Hostile police actions at Dyke March tackled head on
NEWS / Planning committee lodges formal complaint
Noreen Fagan / Ottawa / Thursday, September 01, 2011
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This year's Ottawa Dyke March was a celebration, a peaceful protest — and a political statement, because of the planning committee's decision to march without police presence.

Sam Whittle is a member of the committee.

"We felt that paying the police to be part of our march was against our mission and values and against the things we stand for," Whittle says. "We also thought that it would be really empowering — as the Dyke March is the political aspect of Pride — to walk by ourselves without police, to be able to know that we can do that, to be able to reclaim our streets in a really positive way."

The march did reclaim the streets, but with unwanted police presence, which was, by Whittle's account, not positive nor pleasant.

"They were generally awful, emphasizing that they had the authority, that we didn't have any authority. It was all very negative and hostile, which is especially frustrating to us because we went into it in a positive way, and they definitely responded in the complete opposite way," she says.

According to Whittle, at least one of the marshals was given a ticket. Whittle was told that she herself might, as one of the organizers, face charges and that her refusal to tell the police officer her date of birth would be noted in her file.

Sam Whittle listens to a member of the Ottawa Police Service at the Human Rights Memorial.
(Noreen Fagan)
This week the committee wrote a letter to the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) board and to the chief, Vern White, expressing their concern about "hostile police actions at the Dyke March."

According to Staff Sergeant John Medeiros, from the diversity and race relations division of OPS, who has been asked to assist in the case, the complaint has been registered and an inquiry into the incident opened.

Medeiros says that he anticipates holding a meeting with the officers concerned after more information is collected. He also says that he will contact the Ottawa Police Liaison Committee for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities to inform them of the incident and that he hopes to meet with the Dyke March planning committee.

He reiterated that a police presence is obligatory at all rallies and marches.

"It is a requirement of the organization. What we have to do is keep people safe," he says.

Whittle claims that the Dyke March was a success.

"Our decision was completely validated for me during the march and after the march. People were happy about the decision we made, and so many people came up to us and said things like 'I've never been in a march that felt that way before,'" Whittle says. "So, it felt really good. There was a lot of support for the decision and a lot of really positive feedback about it."




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Reader Comments


 
You can't have your cake and eat it to.
Sorry folks but the dyke march is not the sole political aspect of pride, it is one aspect of the political movement. You can't march through "your" streets blocking traffic and not expect the cops to react a certain way - especially if you initially refuse their support in a very adversarial manner. If you had you worked with police to hold the March within City of Ottawa by-laws, you may not have had a problem.
V. Nasi, Montréal Québec
09/01/11 3:00 PM EST
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You don't need a permit to protest!
I was on the Dyke March committee in 2007 and 2008. Dyke March didn't used to have to get a permit, because it was considered a protest (which it is!). There is no city bylaw stating that you need to get a permit to hold a protest. In 2008, the cops told us that we would have to pay $1,000 for a permit, because they said we had moved from "protest" to "parade" territory. We reluctantly fundraised and coughed up the cash. The reality is that the size of the Dyke March has not changed since 2007. Roughly 200-300 people -- the size of a medium-sized rally. This permit business is just a money grab. And given the horrendous cases of police misconduct coming to light over the last couple of years, I am happy that not one cent of our community's money went their way this year. Also: I witnessed the way the cops were treating the marshals at the march and it was not cool. They were exceptionally aggressive for no good reason.
Ariel Troster, Ottawa Ontario
09/01/11 3:11 PM EST
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remember stonewall?
I think the important thing to remember here is that there is a history rooted in police and state violence especially towards our queer and trans* communities. For example, the stonewall police riots, and the rcmp state surveillance that targeted queers during the 70's. Just this past year folks who are HIV pos were targeted and the actions by the OPS perpetuated HIV stigma and criminalization discourse. Some folks from queer and trans* communities were arrested during the OPS flag raising ceremoney on TDOR. This is not an isolated incident, it is not a "few bad apples", these are systemic issues, with a history of violence. We need to reclaim our communities, and we need to keep each other safe. This decision came with the recognition that the police will not keep us safe, nor our diverse communities. If you intersect racialized, indigenous, people living with disabilities, HIV pos folks, trans* folks, sex workers, and youth, these folks are at higher risk for violence and encounter more barriers to accessing culturally relevant services. I think we need to think critically beyond "by-laws" and really hold insitutions accountable for a history of violence and criminalization. We still demand, and we need to keep demanding. As an anti-violence worker and frontline outreach worker, I commend the committee for their amazing event, and for recognizing that violence does not happen in a vaccuum, it happens to bodies for very specific reasons. These reasons are to regulate our communities, and keep power structures in place. The OPS need to be held accountable, and a dialogue needs to be had beyond "by-laws" because these are not keeping our communities safe. Well, perhaps if you are white, cis gendered, middle-class, with a piece of paper that claims you're worth over others because you were born here. Regardless, think critically and remember how we got here, and all those folks still being
d., ottawa on
09/01/11 3:23 PM EST
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Enough already
It boggles my mind every time I read these articles. If police presence is required for rallies and marches and the body of organizers knew this, what did they expect the outcome would be? Better yet rather than go crying to Ottawa Police Services that they feel violated how about actually giving OPS a heads up and say” We are marching come Saturday without police presence” That way OPS is in the loop and can communicate the message properly. I am tired of the LGBTTQ community bitching and complaining about their rights being violated and of police confrontation when the community constantly adds fuel to the fire. Then Whittle goes on to say it goes against their mission and their values. So their mission and values are above the law? Ten to one if they would have worked with the police rather than against them they would never have had that confrontation. It works both ways. The LGBTTQ community needs to stand up when they are wrong just as much as the police do and work together. Perhaps if they want to be political they should march in Take Back the Night and support all their sisters in their quest to be respected and protected. Otherwise you end up looking like another group who’s out to pick a bone with the police.
Sweet Marie, Ottawa ON
09/01/11 3:31 PM EST
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they did...
The Dyke March did inform the police. The police did say they would work them, for the low low price of $1500...
Cait, Ott ON
09/01/11 3:58 PM EST
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Saftey
While I understand some of the comments, I must say that Safety of the participants and of the community at large must be the priority... our police 99% of the time perform this duty? so Whats the problem ? Being Gay doesn't mean different (special ) treatment - actually isn't that your point?
Joanne, Carleton Place on
09/01/11 7:53 PM EST
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lordy
Sounds like it should have been called the Princess March. Why would anybody think they have the right to march on city streets (which are meant for cars) without some kind of police presence. People could easily be hurt. I would agree it's unfair to charge a fee to anybody unless everybody who marches on city streets also pays and the $1,500 should be reduced to maybe 500. They also could have held their protest in a park or parking lot.
danni d, vancouver bc
09/02/11 1:03 AM EST
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How stupid.
Get over it! You want to part of the greater community? Then start acting like adults not entitled adolescent princesses. You're a joke Sam Whittle, you and all of the other queers. I respect the police and the LAW (which protects us from being bashed by the way) and the military and all of the other institutions that all of you so-called ''activists'' belive go ''against your values''. Which are what exactly? That people can do what ever they want when they want? Get over yourselves get a job and stop thinking that the rest of Canada ows us something. They don't.
A gay man, Toronto Ontario
09/04/11 1:02 AM EST
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i can beleve what i am reading
Non of the Dyke March did nothing wrong try reading, we are a glbtq community every year we have this and it is very impotent not one person said Canada ows them ?. I have bad reading spelling but I can clearly see what IS BEING SEAD I support this and any event that is pride related and will till the day I die this is good hate is hate AND THERE IS NO PLACE FOR IT in the WOURLD it hert's me to see some of these comments hats off to the march you have my vote
brittany, ottawa ont
09/04/11 2:34 AM EST
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Thank you Dyke Committee!
Thank you to the Dyke March committee for shaking up the queer community, and highlighting the proximity between queer and presently criminalized communities. Thank you for opening up a much needed dialogue; the comments above prove very instructive and bring up just how disconnected we can be to the current and historical relationships with state funded and enforced violence. Pride is political, and I am so thankful that the Dyke March Committee held the OPS accountable for its continued harmful behavior. Thank you for having the political imagination to organize without police. Thank you for trying to make the Dyke March accessible!
Melanie, Ottawa Ont.
09/06/11 7:08 PM EST
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My community follows the law.
Melanie? What violence? There was no violence by the police at this ridiculous march. It's perfectly accessible. The only reason this was a problem is because the organizers did not follow the law. Also there no proximity between us and ''criminalized communities''. I follow the law. If you don't then logically there will be some actions taken by the police against you. ''Harmful actions by the police''? More like harmful actions by a bunch of self-entitled gender queer ''radicals'' who seem to think that they are above the law. You're all an embarrassment to gay's and lesbians who work, have honest jobs, and believe in civil society. It was simple fee but all important ''queer activists'' thought that they were to good to pay it. Why pay the police to protect us (wait don't we pay taxes for that too?) What possible good will that do? Ladies get your heads out of your assess and grow up!
A gay man, Toronto Ontario
09/06/11 10:10 PM EST
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bring me your most poor
If you intersect racialized, indigenous, people living with disabilities, HIV pos folks, trans* folks, sex workers, and youth, these folks are at higher risk for violence and encounter more barriers to accessing culturally relevant services. These downbeaten saints will rise to eat the assholes of power whiteness and the rich until none of them remain as anything but stench. Every time we talk of the most marginalized we weep.
Kookamunga Sycamore Assweeper, Transheaven YK
09/07/11 8:17 AM EST
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Poor representation of the community
As a fellow gay in Ottawa, this article is so frustrating to me. How can you wonder why you a traffic ticket was going to be issued?!? Your group decided that you did not need to spend the money on the police, so of course since you are not following the traffic rules - you're going to get a ticket! It really is time that this committee started talking to more people then simply those who always reiterate -FTP, and perhaps then maybe you would be able to find a more harmonious way to have the Dyke March. I personally have become so infuriated and frustrated with the constant negativity by this group. Being so openly hostile, instead of creating a community you are dismantling in. The number of individuals I've spoken with have reiterated that this is pushing them farther from the community or wanting any involvement with it. And quite honestly, grow up. Couldn't agree more, should have been called the princess march.
Frustrated in Ottawa, Ottawa Ontario
09/13/11 8:21 AM EST
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Echoing comment above
As a fellow frustrated queer who feels that this exclusive group does not well represent the queer womyn's community (and its allies), I'm glad to see I'm not the only one feeling this way. Look at what happened in Toronto last year with Take Back the Dyke - this is not what we want Ottawa to become, having our already divided community become split between the lines. It is unfortunate that the police charge money for their services for this event. It shouldn't be that way. Perhaps having an open dialogue with officers who have worked with the March (voluntarily) in the past as has been practised or finding a way to lower the high price ($1,500 is outrageous, OPS.) and work together, we won't have the constant "FTP" attitude that this crew holds. Also it IS the organizers who will be held responsible if a car crashes into their participants. The police telling you this is NOT a hostile act - it speaks the truth. Did the Dyke March even have an insurance plan to cover anyone who perhaps could have been injured should said situation have happened?
Frustrated Queer, Ottawa Ontario
09/13/11 2:28 PM EST
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GLBT Liaison Committee wants to Hear Your Voice!
?"If you were at the Dyke March in Ottawa and you would like to talk about interactions with police good or bad, Please come to the next Ottawa Police Service GLBT Liaison Committee Meeting Monday September 19th, 5:35 pm at 474 Elgin Street . Come, have a voice!" PLEASE POSTE THIS and or SHARE for all those who might have attended so they will be aware of this meeting and have a voice!!
Sylvia Stojek-Martin, Ottawa ON
09/16/11 10:35 AM EST
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Where Have All The Angry Dykes Gone?
When you read the title, hum it to the famous tune of Where Have all the flowers..... The Ottawa Police GLBT Liaison Committee met this past Monday night as they do the third Monday of the month, on a monthly basis where members of our GLBT community can come forward with questions or criticisms or suggestions. Members of the committee were to understand that dykes would be present to voice there concern over the 2011 Dyke March and subsequent allegations that police were ignorant, obnoxious, etc. Police invited the two key members of the police service AND the Mgr. with City Of Ottawa who sends out and receives applications for events/parades/marches who were there to explain the process on how it is one needs to organize a march/parade/event in such a way to ensure that the event is "safe and successful". What I did learn is that there is an entire team of experts, who organize these events yearly for hundreds of groups in this city, all who follow an actual KIT available to anyone who asks. A Team that is there to help all of us have a "safe, and successful event". It discourages me, that those who complained about the recent Dyke March and issues with police did not show up at the meeting when invitations were posted everywhere, as all are welcomed to attend these meetings. There they would have heard dykes who said there was no police issue, and those (like me) who said there was. And Xtra reporter N.Fagan who had an opinion on the march did not share as she was present in a reporter capacity. A parade Marshall who WAS present to say no one from the Dyke organizing committee even explained what it was she was supposed to do. Pride offered the Dyke committee, as I understand it, to have the march under their Insurance policy. The Dyke committee as I understand the City Hall rep. applied only for a sidewalk permit not a street permit. Women and Womyn, If yo
Sylvia Stojek-Martin, Ottawa ON
09/21/11 6:28 PM EST
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Womyn YOUR VOICES DO MATTER!
unless you come to the meetings and share your thoughts, or complaints, or suggestions how to improve these kinds of situations, how can you ever expect anyone to take your issue seriously but deem it to be maybe a handful of the same group of womyn who complain all the time. What people forget, is that the volunteers who DO sit at the OPS GLBT Liaison, are from the queer community, and allies as well, who want there to be dialogue between community and police. The committee has youth, lesbians, dykes young and old, T's, B;s and G's and str8ts sitting at the table. There are more queers at this table than police, and the police who are there, are there because they too have family or friends who are gay on the force or are gay on the street, either way, they just want there to be trust and dialogue. But if a handful of people keep spreading basically a bias, how are those people any different than the homophobes out there? I sit at this table for me, for my kids, for my family, for my GLBT community. I sit at this table to ask questions and to help work on the solutions. So rather than bitch about things not going your way, come to the table and help us to make this move forward in a (to borrow from police and the S.E.A.Team that works on events...) to have a safe and successful event. I challenge you....put your money where your mouth is, come to the table, all are welcomed, and voice, collectively, instead of the rumour and gossip mill that only feeds dissent resulting in no movement forwards. Ty. Now can someone help me off this soapbox? I'm not use to wearing Dixie's heels.
Sylvia Stojek-Martin, Ottawa ON
09/21/11 6:50 PM EST
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Don't mis-represent my words, Sylvia
I did not say that the organizers did not explain what my role was. I knew what I was suppose to do as a marshall, the organizers explained it to me very well. I asked a question to the officers which was whether or not it was illegal for me (and the other marshalls)to be stopping traffic. I asked because there were officers at the march who repeated kept saying that they would arrest me. To another point you made - You may have stated that you believed there was hostility by the police but before you said that you also stated that 1. you did not attend the march 2. you didn't believe it at first because it was just "young dykes complaining" 3. you only believed it after older queer women mentioned to you that there was hostility. Maybe the organizers of the march(and other organizations which have left the table of the committee) did so because of discriminatory statements (which get chuckles from other committee members)like that.
Kayla Miller, Ottawa ON
09/21/11 7:49 PM EST
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What.
This is a follow-up to the d.'s comment. The reason people were arrested at TDOR last year was because THEY BROKE THE LAW! And they were not arrested, they were held. So let's not get too crazy here. Second, the banner drop was an ABOMINATION! Why? Because the banner read 'Remember Stonewall'. Do you Remember Stonewall? Stonewall wasn't a riot against queers, it was a riot against gays and lesbians. Because at that time, trans (not trans*) people were ignored. So that bullshit stunt took attention away from TDOR (trans day of remembrance) to put attention on something completely unrelated. And then when people were disciplined for doing something illegal, the attention was once again taken away from the actual event. So please, don't use that fiasco to back up a completely unsubstantiated accusation against the police. If someone doesn't understand the law, look it up; don't go against it, then complain when you get disciplined (and discipline here is a VERY harsh word for the situation). None of what is happening here is necessary. You fucked up by not taking appropriate actions, and now you're blaming someone else for it. Where's the accountability here?
J, Ottawa ON
09/21/11 10:14 PM EST
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Apology to Kayla...
I hope this isn’t going to be an I said you said, you said I said string Kayla. It was really great seeing you at this meeting. I wish more people would come to voice when it comes to police behaviour in public towards all communities. I sit at the GLBT Liaison Committee as an independant with my own voice. My own brother himself a victim of police harassment and abuse, and THAT is why I sit at the table. If I misrepresented your words I apologize for that.I thought I heard you say “no one had explained to you what you were supposed to do in terms of marshalling.”I retract those words if this is the case. I am glad you spoke up. I am glad Xtra reporter Noreen Fagan asked her questions or, there never would have been the opportunity to ask more questions. In Noreen article above she notes speaking to Staff Sgt. Madeiros. From this I understood police were offering a Q&A on the Dyke March. That didn’t happen. I can assure you this, myself and other members at the table will be asking questions at the next meeting. I hope Kayla, you, and others from the Dyke march will be present to also voice what you saw and experienced. We don’t want lip service from the police, we want answers. Sometimes Kayla I try to use a sense of humour at the table, to communicate an issue instead of putting on bull horns, an attitude and forcing resolve. Mediation has never been successful between two parties with that approach. What isn’t okay is calling me ageist.You spent so much of your comment above criticising me instead of sharing what happened between police and marchers. THAT is what the community needs to know. Our community is so fractured. Kayla, you and others are in the position to change our communities, to jointly effect and together demand better police services from an already overtaxed police service & City Hall. Kayla I would love to see you and other members of GLBT youth, for one: speak to new police recruits. You are o
Sylvia Stojek-Martin, Ottawa ON
09/29/11 3:06 PM EST
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Apology continued....
you are our front line, you are the impact on making the process work, you are our future. And you have a passion....and that makes you awesome.
Sylvia Stojek-Martin, Ottawa ON
09/29/11 3:14 PM EST
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