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Thousands march in Toronto for G20 protest

By Adrian Morrow, Ann Hui and Jill Mahoney | Globe and Mail

A demonstrator with blue paint takes to the street during a protest ahead of the G20 Summit in downtown Toronto, Canada, on 26 June 2010.Reuters/Mike Segar/Canada

Thousands of protesters have taken over the streets of Toronto as isolated groups of demonstrators smash windows and confront police.

Protesters intent on getting closer to the summit security perimeter came face-to-face with lines of police in full riot gear at various spots in the downtown. There are reports that tear gas has been deployed against the demonstrators.

A crowd of black-clad protesters moved along Queen Street through the downtown area, smashing windows. They passed by a Starbucks, the windows of which are smashed. Black-clad protesters also broke the windows of a Scotiabank with hammers and their feet. Protesters threw bricks at a CBC van, breaking the windows. TTC streetcars were abandoned on Queen Street. Two were spraypainted with anti-summit graffiti and anarchy symbols.

“We have an enormous amount of resources at our hands,” said Constable Wendy Drummond who characterised the police response as “measured.”

A police cruiser was damaged by a man with a bandana over his face. Using a bat, he broke the windows and lights and was standing on the car. Riot police ran to the scene. People started running en masse, shouting “tear gas”. Police have their batons out. There were also reports that demonstrators may be looting a store.

The dynamic in the crowd changed around 3 p.m. as police donned gas masks. Some parts of the riot line are as many as three officers deep as the crowd chanted: “Let us through!”

Thousands of demonstrators stood face-to-face with riot police at the corner of Spadina Avenue and Richmond Street West. Another line of mounted police stood behind them at the corner of Spadina Avenue and Richmond Street West. Protester set off flares, which filled the air with smoke and drew cheers from the crowd.

“We got them where we want them,” one protester shouted. “Are the stores open in Chinatown selling fireworks?” the same protester yelled.

Another protester, who was wearing protective goggles, said: “They’re gearing up,” she said. “They’re probably going to release tear gas.”

Around her, the smell of vinegar permeated the air. Another protester donned a blue face mask and said: “I just soaked it in it. It’s supposed to help, I think.”

Near the MuchMusic building on Queen Street West and John Street, police pushed back on the most aggressive protesters with their batons and shields. One man looked to be defending himself with his bare arms. Some protesters threw objects across the police line, but none appeared to breach the police barrier. Some demonstrators stood behind and watched while the rest of the marchers slowly snaked west toward Spadina.

Several protesters were being treated for head wounds by fellow demonstrators amid reports that paramedics faced delays in getting to the area.

A Globe and Mail photographer was tackled by black-clad protesters after taking their picture. Some of his equipment was damaged.

“This is what democracy looks like. That is what a police state looks like,” protestors chant as they turn the corner at University Avenue and Queen Street West.

Police have closed the protest area to traffic. The Toronto Transit Commission has stopped subway service in the downtown south of Bloor Street on its Yonge-University Spadina line, from Bloor and St. George Stations. All bus and streetcar service has also been suspended south of Bloor, between Broadview and Spadina Avenues. GO Transit is turning back downtown-bound trains on its Lakeshore East and West lines. All trains will now be stopping only at the Danforth GO station to the east, and the Exhibition GO station to the west.

Earlier, after speeches from union leaders at Queen’s Park, thousands of demonstrators poured into the city’s downtown in the rolling protest. Led by a contingent of women and unions, they shouted “Maternal health care includes abortion.” Up to 10,000 demonstrators were expected to take part in the rally.

By about 2 p.m., the protest reached Queen Street West, where they were met with a line of bicycle officers. A line of riot police stood shoulder to shoulder one block south at Richmond Street West, forming a line of defence. Riot police holding bean bag guns also diverted demonstrators from the American consulate on University Avenue.

Two people were arrested with “incendiary devices” at Dundas Street West and University Avenue before the protest began. A Toronto police sergeant said that police had seized several Molotov cocktails.

“Everyone is just walking around saying what they believe in and [the police are] intimidating us,” said David Sams, a self-identified anarchist from Detroit with his face covered by a black balaclava. “This is nonsense, they’re protecting the wealthy.”

All along Queen Street, shop employees looked on, amused. “What are you looking at?” one protester asked, “Go back to work!”

An employee at the Neon clothing store said she felt safe, despite the thousands of protesters filing past her window. “The store’s still open,” she said. “They can come in and shop.” As she said this, two demonstrators, a woman and her daughter, walked into the store.

Before the rally began, the protesters waited on the south lawn of the provincial legislature huddled under a colourful canopy of umbrellas while others held folded newspapers over their heads. The rain caused ink on handwritten placards to bleed. A group of drummers kept the crowd dancing and free Tibet activists formed a chanting circle, saying: “Tibet belongs to Tibetans!” Busloads of union members arrived all morning to join the protests. Most of the assembled crowd were union members, with banners and union logos everywhere.

One Toronto Police officer estimated between 5,000 and 6,000 in attendance. Another said the crowd looked closer to 8,000. “It’s hard to tell,” he said. “It’s all umbrellas.”

Police said they would let the demonstrators go as far as Queen Street West as long as they stayed peaceful.

“We will monitor things and do what is necessary to keep everyone safe,” said Constable Michelle Murphy of the Ontario Provincial Police.

The protesters planned to march south from Queen’s Park along University Avenue to Queen Street. Then they planned to march west along Queen to Spadina Avenue, before heading back north to Queen’s Park.

However, some protesters warned that a smaller contingent of more militant marchers plans to break away from the main demonstration and challenge the security fence surrounding the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the main G20 site. The “confrontational anti-colonial, anti-capitalist” protest is called “Get off the Fence.”

“We invite you all to continue on with us to confront the self-proclaimed G20 leaders and the security apparatus that will have occupied our city. We will take back our city from these exploitative profiteers, and in the streets we will be uncontrollable! This is a militant march where many forms of resistance and tactics are welcomed and respected,” says a description on a website to mobilise protesters.

As well, some union organisers say they will also attempt to challenge the security perimeter.

“We’re calling for many of us to go to the fence,” said Kelly O’Sullivan, president of CUPE Local 4308, which represents community organisations throughout Toronto.

But organisers of the main rally — which is being billed as a demonstration for women’s rights, poverty alleviation and job creation — are worried that their message could get lost if some people get aggressive.

“I keep trying to urge people to let this protest take place without any form of contact or confrontation of police because it’ll destroy the message,” said Sid Ryan, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour and a rally co-organiser.

Mr Ryan feared that participants — he estimated up to 10,000 people will march — may be deterred by the heightened security and police presence. He said that talk of a water cannon, sound cannons and plastic bullets “is leading people to a siege mentality.” He stressed that the OFL is planning a peaceful demonstration and said organizers had trained 300 volunteer marshals to serve as a buffer between protesters and police.

At Allan Gardens, where about 100 protesters camped overnight as part of a demonstration against homelessness and poverty, spirits were high Saturday morning. As day broke, activists shared a breakfast of bagels, chili and tortillas and discussed the coming protest.

Some hoped the day would bring confrontation.

“I hope something really happens today,” said one young man who declined to give his name.

Others hoped for a more peaceful event. Sylvain Richard, who came from Montreal with friends for the protests, said he only got about an hours’ sleep on the hard ground, but was excited for the day.

“I hope there won’t be too much violence,” he said as his friends folded up their tents.

A few feet away, Synthia Laframboise said that she hoped the G20 would do something to alleviate homelessness and poverty. Once homeless herself, Ms Laframboise said that she came to the protest to show support with those still on the streets.

“I want to show solidarity, because I’ve been there,” she said.

On Friday afternoon, thousands of protesters marched west from Allan Gardens, but were stopped by a double line of officers in riot gear and weren’t allowed to move south of Elm Street at University Avenue. After a few tense moments involving officers donning gas masks and holding tear gas guns, Toronto Police said they had “possibly arrested” two people, including one man who is reportedly hearing impaired.

Const. Murphy said there have been 32 arrests and 51 charges in G20-related incidents between 18 to 25 June.

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Published in The Globe and Mail