Protesters clash with police at City Hall
Published on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 04:11 | | 
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TORONTO, 17 Jan 2012, It started as a rallying cry for child care, homeless shelters and community pools. And then came the pushing. After speeches by community activists at a Stop the Cuts protest Tuesday, hundreds who came to protest Mayor Rob Ford’s austerity measures tried to enter City Hall, where councillors were voting on the budget.As they approached, dozens of yellow-clad police rode up on bikes and blocked the way.
What happened next can only be described as a brief but violent altercation between police and protesters, with many claiming to have been pushed, punched and pepper-sprayed as police tried to prevent an influx of angry demonstrators into the city council chambers.
Sgt. Dan Sova of 52 Division couldn’t confirm accusations about officers pepper-spraying or punching protesters, adding he was still waiting for officers to report back.
One protester described being knocked to the ground.
“I was holding the barrier. (The police officer) grabbed my chin and pushed me back,” said Sandra Blawat, who fell to the ground in clear view. “I wasn’t doing anything.”
As a circle of drummers banged out a beat, police reinforced steel barriers and pushed back against demonstrators.
Several who managed to break through were quickly apprehended by police and dragged away.
In the end, four men in their 20s were charged with obstructing a peace officer and unlawful assembly, said Toronto Police Const. Wendy Drummond.
After about an hour of tension, the pushing subsided — but many were angry that they were prevented from entering City Hall by police.
“I was actually surprised about some of the officers — how they behaved,” said Erika Marquis.
“I would have loved to go and speak” in City Hall, she said.
Standing in the middle of the barrier after things had calmed down, Sgt. Mike Hayles said police reinforcements were called in when the protest escalated.
“I think it’s absolutely disgusting what happened. Unnecessary,” said Hayles, when asked what he thought about the protesters trying to force their way in to City Hall.
Organizers of Stop the Cuts later marched to 52 Division at Dundas St. and University Ave. chanting “Let them out,” demanding the release of those arrested.
Undertones of Occupy Toronto were evident throughout, with some evoking the infamous “mic check” method of speaking to the crowd. That was how the news was spread about the successful motion to stave off some cuts. Some protesters set up tents in the middle of Nathan Phillips Square with plans to spend a blustery night camping out.Source: thestar
