More Repression in Toronto: House Raids, Warrants and Arrests

By Tim Groves

Two houses where G20 protesters are staying were raided last night and activists staying at the houses were arrested. Six or more arrest warrants were issued and it is believed that at least three of the people named in the warrants have been arrested.

Police arrived at a house where 15 activists were staying at approximately 4:45am. There was no warrant provided but the police then forced themselves in to the house. Even when a warrant was later provided, those being arrested were not allowed to fully read the warrant before it was taken away from them.

"I was in a tent in the backyard, we got woken up, by two cops and put in cuffs, and there [were] probably at least 6 or 8 police in the house," said Marya Folinsbee, a friend of the man who was arrested. "They were trying to identify people. They had a big stack of papers with names and faces of activists, some were organizers and some were people just doing child care for the protests."

The upstairs neighbours, a family with a young baby, were also visited by police.

"The neighbours who were not connected to the protest had a gun held to his head when he woke up. It's so fucked, it's so fucked," said a shaken Folinsbee. "They put neighbours who lived in the building in cuffs."

One of the activists staying in the house was taken in his underwear into a paddy wagon waiting outside. The others in the house gathered on the front porch and sang loudly so that he could hear.

Another house had its door kicked in and a warrant left on the table. Two activists who live in the house are presumed to have been arrested and a third person staying at the house may also have been arrested, according to a source at the Toronto Community Mobilization Network.

Two other activists have been informed that there are warrants out for their arrest, and it is believed that they will be turning themselves in to police.

According to a tweet from the Movement Defence Committee the arrests were of "key organizers."

Supporters of those arrested will be gathering outside the Toronto Film Studios starting at noon to provide solidarity. The film studios have been converted into a temporary jail. They are located at 629 Eastern Ave.