(Thumbnail image: The Globe & Mail)
“About 10,000 demonstrators took to the streets for G20 protests and yesterday things took an ugly turn for the worse where the group split in two and protestors rampaged the downtown core, they smashed store windows and fought with police. We have new numbers for you this morning, a total of more than 400 people have been arrested.” (CBC)
The $1 billion security tab for the G20 summit couldn’t stop violent protests in Toronto Saturday and again Sunday morning.
We’re monitoring coverage of the protest from CBC, CNN, CTV, Russia Today and HLN
The protests started peacefully on Saturday with marching and a parade-like atmosphere. CNN has video of the protest shifting from peaceful to violent.
“Balloons, and even those horns made famous at the world cup. But in the heart of downtown Toronto a sharp shift in tone. Police and marchers faced off and scuffled several times. The angry crowd hurled insults and pushed forward and police threw punches.”
As soon as arrests were made — more arrests followed as protestors became angry watching their comrades being taken away. At least two police cars were set on fire. Officers put up barricades attempting to stop the protests and one large fence around the G20 meeting place. HLN has perspective from a protestor who said the fence is an ironic symbol. (Video: Russia Today)
“The fence is a symbol of — that they can build a fence and spend a billion dollars to make sure that they get their agenda works. The fence is a symbol of what’s wrong with this country.”
A security spokesperson for the summit tells CTV, the violence stemmed from one small group — violence that justifies the hefty security price tag.
"For the most part, the majority of the protesters were peaceful and were trying to convey their message. But you did have that group of anarchists… that sort of spoiled things for everyone. They convoluted the message and they were the ones who really caused a lot of the damage and vandalism that in a way is really rationalizing the billion dollar price tag for the summit."
Stay with us for more G20 coverage and analysis.
