Hundreds Rally Over G20 Security

Hundreds rallied at Queen’s Park on Thursday to demand a public inquiry into police action and security during the G20 and G8 summits last weekend.

More than 900 people were arrested in the 36 hours after a massive G20 protest turned violent on Saturday. The anarchist Black Bloc had broken away from the main march and smashed bank windows, destroyed police cruisers and media trucks and ripped mailboxes from the sidewalk.

Many innocent people, however, were lumped in with the criminals and held in a makeshift detention centre in the east end.

TTC collector Benjamin Yau was arrested while walking to work in his uniform. He was taken to the Eastern Avenue detention centre and told he would be charged with resisting arrest and breach of peace. But he was let go after 36 hours.

“I’ve never been in trouble with the police. I’ve never even had a speeding ticket,” said Yau.

“I’ve always had a positive experience with the police. This has completely changed my view. This was a form of martial law as far as I’m concerned. They got to do whatever they wanted.”

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association says the police response was unprecedented, disproportionate, arbitrary and excessive.

And groups including Canadians Advocating Public Participation want an inquiry and some are even calling for Chief Bill Blair to resign.

With files from the Canadian Press

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