Three days of largely peaceful anti-G7 demonstrations in Quebec City ended Saturday afternoon as a diverse crowd of several hundred people called for an end to expensive and remote meetings of world leaders. Around 500 activists gathered outside Quebec's legislature building, the National Assembly, swapping speeches, pamphlets and manifestos before taking off together to march through the city's historic quarter. Claude Vaillancourt, head of one of the organizing groups, said meetings like the G7, which was held in La Malbaie, Que., 140 kilometre northeast of Quebec City, exclude the voices of the world's poor. 'It's not democratic. It's not good for equality between countries and within countries," Vaillancourt said. "The leaders of the G7 need to talk about this, but unfortunately that's never been the case." There were no reports of any significant property damage, which had been a fear of many business owners in the city. (Jonathan Montpetit/CBC) Adrien Welsh, the secretary general of the Young Communist League of Canada, said holding G7 summits in remote locations like La Malbaie is a direct assault on the ability of citizens to participate in the decisions that affect them. He said Saturday's event showed there was a "broad unity against the G7 of popular and democratic movements." Karine Champagne made a point of attending with her seven-year-old son Yuri. "I think it's important for the kids to be aware because they can maybe change things later," she said. Heavy police presence, once again As they did during two previous days of protest action, dozens of riot police followed the march closely, lining both sides of the street. Once again, a provincial police officer was spotted carrying an assault rifle. The weapons were first noticed at a demonstration Thursday evening and raised the concerns of human rights groups. Despite that heavy presence, police said their strategy was to avoid confrontation. During Saturday afternoon's protest, though, tensions rose as police forbade protestors from walking on sidewalks, shoving them back onto the street. Activist Barry Conway travelled to Quebec City from Hamilton to participate in the anti-G7 demonstrations. (Peter Tardif/CBC) Over the three days, police said they arrested 13 people, most for illegal assembly. There were no reports of any significant property damage, which had been a fear of many business owners in the city. Quebec City police Chief Robert Pigeon, speaking after the last protest, said officers seized a number of objects, including Molotov cocktails. Pigeon said preventative efforts included using trucks to block roadways to stop any vehicle from plowing into the crowd and surveillance to foil any property damage plans. He defended the heavy police presence, saying, "We chose to go with Option B. By that, I mean to be in prevention mode, to be more visible so we didn't have to use force. "We finished with people being allowed to express themselves in public in a very safe way." As they did during the two previous days of protest action, dozens of riot police followed the march closely, lining both sides of the street. (Jonathan Montpetit/CBC) They worried the protests against the G7 meeting in La Malbaie would be a repeat of the 2001 Summit of the Americas, when clashes between police and activists led to property damage worth several million dollars. The crowds this time were much smaller than in 2001. Some activists attributed that to shifting priorities within the anti-capitalist movements, where the focus has increasingly been on anti-racist actions in response to the rise of far-right groups. Barry Conway, who travelled to Quebec City from Hamilton to join in on the demonstrations, said all that mattered to him was that people showed up. Oxfam, a non-profit group dedicated to fighting global poverty, got creative with its demonstration on Saturday. (Peter Tardif/CBC) "I think it's the solidarity and the passion, and the connections you make with folks," said Conway, who was wearing and black T-shirt emblazoned with "Antifascist" and the two flags representing the movement. "I mean, I would have been happy if I'd showed up and there were two people here passionate about the cause." Conway said he was dressed in "black bloc" wearing a black scarf covering his face on Friday, but people living in the residential neighbourhood where he protested were kind and asked how he was doing. "It's a different culture in Quebec. There's a strong student movement and a strong activist movement," he said. Environmental concerns Earlier, Oxfam, a non-profit group dedicated to fighting global poverty, staged a protest that depicted the G7 leaders on a camping trip, while a campfire representing "the Earth on fire" burned behind them. "We are calling on the G7 leaders to recognize their responsibilities and really start to tackle climate change," said Rowan Harvey, a gender equality adviser for Oxfam, adding that women and girls in developing countries are most affected. Climate change and empowering women are among the topics being discussed at the summit, and Harvey said they want leaders to "listen and act on the messages they hear." The Trudeau government announced Saturday it raised more than $3.8 billion in an effort with other countries to send the world's poorest girls to school. Members of the Rwandan Congress of Canada also held a protest, decrying Canada's invitation of the Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the G7, whom the congress has called a war criminal.<doc-sep>More than a dozen groups, networks and coalitions are taking part in some way in the anti-G7 demonstrations in Quebec City and outside the summit in La Malbaie, Que. The activists represent a wide variety of concerns and embrace different types of protest tactics — everything from street theatre to confrontation with police. Here is a look at some of the key players on the protest scene. Anti-extractivism The first major Quebec City demonstration began with a march Thursday evening, attended by many of the anti-G7 groups. One of the central themes of the march was expected to be opposition to what is sometimes called extractivism, the principle of creating wealth by extracting resources from the environment. The march is being co-organized by Eau Secours, a non-profit group devoted to protecting waterways, as well as Ni Québec, ni Canada (Neither Quebec nor Canada), an Indigenous rights group formed around anarchist principles. Anti-G7 resistance network Friday is being billed as a "day of disturbance" by the network, which according to its website, activists have been organizing since the fall. The network has refused to speak to the media, but its communiqués indicate it embraces more militant protest tactics, including civil disobedience. Its critique of the G7 is based on revolutionary anti-capitalism. Members reject the possibility that institutions like the G7 can be reformed and believe the seven nations' sole purpose is to extract wealth from less developed parts of the world. Alternative G7 forum A large coalition of groups is behind a series of events that will take around the provincial legislative building on Saturday. Among the organizers playing a central role are ATTAC-Québec, which opposes wide-ranging free trade agreements, and the Comité populaire Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a housing rights group based in Quebec City. They will be joined by a number of Quebec unions and labour federations, including the CSN and FTQ. They're concerned about the erosion of workers' rights, gender equality and cuts to social services. Human rights groups More than 40 volunteers with Amnesty International and Quebec's civil rights league, the Ligue des droits et libertés (LDL), will be monitoring the protests and keeping an eye on police behaviour. The groups say they're concerned with a police technique called kettling, in which large groups of protesters are circled and arrested. Police have also put in place temporary detention facilities in the parking lot of the Victoria police station. "We're worried because we're told there will be no mass arrests, but the security measures put in place lead us to think there could be a discord between their message and what will happen on the ground," said Geneviève Paul, the general manager of Amnesty International for francophone Canada.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email In Quebec City, hundreds of police in heavy riot gear appear ready for the worst to hit the streets over the G7 Summit. The only thing missing are the protesters. READ MORE: Quebec City G7 demonstrations get underway as city braces for day of action After a peaceful protest on Thursday night, some shops had shut down on Friday as a precaution against potentially violent protests. But apart from several scattered demonstrations, there was little of the violence that frequently dogs such summits. One that took place Friday morning in the northeast neighbourhood of Beauport was quickly declared illegal by police and dispersed. A student protest shortly after 12 p.m. resulted in a couch being torched and riot police deployed around the popular Rue Saint Jean shopping area, but disbanded after participants gathered in a nearby park to eat lunch. Story continues below advertisement WATCH: Welcome to La Malbaie, QC, the world’s busiest ghost town 1:36 Welcome to La Malbaie, QC, the world’s busiest ghost town Welcome to La Malbaie, QC, the world’s busiest ghost town – Jun 8, 2018 A third protest was scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. outside the National Assembly. Police deployed in force but protesters did not come out until closer to 4 p.m. The area behind the National Assembly is under intense police surveillance with members everywhere you look pic.twitter.com/ldfdgqbvAw — Amanda Connolly (@amandacconn) June 8, 2018 Police around National Assembly are gathered in formation, blocked roads and prepared for riots – all they’re missing? the protestors pic.twitter.com/nxUZQ09lf4 — Raquel Fletcher (@RaquelGlobal) June 8, 2018 Police are going to try to contain protestors crossing over from the Plains of Abraham it seems. There are maybe a 100 or so here crossing over the ridge and being directed into what looks like a contained area by police. pic.twitter.com/oqEeS1LroU — Amanda Connolly (@amandacconn) June 8, 2018 Police on the move. In the hills, are more anti-G7 protestors pic.twitter.com/CT2QfgrWEU — Raquel Fletcher (@RaquelGlobal) June 8, 2018 Protestors asking police why they are being blocked, that this is not legal. Lots of observers here as well but police keep moving reporters and observers back further and further pic.twitter.com/0jrBKLioDi — Amanda Connolly (@amandacconn) June 8, 2018 They marched up from the area adjacent to the Plains of Abraham, south of the National Assembly and the media centre, but were quickly blocked in by police who had set up a physical barricade keeping them from leaving the Plains. Story continues below advertisement “We didn’t even have the chance to protest, to use our free expression,” one Quebec women who came out to the demonstration told Global News who did not want to be identified and said police were infringing on the right to peaceful protest by barricading demonstrators in the park. WATCH BELOW: Residents in Quebec City cautious ahead of G7 protests 2:16 Residents in Quebec City cautious ahead of G7 protests Residents in Quebec City cautious ahead of G7 protests – Jun 7, 2018 “There’s black letter on white paper [the right to peaceful protest] that doesn’t mean anything.” Story continues below advertisement However, their numbers remained small: only about 100 people were seen to be gathered on the Plains of Abraham. READ MORE: Quebec City G7 protests get underway with a flash and a bang Many of the people gathered there were journalists. Several bystanders remarked over the course of roughly an hour that the journalists seemed to outnumber the protesters. Police certainly outnumbered them both, with hundreds deployed and marching through the streets. After roughly an hour, those gathered on the Plains of Abraham under the sunny skies were allowed to disperse. WATCH: Heavy police presence stifles Quebec City protests 2:33 Heavy police presence stifles Quebec City protests Heavy police presence stifles Quebec City protests – Jun 8, 2018 Seven people were arrested. Story continues below advertisement Starbucks along the Grande Allee is boarded up but open. Police are loading up and heading to a new spot where protestors may be gathering pic.twitter.com/WdFph9gt1F — Amanda Connolly (@amandacconn) June 8, 2018 Many wandered off up the Grande Allée, a historic strip behind the National Assembly with plenty of bars and restaurants. Shops, including Starbucks, had boarded up their windows but there was no violence and no single large group moving through the streets. WATCH: Protestors interrupt Global News reporter during live hit on Quebec protests 1:25 Protestors interrupt Global News reporter during live hit on Quebec protests Protestors interrupt Global News reporter during live hit on Quebec protests – Jun 8, 2018 Residents sat on the patios enjoying a beer or late afternoon meal as police cars drove past and several small groups of six or seven protesters made their way out of the immediate area. Previous G7 and G20 gatherings have been marked by violent protests in recent years. WATCH BELOW: Armed cop ‘intimidated’ by Global News reporter at G7 protests, asks her to move 1:31 Armed cop ‘intimidated’ by Global News reporter at G7 protests, asks her to move Armed cop ‘intimidated’ by Global News reporter at G7 protests, asks her to move – Jun 8, 2018 The burning of cop cars, vandalism of local shops and buildings, and use of both tear gas and aggressive action by police have become common. Story continues below advertisement Preparations for the G7 Summit this year have included a significant security presence both in the lead-up to and during the event in anticipation of riots and appearances by extremists using the controversial black bloc technique. There remains uncertainty over whether further protests will break out into the evening now that the G7 Summit is officially underway. Demonstrations are also scheduled for 1 PM and 3 PM on Saturday in Quebec City.<doc-sep>
The "day of disruption" in Quebec City, which anti-capitalism activists promised to deliver Friday during the G7 summit, was easily suffocated by a swift and sizable police response. Protesters opposed to the meeting of G7 leaders — currently underway in La Malbaie, Que., 140 kilometres northeast of Quebec City — attempted to block a series of intersections, but were unable to hold their ground for extended periods of time. Their operations began early. Several dozen tried to stop traffic on the lone road leading to the summit site around 8 a.m. More on Saturday's protests: "These governments that are meeting are all imposing these neo-liberal policies," said Rémi Arsenault, a public health worker, who took a bus from Montreal to take part in Friday's protest. Protesters set couches on fire in Quebec City in attempt to block the highway to La Malbaie, where the G7 summit is taking place. (Myriam Tremblay-Sher/CBC) After a tense, hour-long standoff with police dressed in riot gear, protesters gradually dispersed and the road was reopened. The activists, who were aligned with an anti-G7 resistance network, reappeared later in the morning, blocking off an intersection closer to downtown. They set a pair of couches on fire before being pushed onto adjoining side streets by police. A cat-and-mouse game ensued as they sought to dodge pursing officers. But Quebec City police managed to divide the group in two and took at least two people into custody. Protest fizzles on the Plains of Abraham After regrouping in the afternoon, about 30 activists tried again to take to the streets. And once again, rapid deployment of riot police limited where they could march. The activists ended up wandering around the Plains of Abraham, where the demonstration sputtered and ended without incident. RCMP said six people were arrested throughout the day for illegal assembly. Many of the activists who took part refused to see the day's actions as a failure, even though they were not able to cause much havoc for summit organizers. "You can see it in terms of quantity, but in terms of quality it was a success on all fronts," said Carlos Stephane as he left the Plains of Abraham. "Quebec City was disrupted to send a clear message that the way the G7 leaders organize our society is completely unacceptable." Police officers in riot gear guard access to a highway heading to La Malbaie on Friday. Demonstrators gathered near the highway in an attempt to block traffic. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press) Sergio Morreale, a communist activist from Palermo, Italy, acknowledged that last year's demonstrations at the G7 meeting in Sicily were larger, but praised the ability of activists in Quebec City to re-emerge repeatedly throughout the day.. "In Italy, there wasn't the spontaneous demonstrations like this," he said. "Protesting is important no matter where in the world, in Canada or in Italy. The problems are the same." Amnesty questions why police had assault rifles The anti-G7 demonstrations in Quebec City will continue on Saturday, but more militant activists will likely play a smaller role. Among the organizers of Saturday's protests are unions and non-governmental organizations, who traditionally take their distance from the confrontational tactics favoured by anti-capitalist groups. But even these moderate groups have expressed concern about the scale of the security operation that has accompanied the summit and the demonstrations. The federal government alone is budgeted to spend nearly $400 million on security for the summit. That doesn't include the cost of the hundreds of Quebec City and provincial police officers who are patrolling the streets of the capital. "The heavy police presence could have a deterrent effect on people wanting to protest for very good reasons," said Geneviève Paul, an official with Amnesty International, which has several observers monitoring the demonstrations. "Police should not only make sure that we're protected if there is an act of violence, but they should also be enabling freedom of expression." Amnesty International is also questioning the arsenal that police have at their disposal for the Quebec City protests. Provincial police confirmed to the group, said Paul, that some officers carried assault rifles during Thursday's demonstration, believed to be without recent precedent for a Quebec police force responding to a protest. "The reason that they gave was that it was in response to a terrorist threat. That can be understandable," she said. "But we did raise concerns that they were standing in the same line and with other Sûreté du Québec officers who had intermediary arms [non-lethal weapons]."