Awaz Apni Reported: After a day that left downtown Toronto looking like a combat zone, the city is bracing for more disruptions Sunday.
The demonstrators who broke off from a noisy but peaceful march against the G20 on Saturday and provoked hours of confrontations with police will be back, Toronto's top police officer predicts.
"There will be more violence Sunday because they have not achieved their objectives yet," Chief Bill Blair told CBC News.
The demonstration Saturday split into two parts, as protesters from a variety of causes marched while so-called Black Bloc anarchists — who promote violent confrontation with authorities — tried repeatedly to break into the secure zone where leaders of the G20 are meeting.
Police successfully moved to block the militants, who then smashed windows and spray-painted walls. Four police cars were set alight, 412 people were arrested, and hospitals and the Eaton Centre shopping mall were locked down.
Subway and streetcar routes and the commuter train system were partially closed down.
Confrontations continued into the early hours of Sunday. Although outside of security zone, the Hotel Novotel was the scene of many arrests. Many G20 delegates are staying there.
A G20 protester takes pictures of riot police. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
"The tactic of criminal destruction of property was intended quite clearly to draw police resources away from that [G20] perimeter," Blair said, but it did not work.
The protest website G8/20 Toronto Community Mobilization said that Sunday would see several formal protests:
Some of those arrested Saturday were expected to make court appearances Sunday.
The demonstrators who broke off from a noisy but peaceful march against the G20 on Saturday and provoked hours of confrontations with police will be back, Toronto's top police officer predicts.
"There will be more violence Sunday because they have not achieved their objectives yet," Chief Bill Blair told CBC News.
The demonstration Saturday split into two parts, as protesters from a variety of causes marched while so-called Black Bloc anarchists — who promote violent confrontation with authorities — tried repeatedly to break into the secure zone where leaders of the G20 are meeting.
Police successfully moved to block the militants, who then smashed windows and spray-painted walls. Four police cars were set alight, 412 people were arrested, and hospitals and the Eaton Centre shopping mall were locked down.
Subway and streetcar routes and the commuter train system were partially closed down.
Confrontations continued into the early hours of Sunday. Although outside of security zone, the Hotel Novotel was the scene of many arrests. Many G20 delegates are staying there.
A G20 protester takes pictures of riot police. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
"The tactic of criminal destruction of property was intended quite clearly to draw police resources away from that [G20] perimeter," Blair said, but it did not work.
The protest website G8/20 Toronto Community Mobilization said that Sunday would see several formal protests:
- A bike block, "hordes of cyclists [who] will storm the streets of Toronto in a festive parade." starting at 1 p.m. at Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue.
- A prayer vigil at St. James Anglican Cathedral, at 2 p.m. at King and Church streets, leading to a walk to the barricade, "where we will remain in prayer and vigil for as long as possible."
- A demonstration against prison, where "confrontation is welcome," at 5 p.m. at Bruce Mackey Park in the east end.
Some of those arrested Saturday were expected to make court appearances Sunday.
