profiling

Thursday April 28, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday April 28, 2016 Matt Green says police carded him in ÔconfrontationalÕ incident Hamilton's first black city councillor and vocal critic of controversial carding practices, says he was carded by Hamilton police in an increasingly "confrontational" interaction Tuesday afternoon. "For those of you who think police carding is over. I was just arbitrarily stopped/questioned by @HamiltonPolice as a City Clr in my own city," Matthew Green tweeted from his official Twitter account at 3:24 p.m. The Ward 3 councillor told The Spectator the incident occurred while he was waiting for a bus at Stinson Street and Victoria Avenue South. He says he was arbitrarily "stopped and questioned," with no apparent connection to a crime. "I was not detained. I had no intention of leaving the area, as I was waiting for a bus," said Green. In a media release Wednesday morning, Green issued the text of a complaint to police. See the Scribd document below. His tweet unleashed a hailstorm of social media activity, both sympathetic and critical of his experience. By 7 p.m., his tweet had been retweeted 240 times. Green posted the same message again on both his personal and public Facebook page. The councillor, whose family traces its routes back to the first African slaves to come to Canada, has been a vocal critic of carding in Hamilton. He hosted a town-hall meeting in September to discuss the issue. In an article published before the event, Green said, "any time citizens are stopped and questioned without wrongdoing, it makes them question their belonging.Ó When the province made the announcement that changes to prohibit random carding were on the horizon in October, Green said he was encouraged "Minister Naqvi had the courage to open up this conversation and do the right thing.Ó Green declined to reveal further details of the incident to The Spectator Tuesday afternoon in an effort not "to jeopardize the formal co

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 28, 2016

Matt Green says police carded him in ‘confrontational’ incident

Hamilton’s first black city councillor and vocal critic of controversial carding practices, says he was carded by Hamilton police in an increasingly “confrontational” interaction Tuesday afternoon.

“For those of you who think police carding is over. I was just arbitrarily stopped/questioned by @HamiltonPolice as a City Clr in my own city,” Matthew Green tweeted from his official Twitter account at 3:24 p.m.

The Ward 3 councillor told The Spectator the incident occurred while he was waiting for a bus at Stinson Street and Victoria Avenue South.

He says he was arbitrarily “stopped and questioned,” with no apparent connection to a crime.

“I was not detained. I had no intention of leaving the area, as I was waiting for a bus,” said Green.

In a media release Wednesday morning, Green issued the text of a complaint to police. See the Scribd document below.

His tweet unleashed a hailstorm of social media activity, both sympathetic and critical of his experience. By 7 p.m., his tweet had been retweeted 240 times. Green posted the same message again on both his personal and public Facebook page.

The councillor, whose family traces its routes back to the first African slaves to come to Canada, has been a vocal critic of carding in Hamilton. He hosted a town-hall meeting in September to discuss the issue.

In an article published before the event, Green said, “any time citizens are stopped and questioned without wrongdoing, it makes them question their belonging.”

When the province made the announcement that changes to prohibit random carding were on the horizon in October, Green said he was encouraged “Minister Naqvi had the courage to open up this conversation and do the right thing.”

Green declined to reveal further details of the incident to The Spectator Tuesday afternoon in an effort not “to jeopardize the formal complaint process.”

But Wednesday morning, in an interview with CBC Toronto’s ‘Metro Morning’, Green detailed his interaction with police. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Friday October 30, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday October 30, 2015 At least 10 full moons hoped for in Westdale Halloween run There'll be a different kind of full moon in Westdale this weekend, dozens of them, if a local nudist has his way. Hamilton's inaugural Naked Pumpkin Run is set to debut Friday night, a bizarre tradition that takes place annually in the United States in which runners wear nothing but carved-jack-o-lanterns on their heads Ñ peduncles and all. The Hamilton run is being organized by Adam, a 30-something-year-old Hamilton man who asked that his last name not be used because if his mom found out, he'd "never hear the end of it." After twice participating in the annual World Naked Bike Ride in Toronto, the pumpkin run was on his bucket list. There is something liberating about being comfortable in your own skin with like-minded people, he says. He expects Friday's event will likely draw more giggling Mac students than traditional naturists, but that's fine. "It's the Halloween spirit É they might have a drink or two and say, 'Let's do it' É not enough people put on fun, free events," Adam said. "Some people maybe have an inner nudist they've never had an opportunity to get out. Or maybe they're just excitable people who will try anything once." Adam said there have never been any issues with Toronto Police at the rude bike ride, but has not spoken with Hamilton police about the upcoming run. The laws are fuzzy. In order for a public nudity charge to be laid in Ontario, police need the consent of the attorney general. Hamilton police are aware of the run, but did not provide an official response about what, if any, action would be taken against the streakers. Adam stresses that there will be no tolerance for lewd or sexual behaviour, that participants will be fully clothed until the last minute, and that organizers chose the date and time to ensure trick-or-treaters are not shocked by the É er É display. He's hoping

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday October 30, 2015

At least 10 full moons hoped for in Westdale Halloween run

There’ll be a different kind of full moon in Westdale this weekend, dozens of them, if a local nudist has his way.

Hamilton’s inaugural Naked Pumpkin Run is set to debut Friday night, a bizarre tradition that takes place annually in the United States in which runners wear nothing but carved-jack-o-lanterns on their heads — peduncles and all.

The Hamilton run is being organized by Adam, a 30-something-year-old Hamilton man who asked that his last name not be used because if his mom found out, he’d “never hear the end of it.”

After twice participating in the annual World Naked Bike Ride in Toronto, the pumpkin run was on his bucket list. There is something liberating about being comfortable in your own skin with like-minded people, he says.

He expects Friday’s event will likely draw more giggling Mac students than traditional naturists, but that’s fine.

“It’s the Halloween spirit … they might have a drink or two and say, ‘Let’s do it’ … not enough people put on fun, free events,” Adam said. “Some people maybe have an inner nudist they’ve never had an opportunity to get out. Or maybe they’re just excitable people who will try anything once.”

Adam said there have never been any issues with Toronto Police at the rude bike ride, but has not spoken with Hamilton police about the upcoming run.

31Oct2015B-BarryGray

Update, Photo by Barry Gray, Hamilton Spectator

The laws are fuzzy. In order for a public nudity charge to be laid in Ontario, police need the consent of the attorney general. Hamilton police are aware of the run, but did not provide an official response about what, if any, action would be taken against the streakers.

Adam stresses that there will be no tolerance for lewd or sexual behaviour, that participants will be fully clothed until the last minute, and that organizers chose the date and time to ensure trick-or-treaters are not shocked by the … er … display.

He’s hoping for a crowd of at least 10 — plus volunteers to watch their clothes — acknowledging that any fewer could be a little bare. If it’s a success, he hopes next year’s run could be a food drive or fundraiser.

The group will gather at 7 p.m. on Longwood Avenue South, between King and Main Streets. The 2.5 km route is undetermined. For more information or to sign up, visit the Hamilton Naked Pumpkin Run for Fun Facebook page. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)