Anti-poverty activist arrested at city hall

from The Toronto Star

John Spears
Paul Moloney

Police arrested an activist with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty this morning as he tried to enter Toronto City Hall to talk to Mayor David Miller.

Gaeten Heroux was detained when he tried to go into the building after being served with a notice of trespass by security staff.

The notice said Heroux was barred both from the building and from Nathan Phillips Square, where about two dozen anti-poverty activitists had gathered for breakfast in advance of a council meeting this morning.

Heroux spoke outside to reporters and demonstrators, saying he wanted to speak to Miller about the city's treatment of the homeless.

However, when he tried to enter city hall, he was handcuffed by Toronto police and taken to a police car.

Other demonstrators then entered the building, going to the mayor's office before making their way to the council chamber, where they demanded to be heard at a two-day meeting that was just getting underway at about 10:30 a.m.
Council speaker Sandra Bussin immediately recessed the meeting. Councillors filed out of the chamber, leaving it to the protestors.

Protester A. J. Withers claimed that police have been hassling homeless people.

"It’s shameful," Withers said. "People are suffering. You can do something today. You can tell the cops to stop harassing people on the street for being poor.”

“Bring in more beds,” she added. “You can do this today and you’re choosing not to.”

After security announced over the public address system that protesters risked removal or arrest, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty spokesperson John Clarke indicated that protestors would leave.

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