Congolese protesters gather in front of U.S. Consulate

Tensions between Congolese protesters and police briefly mounted when they gathered in front of the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto on Thursday afternoon.

Ten police officers on horses rode back and forth several times to keep protesters from getting closer to the consulate. In one instance, at least four people including a man carrying a child had a close call with the horses and were visibly upset.

But protesters went back to chanting and singing and continued their peaceful rally, which dispersed shortly before 4:30 p.m..

University Avenue was closed between Queen and Dundas streets, but has since reopened.

The protesters began on Bloor and walked south on Yonge shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, and they stopped for awhile at Yonge-Dundas Square before arriving at the consulate.

This was not the first time Congolese protesters rallied in downtown. Last December, nearly 400 gathered in front of the American consulate to protest the Congo elections, which were plagued by accusations of vote-rigging.

Two people were arrested and an officer suffered minor injuries during that demonstration.

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