An exciting protest occured along one of Toronto's major streets the afternoon of May 16th. Hundreds of people took over Bloor Street from Roberts to west of Brunswick in an effort to bring attention to a world free from cars and exploitation. Some organizers were telling participants that the party would continue to 5:00 o'clock, making part of the downtown of the capital of Ontario at liberated zone for 4 hours.
Puppets, children drawing chalk pictures on the street, lots of drumming and dancing in the intersection made this event, from about 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. one of the most liberting experiences I have had in a period of activism stretching back to 1969.
However, the police conspired to wreck the tone of the day. At two o'clock rumours starting spreading through the crowd that the police had arrested on of the participants. Officers were going through the crowd with knived to cut streams and burst ballons, pushing people out of the way and threatening to arrest people who interfered with them.
The demonstration split over this. A large portion marched north along a side street and eventually made their way to Christie pits, keeping a spirited protest going through an area of town not used to seeing demonstrations.
A slightly smaller group, but still over 100, kept to the published agenda of the day and insisted on continuing to reclaim the street that the organizers had lead the participants to. Individuals from groups such as Toronto Action for Social Change, the Industrial Workers of the World, the New Socialist Group and the Ontario Coalition against Poverty seemed to be core of this group, but a lot of individuals who were excited by the concept of the streets being for cyclists and pedistrians took part.
Weaving their way through police cars and horses, this group took two lanes of traffic to continue the protest along Bloor Street to Christie Pits (Christie and Bloor). At this point the police became more confrontational, including riding a horse directly at one of the protesters. Several people then sat down in the roadway, reminding the police that this demonstration was peaceful but that the streets were for everyone. One of the organiziers, an unsuccessful candidate for Toronto City Council, came by and told the people trying to keep the streets reclaimed that, despite what the organizers told individuals earlier, the plan all along was to be off the street by 2:00 p.m. I (Brian Burch) insisted that the organizers then come to talk to us directly before we would agree to give back the street. Officers then immidiately came over to me, ordered me off the street, and when I said something along the lines of "I'd rather be arrested than give up my right to protest", promptly arrested me.
I do not know yet what happened to the group that went into Christie Pits for a celebration. I do know that dozens of people went into the streets to demand that I be released. That effort was unsuccessful. I was brought to 14 Division when, having been first told I was being held under the catch-all 'breach of the peace'---which allows the police to hold someone without trial until they feel that the accused isn't likely to re-offend or the event ends--- I was told I was being charged with UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.
The Canadian Criminal Code has this to say about the law:
"63.(1) An unlawful assembly is an assembly of three or more persons who, with intent to carry out any common purpose, assembel in such a manner or so donct themselves when they are assembeled as to cause persons int he neighbourhood of the assembly to fear, on reasonable grounds, that they (a) will disturb the peace tumultuously; or (b) will be that assembly needlessly and without reasonable cause provoke other persons to disturb the peace tumultuously.
66. Every one who is a member of an unlawful assembly is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction."
This means that sitting in the road has resulted in a charge that could end up in a jail term of up to 6 months and a fine of $2,000.
At 14 Division I learned that I was not the only one arrested. Kevin Thomas, better known as one of the Friends of the Lubicon sued by Dashowa for organizing a very successful boycott, was also in custody, having been charged with unlawful assembly as well. Darren Odonnell and Gregory Herrington were also in custody, having been charged both the Unlawful Assembly and assault police.
Kevin Thomas and I were released from 14 Division at about 8:30 p.m.. We are to appear in 101 Court of Old City Hall tomorrow (Sunday) at 10:00 a.m. Gregory Herrington and Darren Odonnell, who are being kept in custody overnight, will also be appearing at that time.
I have not seen Kevin Thomas' release conditions, but mine ban me from going into the area patroled by police from 14 Division (Spadina to Lansdowne, Duport to Lakeshore). I am also forbidden from communicating with my co-accused.
There were about 40 people outside the jail when I was released. It was a momement of joy to see such a range of supportive people.
For more information contact TASC at 416-651-5800 or (burch@web.net)