Behind the bandanas soaked in vinegar and shatterproof goggles, behind the smashed Nike and Starbucks’ windows, and behind the clouds of tear gas and pepper spray, there are issues. They span a vast spectrum, including:

  • sweatshops,
  • seed control,
  • First Nations’ sovereignty,
  • the criminalization of poverty and
  • the increasing police violence at demonstrations.
The common element is the freedom for individuals, communities and nations to decide their own futures. If I had not truly realized it before my experiences in Seattle (WTO) and Windsor (FTAA), I know now that we are not actually free. Capitalism prevents it. Colonialism prevents it. Free trade prevents it. And the police prevent it on their behalf. My story relates to this.

It’s pretty simple. Last June, I was in Windsor. I attended a public teach-in about the FTAA. I was juggling on the street. I was arrested for breaching a court condition not to participate in any protests, demonstrations or rallies. Then I was caged for three days, released on bail of $3,900 and given conditions restricting my leaving Ontario and my attending protests. These conditions were in place until my court date on April third: a total of ten months. Then the charges were dropped because the Crown lost a form. The police never had to give any evidence of any crime.

So, I’ve come to realize that these issues directly affect my life. It’s hard not to draw that conclusion. I was arrested because of my politics. I was arrested because the police knew they could do it, and because it sent a message to other protesters on the day before a big demonstration was planned in the city. Think about it for a second. I was juggling. Can you ask for a more obvious threat?

The truth is, I juggle to make people smile. I go to protests to stop those who are deciding my future from deciding my future. As Jim Dodge put it, “anarchy doesn’t mean out of control, it means out of their control.” I juggle at protests because I believe that art is a key part of revolution. I think that we talk about revolution because we want to be allowed to live our lives, and that art is about the free celebration of that life.

And, yes, despite the arrest in Windsor, I will be participating in both the border action at the Akwesasne reserve and the Quebec City protest, but not as a clown. Two reasons:

  • I have a fear of being easily identified and targeted by police.
  • Face paint traps tear gas and pepper spray close to skin. Because of the escalating police violence, a gas mask and bandana will replace my usual face paint.
Part of me thinks I should stay home, but it’s just not really an option.

Resisto has been a community activist around issues such as post-secondary tuition rates, poverty, homelessness, genetically modified foods, animal rights, human rights and anti-oppression. He was also spokesperson for the University of Guelph’s student union for a year. He believes revolution is the only way to break down society’s power structures.

For more rabble news coverage of the Quebec Summit and its aftermath, please click here.