2012-02-28
TORONTO - A Guelph activist accused of being an organizer of violent protests during the Toronto G20 summit in 2010 has pleaded guilty to eight charges.
Investigators alleged Kelly Pflug-Back was an organizer of the violence that saw at least five police vehicles burned and storefront windows smashed in the city's downtown.
Pflug-Back pleaded guilty today to one count of wearing a disguise with intent, and seven counts of mischief over $5,000.
She was on a Toronto police list of "most wanted" suspects of the G20 violence.
She surrendered to police in Peterborough, Ont., in July 2010, just hours after a warrant was issued for her arrest via a police press conference in Toronto where she was described as an organizer and active participant in criminal G20 protest actions.
She was charged in connection with G20 protest damage inflicted to a police cruiser, a bank and retail businesses.
At the time of the G20, Pflug-Back was residing with her parents in Norwood, in Peterborough County, as part of bail conditions for an assault charge she faced after a disruption of the Olympic torch relay in Guelph in December 2010. That charge was dropped after she plead guilty to mischief in that incident last year.
Prior to being obliged to reside in Norwood, Pflug-Back had started a free food program in Guelph, took part in harm reduction programs and organized various concerts to support cancer research. She was also active in protests connected to the development of the Hanlon Creek Business Park in Guelph.
At the police press conference where she was outed as a prime suspect in the G20 violence, Toronto Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux alleged Pflug-Back was an organizer and someone who gave orders to other demonstrators at the G20. Police claimed then photographs show her "in and out of her black clothing."
"She is responsible single-handedly for thousands of dollars in damage," Giroux said.
She was accused in attacks on a police cruiser occupied by an officer on Queen Street and Spadina Avenue in Toronto, and stores and restaurants on Yonge Street, including a McDonald's and an Urban Outfitters, and a CIBC branch on Bay Street, he said.
"The (police) car was physically being taken apart by these individuals, including this young woman … windows were being smashed, mirrors were being torn off, back windows and side windows are being destroyed in the car, " Giroux said.