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Punishment Park: An Eyewitness Report of Police Violence in East Toronto
This morning I gathered with a group of friends and comrades in Jimmie Simpson park on Queen Street East. We were small in our numbers because many organizers had been arrested and are currently being held in a large detention facility at 629 Eastern Avenue. Our intention was to provide support, food, water and transport to those who were released from the detention centre. We had no marshals, no press spokesperson and no idea what we would face when we got to the facility. We ensured our police escort that the march had been planned as a peaceful event, which would follow the planned route and occupy the space across the street from the facility. Despite our assurances that we would remain peaceful, we could get no such assurance from the officers. It soon became apparent why.
As we continued East on Queen the somber mood of the participants made the march feel more like a funeral procession than a solidarity rally. Our mood soon lifted as songs and chants led us toward the detention centre and, we hoped, closer to seeing our friends released. I’d like to emphasize that at no point in the march was there any semblance of violence or aggressive activity on the part of any protester. One marcher told me she was not at Saturday’s march, but came to this one because she was disgusted at the overt force and brutality used by the police. The message and intent of the march was one of peace, solidarity and justice.
This message was apparently lost on the gaggle of media who only wanted to press us further on what we thought of the Black Bloc and so-called vandals from Saturday’s activities. A number of participants made the point that the media deliberately obstructs our message by focusing on isolated actions and activist profiles rather than what draws people to these demonstrations. As if the recently announced financial austerity program for the G20 countries isn’t reason enough to draw our outrage and anger. As we brace ourselves for a decade of unemployment, poverty and cuts to essential social programs, many may look back on these protests and finally see their point, but by then it may be too late. The violent inherent in these policies goes beyond smashing windows, it robs workers of their pensions, it forces native people of their lands, and it denies women access to safe abortions. Real violence affects real people.
After turning left on Eastern Ave, we made our way toward the detention facility. We raised our voices so our comrades might hear us through the din of overhead helicopters and busloads of riot cops. By this point the crowd had swelled to around 150 and the police began directing us to the tail-end of Pape Ave. After releasing two of our comrades to much jubilation, the cops closed in. Moments after they began pressing us north an unmarked van pulled up. At least three plainclothes cops ran toward us with batons and tackled targeted individuals in the crowd. A handful of cops followed each plainclothes officer and cleared the space around them. Because we were not expecting any action so brutal, many of us were in a state of complete shock. In mere moments they had dragged two protesters behind the line and stuffed them inside the van. Amidst the confusion, they managed to push us further north on Pape and reinforce their lines with cops in riot gear holding batons and rubber bullet guns. We decided to try and deescalate the situation by sitting down on the street and chanting “Peaceful Protest!” For a moment the front line put down their batons, but seconds later they surged toward us from the front and along the sidewalks. Some of us rose, but many stayed sitting. They paid for this with a melee of batons and boots. I saw a young woman next to me beaten with a baton and an older man kicked and shoved to his feet. As we ran north, I turned to see two officers step forward with some sort of rifle. There were two loud explosions, and I saw green casings fall to the ground near me. The screaming and blinding smoke makes the intricacies of the event difficult to recollect, but I remember seeing a line of three comrades, with arms linked, being hit by some sort of projectile. One of them collapsed in a heap.
As we scrambled North along Pape, residents watched aghast from their houses and apartments. Cops had sealed off the intersection at Pape and Queen, but allowed our small group to pass. As we walked back down Queen, a number of vans filled with cops in riot gear filed past toward the detention centre. Everything I saw today only proves that the unbelievable violence and fear on our streets is caused by these police and the extraordinary judicial powers they have been granted to seize and arrest anyone without warrant or reason. As we chanted “we are peaceful, how about you?” they charged toward us striking whoever stood in their way. Please forward this on to anyone you know who has accused protestors of hooliganism and violence. After this morning’s events, it is quite clear that the violence lies on the side of those 20,000 armed cops and the politicians who back their brutality; not the 100 of us demanding justice and peace for our friends and comrades.
Video of the violence can be found here
Chris Webb is a journalist and activist living in Toronto. He is currently the Publishing Assistant at Canadian Dimension magazine and a Communications Officer with SEIU-Local 1 Canada. Read more by Chris Webb.
I am accusing protesters of hooliganism and violence. And I will forward this on to no one. Why don’t you instead forward this on to every citizen of Toronto who has had their sense of security taken away by watching your ‘comrades’ destroy and burn the city they love. Why don’t you forward this on to the people who did the smashing and burning and let them know that their violent actions are the root cause of the violence this weekend.
Enough with shifting the blame on to police force. Man up and accept responsibility for the violence that was caused BY the protesters. Don’t act like you’re doing myself or anyone else any favours by “protesting” against what you feel is a corrupt government that is out to get me and keep the whole of Canada in the dark and as financial slaves.
If the majority of the population shared your views, the Green Party would be in charge, yet they cannot garner even a fraction of the votes necessary. So before you selfishly march off to change the country to suit your views, know that you are in the minority.
#1. Posted by Adam on June 27th 2010 at 7:16pm
Thanks for the honest first hand account.
I can’t believe that some, like the commenter above, think that because there was property damage committed by some on saturday, that gives the police a blank check to attack peaceful crowds on sunday with no provocation. I guess once one person commits a crime everyone else loses all their rights???
Hundreds of unprovoked arrests today, hundreds of police in riot gear pushing peaceful crowds around, and attacking them.
#2. Posted by Robin in toronto on June 27th 2010 at 7:54pm
The ignorance of Adam shows an alarming trend in Canada. Uneducated, right wing nuts who sit in their homes and feel secure in front of the televisio listening to the lies and rubbish coming out the mouths of corporations. If Adam is not a police officer, then he is a fool. All he has to do is go onto alternative media to see the videos, to read the stories or better yet, to go onto a peaceful protest and see how he likes being snatched by darth vadar.
When the state militarizes cities and makes them into war zones, then expect war. The police started the war. Not the protestors. When police and the state criminalize protest, then you will find yourself in a facist state.
If Adam wants a facist state, then he should stay home, close his ears and eyes, and refuse to listen to the cries of people around the world who want freedom, justice, and true democracy.
#3. Posted by Crystal in Toronto on June 27th 2010 at 9:07pm
Sweet, gentile, beautiful and loving friends arrested because they believe that the rich and powerful should respect our rights. We have a detention camp in Toronto, we have Amnesty International and the CCLU decrying police tactics and behavior. This is Canada, and I’m not sure what I can do about it. I’m really afraid. I’m afraid of our government, I’m afraid of the police, I’m afraid for my friends and family. I didn’t protest because I can’t face what my friends are now facing, and I don’t know how to help them. The only thing they did wrong was voice peaceful dissent and peace officers swarmed them. I don’t know what to do.
#4. Posted by Murph on June 27th 2010 at 10:41pm
Before we assume “Adam” is real and represents many Canadians, let’s consider the strong possibility that the RCMP, CSIS, and the rest of the ISU probably have assaulted social media like they assaulted innocent protesters and journalists. Even meatheads like CSIS must realize the importance of controlling the social media reaction to the G20 crimes.
Ask yourself, Why would someone as conservative as “Adam” be reading CD, and how would he arrive here first to comment?
#5. Posted by I doubt Adam is real on June 28th 2010 at 10:26am
imagine if the cops had worn street clothes, with their badges. If they did not carry batons, riot gear, shields, visors, helmets. what would the city have been like.
#6. Posted by Judy Haiven in halifax NS on June 28th 2010 at 1:30pm
“Lastly, I’m sorry you’re being oppressed here in Canada. Actually, I’m
sorry you THINK you’re being oppressed. Try a move to Myanmar or Iran and
find out what true oppression is. Head over to Somalia with your anarchist
friends to get a true sense of what it’s like to live in anarchy…”
Thanks, Adam, for presenting me with the alternatives: Canada or Myanmar. When you’re finished watching Law and Order on TV, maybe you could look up the expression “false dichotomy.” I realize a little learning is a dangerous thing (you have demonstrated as much), but in this case a little learning might do you some good.
“People of all backgrounds ARE pissed off. And they’re not upset at the police.”
Once again, thanks Adam. I didn’t realize everyone hates the protesters, not the police. It’s reassuring to have a knowledgeable guy like yourself around. I guess you’re right, after all: The police did nothing wrong. The protesters had nothing to complain about. I should just go back to watching TV and visiting the mall occasionally. Thanks, Adam!
#7. Posted by Adam is real, but a douchebag on June 28th 2010 at 9:25pm
“RCMP, CSIS, and the rest of the ISU probably have assaulted social media like they assaulted innocent protesters and journalists.”
Seriously? You should put the tin foil hat back on. They’re probably reading your thoughts right now.
#8. Posted by You have to be joking on June 28th 2010 at 9:26pm
Nice to see the owners of the site believe in freedom of speech. User Adam is real, but a douchebag is quoting something that has been deleted. As well as one of my posts. Way to be better than those you are fighting.
#9. Posted by You have to be Joking on June 28th 2010 at 10:09pm
now who’s being all “tin foil hat”?
#10. Posted by James Patterson on June 28th 2010 at 10:18pm