Wet weather in Toronto forces peaceful G20 demonstrators to burn police vehicles for warmth

At least 75 people were arrested as violence broke out after massive anti-G20 protest marches through downtown Toronto on Saturday, prompting police to use tear gas for the first time in the city.

“I am profoundly disappointed in the criminal acts which have taken place. We have seen windows broken and police cars burned. It is very regrettable that such vandalism and violence could not be prevented,” Toronto police Chief Bill Blair told reporters.

“I want to assure you that the persons responsible will be held accountable.”

At least three police vehicles were set ablaze, store and bank windows were smashed and much of the area was put under security lockdowns in the ensuing violence.

Shortly before 8 p.m., a police vehicle that had been damaged earlier in the day on Queen Street, just east of Spadina Avenue, was torched. Police in riot gear descended near the burning wreckage to push people back.

Two police cruisers were torched earlier at the corner of King and Bay streets in the heart of the financial district, sending plumes of black smoke into the air. As one vehicle burned, protesters surrounded police officers who were trying to protect the second car, CBC reporter Amber Hildebrandt reported on Twitter.

Blair blamed the destruction on violent anarchists and said a number of their leaders have been arrested.

Blair said that throughout the day some of his officers were pelted with rocks, bricks and bottles, spat upon and assaulted, but none suffered major injuries.

Blair confirmed that tear gas was deployed once, "after a warning was given to the public about its impending use." But he denied that rubber bullets were used.

The size of the protest crowd was estimated to be as high as 10,000.

As the evening wore on, the area around Queen's Park emerged as a major flashpoint in the continuing confrontation between police and protesters. Several hundred police in riot gear — many on horseback — ringed government buildings and lined streets in the area, as well as the nearby park grounds.

Police repeatedly moved toward groups of demonstrators to move them back. At one point, many protesters were arrested.

Blair said police were deployed to that area because many members of the mob were observed going into that area to change clothes.

Asked whether police were slow to respond to the violence, Blair said a large segment of the peaceful protest was part of the mob that broke into several groups.

"It did take us some time to move our resources," Blair said.

Blair later said police are reviewing their tactics, "what worked and what didn't work as well."

Toronto Mayor David Miller said a small group of "thugs" were to blame for the violence.

“People are calling them protesters. That is not fair to the people who came to protest,” he said.

Police have said there have been only minor injuries.

With the violence escalating in the heart of Canada's largest city, the entire area around the G20 summit site at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre — enclosed by concrete barricades and fences — was under a security lockdown.
Transit halted

The area's boundaries include Wellington Street to the north, Lakeshore and Bremner boulevards to the south, Windsor Street and Blue Jays Way to the west and a section of Bay Street to the east.

Subway service in downtown Toronto remained suspended, with no service in the loop between Bloor and St. George stations, and no streetcars or bus service.

train service into and out of Union Station has also been stopped.

The airspace over downtown Toronto was closed as was the Gardiner Expressway, one of the city's major traffic arteries.

Some hospitals, hotels, businesses and the tourist attraction the Eaton Centre are also under lockdown.

As the demonstration started just after 1 p.m. ET at the legislature, the mood was upbeat and peaceful. Protesters danced, clapped and chanted while carrying signs, flags and umbrellas as they first moved from the legislature grounds down one of the city's main thoroughfares, University Avenue.

But the mood turned ugly as members of splinter groups broke away in attempts to move toward the summit site. They used a tactic commonly known as the Black Block, in which protesters wearing black hoodies, masks, balaclavas and skateboard helmets engage in violent behaviour.