The Montebello Boots

I got an image via the good folks at CEP yesterday that they are using as part of their charge that there were police, dressed as protesters, attempting to incite violence at one of the Montebello protests – here it is, with, of course, a bit of discussion.

This is one of the images shown at the press conference yesterday.

Pay attention to the area of the photo that has a red square around it, what we’re going to discuss is that part of the picture, here’s what’s there.

Take a look at the soles of the boots of the riot cops, and those of the “anarchists” (if you are so inclined there is a larger image that you can check here), notice anything interesting?

If you picked “imagine that, riot cops and rock throwing anarchists buy their boots at the same shop” you don’t need to pay a visit to the eye doctor and get glasses, new or otherwise.

The same boots, with the same label, with the same tread pattern, being shared by riot cops in Montebello and (at least) 2 out of three of the shit disturbing “anarchists”…. what do you suppose the odds of that are?

Whoever noticed this detail has a really good eye, and one that is [hopefully] going to cause a lot of embarrassment to the government of Quebec, and Stephen Harper.

Other images show the “anarchists” chatting with the riot cops as they are opening their ranks to let them through, as well as the leisurely walk to the police car after they had been cuffed.

Those images in stark contrast to the solid wall presented to legitimate protesters and the the rough handling reportedly received by other protesters.

Additionally, it was noted that police apparently started to gather behind the riot cop line just before these three individuals moved to the front of the group to, supposedly, confront the riot cop line.

Is that gathering of force another coincidence?

Questions needing answers:

[1] Why were at least 2 out of he three trouble makers wearing boots identical to those worn by riot police? What are the odds of this being a coincidence?

[2] Why did the three trouble makers receive markedly different treatment from other protesters?

[3] Why were the three troublemakers unknown to others at the demo?

[4] Why were they so very adamant that their faces not be shown?

[5] Where are they now? Are they still in custody? Where?

And before anyone pops the inevitable question of, “why would they do this?” — let me provide some answers.

Public dissent is something that governments do not like, that is why they now set up protest pens as far away from the event being protested as they can; questions, dissent, and negative publicity must be managed at all costs. If they are unable to fully suppress, or relocate dissent, discrediting it is the next best thing – this tactic allows them, and the media, to focus on violence or criminal behaviour instead of the questions being asked by legitimate protesters.

– and before anyone else tosses it out there…. boot-gate.