Beware of Saplings!

I understand the need to address all credible security concerns to prepare for the upcoming G20 Economic Summit in Toronto but removing saplings that line city sidewalks in the name of better security is completely ridiculous!

First it was trash cans, transit shelters and mailboxes. The latest casualty of G20 security concerns are saplings that line city sidewalks.

The trees could be ripped out of the ground by demonstrators "and then you've got a huge bar," said Constable Wendy Drummond, a spokeswoman for the Integrated Security Unit. Despite promises from summit organizers to replace the trees once foreign leaders leave town on June 27, the move bewilders tree lovers.

"The idea that tearing down something that's going to be living for 100 more years for a three-day meeting is insane," said Mark Calzavara of the Council of Canadians.

The trees will be removed from within the RCMP-controlled zone, which envelopes the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the surrounding area. Organizers would not say which trees or how many will be hauled away.

"If they're removing any trees, it's because they don't want folks to jump over and launch things from above," said city councillor Adam Vaughan.

Mr. Calzavara says the thought that a sapling could be turned into a weapon is "outrageous."

"I would challenge the police to get a couple of burly officers and try to pull one of these trees out of the ground," he said. "You'd need an axe to cut the thing down. And if you've already got an axe, you wouldn't need a tree."

By: Shelldrake