There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the
nature of the protests expected on the streets of
Calgary in the next several days during the World
Petroleum Congress. Protesters and police have clashed
in a series of demonstrations including those in Seattle,
Wash., Washington, D.C. and Windsor, Ont. The images
below detail how police and protesters appear to one
another.
Police crowd control gear:
 |
Calgary Herald News Services / Police crowd control gear |
The officer below models crowd control gear worn by
police in recent demonstrations in Windsor, Ont. Calgary
police have said their officers will be similarly
outfitted although black fatigues will be worn over
the equipment to give officers a softer look. The
Calgary Police Service Crowd Control Unit has doubled
from 60 to 120 with assistance from Edmonton police
and the RCMP.
- Headgear: A black, high-strength
plastic helmet with rear padded neck guard and
a face visor. - Neck Guard: a padded collar
protects the officer’s neck. - Upper Body Protection: Arm,
shoulder and torso armour provides bodily protection
from impact. - Web Belt: Utility belt holds
crowd management baton, handcuffs and other crowd
control tools. - Visor: Transparent Plexiglass
visor protects the face from sprays and thrown
objects. Can be flipped up over the top of the
helmet. - Web Belt: Utility belt holds
crowd management baton, handcuffs and other crowd
control tools. - Gas Mask: Rubber mask with filtered
ventilators fits over face and under helmet. To
be used if tear gas is deployed. - Gloves: Padded gloves to protect
hands. - Crowd Management Baton: Wood
baton, about 80 centimetres long. Used to tap
against armour while marching, as part of a human
wall to keep back unruly crowds or as a weapon
if officer’s safety is at risk. - Gloves: Padded gloves to protect
hands. - Leg Guards: Black leg armour
includes knee, shin and foot guards.
Protester gear:
 |
Colleen Kidd, Calgary Herald / Protester gear |
Calls for action have been put out to thousands of
activists throughout the world using telephone, the
Internet and other forms of modern communication.
Protest organizers claim they don’t know how many
people will show up for rallies and demonstrations.
Police estimate about 2,000 protesters to converge
in Calgary for anti-oil industry events.
- Protest sign: To be waved in
the air to spread desired message, usually written
in black felt pen, of opposition to corporate
greed, environmental destruction, or human rights
abuses. - Headgear: Baseball cap to shield
from the sun and keep hair out of the protester’s
face. - Phone number: Phone number of
a legal advisor written on the inside of the forearm
in ink. To be used in event of arrest. - Swimming goggles: To protect
eyes from pepper spray. - Bandanna: Used to cover face
to hide identity. Can also be soaked in vinegar
and/or lemon juice and used as a filter from tear
gas. - Backpack: Used to carry water,
high-energy snacks, duct tape, medical supplies,
pen and paper, rain gear and other personal items. - T-shirt: Light weight cotton
shirt with photograph of favourite revolutionary
leader and/or protest slogans of choice. - Timepiece: A wristwatch to record
what time incidents, like being arrested by police,
occur. - Rubber gloves: Shield hands
from the sting of pepper spray and provide protection
against blood or other contaminants. - Chalk: Non-permanent writing
device to draw and write protest graffiti on roadways,
sidewalks, buildings and police barricades. - Camera: For taking snapshots
of friends and fellow-protesters during demonstrations
and to document acts of police harrassment and
brutality. - Gas mask: $40 German M10-model
gas mask from local Army surplus store. To be
used to protest air pollution and if police deploy
tear gas during rowdy protests.
Source: http://www.world-petroleum.org/congresses/16feature4.htm
