Police seek eight suspects in violent protest outside 14 Division following clearing of homeless encampment
Police have arrested three people in connection with a violent protest that took place outside 14 Division following the clearing of a homeless encampment earlier this summer.
On the morning of July 21 police officers and city crews attended the encampment at Lamport Stadium near King and Dufferin streets to enforce an earlier trespassing notice.
But they were met by a crowd of protesters who linked arms around several makeshift structures and refused to move aside.
Clashes eventually broke out between police and some of the protesters, leading to the arrest of more than two dozen people.
A few hours later a large crowd of protesters then gathered outside nearby 14 Division to demand the release of those individuals.
That protest started out peacefully but eventually grew hostile as well.
Several arrests were made at the time and on Thursday police confirmed that another three people have since been taken into custody, including two who are charged with assault with a weapon.
Encampment supporters gather outside Toronto Police's 14 Division to demand the release of colleagues who were detained as police and city workers cleared the Lamport Stadium Park homeless encampment in Toronto on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Police have also released images of eight additional suspects who remain outstanding.
To see the images follow this link.
Police say that the outstanding suspects are wanted for a variety of offences, including possessing a dangerous weapon, assault with a weapon, assault and obstruction.
“Everyone has the right to peacefully and lawfully protest and our officers monitored the crowd and made active attempts to engage with them to keep the peace. Unfortunately, the crowd grew larger through the hours and more hostile and our officers were both assaulted and obstructed in the lawful execution of their duties,” Supt. Domenic Sinopoli said in a video appeal posted to YouTube. “Let me be clear: throwing projectiles at police officers, such as soup cans, or obstructing them is unacceptable, is a crime and will not be tolerated.”
Demonstrators gather outside mayor's condo
Several demonstrations grew violent this summer as police cleared out encampments across the city.
The news release announcing the latest arrests came hours after a group of homeless individuals and their supporters held a demonstration outside Mayor John Tory’s condo to call for charges to be dropped against the more than 50 people that were arrested or ticketed during this summer’s encampment clear-outs.
In a statement earlier in the day, Tory’s spokesperson Lawvin Hadisi criticized the demonstrators for gathering outside Tory’s home, calling it “political theatre.”
“This is definitely not the best way to engage in any serious dialogue,” she said. “Protesting outside someone's private home won't help get affordable housing built.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.