Black bloc smashes windows, causes mayhem in Toronto before G20 meeting
A demonstration against the G20 in Toronto evolved into window-smashing spree on Yonge Street and in other areas of the downtown today (June 26).
The protest began peacefully in Queen's Park. Later, a group of black bloc activists, named for their black hoodies and black bandanas, emerged. Some carried bricks or hammers to shatter glass.
The Eaton Centre shopping mall was locked down. There have been reports of windows being shattered in buildings occupied by CIBC, Starbucks, and other corporations.
In addition, at least two police cars have been set on fire, according to CTV.
"This is not protest," Toronto mayor David Miller told CTV. "It's crime."
CBC chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge said that the protesters have also gone after vehicles owned by the mainstream media. CBC reporter Michael Dick held up a brick, claiming that it was thrown in his direction, but it didn't hit anyone.
During the 2010 Winter Games, a group of black bloc protesters went on a rampage in downtown Vancouver. Later, two of them, who chose to remain nameless, issued a statement declaring that the demonstrators only "undertook strategic attacks against corporations sponsoring the Olympics and did not harm or attack bystanders".
"The black bloc is not a formal organization; it has no leadership, membership, or headquarters," the statement mentioned. "Instead, the black bloc is a tactic: it is something people *do* in order to accomplish a specific purpose. By wearing black clothing and masking our faces, the black bloc allows for greater protection to those who choose active self-defense. The majority of people involved in the black bloc do not participate in property destruction. However, in masking up they express their solidarity with those who choose to take autonomous direct action against the corporations, authorities and politicians who wage war on our communities."
The statement issued during the 2010 Olympics also claimed that participating in the black bloc "is an act of courage".
"As long as government and corporations attack our communities, we're going defend–and that means attack," the statement concluded.
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Comments
27 Comments
Derek
Jun 26, 2010 at 3:30pm
PARENTS, identify your children!!!!!
Edmund Surtees
Jun 26, 2010 at 3:36pm
Shame on all those who condone violnce in the streets of Toronto. Shame.
James Pattersen
Jun 26, 2010 at 3:42pm
Nice to see the "protesters" out "protesting" for "human rights"
Only human demographics benefiting from this stupidity are the ones who have to clean up the mess, along with the manufacturers of glass and those who install the panes.
Pillocks.
Mack
Jun 26, 2010 at 5:10pm
Somebody oughta check the "protesters" boots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAwNrWauca0&feature=player_embedded
PT Barnum
Jun 26, 2010 at 6:45pm
Really though, the massive show of authority was certain to encourage a certain type of person to challenge it in a violent manner. To many an anarchist the armoured police presence was a red cape to a bull. There is plenty of blame to go around here.
apeasant
Jun 26, 2010 at 7:06pm
Don't those idiot protesters know that <a href="http://www.globalissues.org/article/75/world-military-spending">violence isn't the answer.</a> Where do they learn such disgusting <a href="http://www.army-technology.com/features/feature87151/"> behaviour?</a>
dkfhjfjfjjfkfhjka
Jun 26, 2010 at 9:07pm
remember: the "black bloc" is the group that the protest movement believes is working for the government. nobody knows if it's true or not, but that's the general consensus on the ground and has been for years.
dgkfhjfhjkfjfhka
Jun 26, 2010 at 9:09pm
....and i agree with the condemnation. the only difference between the black bloc and the kkk is the colour of their hoods and their target of hate.
CAPT. TONY
Jun 26, 2010 at 9:32pm
"This is not protest," Toronto mayor David Miller told CTV. "It's crime."
NO THE CRIME IS WHAT THE POWERS THAT BE ARE DOING TO EVRY CANADIAN IN THIS COUNTRY !
Barking Mad
Jun 26, 2010 at 10:35pm
A look at the gibberish spouted by the Black Bloc PR hack should be a clear sign that these criminals have absolutly no justification, or even reason, for their "courageous" acts of vandalism and violence.
"Active self-defence" is a very creative description of vandalism worthy of Joseph Goebbels, while the statement, "we are going defend - and that means attack", sounds as if it was penned by George Orwell.
In practical terms, how is trashing convenience stores and coffee shops "taking direct action" against those "who wage war on our communities".