2010-06-30
By Stephen Hui
The number of arrests linked to the G20 summit in Toronto has climbed to over 900.
Jillian Van Acker, spokesperson for the G20 Integrated Security Unit, made the announcement this morning (June 28), according to reports from the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun.
This makes the G20 summit the site of the largest mass arrests in Canadian history.
With 856 arrests, the Clayoquot Sound logging protest in 1993 previously held that record.
In 2001, 463 people were arrested during demonstrations at the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has condemned the sweeping arrests made by police at the G20 protests.
“It would appear that the presumption of innocence has been suspended during the G20,” the organization said in a statement on Sunday (June 27).
Amnesty International has called for an independent review of the security measures put in place for the G8 and G20 summits.
This morning, the G20 Integrated Security Unit also announced it had lifted road, air, and marine restrictions in Toronto.
People who live and work within the security perimeter can now enter the area without showing identification.
“The ISU would like to thank residents and visitors for their cooperation and patience leading up to and during the G20 Summit,” the unit said in a statement.