Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Mark Fenton, G20 officer who ordered mass arrests, in court for sentencing hearing

Toronto police Supt. Mark Fenton is in court this morning for a sentencing hearing, months after he was found guilty of discreditable conduct and two counts of unlawful arrests for his actions during the G20 summit.

Fenton is the highest ranking officer to be charged for their actions at the June, 2010 summit. He was convicted last August under the Police Services Act.

Fenton was involved in two incidents of "kettling," in which police in full riot gear trapped scores of people at downtown intersections. Hundreds of people — mostly peaceful protesters — were arrested and held in makeshift detention centres.

The two-day proceeding is expected to hear widely different views on what Fenton's sentence should be for his role in the mass arrests.

The prosecution wants him demoted for a year. The officer says a reprimand would be enough or, at most, the loss of five vacation days. Complainants who were "kettled" — some for hours in a torrential downpour — want him fired.

Original Article
Source: CBC
Author: CBC

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