Activists Allege Segregation in G20 Detention Centre

by Lisa Walter, Special to B Channel News

TORONTO—JUNE 29–They gathered outside the 519 Church Street Community Centre with little notice: sixty members of the queer community determined to voice concerns about acts of violence committed by homophobic police during the G20 summit in Toronto. Via the Pride Toronto website, members of the public were invited to the 519 to join police representatives at the “Board and Chief ’s Pride Reception.” Toronto Police Services Board Chair Alok Mukherjee and Chief William Blair were expected at the affair, as well as Councillor Kyle Rae, Pride Toronto Executive Director Tracey Sandilands, and other dignitaries.

Members of the community assured Executive Director Maura Lawless that their intention was to ask questions to the police, and were assured that the event was open to all. Following a few brief speeches, however, community members who tried to enter the centre found themselves barred by police officers, who said only five people would be allowed to enter at a time.
When the crowd reacted with predictable consternation, officers then declared that no one would be allowed to enter. Chief Blair had not yet arrived at the centre.

A noisy standoff ensued. The crowd declared that they would not allow Chief Blair to enter without first addressing their questions. Several individuals who, singly, had succeeded in entering the reception were ejected.

Ms. Sandilands made an appearance to assert that the Chief ’s reception was and would continue to be a “signature” affiliated event with Pride. Demonstrators denounced the legitimacy given to the police by association with Pride as “pinkwashing.” Ms. Lawless offered to organize a meeting between community members and the police to address concerns of police brutality; however, this was not embraced by those expecting to attend the reception.

Chief Blair arrived at the community centre close to 6 p.m. and was warmly greeted by people calling for his resignation. The assembled community members attempted to prevent his entry into the community centre and were rebuffed by a number of police officers. Demonstrators then entered the community centre through a side door, and continued to chant loudly in an attempt to disrupt the proceedings, enthusiastically crying, “No justice, no peace, no homophobic police!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, Bill Blair has got to go!”

Jenny Peto, in a prepared speech, condemned Pride Toronto’s association with Toronto Police on the eve of the community’s signature event, following the largest mass arrest in Canadian history the weekend prior. After Chief Blair’s departure, which was facilitated by a dozen uniformed and plainclothes officers, community members dispersed while declaring their ongoing support for police accountability to the community.