Solidarity with Toronto 900 protests continue across Canada

People in communities across Canada marked Canada Day by protesting against the police aggression and mass protests that occurred during the G20 protests in Toronto.

The protests marked a week of a growing solidarity movement as some Canadians voiced their concerns that police went too far during the Toronto G20 protests when arresting over 900 people, and allegedly attacking compliant detainees. The protests began Monday in Toronto. Protesters have been calling for a public inquiry into the events in that took place in Toronto on June 26 and 27. Some protests were held on June 30, while others saw people gathered outside of police headquarters in different cities on Canada Day. Vancouver has planned a protest for the upcoming weekend. Protests took place in Ottawa, Windsor, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal on Canada Day. Toronto activists are calling for the resignation of police Chief Bill Blair. The protesters are angry over what they feel has been a violation of human rights by police over the G20 weekend in Toronto. After rioters ran amok on June 26, police arrested over 900 people on June 27. Many detainees have stepped forward claiming they were deliberately harmed by the police while in detention. Some activists have alleged that people were being arrested by the police before the G20 demonstration marches ever got started. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, who had enacted a special short-term Public Works Protection Act for June 21 to 28, 2010, has refused an inquiry. CTV reported McGuinty relayed the news in an exclusive interview with their reporter, Bill Blair. A communique promoting the solidarity protests was published in Rabble. Krystalline Kraus wrote:

"It is now extremely important for all of us to stand united with the Toronto 900! This was the largest mass arrest in Canadian history. They need our support right now, emotional, logistical and emotional. Plus, we need a healthy way to express our angry and outrage."

Kraus went on to say Police Chief Bill Blair had lied about having special police powers, referring to the belief that the police had been granted power to stop and search anyone they wanted within a specific area during the G20 week. The Province has since said there were no "special police powers," engendering even greater public anger. The idea police would have special police powers was widely promoted in the days leading up to the G8 summit. The Globe & Mail reported

"The Chief said police approached the province several months ago to have the security zone designated under an existing Ontario law that gives police expanded powers in places such as Union Station or police headquarters.

The government of Ontario quietly designated the entire G20 security zone as a “public work” nearly a month ago under a little-used act that vastly expands police arrest powers.

The move means anyone entering, or even approaching, a designated area can be searched without a warrant. All the streets inside the security fence in Toronto, where the summit is being hosted, have been temporarily designated under the Public Works Protection Act. "

Commodore Gandolf Cunningham

The police begin to block in protesters at Spadina and Queen Streets, Toronto on June 27.

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The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has been critical of the security measures put into place for the G20 since the measures were announced. The Association said

"... It is the opinion of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that police conduct during the G20 Summit was, at times, disproportionate, arbitrary and excessive. In our view, despite instances of commendable and professional conduct, the policing and security efforts, especially after 5PM on June 26 and June 27, failed to demonstrate commitment to Canada’s constitutional values.

The conditions for some of the policing problems that were experienced during the summit were set during the preparatory stage. This report outlines some of the issues that undermined the security efforts. For example, the lack of transparency surrounding the designation of the security perimeter as a “public work” led to misunderstandings as to the scope of search and seizure powers and, in our view, to an inappropriate use of the these powers. The large number of police officers during the week leading to the G20 generated both a suspicion of wasted resources and a sentiment of potential intimidation. June 26 represents a turning point. Widespread property damage was committed by a cohort of vandals in the downtown of Toronto on that day. We condemn this criminal activity and acknowledge that it warranted a response by police. The response which police provided, however, was unprecedented, disproportionate and, at times, unconstitutional.

Over the next 36 hours, over 900 people (possibly close to 1000) were arrested by police – the largest mass-arrest in Canadian history. Media, human rights monitors, protestors and passers-by were scooped up off the streets. Detained people were not allowed to speak to a lawyer or to their families. Arbitrary searches occurred in countless locations across the city, in many instances several kilometers from the G20 summit site. Peaceful protests were violently dispersed and force was used. In an effort to locate and disable 100-150 vandals, the police disregarded the constitutional rights of thousands."

Earlier this week, citizens who had belongings confiscated by police prior to the weekend of June 26 have complained their belongings were lumped in with what police said were weapons confiscated from protesters. CBC News said Brian Barrett came forward after seeing his gear for a role-playing game displayed on television news as "weapons." Barrett told CBC

"He [Blair] turns around and states that they are specifically dangerous terrorist items that were solely intended to hurt police. That's unacceptable to me."

Other seized property promoted as "weapons" included a crossbow and a chainsaw. Police had seized the tools on June 24th, but it turned out they were not related to the protest at all, reported the Globe & Mail. The fact that police left Queen Street on June 26 just prior to the rioters going amok has led activist Judy Rebick to allege the police had a secret agenda. Rebick wrote on her blog

"... The police spokesperson told Metro Morning today that they waited until later when it was safer to make arrests but that cannot be true. I was there and like David I believe the cops could have arrested the Black Bloc right at the beginning of the action but they abandoned their police cars and allowed them to burn, not even calling the fire department until the media had lots of time to photograph them. They had a water cannon but they didn't even use a fire extinguisher. Why?

A comment released to a media outlet last night from official police spokesperson tells some of the story, "We have never tried to curtail people's rights to lawfully protest. All you have to do is turn on the TV and see what's happening now. Police cars are getting torched, buildings are being vandalized, people are getting beat up and the so-called 'intimidating' police presence is essential to restoring order. That is the reality on the ground."

Police playing politics, justifying the expense and responding to the critiques building all week about excessive and arbitrary police powers. A politicized police force is unacceptable in a democratic society. There are serious questions that must be answered and they have not been satisfactory answered."

Rebick's assertion that police left the area just before the rioters began wreaking destruction is backed up by CP24 reporters who were on the scene. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is encouraging people to contact the group with concerns about the G20 weekend, saying

"If you witnessed an event that you are concerned about, or feel your rights have been violated, we encourage you to contact us and fill out an incident reporting form -- download it here. We will keep the information confidential unless you specifically give us permission to report what happened. Once it is complete, email it to us at mail@ccla.org, or fax it at (416) 861-1291.

You can also file a formal police complaint:

Against the RCMP – use the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP. You can find the online complaint form here.

Against any other police force from Ontario – use the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD). You can find the online complaint form here."