world-petroleum.org

Preparing for protest in Calgary

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

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:

Calgary Herald News Services

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.