The scene outside the Maritime Museum, where America’s Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is currently giving a speech: A couple hundred protesters and regular old curious citizens are being watched by nearly as many cops. There are cops on motorcycle and horse, cops with dogs and at least six snipers on three buildings, including the musuem itself. In the harbour behind the museum, a half-dozen motor boats belonging to various security agencies are visible. There could well be a submarine, too. Who knew Halifax would prove so adept at making the chief diplomat from a budding police state feel right at home?
This article appears in Sep 7-13, 2006.