Uploads from Now and Here, tagged arrests, with geodata

makeshift detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:52:49 -0700

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makeshift detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:52:07 -0700

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makeshift detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:51:29 -0700

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makeshift detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

outside the detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:50:17 -0700

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outside the detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:53:05 -0700

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I'm posting some photos related to the aftermath of the G20 summit that happened this past weekend in Toronto, mainly related to the temporary G20 prison, which I passed by yesterday morning. (Comments are off for now; these photos are up mainly for documentary purposes).

Over 900 people were arrested and detained in a film studio at 629 Eastern Avenue (between Carlaw and Pape) that the police used as a makeshift prison, or "temporary dentention centre", as they called it. No reasonable person objects to arresting those who commit violent acts and destroy property, but there were few of those, and even fewer arrested. We'll know more with time, but it does seem that the vast majority of people arrested were either peaceful protestors or even innocent passers by.

Once the incredibly stupid decision was made to hold the summit in downtown Toronto, some legitimate security measures became necessary. And most of the police, most of the time, behaved responsibly. But those who offer blanket support for the police (including our mayor, who I used to respect) should be aware of all of what they are supporting: aggressively breaking up lawful demonstrations by peaceful citizens; arbitrary arrest and detention apparently with no reasonable grounds; violence used against those not resisting arrest, like the Guardian journalist who was punched in the stomach; home invasions by police (with no warrant, or none shown) in the middle of the night to arrest people for what they *might* do, like the dentist and his family (oops, wrong apartment, no apologies); a cop grabbing and smashing a camera only because someone was filming what they were doing; those detained being denied water and food for extended periods; female suspects being strip-searched by male cops. And so on.

I suppose we can be thankful that people weren't being gunned down in the streets, as happens all too often elsewhere, but we expect better here in Canada. I am disturbed by what happened in Toronto this weekend. Not only by the few cases of thugs destroying property, but even more so by the sweeping powers that were given to police, and the abuse of those powers. As a society we really need to hold all of the thugs accountable, whether they wore a black bandana, a police-issue uniform, or a politician's suit.

makeshift detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:50:54 -0700

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makeshift detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:49:28 -0700

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Graffiti seen near the makeshift detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto.

outside the detention centre on Eastern Ave for those arrested at G20 Toronto

nobody@flickr.com (Now and Here) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:49:52 -0700

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