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#1
06-26-2010, 04:14 PM
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G20 Protests -Toronto 2010
G20 Toronto Summit - June 26-27, 2010
 The City of Toronto is proud to be the host city for the G20 Summit and welcomes the world to our great city. The theme for the G20 Toronto Summit is ?"Recovery and New Beginnings". The G20 was established in 1999 in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Leaders from the G20 countries meet regularly to discuss key issues in the global economy. Toronto's tourism, business and banking, culture, diversity and environmental leadership will be in the world spotlight and lasting international business relationships will be developed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What is the G-20? The Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was established in 1999 to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy. The inaugural meeting of the G-20 took place in Berlin, on December 15-16, 1999, hosted by German and Canadian finance ministers. Mandate The G-20 is the premier forum for our international economic development that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability. By contributing to the strengthening of the international financial architecture and providing opportunities for dialogue on national policies, international co-operation, and international financial institutions, the G-20 helps to support growth and development across the globe. Origins The G-20 was created as a response both to the financial crises of the late 1990s and to a growing recognition that key emerging-market countries were not adequately included in the core of global economic discussion and governance. Prior to the G-20 creation, similar groupings to promote dialogue and analysis had been established at the initiative of the G-7. The G-22 met at Washington D.C. in April and October 1998. Its aim was to involve non-G-7 countries in the resolution of global aspects of the financial crisis then affecting emerging-market countries. Two subsequent meetings comprising a larger group of participants (G-33) held in March and April 1999 discussed reforms of the global economy and the international financial system. The proposals made by the G-22 and the G-33 to reduce the world economy's susceptibility to crises showed the potential benefits of a regular international consultative forum embracing the emerging-market countries. Such a regular dialogue with a constant set of partners was institutionalized by the creation of the G-20 in 1999. Membership The G-20 is made up of the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 countries:
Achievements The G-20 has progressed a range of issues since 1999, including agreement about policies for growth, reducing abuse of the financial system, dealing with financial crises and combating terrorist financing. The G-20 also aims to foster the adoption of internationally recognized standards through the example set by its members in areas such as the transparency of fiscal policy and combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. In 2004, G-20 countries committed to new higher standards of transparency and exchange of information on tax matters. This aims to combat abuses of the financial system and illicit activities including tax evasion. The G-20 has also aimed to develop a common view among members on issues related to further development of the global economic and financial system. To tackle the financial and economic crisis that spread across the globe in 2008, the G-20 members were called upon to further strengthen international cooperation. Since then, the concerted and decisive actions of the G-20 helped the world deal effectively with the current financial and economic crisis. The G-20 has already delivered a number of significant and concrete outcomes. For examples, it committed to implement the unprecedented and most coordinated expansionary macroeconomic policies, including the fiscal expansion of US$5 trillion and the unconventional monetary policy instruments; significantly enhance the financial regulations, notably by the establishment of the Financial Stability Board(FSB); and substantially strengthen the International Financial Institutions(IFIs), including the expansion of resources and the improvement of precautionary lending facilities of the IFIs. Reflecting on these achievements and recognizing that more needs to be done to ensure a strong, sustained and balanced global recovery, the G-20 Leaders at Pittsburgh Summit designated the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. Chair Unlike international institutions such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), IMF or World Bank, the G-20 (like the G-7) has no permanent staff of its own. The G-20 chair rotates between members, and is selected from a different regional grouping of countries each year. In 2010 the G-20 chair is the Republic of Korea, and in 2011 it will be France. The chair is part of a revolving three-member management Troika of past, present and future chairs. The incumbent chair establishes a temporary secretariat for the duration of its term, which coordinates the group's work and organizes its meetings. The role of the Troika is to ensure continuity in the G-20's work and management across host years. Former G-20 Chairs
It is normal practice for the G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors to meet once a year. The last meeting of ministers and governors was held in St. Andrews, UK on 6-7 November 2009. The ministers' and governors' meeting is usually preceded by two deputies' meetings and extensive technical work. This technical work takes the form of workshops, reports and case studies on specific subjects, that aim to provide ministers and governors with contemporary analysis and insights, to better inform their consideration of policy challenges and options. 2010 G-20 Events Deputies Meeting, February 27-28, Korea. (Incheon Songdo) Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, April 23, USA. (Washington, D.C) Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, June 3-5, Korea. (Busan) G-20 Summit Meeting, June 26-27, Canada. (Toronto) Deputies Meeting, September, Korea. (Gwangju) Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, October, USA. (Washington, D.C) Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, N/A, Korea. (Gyeongju) G-20 Summit Meeting, November 11-12, Korea (Seoul) Interaction with other international organizations The G-20 cooperates closely with various other major international organizations and fora, as the potential to develop common positions on complex issues among G-20 members can add political momentum to decision-making in other bodies. The participation of the President of the World Bank, the Managing Director of the IMF and the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and the Development Committee in the G-20 meetings ensures that the G-20 process is well integrated with the activities of the Bretton Woods Institutions. The G-20 also works with, and encourages, other international groups and organizations, such as the Financial Stability Board and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, in progressing international and domestic economic policy reforms. In addition, experts from private-sector institutions and non-government organisations are invited to G-20 meetings on an ad hoc basis in order to exploit synergies in analyzing selected topics and avoid overlap. External communication The country currently chairing the G-20 posts details of the group's meetings and work program on a dedicated website. Although participation in the meetings is reserved for members, the public is informed about what was discussed and agreed immediately after the meeting of ministers and governors has ended. After each meeting of ministers and governors, the G-20 publishes a communiqu? which records the agreements reached and measures outlined. Material on the forward work program is also made public. 
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#2
06-26-2010, 04:28 PM
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7:45 p.m.: From Daniel Girard at BMO Field: With less than 15 minutes to kickoff for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. soccer game between Toronto FC and the L.A. Galaxy, there are maybe 4,000 fans here. To date, this season, the average attendance has been 20,537. Last month, on the same day that the Toronto Blue Jays announced they were moving their weekend series against the Phillies to Philadelphia rather than play here, TFC confirmed the match would go ahead as scheduled. Bob Hunter, an executive with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said at the time that the decision was made because of the late kick-off, the difficulty of re-scheduling and "the fact that our supporters are experienced in dealing with events on the Exhibition grounds throughout the summer.” But the cancellation of public transit services and the potential hassle factor have clearly kept a lot of people away. It's certainly not the opposition. The L.A. Galaxy are the best team in Major League Soccer with a 10-1-2 record.
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#3
06-26-2010, 04:29 PM
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7:30 p.m. University Ave and Wellington St. Dance party
An impromptu hip-hop dance party has broken out in front of the fence at University Ave. and Wellington St. "F--k the G20, F--k the G20," the dancers are shouting. 7:30 p.m. Queen's Park A dozen detained, police on foot and horseback Police on foot and horseback have forced the protesters north on University onto the grass at Queen’s Park, where they have charged into the crowd and detained about a dozen people. They have dragged several of them by their legs and shoulders. 7:26 p.m. At the Security Fence Calm for the moment Everything is calm at the fence, but residents and business owners inside the security zone are getting restless, hanging around and wondering aloud when they might be able to get out. Cops inside the fence are laying low again - sitting on the curb, munching power bars, and playing with their phones. 7:20 p.m. Queen St. W. at John St. Crowd thins Police tactics appear to have worked. Those who were part of the small crowd caught between police lines are slowly wandering away. 7:17 p.m. Queen St. W. near John St. Boxed In Protestors on Queen St. W. are singing O Canada. They are caught between two lines of police, television reports. “We’re citizens,” a woman cries out. “We’re being boxed in by police,” a man says.  7:09 p.m. Queen St. W. Police Perimeter Police have formed a perimeter on Queen St. W. near John St. A small crowd of about 100 milled behind the police line - and suddenly ran - as police moved toward them. They appear to be trying to move the crowd out of the area. 7:05 p.m. Union Station No Train or Bus Service GO Transit is confirming that there is no train or bus service from or to Union Station at this time. All buses coming from the west are being sent to Yorkdale GO station and buses from the north and east are being re-routed to the York Mills station. There is no word on when regular service will resume, said GO spokesperson Jason Allen. 6:52 p.m. Queen St. W. Fire extinguished Firefighters have extinguished fire in police car .  A makeshift medic team treats demonstrators hit by pepper spray. 6:50 p.m. Images of violence shocking Images of violence and destruction in downtown Toronto “are truly shocking to Canadians,” says Chris McCluskey, spokesperson for federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. "Toronto is a world-class city, and the government of Canada condemns these acts of violence by groups of radical protestors,” McCluskey adds. “We commend the outstanding work of the police officers as they continue to maintain order in downtown Toronto. We are taking all measures necessary to ensure Canadians, delegates, media and international visitors remain safe. The Integrated Security Unit and its partners have a comprehensive security plan that has been developed by Canada's best security experts in the field.”  Quebec communist protesters set off a flare while protesting the G20 at Spadina Ave. and Queen St. W. 6:33 pm Queen's Park. Violence at Queen's Park Police on horseback are on the move at Queen’s Park. Robyn Doolittle, counts 19 mounted police, reports that two people have been knocked down. At least two protestors have been detained. Moments later, two people stomped on by horses were on the ground screaming. Officers on the ground moved in and handcuffed them. Nineteen mounted police in full riot gear – and horses wearing eye shields – have now retreated. 6:37 p.m. Air Canada Centre Andre Rieu's concert cancelled tonight Andre Rieu’s concert at the Air Canada Centre has been postponed, according to Ticketmaster.The classical violinist’s show was slated to start at 8 p.m. Saturday.Ticketmaster has no further information at this time regarding a possible new date for the concert. Hundreds of well dressed, disappointed fans of Andre Rieu had braved their way into downtown Toronto only to find their concert cancelled. Some in wheelcairs or with canes, they made their way backup to cars or strolled down Queens Quay, desperate for cabs or a place to eat, both in very short supply. Some consoled themselves by snapping cell pix of limos they thought might contain Obama. 6:28 p.m. King and Bay St. To stay or not to stay, that is the question. Reports the Star’s Raveena Aulakh: Protestors first scream, yell at police. Have a standoff. An hour later, they try to strike up a friendly conversation. "We are here for the night," said a girl at King and Bay Sts., with her hair shaved off from sides. "Might as well chat with them. It might get boring otherwise." There is a lot of talk about staying overnight at this intersection. About 200 protesters are here while many more hundred are screaming at cops at Adelaide and Bay Sts. Some protesters have come prepared. They have small mats, bottles of water and bits of food. Many are making their backpack their pillow. But most realize they may get arrested if they continue. 6:25p.m. Police Headquarters 33 arrests since 6 a.m Constable Tim Garland said police have not had any reports of looting, “but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.” Garland, speaking on behalf of the ISU overseeing security for the G8/G20 summits, said he could not confirm how many police cruisers had been damaged or torched during protests today, but said 33 people have been arrested since 6 a.m. and that police have multiple prisoner wagons on call. 6:22 p.m. Queen's Park McGuinty's Reaction to Violence Premier Dalton McGuinty strongly condemned the chaotic scene in Toronto. "There is no need for it," he siad in a statement. "There is no excuse for it. It is not the Ontario way." Peaceful protest has always been part of the bedrock of Canada's democracy, he said. "The vast majority of today's demonstrators have been peaceful and responsible. However, willful, mindless destruction and violence have no place in our province. I appeal to all involved to allow calm to prevail," he said. "On behalf of Ontarians, I urge all protesters to let their voices be heard through peaceful means.” 6:15 p.m. BMO Field From the Star’s Daniel Girard, who covers Toronto FC soccer: “Sitting in the press box in an empty BMO Field ahead of the 7:30 game between TFC and L.A. Galaxy. Big plume of black smoke seen rising in the distance.” 6.11 pm, Queen Street West. Another car on fire? Police car is in flames on Queen St. W. east of Spadina, CTV is reporting. A crowd is keeping a distance from the burning vehicle. There appears to be no attempt to extinquish the blaze. 6:14 p.m. At the Fence Police now circling protestors west on Wellington St., telling them to clear the road. A woman with a megaphone is yelling at cops behind fence, but most people are just hanging around, or walking slowly down the street. 6:10 pm Bay and King St. Bed In Six men and one woman are lying down on Bay at King St. They say they will stay the night. 6:08 p.m. Toronto More on morning's arrests Eleven people were arrested this morning after a joint police investigation of what they call anarchists groups that began in April of 2009. A joint intelligence group of law enforcement officers whose mandate was to investigate threats related to terrorism, public order or other threats from individuals or groups with extremist views has been conducting covert investigations throughout Ontario. These investigations were and are largely focused on identifying and preventing threats to events such as the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Olympic Torch Relay throughout Ontario and the G8/G20 political summits scheduled for the end of June 2010, according to information in the charges. Of the 11 arrested, four were in the Finch Avenue court this afternoon and two were remanded until Monday. Each person was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit indictable mischief. Defence lawyer Brydie Bethel confirmed four of the accused are: Amanda Hiscocks; Leah Henderson, Peter Hopperton and Alex Hundert. 6:05 p.m. City Hall Avoid Downtown Core Mayor David Miller said Torontonians should avoid the downtown core where the protests are centred until police say it is safe to return. Asked if police lost control of the situation, in light of the damage caused, Miller said: "It would be exceptionally unfair to the Toronto Police Service and (other police forces) ... to second-guess what they're doing in the heat of the moment at a time like this." 6 p.m. Teary-eyed protester  Alison Blais, 29, was sitting on University Ave. as police advanced. She says she was pepper sprayed in the nose and mouth 5:55pm. Inside the Security Zone What secret law? Police inside the security fence don't seem to be exercising the "secret" law that allows them to arrest people coming five metres from the fence - at least they aren't using it for the non-violent protestors. A French-Canadian woman dressed in a Mexican wrestling mask and pink superhero costume just put her fingers through the fence to ask a cop in a gas mask for directions to the subway. 5:52 pm. City Hall Outrage Toronto Mayor David Miller tells press conference he's outraged at what's happened in city streets today. "A number of people intent on committing violent acts did exactly that ... I want to express my anger and my outrage at those acts," he said. 5:50 p.m. Inside the Security Zone Some officers inside fence now removing gas masks 5:47 p.m. Sit-down showdown  Protesters sit on University Ave. Robyn Doolittle/Toronto Star 5:31 p.m. Tear gas not used, police say A half-hour after confirming that tear gas had been deployed, police are now retracting that statement. Const. Tim Garland, from the ISU media unit, said that there has not been any tear gas used in the city. 5:30 p.m. Trying to recover A man and woman are on the sidewalk, flushing their eyes after being hit by pepper spray. "It will stop burning soon," someone said. They were part of a group sitting in the median when officers moved in.  5:23p.m. Queen's Park Whom do you stand on guard for? About 50 protesters at Queen's Park sing Oh Canada and then yell at police: "Whom do you stand on guard for?" The Star’s Jennifer Yang says the protesters were "not doing anything" when they were confronted by the officers aside from sitting on the median. The officers, on bicycle, hit the protesters with their front wheels; they subsequently sprayed them directly in the eyes with pepper spray and hit them with batons. The protesters are now attempting to clear their eyes using a white solution they say is a mixture of milk and magnesium water. About 30 people who were sitting on the median at University and College were confronted by police, who closed in from the north. Some were pepper sprayed, and others were hit with batons; one man on a bicycle was pushed off it, and one man is bleeding from the head. At least one other protester is bleeding. After the confrontation began, some of the protesters started singing O Canada. 5:20 p.m. Four University Ave. hospitals locked down Mt. Sinai, Toronto General, Sick Kids and Princess Margaret are in lockdown because of the protests. "It’s mainly precautionary," said Mt. Sinai spokesperson Jackie DeSouza. The hospital went into lockdown around 4:30 p.m. and will remain so indefinitely. "We have security teams monitoring the situation," DeSouza said. Security officers are posted at doors and questioning people as they come in, and visitors are allowed to leave. 5:16 pm. Downtown Toronto Ride Anyone It appears the British Prime Minister David Cameron wasn't prepared to travel from Huntsville to Toronto so he hitched a ride with U.S. President Barack Obama. The Star's Allan Woods passes on this White House pool report about the U.S. President's landing in Toronto. "Marine 1 (Obama's helicopter) wheels down in Toronto at 1:35pm at landing zone just beneath the space needle and next Metro Toronto Convention Center and Steam Whistle Brewing. POTUS (Obama) and PM Cameron walked briskly under umbrellas to motorcade." The "space needle" is the CN Tower. POTUS is media and U.S. Secret Service slang for President of the United States. 5:13 p.m. Inside the fence A new development from inside the perimeter – police inside the fence have suited up in gas masks. There’s still no sign of any protesters at the fence. 5:06 p.m. Along College St. Several tear gas canisters have been thrown, but all of them have landed too far away from protesters to have an impact; one protester yelled, “Everyone, stay where you are, the tear gas isn’t working.” However, riot police have surrounded protesters from the east, south and west, their ranks recently bolstered by a bus full of officers. One protester said “let’s go home,” and others agreed with the sentiment. People are looting a police van that has been smashed at College and University. Officers with shields have blocked the south and west corners of the street. Officers on horseback are now moving in from the east. Someone has been injured and is being taken to hospital by a fellow demonstrator.  5:05 p.m. Hospitals locked down Three University Ave. hospitals – Mt. Sinai, Toronto General and Princess Margaret – are in lockdown because of the protests. “It’s mainly precautionary,” said Mt. Sinai spokesperson Jackie DeSouza. The hospital went into lockdown around 4:30 p.m. and will remain so indefinitely. “We have security teams monitoring the situation,” DeSouza said. Security officers are posted at doors and questioning people as they come in, and visitors are allowed to leave. 5:04 p.m. Some protesters leave Some protesters are walking away from the scene. A line of riot officers is marching toward University Ave. on College St., but the officers are ignoring the protesters standing on the sides of the street, appearing to be heading to a specific destination. 5:01 pm. Inside the Security Zone Fence More heavily armed police are now showing up inside the security zone. Police are standing on the railway bridge that crosses Lower Simcoe south of Front St. and they are also spreading out along the outside of the southern part of the fence on Lower Simcoe. Police who just showed up in front of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre entrance look like they're from the SWAT team.  5 p.m. A sickly sweet smell Among the hundreds of protesters at Yonge and Adelaide was one holding a sign saying “Free Mark Emery,” referring to the Canadian marijuana-legalization activist who is in custody in the U.S. As the protester went by, so did the strong smell of marijuana.
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#4
06-26-2010, 04:33 PM
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4.59 p.m. Shots fired
Intersection of University Ave. and College St. Two shots were fired, Jesse McLean reports. There was confusion. Then three more shots were fired. No one seemed to be hit. People moved out of the intersection. Then the people wearing black clothes huddled close together on a patch of grass northwest corner of intersection,, changed out of their black clothes. They are wearing street clothes. They vanished. A line of 15 police, police holding their shields up, tiptoed forward with shields in air. Some people are lobbing bottles at them. Some demontrators were chanting: no more tar sands.   4:57 p.m. Tear gas fired “Tear gas has been used near University and College,” said ISU spokesperson Nina Snyder. “We don’t have confirmation on who deployed it – we don’t know if it was police or protesters.” 4.56 p.m. At University and College The people in black are just finishing vandalizing what they think is a undercover police car – smashed front windshield and stuck a black flag into the windshield - kicked side mirrors. Police aren’t doing anything. They are standing here and watching. There are lots of civilians – hangers on watching this. They may be protestors left over from the march. They are not taking part in the destruction. We are running now, reports The Star's Joanne Wong. I’m not sure why. 4:50 p.m.Queen and University Anit-media slogans The Star's Dave Rider reports that a CBC reporter was the target of about 200 black-clad protesters marching east. CBLT reporter Michael Dick had just finished reporting live on the south side of Queen St. West University as the protesters started hurling rocks and bricks. “I felt something whiz by my head,” a shaken Dick told the Star about five minutes after the attack. Pointing at a camera operator, Dick said: “He yelled ‘We’re under attack’ and I tucked in behind the vehicle. They were throwing bricks and other things.” The protesters were yelling “Distorting the truth” and other anti-media slogans, he said. The big side window at the back of the passenger side was smashed in, a brick visible on the seat. The van’s back window was also smashed. The camera operator said it was done with a large stone. Just east of them, on the north side of Queen St. W. in front of Osgoode Hall, another CBC minivan appeared abandoned, with the driver’s side front window smashed in. 4:50 pm. Spadina Ave and Richmond St. Why protest? At Spadina Ave. and Richmond St. at about 2 p.m., where protesters drummed and faced riot police on foot and horseback, the Star asked one woman why she was there. Pulling on a bandana, as were many of the protesters around her, as a riot officer on horseback aimed at a tear gas gun at the loud, chanting crowd, Agnes, 33, said she had to show her opposition to the G20 gathering. “The G20 should not be in Toronto, in the downtown streets that have been blocked off,” said Agnes, a language teacher would declined to give her last name. “They built a fence that is a violation of our human rights. Toronto is a centre for activism and there are some hardliners who are not going to back down when the police move forward,” she said, eyeing the riot police. 4:48 p.m. Along College St. near Bay People – about 50 to 100 - dressed in black smashing windows. Most of their with faces covered; they are carrying bandanas and sticks. They’re pulling newspaper boxes and throwing them into street; they are pulling bricks from sidewalk planters and hurling them in windows. Police - in masks, helmets and shields - aren’t doing anything. A few hundred hangers on are following the group smashing windows. 4:45 p.m. Jazz fest reports no cancellations yet tonight . They are hoping the riot will die down. The Club Django Sexet of Toronto is about to soundcheck for their 5 p.m. show at Nathan Phillips Square mainstage tent. Piano legend Herbie Hancock is scheduled for 8 p.m. at same venue. 4:43 p.m. Yonge and Adelaide Hundreds of protesters went nose-to-nose with officers at Yonge and Adelaide Sts., until police called in reinforcements, reports Peter Edwards. With a much greater police presence – a line of officers is blocking Adelaide west of Yonge, four or five thick – the crowd of 400 is now at a standoff with them. Protesters are carrying signs and flags, and banging in drums, and making “peace” or “victory” signs with their hands. 4:40 p.m. Police headquarters Protesters smashed windows at police headquarters. Nearby riot officers did not respond. There is an evident divide in the motives of the violent protesters. Some are seeking only to vandalize institutions, such as banks and stores, while others seek to damage any property they encounter. As one man attempted to flip a BMW parked near police headquarters, someone attempted to stop him, saying, “That’s not our enemy.” He responded, “These are our enemies.” 4:40 p.m. Protesters attack police cars   4:34 p.m. Vandalism and violence at College and Yonge They’re hurling the limbs of manequinnes nabbed outside a Footlocker and American Apparel. They’re ripping up G20 signs and targeting Zanzibar. “This isn’t violence, this is vandalism against violent corporations. We did not hurt anybody, we did not target anybody,” said one protester. They say they’re targeting the companies responsible for the greatest oppression against people, companies that use sweat shops to create their products. Targeting Nike and Addidas as they move up Yonge. They’ve also smashed a Swiss Chalet, filled with staff and customers. They’re making their way to Gerard. Police presence seems to be diminishing – they’re just trying to channel the crowd. Smashed a Money Mart. Cops up the road with riot gear. Numerous protestors did not bring their cell phones to the march for fear they were being tapped. Smashed a window at Bell store south of College, they’re hurling display cell phones into the crowd. Protestors are also using steel bars that hold up construction signs as a battering ram. Smashed a window at the Carlu. Protestors are breaking the bricks from the middle of the street median and hurling them. 4:30 p.m. Outside police headquarters A wall of police in riot gear has formed outside 40 College, police headquarters. People are hurling bricks and golf balls at them. Meanwhile, windows at the TD across the street are being smashed. Police are filing out of two buses and grabbing their shields from underneath. Protestors are showing compassion to pedestrians and the public. 4:27 p.m. DeBoer's attacked Protesters created a big hole in a display window at DeBoer’s, the high-end furniture store on Yonge just south of College. An employee approached the hole and yelled “Stop it”; protesters yelled back, “Move back, honey. We don’t hate you, we just hate the company you work for.” She complied. Protesters also smashed windows at the nearby Bell store, then ransacked it and threw cellphones into the street. 4:24 p.m. Police move north on horseback 20 officers on horseback are riding north on Yonge St. Two police coach buses have assembled at Yonge and Queen as the crowds move north. 4:22p.m. 'Torontonians should be outraged' Mayor David Miller in an interview with CP24: “We have thousands of people peaceably asserting their democratic right to speak up, and a small, relatively small group, probably a few hundred, mostly people who seem to be not from Toronto, come here to on all evidence commit deliberate acts of violence. I think every Torontonian should be outraged by that.” 4:21 p.m. Zanzibar attacked A female protester shouted “f-you” in the direction of the Zanzibar strip club, then smashed its window with a baseball bat. Protesters then began tearing down the letters on Zanzibar’s sign one by one. They also smashed windows of American Apparel, sending mannequins spilling into the street; protesters began ripping the mannequins apart.  4:16 p.m. City Hall says, 'Stay calm' Mayor David Miller tells Torontonians: "Stay Calm. There is significant police presence downtown." 4:16 p.m. Protest goes north The protesters are heading further north up Yonge St. towards Yonge Dundas Square. They’re becoming less discerning about the businesses they’re targeting. They started smashing glass at banks, Starbucks, and McDonald’s, but have now turned to businesses like Popeye’s and Urban Outfitters. Every 10 seconds or so there’s a cavalcade of noise and an eruption of cheers from the crowd accompanying the sound of broken glass. 4:14 p.m. "Middle of a riot" Shoppers outside the Eaton Centre are frightened. One scared woman on her cellphone says: "We're in the middle of a riot." 4:12p.m. Just outside the fence About 20 riot police on horseback just trotted east on Wellington just outside the fence. Didn't appear to be in a hurry. 4:11 p.m. Bay and Adelaide Hundreds of demonstrators and onlookers are congregating at Bay and Adelaide. Officers have put on gas masks and are shouting for people to back up. 4:10 p.m. Fire in the distance   4:06 pm. Dundas and Yonge Toronto Eaton Centre has declared a lock down and all the stores in the downtown mall are closing. Officials at the mall are asking everyone to leave through the doors on the Dundas side through Canadian Tire. As the building was being evacuated, Star reporter Joanne Wong was told that the reason for the lock down was because of the protest and the demonstrations involving the G20. 4:05 p.m. No tear gas, police say Toronto Police Const. Wendy Drummond says tear gas has not been used at any point yet during the protest. 4:03 p.m. Smoke fills financial district The police car set on fire is slowly exploding now; it is popping every now and then. The mob was trapped on the west, south and north, so everyone ran east away from the car. Smoke is whipping through the financial district. One woman with a megaphone yelled: ”Violence is not the answer.” The mob is yelled obscenities at her. “They’re no better than the G20,” she retorts. 4:01 p.m. Police wall off intersection Police have walled off King and Yonge. The cops are moving up Yonge. Medics are running around, screaming “Is anyone hurt?” 3:57 p.m. I hear people say we're headed to Dundas Square. Everyone walking north on Yonge St; the goal of reaching the fence has been abandoned, seemingly. 3:54 p.m. Very big gun  Riot police at Queen St. just east of Spadina Ave. Roger Gillespie/Toronto Star 3:52 p.m.: Running toward Yonge As black smoke from a police car on fire fills the air, protesters yell “it’s going to blow, it’s going to blow” and begin running toward Yonge, where officers await. But the officers retreat as the group approaches, and the group heads north on Yonge, shouting “take the streets!” 3:51 p.m. Financial District Chemicals and smoke in the air The Star's Robyn Doolittle reports ambulances, fire trucks and about 30 police vans are speeding along Adelaide towards Bay. The air smells like chemicals and smoke, as far away as Duncan. 3:49 p.m. Smoke is getting darker Flames are whipping out of the burning police car and the smoke is getting darker by the second. The car is sitting in the middle of the intersection of Bay and King Sts. The car is going to blow soon. Riot cops on horses are staying close by. 3:48 p.m. Police point of view Toronto Police Const. Wendy Drummond said a minority of protestors has broken off from the main marchers and begun smashing storefronts and overturning mailboxes. “It has changed drastically. What was a peaceful protest has branched off into violence. We’ve got people out there destroying police vehicles, businesses and city property. It is no longer a peaceful protest,” she said. “The vast majority have been peaceful and in all our communications with them and all our planning, the vast majority have expressed to us the desire to have a peaceful protest,” she said. Drummond said police will now use all their resources available to protect the public’s safety and private property. “It’s our mandate to protect people and property and this is something we’re going to continue to do,” she said. “We have shown enormous professionalism and restraint throughout this protest and will continue to do so, but there’s been lots of provocation. There’s taunting, there’s been things thrown at (police) and we’ve had police vehicles damaged.” Drummond said police are encouraging peaceful protestors to separate from the faction that’s committing the acts of vandalism. “If you’re planning to be peaceful, remove yourself from the violence that is happening downtown,” she said. “There are other peaceful protests on throughout the city.” 3:49 p.m. Police car on fire at Bay and King. Police moving in. 
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#5
06-26-2010, 04:36 PM
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3:46 p.m. King and Bay
At King and Bay, protesters have begun putting gas masks on; "tear gas, tear gas," some are saying to others. Five police vehicles in the area, two of which are vans, have been smashed, and one has the word "Murderer" written on it in orange. The protesters briefly retreated, apparently spooked by something, but are now once again proceeding south toward the fence. 3:45 p.m. Mood turns ugly Cops inside security fence now donning riot helmets. Mood no longer easy-going. Star reporter Brendan Kennedy just ordered by cops very forcefully to move back away from fence. "It's for your own safety. Trust me." 3:42 p.m.: Protest reaches King The protesters are running now, at King; they have smashed another police car at Bay and King and are throwing rocks in every direction. Riot police are present, but not in an organized line. 3:41 p.m. Inside the fence They just turned back delegates trying to leave the area. No one out or in. 3:40 p.m. Security lockdown Security fence gates just closed. Security zone is locked down. 3:39 pm Broken Windows and Graffiti Protesters have broken the windows at Starbucks at Bay and Queen and the Hudson's Bay and Company, reports the Star's Jayme Poisson. The renegade protesters have also spraypainted the words "Class War" across the Scotia Bank. They have also spraypainted across the Hudson's Bay sign on the facade of the store: "No Corporate Greed". 3:30 p.m. When it turned violent Groups were still crowded at the intersection of Spadina Ave. near Queen St. W. when protesters began smashing a police vehicle, with an officer inside. Officers scared the protesters away with batons and managed to get the officer out. The protesters continued to smash the vehicle before heading east. No specific group targeted the police cruiser. Protesters wearing black have broken a Nike business window, and other business windows. There was a discussion and the protesters are now going back to Spadina, most clad in black in gas masks. Protesters are breaking windows, destroying commercial business windows. They are chanting "against police, against prison." They are refusing photos by media. Nike store window was destroyed. Foot Locker was also targeted. Protesters are also dragging mailboxes into the streets to block them. It is beginning to get unruly. The black-clad protesters are leaving independent shops alone. They hit Subway hard, throwing pieces of cement and reusing them again. CIBC was just smashed. Others are tagging walls and moving on. People are blocking cameras? lenses. There is a man with a hammer, he is taking out windows.
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#7
06-26-2010, 07:26 PM
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I am amazed the riot police haven't lost their shit yet, usually by this time citizens are being beaten to the ground by gangs of them. So...they are protesting chain stores, the G20 and Mark Emery being arrested by the USA...as well as a bunch of communists doing their thing? Is it just a free for all or was there a point in there somewhere?
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#8
06-26-2010, 07:33 PM
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Sounds like a bunch of tree-hugging hippies with a very slim grasp on the reality of global functionality getting all angry and stuff.
"Let's smash the windows of a globally secure franchise who are insured against this pathetic attention-seeking and get widely ignored as our our actions will be correctly interpreted as headline grabbing stunts and we'll spend 6 months in jail as we never bothered to get real jobs and can't afford the bail..." etc... Terribly sorry, but your cause is noble and stuff up to a point, but when you start smashing shit up you're a brainless moron reverting back to caveman mentality and deserve none of our attention or respect
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#9
06-26-2010, 11:06 PM
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Content, Pictures and Download links visible to registered users only. REGISTER NOW to access all areas that are invisible to non-members. i fucking love tdot tho!!! always great times!!!
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-----------nothing i post is mine, get over it----------- RIP Joe TheSnake Last edited by cmetz : 06-26-2010 at 11:07 PM.
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#10
06-26-2010, 11:12 PM
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Saw this same type of shit when the WTO was in Seattle in 99, these professional anarchists usually start the group think down the wrong street.....then it is po po beat downs for everyone within a 1 mile radius.
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