Police attempt to clear crowds amid G20 unrest

In this dramatic 10 minutes of unedited video shot by a CTV News cameraman, anarchists move up Yonge Street vandalizing anything and everything in their path -- only one Toronto resident and a security guard try to stop them.

MyNews: Toronto police cruiser burns

From contributor Asad Munir: Chaos ensues as a police car burns after being set on fire by anti G20 protesters in downtown Toronto on Saturday, June 26, 2010.

CTV News Channel: Police make more arrests

At approximately, 9 p.m. ET, police in Toronto continue to arrest those attempting to antagonize officers while looking into crowds.

CTV News Channel: Confrontations across city

At approximately 8:30 p.m. ET, fire crews extinguish the fire on Queen Street West after chasing a crowd of protesters away, and a CTV producer is detained by police.

CTV News Channel: Police attempt crowd control

At approximately 8 p.m. ET, as a police cruiser burns on Queen Street West, riot police move in on the scene and start pushing protesters towards Queen's Park.

CTV News Channel: Bill Blair, Chief of Police

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair reacts to the amount of criminal activity that occured during the G20 protests and talks about how order is to be restored in the city.

CTV News Special Report: David Miller, mayor

Toronto Mayor David Miller says the city is used to protests, with only one other protest turning violent in the past 15 years. He adds that today's violence is still unacceptable, and those whose businesses have been damaged should be compensated.

CTV Toronto: Riot police clash with anarchists

As troublemakers took to the streets, police donned riot gear to form a line of defense for the G20 security zone. Police cars were burned, windows were smashed. Paul Bliss reports.

CTV Toronto: Security fence the big target

As G20 leaders began their summit, protesters continued to attempt to get to the security zone near King and University. Austin Delaney reports.

CTV Toronto: Police cruiser burns on Queen Street

The burning police cars. The smashed windows. The attacks on media vans. It all happened on Queen Street West, as a peaceful protest took a violent turn. A police cruiser burns as John Musselman reports.

CTV Toronto: Lockdown in downtown Toronto

Many buildings downtown have been locked down, some TTC service has been shutdown, and Go Train service to the city was cut off. Tom Hayes reports.

CTV News Special Report: G20 protest clash

CTV News correspondents are on the scene where riot police have moved in to disperse a crowd of black-clad rioters who have set a police cruiser on fire, smashed windows of surrounding buildings, and attempted to break through the perimeter fence.

CTV News Channel: Protesters smash windows

Hundred of rogue protesters have broken through police barricades, smashing windows of banks and businesses along Queen Street.

CTV News Channel: Tom Hayes in the protest

A CTV correspondent reporting from Spadina and Front says police are concerned that the crowd will make its way down to the south side of Spadina, which will put them very close to the Royal York Hotel, which is were many dignitaries are gathering for the summit.

CTV News Channel: Lisa LaFlamme in the crowd

CTV's national affairs correspondent reporting from the police riot line at Queen and Spadina says protesters are becoming hostile and riot police seem are attempting to move in on the crowds.

CTV News Channel: Scott Laurie in Queen's Park

A CTV correspondent reporting amid a G20 protest in Queen's Park says the big concern for police is that there could be rogue protesters who could attempt to move their rallies towards the site of the meetings, which could escalate the hostilities between police and demonstrators.

CTV News Channel: Austin Delaney in the protest

A CTV correspondent at the sight of a protest on Queen Street says riot squads have emerged on the scene and have remained vigilant in monitoring the progress of the crowd as it make its way down Queen Street.

CTV News Channel: Sue Sgambati on University

A CP24 correspondent says hundreds of protesters have emerged on the downtown area as the G20 gets underway. She says police are prepared for the protests as some rogue protesters are attempting to rally along the security fence.

CTV News Channel: Witness in the protest

A witness at the scene of the protest says riot police have managed to push protesters back, but the demonstration is growing hostile.

CTV News Channel: Police scuffle with protesters

Police officers confront a large band of protesters on Queen Street, as several demonstrators get into scuffles with riot police.

CTV News Channel: Julia Burke, 'A' News

An 'A' correspondent reporting from University Avenue says there is an extreme police presence keeping a close watch on the U.S. Consulate, but there has been no confrontational behavior.

CTV News Channel: Alan Bell, security expert

A security expert says the multitude of demonstrators is escalating and it is likely they will try and generate an overreaction from police, which could result in a larger scale riot.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

A A | Email This Email | Print | Comments (299) Tweet

A protester kicks a burning police cruiser on Queen Street West in Toronto, Saturday evening, June 26, 2010. (Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

View Larger Image

Selected Comment

While peaceful demonstrations are fine, this hooliganism is just plain violence and pointless, except to demonstrate to the world that they have nothing useful to add to a debate or discussion other than doing violence to people and property. What a shame.

eric

Black-clad protesters clash with G20 police

talking about
Police attempt to clear crowds amid G20 unrest

Got something to say?

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Sat. Jun. 26 2010 11:59 PM ET

Heavily armed riot police are attempting to clear crowds out of downtown Toronto, several hours after black-clad vandals raged through the city in protest of the G20 summit.

In the heart of the city, four police cars have been torched and officers have used tear gas. There are reports that police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, which Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair could not confirm.

Before midnight, about 200 protesters gathered at the Novotel hotel close to the lakeshore. Many sat on the ground, holding signs, as riot police moved in and made arrests.

As midnight approached, at least 150 arrests had been made and officials said that number could rise overnight.

"I want to assure you that the persons responsible will be held accountable," Blair told reporters.

"We are working hard to maintain order and restore the rule of law."

Only a few blocks from the mayhem, G20 leaders are meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The violence escalated after a splinter group broke away from a large and peaceful group of protesters who began marching around 1 p.m. local time.

Though the number of protesters appeared to dwindle into the evening, flashpoints continued to occur around the city.

At the Ontario legislature, mounted police and riot officers attempted to disperse a crowd of demonstrators and onlookers.

At one point, a CTV producer working on the scene was taken into police custody.

CTV reporter Scott Laurie questioned police officers about the arrest but was not given an immediate answer. Laurie said the employee was wearing his media accreditation.

Moments later, the crowd then re-grouped and marched southward down Yonge Street.

Toronto Mayor David Miller said at a news conference that the so-called anarchists are simply criminals who are determined to cause as much destruction as possible.

"It was a deliberate act by people who make it their business to commit these acts," he said.

"Am I angry? Absolutely."

Miller spoke to reporters at about 6 p.m. local time, nearly five hours after the protest erupted into violence.

Video footage captured earlier in the day showed that many of the violent protesters were changing out of their black clothes and blending into the larger crowds.

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement on Saturday evening, saying:

"Free speech is a principle of our democracy. But the thugs that prompted violence earlier today represent in no way shape or form the Canadian way of life."

Earlier, the black-clad protesters smashed up a police cruiser and smashed its windshield along Queen Street, as other demonstrators hurled bottles and sticks at a solid line of riot police.

As police donned gas masks and mounted units rode into the city's core on horses, the violent protesters lit garbage on fire and tipped over recycling containers. They also smashed vehicles in and grabbed stones from nearby homes.

News media vehicles were also targeted and vandalized.

A concert at the Air Canada Centre has been cancelled, hospitals in the downtown core have been locked down and the Eaton Centre was also closed.

Earlier on Queen Street, next to the MuchMusic building, the violent protesters attempted to break southward through a tight line of riot police.

Three protesters involved in the confrontation suffered injuries. According to reports from the scene, some were bleeding from the head.

Moments later, another standoff occurred a few blocks west, where protesters reportedly tossed sticks at police and chanted "let us go."

Earlier, thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Ontario legislature Saturday morning to hear speeches.

While protest organizers promised a family-friendly demonstration, a splinter group calling itself the "Get off the Fence contingent" announced plans to challenge the heavy security cordon around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where the G20 summit began Saturday afternoon.

Around 1 p.m., two protesters were arrested near the downtown core and allegedly found with an "incendiary device." Unconfirmed reports from the scene said the pair was carrying Molotov cocktails.

Comments are now closed for this story

Tim Hallett
said

I find it very unfortunate that the protesters with there actions facilitate the violance. It is hard to believe this is TO Canada. People like John Clark of OCAP should be marganilized.

Bill in BC
said

It is against the Criminal Code of Canada to wear a mask to conceal your identity in the commission of an offence. Violence is an offence. I commend the police for showing so much restraint in dealing with the violent offenders. Now arrest them all and charge them. Commit a violent act - jail. Wear a mask to conceal you identity-Jail. Advocate violence-Jail. Incite to riot (that all of you who are egging these fools on)- Jail.

Mike
said

I want to go to the Scorpions concert tomorrow at the Molson Park Amph and these morons have got the TTC shut down...NOW I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO THE CONCERT!!! THANKS YOU BUNCH OF BLACK CLAD MORONS!!! Mike

Joe
said

Half the time it's the Police that are trying to start shit, Queens park is supposed to be public but there the police are...pushing their way around and whoever gets in their way...they need to be taught a lesson tonight!

Scott
said

When are law abiding citizens going to wake up and say they have had enough of this type of action. This wasn't a protest, this was a bunch of thugs with no purpose at all but to riot. This is a dark depiction of what our society is becoming. Until the law abiding honest citizens (who believe it or not are the MAJORITY) stand and say enough, take our country back for us and let the police deal with it we will continue with these scenes and it will continue. For those wondering why the police didn't stop this mob mentality the answer is easy- why act when they will ultimately turn out to be the bad guys and these thugs would be martered as the victims... WAKE UP PEOPLE...is this our country or is it run by the people we have just watched smashing property,looting and torching public (your)property.

Ken DV
said

In the 10 minute video from a CTV cameraman following black-clothed vandals down Yonge St, at the 2:40 minute mark there is a man carrying a CUPE flag. Will the Canadian Union of Public Employees find out who this man is and have him turned in to the police for participating, or at least turfed from his precious union job? I don't think he wants his freedom anymore.

Emily
said

This is absolutely ridiculous. Looting and damaging other peoples' property is what qualifies as "protesting" in this country? It's brute savagery, and I am ashamed to be called Canadian if this is how we're presenting ourselves to the world.

I think this quite clearly answers the question as to whether or not police should have extra power during this summit.

Geoff
said

When you start labelling people "terrorists" simply based on their appearances, you are already displaying your level of intellegance, ignorance, and out right brainwashed STUPIDITY!!!! BE more CRITICAL, educate yourself and stop spewing out whatever you hear in the mainstream media and THEN...JUST MAYBE you will understand why these people are out protesting. They are out there protesting for the rights of women, children, the less abled, immigrants and refugees, low income people, the homeless....the environment...and the list goes on!!! READ... do it with a critical view...for your own sake!--Riiiiight. And if they actually had JOBS and paid taxes, they would be helping out the average person more. Any of us with jobs had to work today.

mm_ll
said

i hope the police round up these yahoos and give them a good spanking.

nazirmo
said

So just how many Canadians and Torontonians think that this summit is PM Harper's best accomplishment and whether the Government's decision to hold it in Toronto was the conservatives best political move? I bet that
no matter what wrong the Government does it will not boost the liberals as long as Iggy is their leader - it seems the liberals need a new young leader to take over the reins.

Northof60
said

I`m beyond disgusted. These sheep who hide behind black masks, committing crimes under the guise of protesting their rights should be rounded up and made to walk the mine fields ahead of our men and women overseas. You people seem to forget that these police officers are someone`s dad, someone`s mom , someone`s child, someone`s spouse. In my opinion, these police officers do not get paid enough to stand there and deal with you fools who shove a camera in their face and attempt to provoke them then cry wolf . I`m amazed that these men and women are able to conduct themselves with such restraint because I know in their shoes, dealing with this mob mentality, I could not do their job. I`m thankful to these men and women who are doing their job . Be very thankful that you live in Canada where you are allowed to get away with this behavior.

Peggie
said

Tazers, tazers, tazers - that would certainly clear out the on lookers - what are these people doing - they think it's a festival - bring your children on down to down town toronto -see the slugs breaking the windows and torching police cars.

henry
said

Why are the police are standing idle while the protestors "known for this" are allowed to destroy public and private property while we pay for their security????This looks like terrorism. Are there no laws for this?

Geoff in Lethbridge
said

These violent protesters should be arrested and punished. Now, jailing them's not the answer, we don't have room. Fining them would be a joke. I say publicly whip them about twenty times, then have to watch as the police smash and burn the protesters' personal cars!A taste of their own medicine...

Jon Royce
said

This violence is completely embarrassing. I wish the police had acted (will act) more proactively and cleared the streets of these violent punks who serve no purpose and provide no value to this world.....BTW black bloc is not a group but a tactic - wikipedia:A black bloc is a tactic for protests and marches, whereby individuals wear black clothing, scarfs, ski masks, motorcycle helmets with padding or other face-concealing items and often carry some sort of shields and truncheons. The clothing is used to avoid being identified, and to, theoretically, appear as one large mass, promoting solidarity or creating a clear revolutionary presence.

lloyd sykes
said

Thats from a City of where they say they don`t careToronto,Ont? i don`t think so if youre family had beenin the back of that police crusier would have you been able to save them, let alone the officer no! Thats cost even for those in the Toronto core stucture an the cars those police crusiers are goingto impounds to see what if in fact they find is waswhat burnt inside those cars so wheres the H.S.T. outside the cost of that it would be 9% ofwhat you burnt if there was a funeral cost so nowits 13% , if they get you on film its your cost plusthe price youre court fees too bad thats youre lowan not the unions.

J-Hali
said

I second "Corey's" comments. Great job from what I've seen of the police and security forces. They are holding back far better than I would when being abused by these "protesters".

Chloe
said

The right to protest is one that each and every Canadian citizen should be very proud of. We have the right to free speech and a great many people both past and present to thank for that right. I believe that the G8 and G20 would hear and would listen to the legitimate protesters; those who want greater rights for women and children, those who want to bring attention to workers' rights, to world issues and to their concerns for their own countries and people. Very unfortunately, these groups cannot get their messages heard because of a violent, noisy and ignorant few who, by the way, should NOT be called protesters - they are protesting nothing, have nothing to say of any value to Canada or the rest of the world, and they are doing nothing but wreaking havoc, destroying personal and public property and using up a great portion of the huge security bill to taxpayers. The black block or any other group that uses violence and tries to incite riots ruins the hope for thoughtful, peaceful protest by those whose message should be heard. As I watch the news coverage of today's events, I feel very proud of and thankful for the cool heads of the police and the wonderful job they are doing to try to ensure the safety of everyone. Let's help them to do their job throughout tonight and tomorrow. If you don't have a protest to attend just stay out of the downtown core. Stay out of the way for your own safety and let the police work. Try to ignore the unexplainable and overpowering need to take pictures of burning police cars and mounted police dispersing crowds. Rent a movie!

Dave
said

These protesters cost taxpayers $millions$. Most of these losers have nothing better to do than cause a disturbance. They act this way to try and be cool. They are pretty much a waste in society, can't hold down jobs and have no useful function as a citizen of Canada(perhaps also planet Earth). What a great story they could tell their grandchildren how they torched a police car and smashed windows, something for kids to look up to. Perhaps we should go and spray paint all their pot plants black and see if they think we are cool!

G Field
said

CoreysaidAny questions why so much money goes to security now? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::The police stood back and watched it unfold, even though these individuals peeled away from the group. Are you still confident the money was well spent?

Comma McGee
said

I don't agree with violence but there are big problems with this police approach. Why have you said nothing about the so-called new "law" that you can'tgo within 5 metres of the fence without providing an ID. Do we require IDs to walk in the streets of Canada?! Why is this long police line-up pushing the crowd back by walking menacingly toward them beating their batons on their shields? Have we changed our country's name to China?

James
said

if you have to cover your face in support of your cause, your cause is unjust, pride in what you do means not having to hide it

Wondering
said

Notice how the actions of this group have made the media just play clips of the violence over and over again? No more interviews with the peaceful protesters airing legitimate grievances. This was intended to distract from the real issues.

The Hammer
said

What are the police doing? Just watching as the city gets destroyed? STOP these anarchists by whatever means possible. These fools obviously have no respect for the city, so the police should have no respect for them and take them down.

Alex Nolan
said

I'm watching, is shock, from Dublin Ireland, over the net what is happening in your beautiful city, this evening. ThePolice are showing such great disipline, and restraint. These thugs are cowards, and I'm sure most don't come from Toronto. It's just a terrible shame, that the peaceful protesters, will lose the good will, they achieved in peace ...Alex Dublin.

David Fox
said

It was amazing in Montebello to see police undercover agents dressed in "Anarchist black" carrying rocks and they had to admit they had tried to stir up trouble.Are the Toronto Police allowing these folks to run around and burn abandoned police vehicles to justify a BILLION dollars on this wasteful summit.Or is this just incompetence, because police had the right to arrest all them?

Disheartening
said

A thump on the head, or rather a kick in the a$$ for Harper (and his elite masters) for choosing downtown Toronto to hold this G20! I mean, really it's now evident they wanted the grandiose spectacle of cowardly rioters to justify the future syphoning of big buck billions for these type of meetings.

Otto
said

Speaking as an outsider, all I can get from the display of vandalism and violent protesters is that they oppose established governments; i.e. they are showing their anarchism for the sake of anarchism.I don't doubt that even within the violent protesters, there are some who have legitimate arguments against the governments and/or their policies.Had they been more organized and formed a peaceful, but resonating protest, with a clear message on their concerns, I would probably better understand them.

Robert N
said

Arrest them and ask questions later

DHT
said

Folks. Wake up. These people are full-time anarchists. They follow these meetings around the world. They're not protesting anything. They don't care about anything. They're simply criminals who get a rush from lawlessness and destruction. Pure and simple. There are no 'causes' here. There is nothing to 'understand'.

Pearl
said

Let's call it "The March of the Morons"...thousands of disgruntled people angry at their lot in life...complaining that world leaders, the government and the police have ruined their lives, and nobody cares about their issues, blah, blah, blah...most of whom are probably young thugs who live at home, sponge off of their parents, don't have jobs (and don't want to work); claiming that they are really protesting for my rights and truly care about the sorry state of world affairs...oh, and of course WORLD PEACE...meanwhile smashing windows, burning police cars, yelling abusive comments at the passive police presence...while the rest of us will have to work now until we are atleast seventy, to pay for their stupidity. I think the police should "book 'em and "cook 'em"!!!

RK in Coquitlam
said

More than a little hilarious to read the paranoid delusions of those who think that the damage in Toronto is all a set up by the police and that those involved are police provocateurs. Your ploy to diverge attention from the anarchist is amateurish and not believable. Now why don't you put your black balaclavas back on and get back out on the street so you can get arrested?

Boring
said

posing as protesters to create situations that justify the unnecessary expenditure on security

Seattle WTO Protests
said

We had exactly the same problem in Seattle when WTO was here.. About 100 anarchists from outside the city did enough damange and chaos that they shut blocks downtown for days. They controlled the media and the message and detracted from the peaceful protests.. something similiar happened in Denver a few years ago as well. In both cases these very liberal cities were blind-sided by how violent a small group of people can shut down a city. The police became exhasuted and resorted to pretty strong police tactics but then people who came to watch got hurt and the entire dynamic changed to be one against the police..

Toronto should have anticipated this. It is pretty easy to find the social media channels they use to communicate and locate where they sleep at night. Arrest them asap..

If the media would stop covering them they would stop. It is critical to tell everyone to stay out of the area until the protestors are arrested. Their goal is to use the larger crowds and onlookers to protect themselves. They even go after horse patrols.

Janet
said

I was so glad to see so many comments expressing how I feel, as I couldn't even put it into words. Don't call those people causing all the destruction protesters! And if you are so proud of what you stand for - take off the masks you are hiding behind. Whether you agree with the summits or not, these are just thugs out to cause trouble. Ask them what they are protesting. I bet not one of them (who are throwing highly toxic plastic into the flames) could give you an answer. Crowd mentality at it's best/worst. And people wonder why so much security was needed!! Wasting taxpayers money on babysitting losers - now that makes me angry!!!

DHALL
said

How is it that these police vehicles are just parked empty all over town even after all these fires have occured?...I'm just watching CTV now & another police car is now on fire right where a fire happened about an hour ago.

Wendy
said

"When people fear their government there is tyranny,when the government fears the people,there's liberty" Thomas Jefferson. People are disgusted with Harper's wasteful spending.

Observer
said

@Wendy...I suppose your aren't adding any more comments because your are too busy removing your foot from your mouth. SO much for another one of your utopian pie in the sky leftist social theories!! For those who don't know, Wendy claimed that there would be no violence because this is Canada and that Harper is to blame for all of this. But let me guess, these criminals ransacking Toronto, burning police cars and trashing storefronts are all the fault of Steven Harper and the big bad right-wing agenda!! Only in Canada you say??

Antony
said

A billion dollar security, what security? The police cannot even protect their own cruiser and has failed completely in protecting business owners by allowing thugs to destroy and loot store-fronts freely with no arrest and restraint. What a disappointment after a billion dollar.

reidjr
said

steve jones
IN fact what they have done is violence.It is illegal to destroy windwos stores etc plus from reports some are looting.Lets not forget there doing this to mom and op stores as well.YOu claim there fighting for real democracy what is that where there are no laws no banking systems no companys and stores ya that would be such a great life.

Dave
said

Wouldn't it be more convenient and cheaper to have the G8/G20 meetings by conference call?

Sam C
said

@Nicole... you ask why we even bother to hold these international events. We do this because we are NOT elitist -- we want to be a part of the solution, and that includes taking our turn hosting these events. Keep in mind that these anarchists don't just show up at political events -- they were at the Olympics, and they will find any excuse to wreak havoc and cause mayhem.

Cerino
said

They showed footage of two officers dressed like protesters walking with someone they 'arrested'. How do we know they weren't earlier donning face masks and smashing police cars? They're obviously mingling among the crowds in plain clothes.The whole thing stinks.

Michael
said

(I'm sending this again because my first draft didn't make sense grammatically)This sounds a bit like Thailand a month ago. Maybe the protestors were watching the splinter groups there and decided to copycat. I hope our government and police do a better job of actively dealing with these protestors than what was done in Bangkok.

Greg
said

Ten minutes of window smashing, and only one guy tries to stop them? The rest of the so-called "peaceful protesters" just keep on walking and taking pictures, while there are people pulling BRICKS out of the sidewalk. Did you see the girl with the umbrella trying to block the cameras? Condoning violence is just as bad as committing it.

Mary
said

These meetings shouldn't be held down town anywhere, Harper deserves all the blame for cost & damage. Shame on you Harper!

B. Kelley, Ontario
said

Listen people, that certainly wasn't anywhere near a world class riot. If a few broken windows and a couple of burned police cars are getting people so riled up I don't know what they would think if something serious happened. Only 3 protesters were injured and that alone tells me that this was no big deal. Most of the press coverage showed more smiling families and hand-holding couples than rioters and police in their shots. The news commentators breathlessly tried to create an impression that Toronto was burning down but the video belied their efforts. The whole thing made even the World Cup competition look exciting by contrast. I thought that the media was supposed to report the news, not manufacture it.

Paul Szabatin
said

One Billion Dollars on security and this is what happens.They needed to be arrested and stopped right away.Only one citizen even tried. We need to act on our own behalf.

michael
said

sounds a bit like Thailand a few weeks ago...I hope our government and police do a better job of confronting this.

Doug
said

There was no other recourse than violent and destructive protest. The system recognizes the leaders and no one else. Power does what it will and all others suffer as they must. A wasted $billion for a ritual which excludes all but the leaders, and in itself accomplishes nothing, calls out for protest and even more, for the greater involvement of citizens.

Tyson
said

Isn't it so convenient that every single time one of these protests happen, this mysterious group of guys who cover all the cameras taking their picture who always wear matching black masks and uniforms show up, with no real ideological cause (just anarchists) who always cause just enough trouble to instigate violence against the protesters. These so called "Black Bloc" people are government-paid agent provocateurs. Just like Montebello.

Mark
said

What did Lenin call such people like these? Ah, yes! He called them "useful idiots".

Shiers
said

So the destructive protesters prove that Canadians needed to spend all of this money for security. Imagine if these monies were not spent, if we only handful of police, with no fencing � how far would this people go? What if they came face to face with the leaders of the G20. If Canadians want to get upset they should demand these destructive protestors should pay for all these expenditures, on top of the damages they have caused. As for the anarchists, who believe in a stateless society � I hope you have never collected unemployment, benefited from our free Canadian healthcare, or even benefited from a helping hand offered by a Canadian, whether that be a job or a warm meal. If you truly want a stateless and lawless society, proudly uncover face, remove your black hoodies � and face everyday Canadians � to hide in the shadows you are hypocritical of your own beliefs.

Brad
said

Do not confuse these anarchists with any thing other than opportunistic government-hating trouble makers that they are. They have no legitimate protest. The tactics of these criminals should have been completely predictable. Its only been 4 months but has everyone already forgotten that this group did EXACTLY the same thing (ie hijacked a legitimate protest dressed in black and smashed windows and committed other acts of property damage) on Day 1 of the Olympics in Vancouver?? You would think part of the billion or so dollars spent on security could have anticipated this and rounded up these losers before they had a chance to do exactly what they said they would do.

Mike F.
said

I am all for PEACEFUL protest, but when it comes to destruction of property, its no longer peaceful. I think, considering Canada is spending more than a BILLION dollars on security, how is it that windows are broken, police cars are burned and property was damaged? I am not happy with the TERRORIST THUGS that caused the damage, or the police for their weak response. Thankfully, Canada's turn wont come up again for another 20 years! Do we really need these conferences? Why can't they be held via teleconference, most big company's do that these days to save money. These conferences could also be held in already secured government locations, or, in some sort of more remote secured location like an army base, or on a naval ship etc to greatly reduce costs? Holding this conference in the downtown of Canada's largest city, or any large city is just not cost effective, the cost to secure are far too high, we have a HUGE deficit, REMEMBER? As for the protesters, many jurisdictions DO NOT allow protesters to cover their faces, why do we? Why dont we outlaw this practice? If you are there for peaceful protest and not breaking the law, why would you care if your face was seen or even caught on camera? For the life of me, I cant understand why it is not illegal to cover your face at any kind of protest in Canada, it would expose the NON protesters for the THUGS and TROUBLE MAKERS they are! I also dont understand why so called peaceful protesters dont distance themselves from the apparantly non peaceful, lawless protesters, dont walk with them if their faces are covered or they are breaking the law. Waste of time and money on both sides!

Hello
said

It horrible what these rogue protesters are doing to our beautiful city, despite their reasons for protest. I can only imagine that these protesters aren't canadian.

Alex
said

Classic case of police agent provocateurs ...Black Bloc = Police BlocSuddenly no one questions the 1.2 billion spent on security. All because of a dozen idiots blindly following their under-cover cop instigators.The absolute lack of any response what so ever is the first tip off ...

Mark
said

I'd be willing to put money on it that they're cops dressed out-of-uniform and instigating the violence themselves to require an armed response.They've done it before at the other globalization meetings, no reason not to continue with a successful tactic when they come to Canada.

reidjr
said

Herr
First it won't destroy the cons at all.Will it hurt them at the next elections maybe a bit just as it could hurt the ontario liberals at the enxt elections.

B Knight
said

I am just so sad that this is happening in our beautiful city.

I have upmost respect and appreciation of our police force and pray not one of them is harmed while they are doing their job to protect us and our property.

God Bless the men and women in blue

fwe
said

Put on them on the no fly list. Watch them cry the tears later.

Sean
said

Useless people that they can do nothing but whining all the time, breaking windows and cars, probably most of them even have a job because they just lazy to get a job and pay tax.

A Taggar
said

I hope that CTV starts focusing on the message of those legitimate protesters as well, instead of dramatizing the violent protesters. because that is more important and public also need to know about the relevant issues that should be raised to those deaf G8 leaders.

Darren
said

I am ashamed today, these idiots think they have the right to attack police, attack business and create fear in our streets. They are no better then terrorist and should be treated as so!

I think the only right they should have is a last meal!!! They are chickens, scare little people that hide behind "black" outfits.

I truly hope the Canadian public find out who these people are and turn them into the authorities.

David in Dartmouth
said

These "professional protestors", need serious jail time, and as well, put them on the no fly list, make them pay for all of the extra policing, and property damage.Where many of these people come from outside of the country, deny them access to this country...NO VISAS!!. These people fly from country to country with one intent.......to disrupt by any criminal means the peaceful, law abiding community. Enough of this criminal riff raff..!!

Mike
said

I am angered by these idiots and maybe even a little more by those that stand by and watch. The good, hard-working, taxpaying citizens of Toronto should band together to show these punks what anarchy really means. Then maybe they'll change their ignorant tune.

Peggie
said

How stupid is this - criminal acts by the criminals - jail them all and put away the key - so very sad that they run around with their faces covered acting like spoiled children.

Joe
said

Notice how the black clad protesters suddenly appeared in the crowd of peaceful protesters and goukers then started breaking windows and torching two police cars. As fast as they appeared they vanished into the crowds again.My take on this is the police staged this as a diversion. The police cars didn't explode and police didn't seem to be alarmed standing next to the half hour cars burning out of control. Obviously there was no gas in the tanks. A sign they were planted by the police and set on fire probably by remote control. The police stood by and did nothing to prevent calls of brutality, no tear gas use. The police have lost all respect in Canada. All this for a billion bucks.

deva
said

I count about 8 morons destroying windows and 200 ppl with cameras watching them. And 2 ppl trying to stop them. WTF? It's complete reverse power in numbers. I thought Canadians had more pride in their "peaceful" country to let this happen. Pathetic.

Andrew
said

Maybe we should hold a protest tomorrow to protest the protesters.

Ray Yates
said

I believe the police should be allowed to use whatever force is necessery to maintain order, tazers, water cannon, gas. and yes even firearms. we must stop these thugs, these terrorists are not wanted here, some of coarse are the liberals youth justice act punks and the unions power idiots. protests that are peaceful knowone has a problem with but anyone wearing a mask should be shot!!!

Corey
said

Any questions why so much money goes to security now? Ignorant people that want nothing but violence and desctruction follow the major media events just to get on the news. What normally is a very content, quiet country has turned a war zone. Those caught need to be removed from our country and marked to never return. Those that are doing this and live in our country need to be punished for terrorist activities and shown to the rest of us what the rtards look like. Good job to the police for a job well done so far. I have no problems with peaceful protests but when people want nothing but destruction thats too far.

Anne in Toronto
said

Whether the causes they are protesting are legit causes or not, for the good of one or the good of many there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR VIOLENCE OR VANDALISM. I can't for the life of me understand what they hope to accomplish with this manner of "getting their point across". What about the innocent people that are affected by their actions? The people who own the stores and business that were vandalized will pay dearly to restore the damage done. Their employees may lose out on pay while the renovations are being done. I really doubt that these particular "protesters" had any ideas of helping anyone but themselves.

Astley
said

It sounds like from some reports that those police cars were put there on purpose, to be damaged by the agents provocateurs. It's pretty obvious that many of them were taking their time to bash the cars, and the police just stood back and watched. Sacrificing a few police cars for the 'greater good', I suppose.

Mr. T
said

The comments from Gary Reid and KendraK suggest they'd make a great couple.

Let me be the first to wish them a long and happy union - preferably somewhere OUTSIDE of Canada.

Kevin
said

The actions of the police are even making the media look like fools. Stop asking "is Toronto safe?" These thugs will be taken care of as required. The damage that was done would have been done anyway and these thugs are portayed as the bad guys. Had the police been more aggressive, they would have been the bad guys. The police tactics need to be commended, but that would never happen.

clane
said

These "Black Bloc" are cowards, nothing more

Pat
said

For all of you who are supporting this violence..... I sure hope you have a job and are Ontario taxpayers because dear friends, you are going to be paying to clean it up when it's all done. And don't you dare complain about the increase to insurance, food, or anything else that will be a direct result of these idiots' actions, many of them not even from Ontario. Just a bunch of no good punks with nothing productive or constructive to add. WIMPS!!!!!!!

RK in Coquitlam
said

It is these black clad losers that require spending huge amounts of money for security for these events. It was the same thing here in Vancouver for the Olympics. We essentially had two weeks of fun and Olympic excitement. The only disruptions during the Olympics were by the so-called �black block�, who were protesters dressed in black and are probably some of the same losers that are in Toronto causing trouble there.The courts should not treat these people as overreacting protesters, but rather as the criminals they are. If the courts were to hand out some multi-year jail sentences to these people, especially those throwing Molotov cocktails, the whole protest scene would lose its luster pretty fast.

D. Forbes Vancouver
said

I'm sickened to see the violence in Toronto. Those that don masks and set fire to police cars, and vandalize are nothing but common criminals and cowards. I am all for peaceful protests, but this is sickening. I hope each and every one of these vandals is arrested and prosecuted, though I know that is unlikely. A sad day for Canada.

Sparky in Kitchener
said

Rioters should be shot on site!Police should be congratulated on how many nightsticks they break over heads!This whole thing is idiotic at best. I support the police in any action they take against rioters. A few dead rioters would most likely decrease the will to continue. A note to police---more force please!If you go down there and get a crack on the head -----you deserve it----

bc grrl
said

stupid idiots just justified the security budget! thanx you morons! you have shown the world that you are brainless children with no sense of real world. you are gate crashers there for your 15 minutes of hidden fame and those who are there to speak on behalf of valid organizations have been painted with your ugly brush! you have cost the taxpayers millions...MILLIONS! for this i hope that you are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, time to follow through on the get tough on crime bills. freaking brats!

barry m.
said

Some people seem to be quite vocal about the way the police handled this situation. Some times even the best plans have to be re thought due to changing circumstances. I actually feel bad for the police because if they act to quickly, they're labelled as bullies trying to stifle peoples right to free speech and if they don't react quickly enough, they're labelled as incompetent. Maybe the arm chair quarter backs will become police officers so they can show us all how it's done.

jamie prentice
said

I commend the police for their efforts to contain the criminal protestors and to use minimum force. Violence begets violence and we should be proud of our police forces under these difficult circumstances.

steve jones
said

Property destruction is not violence. Store windows, newspaper boxes, cars, are not alive, and should not be regarded as equal to a human or other animal. The protesters use property destruction because it is a physical way of striking back at capitalist society -- that is destroying the face of corporate stores as a way for poor and/or oppressed people to get revenge for the very real violence enacted upon them. Faulting people for fighting back, or fighting for a real democracy, one where they make their own choices, as opposed to being given a choice between two people who have nothing in common with them and who do not care about them, is inherently more violent because it perpetuates and legitimizes a system that is based (economically and socially) on the exploitation of the poor and minorities (speaking here of more than race, also gender, sexuality, etc),

Ken S
said

These are not demon-strators. They are nothing more than thugs having a good time!

Zheng Liu
said

To "Will": we are not indentured servants, but law-abiding citizens. Citizens of the best country in the world, and we intend to keep it that way. Take your violence overseas to China and see how long your so-called protest gets tolerated.

Isabella
said

Seriously, breaking store windows and setting police cruisers on fire is NOT going to get your message across, nor will it end poverty...or stop global warming. The only thing this barbaric behaviour is warranting is a clear cut justification as to why the government has spent $1.1 billion on security for this G-8/G-20 Summit. YOU dumb a$$'s are clearly demonstrating why Toronto has temporarily become a police state.

Ihatenato
said

Oh, just one thing for our DEAR CTV Anchors..Don't you EVER make a statement like "We're just watching these scenes of carnage outraged, as I am sure all of our viewers are"..Don't be so sure about that, there are a number of us (like me) who don't really care!On top of that, your growing bias shows more and MORE every single day with such stupid comments.

Mike
said

I have no problem with peaceful protests, but anyone with half a brain knows protests of this kind are going to get violent. So anyone with half a brain should have stayed away. Anyone who is there is clearly up to no good, or incredibly stupid. Even if you think you're "just peacefully protesting", you're not; through your actions, you are enabling the violent protestors to hide in a large group. There's no point in being there, because your message is lost already from the violence. Then, ironically, it's these very same people who complain about the cost of the security. Well fools, we wouldn't need the security if you didn't bring your stupid selves down to protest.

Tom Tom
said

Stand up against our SLAVE MASTERS.Whats the best kind of slave?A slave that has no idea he/she is a slave. A slave that accuses other fellow slaves of being crazy for thinking otherwise.

Orca7
said

I wonder how many of these criminals are actually Canadian. Had a bunch here in BC during the Olympics. Some were Canadian, some were American and most of them were the "pros" for hire who make a living out of destroying a city. They got in one protest and then took such a verbal beating from the people attending the Olympics and the legitimate protest groups who quickly distanced themselves from them, that they shut down and went home. Coward was the word most often used to describe them.

Rob 11
said

Congratulations Black Bloc!! You successfully stole the show and shoved all the legitimate protests to the back page.

If/when the police catch you, I hope you resist arrest and I for one will look the other way if they have to bounce your heads off the sidewalk a couple of times!!!

SirTerence
said

No Surprise!

Mssrs Clark, Ryan, Tilley, Syad, and all those other foreign-born hoodlms are correct. $1 Billion for security IS a lot of money, but apparently not enough.

IF I were God, or King of Toronto, I'd have spent $2 Billion and our police would be backed up by the military in tanks with flame throwers and "live" ammunition. There is no such thing as an "innocent bystander" - you're either a hoodlum or you're too stupid to realize the dangerous situation you are in.

I think the police have demonstrated remarkable restraint. In "my Toronto", the bodies would be piled up like cordwood in the intersections, front-end loaders would dump them unceremoniusly into dump trucks, and they'd be taken away and burned with no attempt at identification.

Harsh? Perhaps, but right now, I'm thoroughly disgusted with how lenient our law makers expect us to be with these small-minded cretinistic morons.

Tony
said

This is the same group of trouble-makers that did the same thing during the Vancouver Winter Olympics. They should eat some rubber bullets and arrested.

Jim
said

Simple to sort out these anarchist. Just have someone shoot them with an animal tranquilizer as they do their acts of violence. Then just pick them up and haul them off to jail. Just imagine their surprise when they wake up in the Crowbar Hotel.

Trevor Dorn
said

These "protestors" are nothing more than a band of hooligans, most of which are probably from priviledged families, that go where the "fun" is. I mean, most real protesters won't walk around covering their face and breaking things in their wake. You people want others to join your cause? Destroy my/our city is not the way. To the police, who serve and protect: Serve the interests of the residents of Toronto and protect those who are caught in the middle of this chaos - let loose with the tear gas, water cannons and sound cannons. I think the law-abiding citizens would appreciate that. To the protesters: grow up! you come from advanced and peaceful countries and you are destorying it with your selfish pandering and lipservice to dead ideologies!!! Quit now, you won't win because you constantly give yourselves black eyes for acting like the terrorists you are!

Natt
said

Where are the polices? Why don't they trash a police station or a government building instead of other peoples stores? What they are doing is SO pointless because either way Canada is still going to have to pay the Billions of Dollars and now even more with this stupidity. They such have found other means of protesting. Now our beautiful downtown is going to look like the slums. If that was my store I would have to fight somebody.

P
said

Mayor Miller is such an idiot and coward mayor. The Toronto police is wasting tax player's money, just to look pretty. For those criminals whose purpose is not to protest, but to carry out violence against people's properites, police's cars, to create chaos, policy needs to prevent them from doing that, at least when it starts, stop them. Otherwise, how can the police protect people, proect the city. To the world, the mayor, the policy and Canada as a whole look very week and coward, a shame to us all. These criminals are professions, they go where to do the same criminal act, why does the policy allow them?

Eddie
said

Shoot them all! I don't understand where the police is and what they are waiting for! Get the military involved and start shooting!

Fresh
said

we are completely oblivious if we speak our minds verballyif the crowd was peaceful, those police or who ever wouldn't listen to there problems anyway, there is no winning with the government, and i guess this is how they take out there anger and frustration~

gms
said

your coverage is generally terrible - far too sensitive to a small group of 'anarchists(?)' - who are only hellbent on causing destruction with no protest point being put forth. Stop trying to make a story out of brain-dead thugs with nothing to prove. Do they pay taxes, hold jobs, contribute to society at all? Let's see a little background info on this 'protest' group.

nazirmo
said

I have said before that the summit should have been held outside of Toronto , that is in Hunstville. These hooligans who are behind their masks damaging properties should be demolished - they should be caught and charged and penalised severely and I mean with the stiffest criminal charge and conviction. Toronto does not deserve this. A Billion dollars of taxpayer money spent on security and yet so much damage.
The police need to crackdown.
This is not the action by Torontonians but by elements from out of town.
Is the U.S channel even carrying this summit news ? I bet they may show the protests. That's about it.

Tasha
said

Absolutely disgusting! If you have deal with it...Do it in a respectful manor. This is a beautiful peaceful city...Why damage it?? Stop the violence. Its sad to see that people are actually physically getting hurt and it needs to stop.

Matt
said

You are all cowards....Those who hid their faces and those who stood by and watched...

Marie
said

We've seen these people in the News reports and for some in person...change their clothes..taking off the black and changing into street clothing....the authorities should get these videos and see and arrest them as their faces ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE.....A R R E S T T H E M.The friends of an injured "protester" were standing in front of him and the cameras..for "privacy"..well they gave up that right when they started burning, looting and vandalizing our city and embarassing us to the world and to ourselves!!!

Sherry - Ottawa
said

It's amazing to read those who blame the politicians, the media, the police, the birds in the sky, the ant on the ground - everything BUT the idiots who are actually committing the crimes! It's NOR T protesting, it;s criminal acts!!! STOP acting as if these fools are in the right because they ARE NOT! If they did this to your property - you'd call the police etc to get help to stop them. They NEED to be stopped, this is not what should be allowed! Come on some of you people - get real, get informed and most of all GET WISE!!

infowarsdotcom
said

peaceful canadians do not tolerate violence and freedom of speech is vital to our nation but using violence as a means to an end is not the right way to do things but yet you still allow these G20 nations to wage war on helpless countries in the name of government sponsered terrorism? you call these anarchists terrorists but and they may be mostly dopes but if you research montebello manitoba how RCMP ADMITTED they hired anarchists to wage violence so the G20 leaders controlling the police state can be released upon acual peaceful protesters you will learn who benefits from the violence allways the leaders of a country. they hire anarchists to shut down peaceful protests and take away your right to freedom of speech how is it free to have "free speech zones"? and if these G20 leaders care about you so much why do they hide behind an army? think about it research who benefits

Jamie
said

Zena, how do you know where these "people" are from? Sure they may not be all from Toronto, they may not all be Canadians. It's the fact that these disgusting actions are allowed to take place here.

Herr
said

I hope these protesters destroy the conservative, right-wing, US-puppet of a government we have here in Canada right now. GOD BLESS THEM.

Anything BUT CONSERVATIVE
said

Harper is definately getting a majority next election. NOT! Hope the looser gets ZERO, NADDA, ZIPPO seats!

Christina
said

Watching the news and totally disgusted with what is going on in Toronto. Demostrators causing property damaged, setting cars on fire should be arrested and made to pay for all damages caused to the City of Toronto. They are not there to demonstrate for any legit reason but just to cause havoc and damage to property. Shame on them.

L.
said

Those black clad losers are just that, losers. They are not protesters. They do what they do for kicks. They take advantage of such things as the G20, Olympics and whatever other situations and opportunities present themselves where major TV coverage will be provided. They dress in black, cover their faces and go out and destroy property. That's what they do. They are nothing. I wouldn't give them the time of day. I wouldn't give them one inch of film and I wouldn't even mention them in the news.

dave
said

I fully support the right to protest ,and speak freely. However when you cross the line like these cowards have done, they are terrorists.

judi morrison
said

isn`t it time that they started using video conferencing for these meetings.....just like the ceo`s of major companies? this is taxpayers money in the millions of dollars....they should all be giving their heads a shake!

Jamie
said

I cannot believe some of these posts are in support of these TERRORISTS, however everyone is entitled to their opinion. Still there is no justification for the violence. These losers have made Canadians look like idiots....shameful!

Ann Marie Newton
said

what is wrong with these people they want people to hear what they have to say but they are hurting the city they have to raise there children in how can u help others when u don't care about your own City how come we only hear about these people when there is a sumit have any on them sponsor a child i would lock them all up wath a shame.

Cam Tate
said

I think it's about time to make organized protests ILLEGAL in this country. Yes that would mean losing a currently held right, but with rights come responsibilities and this just proves people are not being responsible.

reidjr
said

Jimmy
This is not a police state if it was not for the extra police how much worse would this have been.As for the rich are the only ones who benifit thats not ture.Besides that alot of the damamges as been to stores/resturants where people work just to get but making a min wage.This is not a cival war this is a about a group that wants mto cause as mauch damamge as they can.

Scott
said

Cowards, show yor face. Time for the police to get this under control open up fire. I am sitting at my tv extremeley disappointed with what I am seeing. How can these guys smash out these windows while police simply watch? Saw a clip of a citizen trying to restrain one guy... The coward crapped his pants and ran off; good for the guy for trying to stop him, I'd like to see more of that, take your city back.. If this is truly unacceptable to you Mayor Miller, you would be doing everything in your power to stop them; open up fire on them if you have to. Sad things is hardly any arrests will be made and those who are arrested will get off with no charges or serve hardly any time if they get charged at all. Pathetic. Justice will not be served at all.

morvin1
said

That so-called "security expert" commenting on CTV is obviously from another generation or another country like China (Tiananmen Square). He keeps expressing bewilderment that the police haven't hit the protesters with tear gas or other form of quasi-military forceWhat he is clearly overlooking is that our Prime Minister clearly stated before the summit began, that the Canadian government would NOT cover any collateral damage. Hence, Harper doesn't give damn about how many windows are broken, goods are stolen or police cars are burned, so long as it doesn't disrupt his moment in the sun. In fact, he may have ordered the police to let anarchy rein outside the security fence, so that after the summit is over he and his �Justice� Minister can claim that despite their best efforts, the protesters got out of control and we, the people of Canada, need to re-elect him, with a majority, so that he can enact some much stricter civil disobedience laws and regulations.It�s all politics � Neo-Con politics -nothing more � nothing less!

GTA Girl
said

It is not fair to blame the Federal Government, Provincial government, City of Toronto or Prime Minister Harper for this occurrence. This is PURELY the fault of the group of protesters that started the damage & fires. (Not all protesters...just the ones that caused the problems).There is such a thing called "accountability" people. These thugs that came to Toronto & started the damage & problems need to be arrested and held accountable for their actions! Blaming the PM, The government & City of Toronto does nothing...and isn't fair. Toronto is a beautiful City..why not allow world leaders to come here and show the city off???? There is nothing wrong with holding the G20 here. Regardless if you believe the G20 will accomplish something or not... that's a discussion that can be held another time. If the protests remained peaceful..nobody would really have anything to blame the PM, Government or City for. So WHY are people blaming them for something a bunch of thugs did??? PM Harper wasn't setting police cars on fire! We need to place blame where the blame belongs...these thugs that hide behind their masks & hats they caused the problem. I'd also like to add... the protesters that are "peaceful" that may not have damaged the property themselves....but are taunting the police are not doing anything to help defuse the situation either. They are just as much to blame for adding to the tension! It's times like this...when I watch my tv...I believe we have WAY too much freedom.

Carlush
said

I wonder if the police car set on fire was from a disgruntled Habs fan, as they had tendencies to riot...

benny
said

How's about we start shooting those masked men who think they are tough with rubber bullets. If that doesn't work real live rounds. they'll stop pretty quick

bela novak
said

i say arrest everybody that belongs in that stupid black club arrest them all losers

NM in AB
said

People are complaining about $1 billion for security, well if these yahoos weren't rioting and actually protesting peacefully we wouldn't need to waste $1 billion to protect these leaders who were democratically elected by the people. 5000 protesters do not represent the majority of people. One question though; where can I sign up to be part of the riot police for the next few weeks. I could save the taxpayers a few bucks and I would love to do this for free. Give me a few rubber bullets and I'll gladly take care of some belligerent protesters! Not only that the cost of this event will go up as these people destroy more property. Who do they think is going to pay for that cop car, that busted lamp post. I think everyone should get out there and teach some protesters a lesson ! They should pay for everything they break !

Will
said

I never understood why sheeple don't approve of violent protests. It boggles my mind even more when I hear an American or French person express that view.You are mostly indentured servants enslaved to your owners through loans that you were required to take on to reach any station in life. Go back to your cubicle now and worry about your unpaid debts.

Julian
said

What a bunch of losers these protesters are.
Burning cars and looting honest businesses... oh yeah that's the way to further your cause.
What a joke you all are.

Kudos to the police for their resistance to using a more forceful approach on these societal rejects.
Otherwise it would be all too easy for the protesters to try and look like the victims in the media.

Sandra D
said

In my opinion if the media would not showcase the violence going on in Toronto there would not be so many sightseers there. All this is is a bunch of people knowing this is the place at the moment to cause trouble. I have not watched any of it. It totally disgusts me. Canada is a democracy violence will do nothing except us our tax dollars up cleaning it up.

wally bryson
said

Armed forces should have been used in a circular fashion around the demonstration area where the police were occupied.After holding the useless unemployed pot heads in a security pen for 4 days with only bread and water they could be released after D.N.A.prints were obtained then sent on an overcrowded rusting boat to one of the 3rd. world countries they espouse politically.

jmalcom
said

Never thought I'd see something like this in Toronto

jmalcom
said

I'd never thought I'd see something like this in Toronto

Helen
said

I totally blame the media in this country for inciting the anarchists...Well CTV ...CBC...Globe and Mail Toronto Star...YOU are ALL to blame...!

daryl wizzard
said

Awesome! I thought our protesters would be wimpy polite and passive. This shows the world Toronto protesters have balls. lol

Michael
said

I am disgusted with the protesters. I did not see one "peaceful protestor" try to step in and stop the instigators of the violence. It is clear by their inaction that they are supporting the violent minority participating in their protest.

This is exactly why we had to spend a billion dollars on security. I want to see a class action law suit by the citizens of Toronto against all the groups and individuals that participated in the protests this weekend. Let them pay the law abiding citizens of Toronto back for the billion dollars on we had to spend on security because of their actions.

As a tax paying citizen of Toronto I support the police to use whatever force is necessary to bring this to a fast and abrupt end. Rubber bullets, water cannon or sound cannons, do what it takes bring those masked terrorists to justice.

Its very sad that for those people who are trying invoke a postive change in the world, their message this weekend has been replace with one of violence and civil disobedience.

Porter
said

They knew the " Black Bloc " were going to do this well in advance Why weren't police given the power to simply arrest anyone that puts on a mask ? if its a peacefull protest you shouldn't need to hide your identity.

calm
said

Can anybody point to any instance where the Ruling Class ever gave anything to the Lower Class without the threat of violence?I don't think anybody can.All this talk about peaceful protest is propaganda taught to us in grade school.Martin Luther King preached non-violence because he was being threatened with arrest for inciting riots. So he kept his powder dry. But, in the backgroud there was violence all over the American South.In 2006, the "Peaceful" immigrant protests shut down several major American cities. Within 4 days, the government began to talk about "Comprehensive" immigration reform.Does anybody really think that Roosevelt introduced the "New Deal" because it was "Kind To Animal Week"? There were huge protests and threats/plots to take over the Whitehouse.Everybody talks about Ghandi and peace .... but when Ghandi was walking around with his hands folded in prayer, the British military was being attacked on every front.All this "Jibberish" about non-violence is sold to us as a "Religion" and it is all a myth.The Ruling Class never gave the Lower Class anything without the threat of violence.The reason that the RCMP became an important and indispensable asset to the Federal Government was because they "Excelled" at beating unemployed protesters in Winnipeg. Before that they were nobodies.All the social gains made during the 60's and 70's was because the Ruling Class were under threat.Without the threat of violence, the Ruling Class ignores you.Calm

Zena
said

Before people start saying they're ashamed to be Canadian, how do they know these are even Canadians doing this? They definitely aren't from Toronto.

Jimmy
said

These people are protesting the increasingly imposing POLICE STATE and the stranglehold of BANKS and ELITE on the entire world and the poor.This is not only a protest, its a civil war on a global scale. The people are fighting back against the oppressive system that enslaves us all and only serves the rich and entitled.SHAME ON THE POLICE & ARMY. They are the ones that allow this system of oppression exist.

wayne twigger
said

we all know the right to protest is sacred -- the right to destroy someone else's proverty is not ... Punish anyone to the full extent of the law and beyond... These people have no rights...

Benny
said

The black bloc are agents provocateurs. They are clean cut, and don't appear to have tattoos. In all likelihood they're cops in training from out of the city. If any of them are arrested, they'll be quietly let go and the police force will pretend they never took them in. And if you tried to stop them or knocked one down, the police would probably arrest you.Harper and the elites perfectly planned this to be in a major city because the buildings are closer together, so protesters are squeezed together. If they were held in a rural area, they would spread out more, and these provocateurs would not be able to blend in.

Azaelea
said

I agree with Scott - exaactly what he is talking about happened out here in BC.
I don't trust the police or the politicians - they will do whatever they need to justify there expenditures

Gonzobot
said

Interesting. I wonder what issues are being ignored, that so many people feel the need for such violence?What is their message? Is it simply that the 'World Leaders' need to stop DESTROYING THE LIVES OF CITIZENS SO THEY CAN 'MEET'? Because out of all of these stupid summits, I can't think of a SINGLE END RESULT. Not one. NO ISSUES EVER HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AT THESE TALKS.So, the Summit itself is useless, and a BILLION DOLLAR WASTE OF MONEY. Factor in the entire downtown core that has been shut down for weeks because of the Summit, and BAM. You get some ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTANDABLY UPSET PEOPLE.It's not as if they have no reason for doing the things they are doing. A few days ago, a legitimate authorized reporter who LIVES IN THE CORDON AREA was detained for over four hours, because he had company-issue standard-practice body armor in his trunk. Just in case things got ugly. And the police who stopped him, threatened to hold him overnight without arresting him, if he chose to be a reporter and videotape their actions.GO DEMOCRACY GO!

Thomas Watson
said

The police in Toronto are suppose to protect yhe people and property of Toronto - they were useless - no doubt good officers - but no one in Command - tear gas should have been used as soon as the black clad jerks appeared

Jimmy
said

These people a protest the increasingly imposing POLICE STATE and the stranglehold of BANKS and ELITE on the entire world and the poor.The reason people protest the way they do is because nobody is willing to recognize the true issues they are protesting. These are serious issues, issues that affect everybody, including all those too blind to see beyond the protesters' bad behavior.When I hear that protest are about "maternal issues" and other vague issues, that's just insult to the protest and only serves as misinformation by the mass media.These protests are about a lot more important than just the superficial half comments presented by the mass media. The media is censoring the truth from regular people.

Lloyd Elliott
said

These protesters should be sprayed with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, anything to knock them back. Protesting of any kind should now be banned or outlawed due to the fact that it always seems to resort to violence. A sad commentary indeed to the world today and the freedoms we SHOULD have that are ruined and damaged by hooliganism.

tracey
said

I have absolutely no problem with peaceful protesting, but this "splinter" group as they call themselves is exactly why downtown was locked up tight. What these people have done is turned everyone against them.

judi padunsky
said

is it not time to start doing these meetings by video conferencing....after all why is technology moving forward if our leaders are not going to use it. it would also save millions of taxpayers money. so come on all of you so called leaders....give your heads a shake. by having to sit face to face you are only promoting these protests.

kingspidey007
said

Come on Toronto, Call the Army, and protect the People, and Police...........Please, Don't have another 911........

Gregoryd
said

We spent a billion dollars on security and this is what we get. A few idiots running around damaging everything in their path and this so called security stands by and lets them do it. They still are letting them do pretty much what they want. They did not use any tear gas or confront these idiots. The probably did thousands of dollars damage and we arrested 8 of them. Big deal thats 250 million for each arrest. This is embarrassing. We look like fools to the rest of the world.

warren
said

We had these clowns here in Vancouver for the Olympics. Guess what, the streets have been free of them for months. I guess they solved all of our problems. Thanks hooded thugs!

Margo Donovan
said

1 billion for security, and the knowledge that the rowdies in black would likely show up to cause havoc, as they usually do. Did anyone think to have the G20 at an isolated luxury resort-Canada has many that are world class-in a "fly in only" location? Security would have been much cheaper, and access to the location would have been tightly controlled. I don't think the black clad protesters would have been willing to hike hundreds or thousands of miles through wilderness to get to the meeting site. Harper needs to activate brain cells and save Canada and certainly Toronto $ on security and repairing vandalism damage.

Elaine Mudge
said

How stupid do you need to be to believe that the honest protesters have anything to do with the criminal element - if you have your face covered you are planning criminal activity. The likes of Oxfam, Greenpeaceand others give a damn about our planeet, unlike the G20 who support the likes of BP but never would they cause injury to anyone to achieve their goals that is just not in their nature nor purpose. And somehow the government has to justify their waste of money, so how about renting a few agitators. Yeah I know very Oliver Stone but worth considering.

Ron
said

4,000 activists, each marching and chanting in the name of their chosen cause...thus ensuring that NO ONE has the SLIGHTEST idea what on Earth they're marching for.Except the black-clad anarchists. Everybody's gonna remember their actions. Lotta Sturm Und Drang amounting to absolutely nothing. So stay awesome, guys. For the Che Guevera cosplays, property damage, burning police cars and general disregard for anybody or anything but your own infantile rage- thanks for coming into our city and crapping on our doorstep. You may have had people willing to listen your arguments...not so much now.

Steve
said

I really don't get it...These people have nothing better to do with their lives than to protest. They don't work or anything???

susan
said

Can't believe the media there are blaming the police for letting this happen... and letting the public stay.. The public should not even be there.. Just to get pictures... The public need to leave..

h
said

some of these comments are startling and just plain stupidTo think that the G20 group is a positive asset to man is just plain stupid. To label the protesters as "irrelevant", "angry" and a "waste of time" is ridiculous. At least they are smart enough to realize that they can do something about it, while some of you bitch about them STANDING UP FOR YOU in the comments section... fools

ABReader
said

As a Canadian I object to these hooligans being called 'Protesters'...they are nothing more than Cowardly Terrorists, unwilling to show their faces and take ownership of their actions.

marie
said

Anywhere else in the world the police would have reacted different...why waste time and don't put an end to this chaos that the black hooded/clad people are creating.? Why aren't the Police use their guns? For God's sake use them ...shoot in the air, even break a leg or two...it would be well worth it....Who is responsible for the damages done to these businesses?

ralph in saskbush
said

Liberal Mark Holland complains about the cost of security and how it is not necessary. Well Mark just imagine if they didn't have the security that they do. Things would have been a hell of a lot worse than it is and then you would of complained about not enough security Mr. Holland. Seems like your the spokesperson for Ignatieuf these days, or is it that he just doesn't have an opinion on this one.

Christopher
said

I wish I had the time to go and protest. However, I have to work for a living.

barry m.
said

I wish that people would quit referring to the black block group as protesters, and start referring to them as what they are. TERRORISTS. Dressed in black with black masks, walking through down town Toronto smashing windows and starting fires. One was even quoted as saying that if violence became necessary, then violence it shall be. They should be arrested and charged as terrorists. There is no difference between this group and any other terrorist group out there.

Syl
said

Toronto called in the army to take care of a bit of snow. How about calling the army in to take care of these criminal protesters.

Bob
said

I love all the complacent comments. "Let our world leaders do what they came here to do". Do you know what world leaders do? They relish in power. Do you really think they care about you--the little guy that makes minimum wage? Do you think that if you could switch places with them, such that you had so much money you couldn't count it all that you would give a rats ass about anyone else? Perhaps, but as they say, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Don't kid yourself either if you think a democracy is any better than tyranny. Read Plato's Republic.

Sharsie
said

I wonder how many of those Black Block dopes are Canadian?

Brandon M
said

The REASON Prime Crapister Harper wanted to host this G20 in downtown Toronto and ignore the cities request was just to slap Toronto in the face. Harper still has a grudge against Toronto because Toronto has not elected Conservatives MP's in the last several elections. Wonder if Harper will give the business in downtown Toronto money to replace and repair damaage from the protesters? Probably not. Harper does not care about anyone but himself. It is his fault this happenend.If this happenend in Calgary... things would be different, Harper would care about the people.

stacy
said

With today�s technology and the fact that most of the world is in financial trouble, the unnecessary expenses and damages done by the so called �demonstrators" would not have happened, had the leaders decided to just use video conferencing.

Ross from Whitby
said

I'm sorry - I don't mean to flame anybody but Nastaran, I have to laugh at somebody using the word "intellegance" and commenting on my stupidity.

BOB , CALGARY
said

Stephen Harper didn't cause the mindless violence and these activists (really gangsters in black masks too cowardly to show their faces) would put on the same violent displays no matter who is governing the country. (even the Liberals). There are people in society who love a chance to break windows, burn police cars, throw rocks,etc. and they turn out whenever there is any kind of opportuntity (witness the Stanley Cup playoffs in Montreal). This will never change, even when Harper is long gone from the political scene.

Josh
said

And you know what irritates me? That these people are wrecking their neighbors businesses. And so far, in the coverage, I haven't yet heard what the protest is about. So when you get your ass kicked by a cop, don't complain about it. Especially when you are destroying cop cars, and the businesses of people who are trying to make an honest income. These people seriously make me mad.

Mike Webster, Mississauga
said

@Dave....no, most people are NOT blaming the police. They're putting the blame right where it belongs - on the hooligans, professional protestors and terrorists who started and are responsible for the violence, the vandalism and the other criminal acts committed by this mob. it's time for the police to crack down hard on these idiots and show them the error of their ways. Show them that violence, crimal activity and hooliganism will not be tolerated in our city.

slgam
said

It's a shame they can't put the violent protesters/anarchists who started the fire, in the police car. These jerks add nothing at all to the real issues facing the world. They are their ilk are the problem.

Just Shoot Them
said

Why in the world don't the police use tranquilizer darts on these bozos? Then, they could knock them out, drag them away, and when the idiots woke up they'd be in some solitary cell in a who-knows-where jail awaiting questioning and arrest. They should also make THEM pay for damages, as I don't think it's fair that MY tax dollars have to pay for their destructive bahaviour!

Ed
said

Now our tax dollars will get to replace a Toronto Police Service cruiser. yay

eric
said

brad
said

I love it. Try putting your efforts towards helping out at the local soup kitchen or spending time with shut-ins. If you wanted to help the world, start at home, not with hooliganism in your favourite city.

Ang
said

Albert Einstein once said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

Conclusion. World leaders and the various security forces of countries holding these summits, are, insane.

Stop having the darned summits.

Send them all up in one of those fancy tourist spaceships. And if they don't come back, c'est la vie.

Stephen
said

This is so shameful, this is not how we conduct ourselves as Canadians. These people need to be stopped; where is the sound cannon they were talking about. Our beautiful city is gonna be destroyed. I hope they all get arrested and have to spend years in jail. Do us all a favour thank the police for being there and appreciate the kinds of bad stuff they have to go through.

Andy - GTA
said

I do not understand why the "rights" of the "Black-Clad people" take precedence over business owners in the area or the general public? These people just want to destroy things. There is no protest here. This is pure rebellion or even what I would call terrorism.In European countries there is no hold back, our police force here is "too nice". Time to show some force and make sure the message is understood, this behavior is not tolerated. Protest is ok as long as there is no violence or destruction of property.I think the police should lock down the entire perimeter around these people and proceed into immobilizing them and arrest them all !!! They can use coloured water cannons to mark the people that are in those groups. No holding back, full force!!! No excuse for anyone being there, do not care if you are just watching or not. By behaving the way they are I believe they have wavered their civil rights.

Monisia Calka
said

these people aren't protestors because they are not protesting anything.if they have masks on their faces and vandalizing news cars and cop cars.. these people are nothing more then hulligans and terrorists.i don't understand why the police aren't doing anything just setting up blockades.

M Bartlett
said

Why isn't the police force arresting those morons? What are those losers protesting about anyway? Why is it that the majority of us are able to get a 5 to 9 job and provide for ourselves and those morons expect their government to provide free housing to them? Seriously. Using violence and smashing stores is hardly to rally citizens to their stupid cause.

Steve Eros
said

The posters that are sympathetic to the protesters are not doing them any favours. Your IGNORANCE is glaring for all to see. I would suggest you move out of your parents basement, take a bath, cut your hair and find a JOB. You should also thank your lucky stars that I am not the PM of this country because violent protesters wouldn't be on the street for very long.

dnaw
said

How pathetic these "people" are. Animals behave better.

Geofrey
said

This is why these events should be hosted in Dog Run, Saskatchewan - not in Canada's largest city! The government is so stupid.

Frank
said

Now we know why so much security was needed. Does anyone know where these black clad militants are from? It is unacceptable that Toronto or any other location in Canada cannot have the world come here without this kind of obvious pre-mediated violent militants.

jdubya
said

This is a no win situation for law enforcement. Crack down too much they're oppressive. Don't control the crowds, they're incompetent. There is no good reason for violent clashes with police. These so called "protestors" that are smashing property and burning cars are nothing more than ignorant animals. I support peaceful gatherings, but also support harsh punishment for those that choose to dawn masks and act out violently.

Cam
said

Looks like that billion worth of security isn't worth fifty cents, I would imagine the other 49 billion has been wasted too.

Anne
said

I'm in total shock that this is going on and getting really bad with the violence!I can understand that people are trying to make a point of the G8/20,but for God's sake...they didn't have to destroy down-town,hurt innocent victims,or damage buildings & stores.Why couldn't they have a peaceful march?I hope that there will be a lot of people getting arrested!I personally wished that the meeting never happened here in our city!I'm sure it would have been worse if it was in Ottawa!!!

jdude
said

While I would agree that such protests are fruitless in their endeavor(s), there is no doubt that the G8 and G20 is a political joke not to mention the high costs of security.

Jim - Regina
said

These cowards that are hiding their faces and causing willful damage and distruction are showing why the Ontario Government had to enact the laws for the summit that they did.I do not have a problem with protests of any kind, peaceful, loud and make your point. This is just a bunch of hoodlums that deserve to spend a lot of time behind bars on hard labour.If you think differntly put your self in the place of the police and emergency workers that are now putting their lives on the line because of the cowardly actions of a few idiots. Lets see how IGGY and his buddy Layton how they stand on the security issue now.

Samual
said

The black-clad are police in disguise, they air condition a few stores, lit one of their own cars on fire & 100 of them stood around to watch the car burn. If they kept those sticks they took off the other guy they could roast some weenies. This is a joke.

Grossed Out
said

I wouldn't be surprised in the least to find out that these violent "protesters" are bought and paid for by the cons, to try to justify the billion dollar price tag to keep the commoner scum away from their elitist political pageant.That would certainly explain why a billion dollars worth of security is somehow insufficient to keep a tiny group of vandals contained.

Nevaumind
said

It only takes a few criminals to ruin it for everyone. These fools have just managed to justify the security measures taken and the money spent on it. What a bunch of idiots. I hope that they are arrested and if found guilty they can spend the rest of their lives paying for the damage they caused. Don't they realize that they are generating negative attention for their cause instead of doing something postitive. Or maybe this was their intent all along and the only cause they have is for destruction.

Toby
said

I no way do I condone any of this violence, however, my anger is at the Federal Government, they knew there would be trouble. Holding the summit in the City Of Toronto Financial District only goes to prove that the Federal Government does not give a rat's ass about the citizens of this country. This is a vast country and the summit could have very easily been held in a remote area miles from where militant protesters could reach, and still at a fraction of the cost we currently face. I hope Canadians wake up and remember during the upcoming election that we, the working class are not important to the Federal Government, and therefore our voice means nothing - they just take our money.

Amy
said

My eyes are wide open, thank you. I am the daughter of immigrant parents. They came here to make a better life for me and my siblings. I had the opportunity to get a university degree and a good job. My parents taught me to work hard and respect others. I am and will continue to teach this to my children. This is my country and my city. I am angry that a bunch of hooligans have taken upon themselves to destroy property and hurt people for whatever reason. If they had a message to send, I have stopped listening. I will not support violence. Go home. Wait. First pay for the damage you have caused, say sorry to the people you have hurt and then get the hell out of our city.

lvdub
said

We saw these same morons at the Olympics. It's a shame to see so many people taunting the police who are simply standing there, but nobody taunts these clowns are smashing windows. I remember the video of these jerks changing out of their "costumes" to blend back into the crowd...so much for standing up for what you believe. When the average law-abiding citizens took over the streets, the cowards weren't heard from again. Protesting is fine, but nobody should stand for the thuggery that these putzes are perpetrating....

Jamie
said

This is the first time I can actually say I am ashamed to be a Canadian. I guess I have lived in a fantasy world where I believed Canadians were above this animalistic behavior. I thought we were better than this, a peaceful dignified people who had respect for free speech as well as authority. The people responsible for these acts of violence are nothing but uneducated, low lives with nothing else to do. We may as well become Americans, we are now acting like them. We should all hang our heads in shame.

Emily
said

I do not understand why people get violent. I don�t understand why people feel the need to break windows of stores/cars etc. You are ruining your own city!!!!

Mike
said

This news should not be presented as "protesters clash with police". The protesters have been peaceful. This should be called "anarchists clash with police. These people are terrorists derailing the peaceful protesters who should not all be lumped together as one group. Police should focus on bringing these criminals.

Bev
said

The troublemakers aren't protesting anything...they just want to cause trouble and wreak havoc....hence the masks on their faces. But they end up making the peaceful protesters look bad.

Karen W
said

This behaviour makes me sick.Professional protestors. Perhaps if they got a job they might find some other way to expend their energy,

trojantoys
said

where is all the police in the rioting and vandalism- i saw 2 female cops literally run into a store once they got separated from their platoon and hid away from the mob approaching. Please, do something and not hide from the vandals

Emma
said

I swear, if they go onto campus and ruin those buildings....and if my tuition goes up....I will be quickly rallying up a bunch of students and making sure the protesters who are caught are the ones paying for it...

Judy
said

why do we even let these protesters dominate the news.....if they didn't get the pubicity, perhaps they would just go away. And why are they protesting anyway, just to get their names made known for some unknown not so good reason......lock them up and throw away the key for a couple months. Maybe they would think next time before they become so foolish.

James
said

I know how you deal with these thugs. Bring about half a dozen Grizzly Bears from the north, let them loose on the streets. That would clear the streets. Then use tranquilizers on the bears and take them back home. LOL

Marie
said

Why are the black clad people afraid to show their face?Why aren't they instantly arrested by Police?Peaceful demostrations get their point across and get support from others...but vandals, extremists and anarchists DO NOT..They should be arrested along with the organizers of these protests for allowing and in cases inviting them!!

Architect God
said

These protesters are a disgrace to the nation. I ove how most are carrying "Canadian Flags" with marijuana leafs replacing the maple leaf.Just goes to show you what type of individuals these protesters actually are: lazy, uneducated, scum of society.I hope their ears bleed from the sound cannons.

James Mackinnon
said

Those idots... They have no b****...If they believe in their act, show their faces.. I hope they all go to jail for a few years.. I doubt that would happen, but I think something like that is needed for that type of damage and danger to others.. I hope us canadians stand up and take those people down.. We are very proud people and seeing this in our country is not acceptable. Very sad,, very sad

kevin Cox
said

Why would our government put its own people in harms way by hosting this summit especially in a major center as Toronto. It just goes to show whomever chose Toronto has no idea about what really goes on, and if they can't organize a meeting and keep its own citizens safe maybe they shouldn't be running our country!Kevin

MK
said

it seems the story of the day is pelt police with harmless plastic bottles and end up on the ground with your head bleeding

Kyra Thistle
said

Stop protesting the way you are. You are hurting innocent people! You have a voice but this is not the way to use it. Please stop what you are doing. This is not the way to handle your anger about the G8/G20. Be adults and talk, and not smash windows and burn cars. This is wrong. You are not being the best of humanity.

Greg Brown
said

the police should know their place, defending the protesters should be their number one priority, seeing is how they are the real Canadian citizens fighting for us

Chris Porter
said

Personally, I think our police force is too lenient. I would love to see all those violent protesters dressed in black balaclavas beat to an inch of their lives. Chances are those hidden losers aren't even protesting, they are just causing havoc. Bring on the rubber bullets. I should have joined the police force.....I would love to put a beating on those SOBs!!!!!

Greg
said

And people wonder why police were given more power. As far as I'm concerned they don't have near enough. I can't believe any one would take the side of these thugs wrecking our city. More power to the police.

rod
said

Whats with your idiot security analyst Allen bad mouth'n the job the police are doing?? so far they have handled the situation very well with minor damage. Would he rather be seeing a full riot??? And I cant believe how over hyped your CTV News live coverage is.

dave
said

Everyone's blaming police but I wouldn't be surprised one bit if down the road the Conservatives come into the picture as having laid instruction (wouldn't be surprised if they are tied into the Black Block too) which led to the idle stand back to justify the over spending. Fear mongering is being spread downward from the top and the media is jumping aboard escalting a boring parade and focusing on any and all violence they can find. CTV reporters seem to all be overreacting like they are in the middle of a war movie. Come on Lisa the picture showed little or no smoke and she was commenting on a thick black smoke where it was hard to breath. Everyone is trying to justify all the budgets spent on this waste of taxpayers dollars. The country is being run by Conservative idiots and the Canadian public is just as stupid for bying into it ! No wonder 60% don't vote!

Jon C
said

These arn't protests, they are riots. Legitimate protestors need to leave the area so the police can deal with these thugs. Why do legitmate protestors who beleive in their causes protect these terrorists, it only undermines your purpose and results.

Sc
said

How do people even think they can use their petty violence to try and rebel against 20 nations, many with a nuclear arsenal, and all with very strong military programs? You have no power, and that's how it will stay, no matter how hard you try or how much you think you can change the world.People need to start thinking with their heads, not their hearts. Just let them get their stupid meetings over with so we can all go back to being normal.

Tim
said

Re: Fed up with hypocrisy & spending tax payers money.
Courage? Yep a lot of courage it takes to destroy property, and cause havoc all the while wearing balaclavas, and running away. Yep, thats courage. Moronic!

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

Toronto is home to a small army of professional protesters. Everyone knew this before the summit started. Looks like the billion dollar pricetag will be going up just on the basis of paying for damages. This fiasco just gets worse and worse. If they'd had it Calgary you wouldn't be seeing any of this.

JPC
said

....and this is why we had to spend so much money on security, sad.

Lynne
said

Please Media stop and think
Why are so many of your reporters building hysteria
Really - how many problem makers are there and how many observers????
Why are the security forces being put in a no win- if they react to soon - we have a police state
if they let them cause fires - we haven't acted
And what about the idiots who want to be there to have their video for You Tube

We are Canadian - we have the right to state our views - do we have the right to hurt others.

Lynne

Disgusted
said

This just puts a black mark against Canada!!!! Don't these protesters have nothing better to do with their time??? If they want their cause to be heard be peaceful. If your cause needed money you blew it now!!! That is why we need a billion is for these maked cowards.

Pearl
said

I bet if the people rioting in Toronto were smashing Garry Reid's windows and trashing his business...he would be less supportive. Get real!PearlN.S.

Go home and let them finish their meeting
said

We spent so much money on security because of the crazy protestoring people who believe screaming the same words over and over and causing more than enough damage is going to make a difference. How about you all go home, you're all going to catch colds and infect the rest of the city. If you're unhappy with how things are run with our government why dont you move somewhere that cares. I doubt you'll find a better place than Canada.If anything money should put into education and health care.... then maybe people would be more educated and make better choices in life.

evan
said

Did anybody noticed that riot police put the maskson 3 or 2 minutes before the riot started?They just needed to close larger part of the city and Union station, so they needed some action.Why none of these guys in black were arrested?WHY?

GTA girl
said

I am completely disgusted by the way the protesters acted during the G20 summit. They are cowards. They hide their faces and run after throwing golf balls, fire bombs, damaging buildings & vehicles. Protesters trying to harm the police horses by throwing rocks on the ground. It's disgusting! They pretend they are trying to promote their causes but all they really want to do is cause trouble. These protesters are very lucky they are in such a peaceful country, like Canada because the police reaction in any other Country would be very very different! They may have the right to have a peaceful protest but there is a line that should not be crossed. These protesters have gone way too far. They should all be arrested!I am so proud of how our brave police men & women have handled themselves when faced with these thugs. They have been very patient and professional. They have handled the situation with intelligence, calmness and integrity.

Sophie in Police Town
said

I have been watching CTV news for the last half hour and the only thing that the two on-air guys seem to talk about is how much of a shame it is that the police is being too wimpy and has not "moved in" on the protesters who are supposedly getting ready to "breach the fence" even though CTV has not been able to show us a single picture of a single protester even close to an actual fence. What is wrong with CTV commentators! the police is already using tear gas against the protesters, what else do you want them to do, beat up people and shoot them?And why did we spend millions of dollars on these fences if they are supposedly so easy to breach?

Ken
said

Welcome to Caledonia... This is what happened 4 years ago and it will continue to happen. Nobody gave a dam about us here... now you have it in your town.... welcome to Caledonia and the mess that the OPP/RCMP/ and Mc Guilty let happen. hope it contiues so Toronto final understand what happens when the politics allow things to escalate and not kept in check.

Ron D
said

Thanks for the great footage of the G20 protests CTV and Lisa Laflamme! I was sufring the channels thinking nothing much was going on with the protest as your main Toronto broadcasting competitors are airing a golf tournament and a self-help infommercial. Up to the minutes news for sure CTV! Cheers! Now I know where to avoid downtown!

Doug # BC
said

"I doubt there will be any violence" .It's clear that "Wendy" has outdone herself with with that pearl of wisdom.As I watch Toronto is being lit on fire,windows are being smashed and law abiding protestors are putting themselves in harms way by not distancing themselvs from those who came for no other reason than to provoke a riot. Longer term,it may be a good idea to identify as many protestors as possible,and name the causes they claim to be supporting.Canadians can then decide whether or not they want to use any of their charitable donations to support those causes.When these organizations start seeing donations dry up,they may distance themselves from those who can't demonstrate without causing damage or injury. Short term,it's time for police and all law enforcement people to crack a few skulls. Enough is enough.Half of these Black Block fools that came to Vancouver were from the USA,and some of them brought guns. As it sits right now,the police strategy is hard to understand.They seem to be afraid to engage the rioting morons. Protesing is fine.But this country belongs to all of us.INCLUDING those of us who obey the laws of the land.We have just as many rights as these fools and anarchists.Trust me when I say the first cop to beat the crap out of anyone throwing a firebomb is going to be elected as our next PM. Sorry "Wendy".But I AM familiar with most of the causes put forward.Some I support,some are pure nonsense.ALL should be dealt with through due process,and NONE justify violence or the destruction of someones home town.

Tom
said

The reality is that only true change comes through violent protest.

Ray Worsnop
said

I doubt if most of these idiots know what they're protesting. There is no excuse for damaging property and assaulting Police. This is not a legitimate protest, it's a bunch of thugs looking for an excuse to raise hell. Lock them all up.Ray Worsnop, Estevan, Sask

Nicholas
said

I can't express my utter hatred and disgust towards these "Black Bloc" protesters. They say they want to prove a point but to me the only point they have proven is that they are the scum of society.

jt
said

To Imagene ThatThings are not bad the problewam is some think things are 100% times worse then they really are.Things are not so bad to have the amount of damamge thaty some are doing durring this so called protest.

Dave
said

These protesters that just go looking for trouble should get 20 years without parole. There's no need for that type of nonsense and if they are not Canadian citizens then it should be automatic deportation never to return.

People are just gone to extremes and they should be dealt extreme.

RTB
said

I'll bet these violent "protesters" are largely agent provocateurs. Spending a billion on security is absurd. Can't these guys talk on Skype for free?

Jane
said

These people who need to cover their faces and identity are nothing but cowards and holligans, looking for trouble.

It is time to arrest them all before good people get hurt.

criminals
said

Call the ones who set cars on fire, break windows etc by their real name - criminals. THEY are not protesters. They have no morals or ethics which is the backbone for real protestors. They are criminals, plain and simple.

Mike Webster, Mississauga
said

Time for the police to crank out the tear gas and to start whacking and stacking these morons. These people are not "activists" and they are not "protestors" they are terrorists plain and simple. They have commited crimes against property and crimes against individuals. They are violent and unruly and they should be treated with the utmost harshness possible. Throw in in jail and then throw away the key. People need to be made to understand that vandalism, assaulting police and others who get in their way is not a valid form of protest.

Dee
said

What are we all focusing on? Violence. chaos. The more we focus on it the more energy and power we are giving to it. What a waste of potential for a collection of concerned citzens who were motivated by world change now hi-jacked into more negativity. Nothing gained, nobody heard....positive hope and intentions burned up... literally.

In TO
said

A billion plus dollars wasted on security. Protesters allowed to wreck anything they want. Sieze Harpers bank accounts and property to grt some of OUR money back

Who me
said

This is awesome.

J.S.
said

None of those arrested should be released until the damages of these "protests" are paid for. Out of their pockets or the pockets of their families. That police cruiser burning in the photograpgh has a replcement cost of over $100,000! These punks expect taxpayers to pay for it!

Torontolover
said

Please tell me there is NOT a police officer in that car on King St. Sid Ryan's peaceful protesters need to extricate themselves from these anarchists for their own safety. I am so proud of our police force in the way they have been handling this absolutely insane situation.

Working(Tax payer)
said

These protesters(Garbage im my opinion) should get a job because I am sure most of them free load off of family, friends and government. If I took time off of work to do this, I would have my behind in a sling. Arrest them all, charge them and anyone that is getting a govenment subsistance, then revoke it and let them eat dirt off the streets.

Anne from Manitoba
said

God please protect our brave police! They are Canadian heroes.

Raymond
said

This is why $1B was spent on a two-day meeting.Worthless, violent, unemployed anarchist dregs of society.

Thor
said

These guys brom Black Block look like police and they are clearly police provocateurs. Artificial protestors.

dave
said

1.5 billion on security- insurance does not cover riots and there will be extreme property damage. Why are police so unprepared- did we have to spend 10 billion- whoever is in charge of the g 20 security should be demoted to the rank of security guard at a mall- this is a joke

bryanr
said

These are not protestors they are Professional Hoodlums like i said earlier if you are peacefull why the need to hide your face & Now we see the property damage starting Windows smashed.those of you that believe in these so called Peacefull protest because we are Canadian are delusional these pro-anarchist travel the world for this. Can you imagine if the 2 that had the Molotov Cockltails had succeeded!

Andrew
said

@Gary ReidHahahaha, dude seriously, do you have any idea what you're saying? Lets put this another way...Lets say that one night you look out the back window of your home and you see a guy wearing a bullet proof vest (which by the way you cant own without being involved in a police force or security) carrying a hatchet and a nail gun as well as a gas mask....you wouldn't be a bit suspicious of this individual? Would you not call the police?Come on man, I'm all for people having a voice but there has to be some intelligence behind it.People in this country really need to take their collective heads out of the sand. There are some real dangerous people walking around the streets of Toronto on a daily basis. I for one support spending ANY amount of money to ensure that people remain safe. Hearing some people say "this is ridiculous, it would never happen here" just makes me laugh. I'm sure the residents of Oklahoma or those in New York never thought anything would happen there either.News flash, it CAN and it WILL happen one day. This is Toronto, the city with the biggest bulls eye on it in Canada. All it takes is one deranged nut case to decide he/she has an agenda to prove. I personally thank the police for taking on a job that very very few of us would be willing to do.

ALTHEA QUINTON
said

The reason everything cost so much was because of the protestors; They are costing us the taxpayers money, Why did they let these jerks into the country? I feel proud and concern for the police, I hope they do not hurt the horses! These protestors are idiots, We ARE CANADIANS!! YEA I hope the police stop them. They are a disgrace.

Yanna
said

I am from comunist country, emmigrated 43 years ago, and know this very well. This Black Block people are clearly provocateurs just to justify that police presence. Don't people see it?There is so much police and nobody arresting them? What do they think, that people will believeit? Come on grow up and come up with something new.

MARG MM
said

Watching the protests on TV, now I see why so much money was spent on security. Wendy, do you think that smashing windows, cars, and pushing over mail boxes etc. is not violence?I also see you are defending your Liberal friend Mcguinty and (as usual) blaming PM Harper for the legislation that the Ontario Liberals brought in, unbelievable!! No one is against peaceful protest, but when the usual cowardly group that are hell bent on destruction show up, it just defeats the cause, and tars them all with the same brush. I just hope that there are no injuries, and that the police step in before much damage is done.

Louise
said

The Powers that be (Iggy / Rae / Layton) were putting Harper's Govt. down for the costs of the G8/G20 Summit Security. Look at what is happening in downtown Toronto now. This is nothing better than a 3rd World Country and we should start treating these protesters as such. If they are caught and are proven to be on the Public Dole (ie. Welare), they should immediately be cut off. They have cost us far too much already and this is really giving Canada a Black Eye around the World. If they are immigrants, they should be immediately deported. We don't need anymore of this destruction unleashed on us by people who don't contribute to society. If they did, they would be more conscious of the costs involved in the cleanup after.With the Litter, Graffiti, and now violent protests, being initiated, we should take Human Rights and turn it against them. Honest, hardworking taxpaying, law abiding, citizens should not have to pay even more for the kind of destruction that is being unleashed in downtown Toronto. Every one that is caught should be fined heavily to help offset the cleanup costs.So much for the 'PEACEFUL PROTEST'!!!!!!!Louise - Hamilton, Ontario

lance
said

The protest of the breakdown of the military boundaries is protesting for our rights as free human beings. Also for the end of capitalism and the reform of money sharing. We as humans are losing our freedoms regularily. The people who look at those protests as people being annoying are the people who looked at all civil rights movements as annoying. We as humans are all one now, we are no longer segregated by race or gender but by wealth. The wealthiest control our government and we are letting them have that power. Those people protesting that are protesting for the rights of all of us. We must open our eyes and our minds and say no to this control regime.

Portes
said

Kendra KDo you really know what you are protesting over? I am sure that you don't, maybe a few minutes reflection might solve you a lot of problems for you. The ones that are causing damage should be locked away and the key thrown away. Protest is fine but anchary is not

Gee
said

What are these people protesting? The G20 is oppressing Western society. Wake up and stop listening to the talking heads on the boob tube. Police provocateurs are causing this, they always do.

JPC
said

No protests = No need for billion dollar security. We have only these losers to blame for the huge costs as it has been proven time and time again that protestors cannot be trusted to keep the peace themselves. The battle of Seattle proved to everyone that they the protestors cannot be trusted.

bryanr
said

yup real peacefullCTV is reporting A man & woman arrested after their vehicle was found to contain Molotov Cocktails!.

RICHARD
said

PS - I hope the police activate thier water and sounds cannons and deafen and drown these protesters!! Thank You!!

RICHARD
said

What a bunch of losers these protesters are!! How about they try running a major country and control the world instead of running around like chickens with their heads cut off. What a bunch of crap. All these idiots with rings in every orifice of their body and freaks having a made to be Woodstock convention in Allan Park in downtown T.O.. Protesting with violence is just sooooooooo stupid!! Wake up you humans that are protesting. Go out and get a job and maybe you wouldn't be doing this you fools!! Let are leaders do what they need to do in peace!!

mahanna ali
said

re "IMAGINE THAT".....i could also post a song and dance paperback novel about this country/that country but i don't need to as people are realizing that this socialist dogma is pure bunk and not needed here...that will also explain why the lefty parties constantly get womped election after election...yes your party (ies) of choice are truly the losers and only a twisted moron could possibly see them as being winners...yes! canada has become a much more spirited country over the last few years...we no longer sit on cloud nine in la-la land and watch the world go by....yes this country IS canada and i am quite proud of it!!!

Marc
said

Garry Ried:

"Look at the latest arrest, he had a battery pack, hatchet, nail gun, gas mask, and a bullet proof vest in his car. Are any of these items illegal to have in your car??"

Are you serious? You are actually siding with this guy? And people wonder why the police are frustrated. Ya Garry, it's normal to carry a battery pack, hatchet, nail gun, and gas mask and a bullet proof vest. Give your head a shake.

Paul
said

Does anyone else find it ironic that the G8 countries represent the most democratic societies in all the world yet everything they do is wrong. Why all the protest, didn�t we vote these people into government. Oh, I guess when you are such a small number of people in society that support these protesters views, the only way to try to build a movement is to break the law, lie and cover your face while doing so.When will the media stop sensationalizing the acts of a few and report the feeling of the majority.

lc
said

Dan from Nothern Ontsaid"Protests do nothing in a democracy."@Civil rights icon King would disagree.He does have a little history to back up his theory!

Nomore Apathy
said

Ryan saidI've got no problem with peaceful demonstrations, but I bet over half of these yahoos don't even understand what they are protesting--------------------------------Leave it to main stream media to highlight this asinine comment. THANK YOU to everyone who got off their asses and is STANDING UP for THE PEOPLE at this event. I wish I could be there.

bryanr
said

ya right there Wendy No Violence! you are a dreamer, these types of protest always draw destruction, View the vid ctv is showing of the confrontration The police are being pelted by boards & bottles when they have control the anarchist or pro-protestor will start to take it out on property, Did we not just witness a peacefull protest at the Olympics that turned to the norm Property Destruction.

Greg
said

Go cops! Go protesters! I am in the enviable position of hoping both sides slug it out. Normally I hate cops. Today I hope they smash some heads, however I also hope they get smashed very hard. Here is hoping both sides wake up during surgery, and then it fades to black. lol. Both sides are the supreme scum of society. I honestly cannot pick a side. I hope they both hurt each other enough to satisfy me. Popcorn anyone?

JJ
said

I want to see the sound cannons in action.Fire them up!!

Saywhat
said

To the "Get off the Fence Contigent": If you are so willing to challenge law and order, save so money, charter as many aircraft as your organization can muster and travel in countries that could use your energy such as reconstruction in Haiti or in Afghanistan. It is easy to complain and challenge order when you have everything on a platter. I challenge you to make a difference where it is needed.

Silvo
said

I Appreciate that CTV, CP24 and other news stations are talking about whats going on, but i have yet to hear what they're actually protesting.

Is it the g20? the cost of the g20? climate change? what is it?

Imagine That
said

Imagine a country where Parliament is padlocked twice in 13 months to frustrate the democratic will of the elected majority. A country that slyly relaxes environmental regulations even as its neighbour reels from a catastrophic oil leak blamed on slack controls. A country that boasts about prudent financial management while blowing through a $13-billion surplus on the way to a $47-billion deficit. A country where a political operative puts fork-tongued words in a top general’s mouth. A country that refuses to fund the same safe abortions to poor women abroad as it provides at home. A country where the national police commissioner skews a federal election and is never forced to explain. A country that writes a covert manual on sabotaging Commons committees. A country dragging its climate change feet as the true north melts. A country that silences political debate on the sale of a publicly owned, crown jewel corporation. A country that puts higher priority on building super-prisons than keeping people out of them. A country where parties that win the most federal seats are dismissed as “losers”. A country that twists its foreign policy around the interests of another nation. A country that argues that barricading its largest city promotes tourism. A country that promises Senate reform only to continue stuffing it with political hacks. A country that avoids answers about a controversial war by accusing questioners of supporting the enemy. A country where party apparatchiks decide who in a nominally free press is allowed to ask the Prime Minister questions. A country where donut shop wisdom is more prized than expert analysis. A country that builds a fake lake for a tough-times summit. A country that preaches law and order while killing a long-gun registry police chiefs insist makes citizens safer. A country that promises accountability only to impose secrecy. That country is now this country.

Beth
said

What are these people complaining about. If they got off their butts to find a job, they would be more productive and have no time to waste our time listening about them on the news. Oh, I forgot. No one is paying attention to them, however, we will pay to clean up their mess. Some are complaining it's costing too much money to host the G8 & G20, but they are part of the expense.Now they want to release prisoners. Dah! They will support anything to get in the news!It's raining during their protests. There is a higher being getting even with them!

Nastaran Yadollahi
said

Jenn
said

Gotta love protestors. When I have a concern, I write to my MP. Silly me. @Lambert in Toronto - I certainly hope that we are more concerned about saving the lives of women and children than we are about tax deductions in other countries. Are you serious????!!!@ Garry Reid - you said "he had a battery pack, hatchet, nail gun, gas mask, and a bullet proof vest in his car"...and you don't see a problem with this? Was he planning on building a bookshelf on his march?? If you want a peaceful protest, why would you bring any of those things? Like others said, the protestors aren't being heard; even if there were some legitimate issues that they are addressing, no one is hearing it. I've read three or more stories about the protestors and still have no idea what they are protesting. And I don't think I'm alone. It just isn't working.

Wendy
said

I enjoy the ignorant comments from people that don't even know why these people are protesting. I doubt there will be any violence, this is Canada. It makes me sick over a billion being thrown away to impose martial law in our great nation. The ignorant also want to blame the Ontario Premier, sorry he didn't organize this fake lake summit in his province Harper did.

BK
said

Anyone wearing a face mask or otherwise hiding their identity should be immediately arrested and locked up..

Kendra K
said

A lot of us do understand what we are protesting whether you morons think so or not. Also, I think perhaps you should better educate yourselves on some of the issues that we are protesting as they DIRECTLY reflect on you. How can you stand by and let 20 people from different countries decide how not only your tax dollars but the resources readily available will be used. We are fighting for the rights of people all over the world and trying to bring to light issues that need to be dealt with instead of being swept under the rug. I cannot believe the ignorance of some of your commenters.

Rose
said

Protests are the only thing that will make these summits news outside of Canada; most other countries couldn't care less. Meanwhile, we get stuck with a huge bill.

bryan r
said

If you are a Peacefull protestor, Then why do you feel the need to cover your face with a scarf? What are you trying to hide. As seen in the background of the Scott Laurie report/interview

Edm Vic
said

All i can say is i hope that when they have these meetings in Russia or China or any other country that these same protesters that we see all the time are there. Why you ask? Because i want them to have a taste of a real police crackdown!!

Nicole
said

Why do we even bother hosting these international events? Protestors and rioters ruin our civic and civil reputation. Then the freeloading "ruling class" leave us the mess to clean up and the bills to pay.

reece
said

I for one used to mock these protestors but over the years I have developed some respect for them. I used to mock the Greenpeace activists, the anti-nucleur protestors but it seems they were right all along. Free trade is simply another means of legitimizing slavery and human exploitation at the cost of the middle class. Millions of us are losing our jobs and bankruptcies are increasing, loss of homes, investments are being lost. Then you have some people wondering what this protest is about? Tell you what, reserve your decision and mockery until you lose your job. You will then understand. Within that group of protestors is a fringe group of trouble makers that the media likes to focus on and the message gets lost. I have yet to hear from the labour groups, middle class who outnumber the trouble makers. The system squelches the legitimate voices of those people that represent every one of us. And like the Greenpeace activists that were largely mocked back in the day, these protesters will too attain mainstream respect soon enough.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Let's face it; nobody's listening. These protestors, and their underlying "causes," will be forgotten within hours. Were it not for the media salivating over the potential for violence (to gleefully document and sell "news"), this would all be profoundly less meaningful. Get passionate, get angry, and get ignored. Get violent, get defiant, get destructive, and get arrested. Have fun, folks. It's raining in downtown Toronto. Get soaked, get a cold. ...Peace, y'all.

Garry Reid
said

It is illegal to carry a battery pack???? Since when??? They sell them in every hardwhere store, how do u get them home, lol. As it seems with alot of Canadians these days, u don't know the law or your rights, i guess thats why it is so easy for people to take them away. You are right in saying that you shouldn't live in fear, u fear the protestors, i fear the police and their new powers. It's like u said "we all have rights" not just u and what u believe in!! These protests are a first hand look at our laws in action, we see the results, either first hand or from the media and in the weeks that follow decide if it was right or not. The police need to protect the people from the radicals that are there to do damage, the protestors are there to conduct a legal protest and to show on a world stage if they go too far in enforcing the law. What we need to worry about is what law there is for them to enforce, and that they can't announce new found powers after they arrest people. They shouldn't be given a whole raft of new powers the day of the protests with no public input. They kept this a secret untill now on purpose so the public or rights groups couldn't challenge them to see if they were even legal. That's the part that scares me!!!

Dan from Nothern Ont
said

Protests do nothing in a democracy. The only thing that matters is the election. You want the people's voices heard? Run for office as an independent, without tunnel visioning yourself on one issue.

Jayme
said

Garry Reid
You have a right to protest that is fact you do not have a right to cause harm or dmaamge. People have a right not to live in fear which you are in a way are taking away. As for your battery remark you don;t have a right to carry a battery or anything along those lines. I fully support people's rights what worries me is some may abuse and push the rights too far. Take the fire bombing in Ottawa at the bank there are some up had no issues with that that is a perfect example of abusing your rights.

Fed Up with Hyprocrisy and spening tax payers one
said

Most people don't spend their valuable time protesting over absolutely nothing. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to a machine who could care less about you or anyone but themselves for that matter. It is easy to stand on the sidelines and direct the play,no courage, no passion and no commitment involved there. The protesters aren't the bad guys or the crooks. That would be the guys in the suits, in the luxurious accommodations, eating haute cuisine at your expense....Time to stop being so complacent......!

Garry Reid
said

One of the main reason for protesting, and pushing the limits of law while protesting, is to try to wake up the Canadian public to the fact that most of our once rights are now left to the whim of "Judge Dread" police officers, they are no longer our rights!! Look at the latest arrest, he had a battery pack, hatchet, nail gun, gas mask, and a bullet proof vest in his car. Are any of these items illegal to have in your car?? Better raid every hardware store in Canada, and every garage, they are full of "illegal weapons". The people are suppose to make laws and the police enforce them, when police start making the laws we then live in a "police state". Protest show how far police forces can go on taking away our right to protest. After all it is a "right" to protest things in Canada, it is the fine line of where, when,and how that define that right. If government and police define all the where, when and how's then it is no longer a right of the people. You might not agree with the reason for a protest, after all, we have each have our own ideals in a free country, but to give the police the powers of search and seizure and taking away most of our rights and freedoms because u don't agree with the cause, is another matter totally!! The next protest might be something u agree with, or maybe even striking labour groups, and we are setting the precidence for all that follow. That's why in "free counties" it is suppose to be a "right". Maybe next the media will be told what they should report in order to "keep the peace" and not get people worked up!!

Lambert in Toronto
said

As a strong Liberal and a White Gay Male I feel it important that gay rights and marriage be put on the agenda as in Africa and the Middle East there is no tax deduction for a same sex partner. PM Harper seems to care more about women and children than expanding gay rights for fair tax benefit treatment around the world. I will be out there protesting everyday.

Ross from Whitby
said

These protesters are nothing more than anarchists looking for a photo-op. Unfortunately, our media is forced to provide it. As Ryan questions, I bet half of them don't even know what they're protesting. Sad...

Kevin
said

Protest if you want, but are they not doing to all others, what they believe is being done to them by the G20 summit? I read of the protest of having downtown Toronto blocked off to people, and now these protestors will, undoubtedly, block off large protions of Toronto to others so they can protest??? And why protest the Summit? Do not the nations of this world have the right to come together and discuss world issues? And do they not have to right to do so peacefully? Their security is only disrupted by those who would cause them harm; they are much more public in profile than the protestor, and so need more security. These protestors want global solutions to global issues, but they do not want global meetings to happen??? Present your issues, fine; let the media broadcast your signs and demonstrations; but do not try to go where you are not allowed, do not start throwing rocks etc at the police, and do not vandalize property - all which "always" happens, which is why the security is so necessary.

Scott
said

I wonder if the Ontario police department will do what the Quebec police department did a while back which was to place several of its members within the crowd for the purpose of starting a riot so that they could then say they were justified in not only using force but also to justify spending all of that taxpayer money. Hmmmmmmmm.

Toby
said

I support the right to protest, however, I can not condone any violence. What has turned me off so much about the G8-20 is the stupidity of the federal government to hold the G20 in downtown Toronto. There was no need for this. There were many other places this could have been held. The federal government ignored the request of the City of Toronto to hold it on the CNE grounds which would not have taken downtown hostage. The costs are staggering. This in nothing other than a big expensive photo op to pretend they are serious about world problems. We will get this glossy speech at the end about how much has been accomplished, but it reality is all talk. It is about time that people demand that the G8 & G20 open their books and prove to the people that they really do fulfill their commitments.

Drew
said

Do these people realize that the leaders at this summit, most of whom were democratically elected in their respective countries, are here to try and SOLVE global problems? So how is trying to disrupt this beneficial for anybody? Maybe they're confused between the G20 and the WTO.

Ryan
said

I've got no problem with peaceful demonstrations, but I bet over half of these yahoos don't even understand what they are protesting.

Syl
said

Just exactly what are these people protesting? Why are some afraid to show their face? Why do they insist on looking and acting like terrorists? Don't they realize that to most of us, they are just a big, noisy, unruly crowd and we could care less what they are trying to say? They may have some legitimate beefs but this type of protesting just turns most people off. The police should use water canons to clean these riff raff off the streets.