Second week of arrests at Toronto lockdown protest
For a second straight weekend, protesters in Toronto attempted to gather in defiance of lockdown and stay-at-home orders issued by Premier Doug Ford.
And, much like last weekend, police issued several tickets and arrested protesters as they assembled downtown at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Unlike last week, however, the officers were quick to act in their effort to disrupt demonstrators.
Click here to watch David Menzies full report from last weekend's demonstration
One man was arrested very early in the gathering, and seemed extremely distressed by the incident, yelling that officers were hurting him and that “he was going to have a heart attack.” He was dragged by a pair of officers to a Court Services wagon parked nearby.
Police arrested another anti lockdown protester at Yonge and Dundas. Reporting for @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/nYx4tb3jwl
— Mocha Bezirgan (@BezirganMocha) January 23, 2021
Police eventually escorted that individual to an ambulance for a medical evaluation.
The scene at Yonge/Dundas right now. Heavy police presence. @RebelNewsOnline #onpoli #topoli pic.twitter.com/HytIQOi5vl
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) January 23, 2021
In a separate arrest, multiple officers tackled a man draped in a Canadian flag to the ground. Bystanders yelled at the officers as they formed a circular perimeter around the area.
Another violent arrest here at the Antilockdown protest in #Toronto by @TPSOperations
— Efron Monsanto (@monsanto2000) January 23, 2021
The charter of rights does not apply to any Ontario resident it seems. pic.twitter.com/NzX9AkYDVz
As the protest began, police stopped one woman and demanded she identify herself. “Now you're under investigation,” an officer says to the protester, while another demands a Rebel News cameraman move back.
The Antilockdown protest at Yonge and Dundas starts off with multiple arrest for wrong think.@TPSOperations: "Protesting is not exempt"
— Efron Monsanto (@monsanto2000) January 23, 2021
Reporting for @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/hOrBEC6oM9
Another protester stopped to chat with Rebel News David Menzies, telling him that he thought Yonge-Dundas Square was more reminiscent of Tiananmen Square.
Man at the Antilockdown protest being ticket said
— Efron Monsanto (@monsanto2000) January 23, 2021
"Youge and Dundas is more like Tiananmen Square because you could walk through the Red Square"@TPSOperations have cautioned dozens and have slapped over half a dozen fines already.@TheMenzoid has the full story soon pic.twitter.com/97h2dZmFCM
With police having taken over the square, protesters once again decided to march around the streets of Toronto.
Despite @TPSOperations fines and violent arrests the Antilockdown crowd starts marching peacefully downtown #Toronto
— Efron Monsanto (@monsanto2000) January 23, 2021
"Freedom, freedom!" pic.twitter.com/9zweECQsOu
The march eventually made its way to the seat of Ontario's legislature, Queen's Park.
The anti-lockdown protest is making its way towards Queens Park pic.twitter.com/yt9m1gvCtU
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) January 23, 2021
Before that march started, however, there was another arrest as numerous officers cuffed a man in the street.
Here is another violent arrest by @TPSOperations before the peaceful Antilockdown crowd had started marching in #Toronto
— Efron Monsanto (@monsanto2000) January 23, 2021
We have been told by police here to "keep moving" as standing still is being interpreted as protesting. pic.twitter.com/ydv14iOBMi
While the crowd stopped and assembled on the lawns of Queen's Park, officers moved their presence there, forming a circle around the large group. While some protesters spoke to the officers, they decided to show that they were just “exercising” their rights as Canadian citizens.
Protesters "exercising" their rights at Queen's Park #Toronto #antilockdown @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/cMqGjD15uA
— Alex Yelizarov (@alxyeee) January 23, 2021
“No more lockdowns” was a frequent refrain heard from the demonstrators as they marched through the streets of downtown.
"No more lockdowns" pic.twitter.com/sjEjAaH6pg
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) January 23, 2021
A large group of demonstrators took over an intersection during the march, briefly pausing to sing O, Canada.
The Antilockdown march here in #Toronto briefly stops an intersection to sing O'Canada, flags waving.
— Efron Monsanto (@monsanto2000) January 23, 2021
They finish off with cheers of "Freedom!"
Reporting for @RebelNewsOnline, full report coming next week. pic.twitter.com/hHOthutYSz
Eventually, the protesters split into multiple groups, with one contingent stopping at some businesses and going inside to buy a few essential goods.
#Antilockdown protesters shopped maskless at Whole Foods in Yorkville today. #Toronto @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/VbGZk6V30L
— Alex Yelizarov (@alxyeee) January 23, 2021
While the group of protesters marched through the streets, a large presence remained at Yonge-Dundas Square, blocking the public space off from any attempt to assemble.
Toronto police are guarding an empty public square while waiting for the protesters to return so they could violently arrest them. Full report coming soon at @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/0BYYjicyB9
— Mocha Bezirgan (@BezirganMocha) January 23, 2021
Near the end of the day's events, a group of Rebel staff met up to exchange equipment before heading home. Police, however, deemed this brief assembly to be an issue, issuing cautions to the group.
Ignore that wicked liar, Mocha. Under the law, you are an essential service just like he is. He has no more right to tell you to socially distance from your work (outdoors, no less) than you have to tell him to do the same. Get his name and we’ll take this up with @TPSOperations. https://t.co/Qrg48dBBZa
— Ezra Levant 🍁 (@ezralevant) January 23, 2021
In a different incident with the media, another officer deemed media unessential.
It is not illegal for @TorontoPolice to lie to citizens. So, lying to a @RogersMediaPR reporter is not a crime, even though it is unethical and embarrassing to the entire force. But arresting or assaulting anyone using this lie as an excuse — well that actually is a crime. #G20 pic.twitter.com/53mYmUkPwv
— Ezra Levant 🍁 (@ezralevant) January 23, 2021
Alas, much like how the protest start with arrests at Yonge-Dundas Square, so too did the day end with arrests at Yonge-Dundas Square.
The #antilockdown protest ended today with more arrests at Yonge-Dundas Square. Sad day for #Toronto.
— Alex Yelizarov (@alxyeee) January 23, 2021
Full report coming soon @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/Jm7ouOuBEX
Stay tuned to Rebel News, as we'll have a full report coming in the next few days after the footage is compiled.
- By Ezra Levant
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