Editor:
Although the vast majority of press coverage on the APEC protester pepper-spray incident was very sympathetic towards the demonstrating university students, the demonstrators -- by trampling the RCMP-installed fence, charging at the RCMP and attempting a "citizen's arrest" of Suharto and Jiang Zemin -- basically got what they deserved.
Not to be mistaken, I do not in the least support the likes of the despicable above-mentioned leaders of Indonesia and China; however, one must realize that if the chaotic protest had instead involved anti-abortionist demonstrators outside an abortion clinic, they could have been beaten by police, and none of the dominating left-wing elements in the established press would have given a damn.
The fact remains that the fence-trampling students who got pepper sprayed while protesting the APEC conference would have deserved sympathy had they not been so fanatical.
Frank G. Sterle
White Rock
Editor:
Responding to cricicisms of human rights violations at the University of British Columbia in November, Lloyd Axworthy commented that "the best testimony to Canada's commitment to human rights is that we have an open court system in which people who feel that police have over-reacted" can seek redress (The Vancouver Sun, Dec. 11, 1997).
Good point, Lloyd.
Now, what about the politicians, cabinet ministers and members of the Prime Minister's staff who wound the hapless cops up and set them on their unlawful course? Who will call them to account?
Prof. W. Wesley Pue
Faculty of Law
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