Hendrik Bruyn says he spent the last 17 hours in the detention centre at the former Toronto Film Studios. (Timothy Neesam/CBC)

By Amber Hildebrandt, CBC News

Hendrik Bruyn, 23, of Toronto has had a "pretty dreadful day."

"I'm really glad it's over," he said as he reached into his plastic bag of possessions to grab a cigarette.

Bruyn says he spent the last 17 hours in the detention centre at the former Toronto Film Studios, located in the city's east end.

Inside he was kept in a seven-by-five foot cell with five other men and fed what was described as a "vegan cheese sandwich" for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

With no washroom in the cell, he had to go to the bathroom in a port-a-potty in another cell facing a women's cell - uncomfortable for them both, he remarked.

Bruyn said he was protesting among 100 or 200 others on the Esplanade when he was arrested with a dozen or so others.

He says he was just "walking around the downtown core" and decided to join the protesters in a sit-in when the group got boxed in.

As for how he's getting home, he says he's not sure.

Nevertheless, "I'm tired but I'm happy to be outside," he said as he puffed on the cigarette. 

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