OTTAWA — They may have been shadowy figures in black masks, but the vandals who firebombed an Ottawa bank branch seem familiar to terrorism experts.
The target and tactics are synonymous with fringe extremists angry about corporatization, environmental destruction and treatment of aboriginals.
A communique posted on an Internet site linked the attack that trashed a Royal Bank outlet to lingering resentment over the Vancouver Olympics, native rights, the Alberta tarsands and the coming G8-G20 meetings in Ontario.
It appears to be just the latest sign that various social concerns have melded into a larger anti-corporate struggle in recent years.
“So it’s not uncommon anymore to see multiple grievances expressed in these communiques,” said Paul Joosse, a doctoral candidate at the University of Alberta who studies extremist violence.
Research compiled by terrorism analyst Thomas Quiggin indicates anti-Olympic vandals had attacked the Ottawa bank branch on at least two previous occasions, and had thrown bricks or other projectiles through the windows of a nearby Royal Bank branch. Branches in other cities have also been defaced.
David Charters, a terrorism specialist at the University of New Brunswick, sees a connection between the latest attack and others tied to major global meetings over the last decade.
“(The attack) in some ways doesn’t come as a surprise because we know that there are various groups that have targeted high-profile businesses in relation to anti-globalization, anti-environmental and other sort of hot-button issues over the years.”
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has kept a careful eye on violence linked to the coming G8-G20 summits for several years.
A July 2008 intelligence assessment by CSIS noted dozens of acts of vandalism had occurred as part of an “anti-2010 campaign” directed at the Vancouver Olympics, the G8 and the Security and Prosperity Partnership meetings between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
“In Ottawa, one Royal Bank of Canada branch, a company associated with the sponsorship of the Olympics and the SPP, had its windows smashed several times,” says the CSIS report, released under the Access to Information Act.
“Significant acts of property damage, deliberate tampering with equipment, or threatening behaviour against people represent a small number of the claimed incidents.”
Analysts also note there have been no serious physical attacks intended to injure people.
“It’s quite clear to me that that line hasn’t been crossed,” said Joosse.
That leads him to believe the key goals of those behind the Ottawa assault were attracting publicity and sending a message to the corporations they despise.
The communique reads: “The games in Vancouver are now over, but resistance continues. An RBC branch can be found in every corner of Kanada.”
Joosse said: “It’s like, ’We can’t get to you when you’re having your big, high-level talks. But you’re vulnerable still. And we’re watching.”’
Experts say the firebombing is unlikely to alter security plans for the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ont., and the G20 in Toronto next month, as millions of dollars are already being spent to plan for virtually every contingency.
They anticipate most protesters will behave peacefully, with a small minority prepared to attack property to make their point.
“It’s something that goes with these big events now. It’s almost like a ritual. You expect to see it,” Charters said.
“It happens, everybody knows it’s going to happen. And it gets handled in a pretty standard way, and there are no real surprises.”