Police to maintain downtown presence following Queen’s Park protests

Toronto Police are working to clear downtown roads that were shut down due to the weekend protest against public health measures at Queen’s Park.

Officers say that have been working through the overnight to get roads reopened following the mostly peaceful rally and say that most road blockades have been cleared. Some closures remain directly around the provincial legislature.

Downtown roads that were blocked off all weekend for convoy protest have reopened. Police have removed buses etc used to close off intersections. Queen’s Park remains sealed off. Residents say protestors mostly peaceful. Only two arrests. Increased police presence remains pic.twitter.com/MarTlU341A

— carl hanstke (@carlCityNews) February 7, 2022

Police say they were successful at keeping trucks out of the areas surrounding Queen’s Park during the weekend rally. Officers will be maintaining “a visible police presence in the downtown core” and “will respond as necessary” should protesters return on Monday.

It is estimated that around 2,000 demonstrators had gathered by Saturday afternoon in downtown Toronto. Police said at one point Peel medics were slowed down at Avenue and Bloor because of the crowds blocking traffic.

A 34-year-old man was charged with assault with a weapon after throwing dog feces at someone and a 22-year-old is facing several charges — including public mischief — after police say he set off a smoke bomb.

Related stories:

• Counter-protesters gather in downtown Ottawa with message for freedom convoy: ‘go home please’

• Canadian health-care workers write open letter in wake of protests

Mayor John Tory released a statement thanking Toronto residents for their patience and understanding as police work to protect the public.

“I can say from my own vantage point that the Chief and his entire command team had a clear plan which was carried out capably and carefully and which I supported,” Tory tweeted Saturday night.

“I am most grateful for the outcome and extend my thanks as well to Toronto residents and businesses.”

Volunteers stood by at subway stations along Hospital Row to escort hospital staff to work if they felt unsafe around protestors.

A couple hundred health-care workers and their supporters marched from the University of Toronto to Hospital Row on Saturday afternoon to counter protest.