“There will be no tolerance for any kind of violence in the city any longer." – Toronto Police Insp. Brian O’Connor
A Sunday morning march intended to be a peaceful display of solidarity for those detained at the Eastern Avenue detention centre ultimately resulted in an intense confrontation between protesters and police.
Events may very well become confrontational again as cyclists have gathered at the detention centre, not allowing access to the Eastern Ave. facility. Police officers have recently promised protesters they would release more detainees if protesters move on to Pape Ave.
A few dozen people initially gathered at Jimmie Simpson Park on Queen Street East at around 10 a.m. Sunday.
From the get go, police made it clear there would be zero tolerance to any sign of violent unrest.
“If there’s any violence or signs of violence arrests will be made... the march will be stopped immediately,” Toronto Police Insp. Brian O’Connor told coordinator Moe Luksenberg of the Toronto Community Mobilization Network (TCMN) prior to the start of the event, adding police are there to help facilitate a peaceful demonstration.
“There will be no tolerance for any kind of violence in the city any longer,” said O’Connor, who is part of the Integrated Security Unit. “We will deploy and make arrests.”
TCMN member Maryam Adrangi told members of the media that people were gathering “to support friends and comrades arrested Saturday.”
She said many of the arrested are community organizers and youth leaders detained after 12 a.m. Sunday, July 27.
“That’s who we’re here to support,” said Adrangi, adding some of her friends are being detained at the downtown east facility.
“It’s a really stressful thing to hear about.”
That being said, about 100 people started to slowly and peacefully march along Queen Street East.
Several red and navy blue minivans carrying police officers were on hand to accompany protesters as they made their way southbound on Logan Avenue and east to the temporary detention centre on Eastern Avenue at Pape Avenue.
All this was taking place as curious passersby pushing baby strollers and walking dogs were strolling along the streets of Leslieville.
A few minutes after arriving at the detention centre, two exhausted detainees were released from the facility, much to the cheers of the protesters in attendance.
A human chain of police in gas masks and riot gear kept the protesters across the street from the centre as traffic continue to flow in both directions along Eastern Avenue.
However, within minutes violence erupted as police moved in on specific people in the crowd of 200 or so.
Toronto Police Const. Tony Vella confirmed the deployment of two “muzzle blasts” – described as a high pressure gas mixture – to control the crowd.
This action sent people running northbound along Pape Avenue.
Police then regrouped and started walking forward toward Queen Street East dispersing the crowd.
“People should avoid the area to be safe,” said Vella, who could not confirm the number of individuals arrested during this situation.