleague from the Toronto Police Force adding that they were in "G20 land". I would like to know why civilians were not allowed peaceful passage in a land that is Canada where people do have rights. I would like to know why police on horses were allowed to ride through a protected area, trampling pedestrians in the process. I would like to know why David Miller and Dalton McGuinty dismiss demands for explanations, arguing instead that police acted appropriately. I would like to know what further information they had that allows them to think that way; current public information does not, in any way, support the abuses of civil liberties that police exercised. I would like to know why our country's media has not focused on the gross injustices perpetrated and continues to allow the majority of Canadians to believe they were at risk and that the mass arrests were a necessary response.

I want to know what really happened, what when wrong, why, and who is responsible. I want to know that the government and the forces involved in the ISU, Integrated Security Unit, are doing everything in their power to identify those who acted inappropriately, discipline them, and then develop plans to help rebuild our trust, particularly that of a generation of youth who appear to have been targeted throughout this weekend. There are many, many things I and thousands and thousands of other Canadians would like to know. Perhaps one of the most burning among them is “How could this happen in Canada?”

More than anything, though, I want to know that this will never happen again. Given the obvious dismissal of recommendations issued by the United Nations’ Human Rights Committee in 2005, however, I fear that this kind of assault on dissent is growing rather than diminishing in Canada. I want to know that my fear is unfounded.

I am ashamed of the treatment Canadians received at the hands of those entrusted with ensuring their safety and, if our governments will not take action and call a public inquiry that will find answers to these questions and so many more, I will be ashamed, too, of my government.

Yours,

Gretta Vosper (Rev.)

Mother

Canadian

Minister, West Hill United Church

Founder, Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity

Author, With or Without God: Why the Way We Live is More Important that What We Believe

(HarperCollins, 2008)

Another few days have come and gone and with them many more new faces of those for whom the challenge of progressive thinking is not a challenge at all but a welcome freedom. Scott and I have been to Brisbane, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand and made presentations in both places. We are now on our way to Wellington.

In Brisbane, we were the guests of an organizing team formed of groups within the Progressive Spirituality Network and the Sea of Faith networks. Groups like these have grown up all over Australia and, through the efforts of the Common Dreams conference organizers and their vision, have been cooperating on events such as these. It brings together those who are “growing out of the Christian tradition,” and those who prefer to explore the realm of meaning, values, and relationship or the quest for truth, goodness, and beauty, without reference to anything “spiritual.” I believe that the future lies in the intertwining of these two distinct groups, work that is already underway at West Hill United Church, the community in east Toronto with which I celebrate life.

In Brisbane, we had the pleasure of visiting with Greg Jenks and his partner, Eve James. Greg is the Dean of St. Francis’ Theological College, an Anglican community training leaders for the church. He is often lauded by John Shelby Spong as one of the leaders within the church with a vision who can take it to a meaningful future. While on the grounds of the seminary, we were pleased to be reunited with Daniel Gulotta, a seminarian with whom we had enjoyed challenging conversations at the Common Dreams conference in Melbourne. Daniel has posted a review of my book With or Without God, on the website of The Center for Progressive Christianity.

It was busy schedule in Brisbane. The program at Wesley Mission House, a phenomenal building that blends corporate offices and church mission work, began with an address to a gathered group for about an hour on Saturday morning. After a brief break, I put participants to the work of creating songs, liturgies, and symbolic actions that could be used in a gathering. The themes I challenged them to work with were “sticks” and “stones” and I was truly moved by what it was they created in the 40 minutes the groups had to work on their elements. Songs written to well known hymn tunes introduced the images as ones that challenged us to see our diversity. An opening ritual in which each participant reflected on the nature of a different stone and placed it in a dish and a closing action that engaged that reflected on the different purposes to which we put sticks in our lives, embraced the community in a common action. it was a moving way to close our day’s event.

That evening, after speaking for a shorter time, we engaged in questions and answers, a dialogue that allowed participants to identify what their interests and concerns were. It is too easy for me to talk about what I want to talk about and leave without ever having touched the concerns of those who gather so the Q&A gets those issues out and into the space. We were joined by a young member of the West Hill congregation who had moved to Brisbane in pursuit of a beautiful girl. She accompanied him to my lecture that evening along with a third friend. It was great to see a familiar face.

Sunday morning, I was privileged to join and address the community known as St. Mary’s in Exile , currently meeting in the Trade and Labour Council building (now also known as the Totally Lapsed Catholics building). St. Mary’s in Exile is a community galvanized by the expulsion of their priests, Peter Kennedy and Terry Fitzpatrick, from the church in which they had been practicing – Peter for 28 years - because of their refusal to use the Vatican accepted Trinitarian formula for baptism. During the service, a child was welcomed into the community through baptism, using words reminiscent of the historical formula, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but dramatically more inclusive – Creator, Redeemer, Liberator. The child’s mom read a letter to her baby wishing her many good things and asking that she grow up being kind to her parents and staying away from bad boys. The gathered community, many sitting on the floor at the front of the unstacked chairs, laughed and enjoyed her good humor as they passed a candle, one to the other, a symbol of the way their faith is shared – person to person. It was a beautiful service and an honor to be present.

That evening, at the second standing room only mass of the day, Peter Kennedy invited me to share in the celebration of their Eucharist, a welcoming and inclusive ritual, and lead the community in the prayer West Hill’s children share with us each week. St. Mary’s has been examining their use of the Lord’s Prayer within the Mass. The introduction of the prayer which means so much to us tied together the two communities, each forging its own future, in a beautiful and symbolic way.

Following the service, several of us moved to West End Uniting Church where we gathered with others for “Coffee and Conversation”. This is a regular weekly event sponsored by the Progressive Spiritual Network of Brisbane. Many gathered who had been to one of the events at which I had spoken and conversation revolved around the questions they had formed over the course of the weekend. It was a terrific end to a wonderful time with the progressive thinkers in that beautiful city.

I’m now on a flight from Adelaide back to Melbourne where I’ll catch a connection to Canberra. Last evening’s event at Pilgrim Uniting Church drew a wonderful crowd, filling the sanctuary of this very old and very beautiful church. Organizers had booked Scott and I into a wonderfully redone old building, now the Medina Hotel. And a delightful woman, Sue, who is studying the process of immigration in Australia for her doctorate, had very thoughtfully filled a basket (and a shopping bag!) with tastefully and carefully chosen treats and locally made foods for us to enjoy while we were there.

As we gathered, people continued to stream in so that we held off beginning until about ten minutes after the time we had expected to run. I spoke for about forty-five minutes about the work in which I am engaged, how I developed my sense that it needed to be done, and why I think it is so important. We then opened the floor for questions.

What a rich diversity of interests and concerns were raised. For almost another 45 minutes, I had the privilege of responding to queries people opened to the crowd – what about prayer, why “Christian”, if not “God” then what, why does it seem to be predominantly older people on this journey? The questions were offered up with sincerity and respect and I felt that, even when the inquirer was somewhat troubled with my response, there was openness to exploration and conversation.

Some of those who joined us for “supper” in the church hall following shared their perspectives with me further. One gentleman, who I guess to have been in his late sixties or early seventies, told me I was the very first person to ever say publicly what it was he had believed since he was twelve years old and told what it was he was supposed to believe. Another young man, perhaps in his twenties or early thirties, thanked me saying that he had come with his mother and that although he had been attempting to explain some of these truths to her, their rigid Roman Catholic background had made it very difficult for her to accept what it was he had been saying. He believe that, having heard his beliefs affirmed by me that evening, she would now be able to accompany him on the journey. One woman, who works in the national office of the Uniting Church of Australia, engaged me in a conversation about the role churches have to play in challenging governmental policies and moving them toward more just and ecologically sustainable outcomes. She noted that non-governmental organizations, NGOs, working on the forefront of social and environmental justice were seeking the support of the church because of its perceived influence; influence the felt NGOs on their own could not wield. Her concern was that a removal of the divine imperative to act with Justice might erode that supposed influence.

It is clear that there is much work for the Progressive Christian Network of South Australia to do as they seek to stretch the established churches of that state beyond traditional expressions of Christianity. As with every other place I have ever spoken, the critical question will be whether it can be done in time or if, as I often fear, it is already too late for the church to make the shift necessary to evolve itself into a network of grassroots communities that challenge their members to live in right relationship with themselves, others, and the planet.

It’s been a busy few days as we wrapped up the Common Dreams II conference in Melbourne, did a quick tour of the Great Ocean Road, and traveled to Adelaide where I will speak tonight at Pilgrim Uniting Church. All has been very good.

The conference drew almost 400 full-registrants and up to another 200 or more who were there for partial days and evening speeches. Local arrangements handled everything with aplomb and the conversations were rich and engaging. Many spoke of the difficulty they have getting “to” the progressive perspective I presented, either personally or, already there, in their communities of faith. But they expressed appreciation for it very much and, I believe, went away with much to ponder and that will challenge them to keep working their way forward.

And, I was able to spend time with Lloyd Geering, a leader, thinker, and author that I enormously respect. He said he was surprised I'd heard of him! OMG!! It was wonderful to spend time in conversation with him and to find him so engaging. When I get to Wellington, we will have another opportunity to connect. Both Scott and I are very much looking forward to it. Lloyd is one of the theologians being studied by Scott in his doctoral work.

There was some very good media attention. On the day of my first keynote address, I was interviewed on the Jon Faine "Conversations" hour with Jamie Cullum, jazz pianist and performer, who was in Melbourne on tour promoting his new album, The Pursuit, and Noni Hazelhurst, well-known Aussie actor and star of a hit cop drama, City Homicide. It was a great time! The next day, Scott and I attended Jamie’s performance at the National theatre and were dazzled by his artistry and energy. An amazingly talented man. You can hear our conversation on this link to the show.

Over the weekend, I was interviewed by Rachael Kohn. An intuitive, gifted, and brilliant woman, it was an honour to spend the time in conversation with her. Her show on ABC Radio, The Spirit of Things, is considered the best radio show in Australia with a spirituality focus and, from what I’ve heard, very likely anywhere. Like I said, total honour to be with her.

Sunday evening, it was my pleasure to join Dr. Val Webb for an hour of live conversation with John Cleary on his show, Sunday Nights. That link to the show is the recording of our conversation.

And this afternoon, I pre-recorded a segment for Sunday Night Safran with John Safran and Father Bob. Sorry, but you’re really going to have to listen to this one to figure it out. From track suits to how hard it is to keep those little lies going.... Will post the link when it’s aired but it only lasts for a couple of weeks. I’ll try to get a permanent post if that’s possible.

I had such great intentions to blog every day about our trip to Australia but the place we are staying does not have internet in the unit. That, I have decided, is a very good thing!

Scott and I have spent the day on the Great Barrier Reef. The largest living organism on the planet (honestly, I thought there was a stand of poplars somewhere that had taken that distinction, but what do I know) it extends for thousands of miles along the coast of Queensland. We traveled with a company that does research on the effects of tourism on the reef. Not a surprise that they can do that as they must ferry thousands of people each month out to the outer ribbon reefs where we spent the day snorkeling and "ocean walking". It was magical and something we will never forget despite the not very inspiring photographs we took!

Yesterday was a work day but the day prior, we spent a delightful afternoon exploring the Cairns Botanical Gardens. Owned and maintained by the city, the gardens incorporate manicured lawns, rainforest walks, an orchid house and a fern house to name just a few of the wonderful aspects of this municipal treasure.

On the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, The Tanks, five oil tanks built into the camouflage of the rainforest during the Second World War, have been recommissioned as concert and gallery venues. On a computer in one of the tanks, visitors are invited to record any stories they might have that relate to the tanks -- did they play around them as children, live there while they were being built, paint messages of adolescent infatuation on them -- whatever. History in the retelling -- a superb idea.

Tomorrow is another work day, then we are off to explore the rainforest. Soooooo love the beauty of this place!

Organized by a number of smaller progressive groups around Australia and New Zealand, Common Dreams brings together speakers and participants from around the world. It is my honour to be the keynote speaker at this year's gathering. Scott will be providing music leadership and premiering a song he has written on the conference's theme. 

Other presenters include theologian Lloyd Geering; Fred Plumer, President of The Center for Progressive Christianity in the States, Val Webb, award-winning author of Like Catching Water in a Net; Human Attempts to Describe the Divine, and Glyn Cardy, Rector at St. Matthew's in the City, home of the notorious Joseph and Mary in bed billboard. 

Following Melbourne, I will be speaking in Adelaide, April 20; Canberra, April 21; Sydney, April 24 and 25, Brisbane, May 2 and 3, and then flying over to New Zealand. There, I will be addressing groups in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. 

It is a wonderful privilege to share the hope I have for a church that can make a significant positive difference in the world. Beyond division, religion's most identifying trait, I so believe their can be cooperation and cohesion, two things we desperately need in the fragmented world in which we live. 

Join me here regularly as I blog about the trip, the people I meet, the inspiration they offer, and the challenges they face as they, too, seek to move toward a more beautiful future.