An anti-poverty group with a long history of run-ins with authorities said it will ramp up its activities this summer and it will start Monday with a demonstration outside Toronto's city hall.

The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty caused a minor scuffle early Sunday after it erected shelters in Allan Gardens, a city park.

It's only the beginning, said A.J. Withers, an OCAP organizer who spent the night in the rain on Sunday after she said police tore down a makeshift tent.

"We will keep fighting as long as their is people forced to be sleeping on the street we will continue to fight and continue to escalate whatever we need to do to ensure that people have their basic needs met,'' Withers said Sunday in a phone interview.

Withers said about 100 police, some on horseback, arrived at the protest site and told demonstrators to remove tarps they were using as shelters.

Police warned the protesters they would have to remove the shelter by midnight, because it violated city bylaws.

OCAP said when the demonstrators refused, police acted.

"They began cutting down the tarp while people were underneath it,''said Withers.

One person was arrested in the dispute.

But police said there was no violence and protesters were allowed to stay once the tarp was removed.

"It was quiet and orderly,'' said Sgt. Ed McVeigh, adding the police on hand outnumbered the 40 protesters.

OCAP's history has not always been quiet and orderly.

In 2000, the group rioted at the Ontario legislature and several people were arrested, including the founder of the group, John Clarke.

Many of the protesters were seen sporting goggles and were armed with bricks.

The following year the group stirred up more controversy after some members trashed the office belonging to then Ontario Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

They dragged his furniture outdoors and frightened staff members.

Last year, homeless people panhandled in a peaceful protest as they wound their way through an underground shopping centre in the heart of Toronto's financial district.

Since then, the group has been relatively quiet.

The protest set for Monday is in response to the city losing 65 beds in a shelter, because of renovations.

The group is demanding to speak with Mayor David Miller.

"If that means we have to do something else to have him hear us, then that's what we'll do,'' Withers said.

OCAP has no intention of becoming violent at the protest, but Withers said they will react if pushed by police.

"We will be there and be strong,''said Withers, "if they choose to act against us, we may stay there and continue with our goal.''