3 arrested after protesting encampment clearing charges outside Mayor Tory's condo

Three people have been arrested after members of Toronto's homeless community and their supporters gatheredto protestcharges previouslylaid against them after authorities cleared encampments from city parks this summer.

The group gathered outside Toronto Mayor John Tory's condoThursday, vowing tofightcharges laid in connection withpolice officers removinghomeless encampments in Toronto parks.

One of the largest confrontations happenedon June 21, when 26people were arrested at Toronto's Lamport Stadium park.

The group saysmore than 50 people in total face a variety of charges and tickets, which they argue should be dropped.

They saythe operations left some people with broken bones, concussions and cuts after they clashed with police.

On Thursday, during a plannedprotest against the charges, which began at Tory's condo and ended outside14 Division police station, three morearrests were made.

Police say one man was charged withfailing to comply with a recognizance, while another man and woman were arrested for assault with a weapon and weapons dangerous.

During the event,four officers stood behind barricades protecting the entrance to Tory's condo, with more officers on police horses standing a block away.

Crowds shouted their approval as those who had been arrested at Lamport Stadium,which was described several times as a "militarized siege,"spoke about their experiencewhile calling for long-term solutions to homelessness. One suggested solution was for allthree levels of governmentto work together to create not-for-profit homes that will help ease thehousing crisis.

Tory's spokesperson Lawvin Hadisi criticized the demonstrators for gathering outside Tory's home, branding it "political theatre."

"I have no idea why anyone would organize a protest outside the mayor's private home on a weekday while he is working at city hall a public place where people can and do come and protest," she said.

"This is definitely not the best way to engage in any serious dialogue.

"Protesting outside someone's private home won't help get affordable housing built."

Hadisisaidthe city had allocated$663.2 million to"homelessness and housing-first solutions" in 2021, almost double the amount spent in 2019 at $365.8 million.

More than 1,858 people staying in encampments have been referred to "safe inside spaces" since April 2020, she added.

Police also saidThursday they are searching for eight otherpeople in connection to theLamport Stadium park encampment clearing.

They say the people are wanted for several offences,including possessing a dangerous weapon, assault with a weapon, assault and obstruction after "crowds became hostile"outside 14 Division station on June 21.

While arrests were made at the time, police say investigators had been "actively working to identify others involved who are wanted on a variety of charges."

On Sept. 23, twopeople wanted in connection with the case turned themselves in at 14 Division. They spoke to reporters beforehand, imploring the city to allocate resources to housing people in encampments instead ofdisplacing them.

Early in the pandemic, hundreds fled Toronto's homeless shelters for fear of contracting COVID-19, setting up tents in parks throughout the city.

However, thecity says its shelter system is safe, and has been working to movepeopleinto indoor accommodation, such as hotels and rent-geared-to-income units. The city's Streets to Homes workersprovide outreach and support for those sleeping rough to find suitable housing, it says.

People experiencing homelessness, however, saythey struggle to find suitable housing amongst the thousands of othersliving in the city's shelter system, spending years on waiting lists for permanent housing.

Many turn to pitchingtents in parks where they feel safer and more comfortablethan in overcrowded shelters.The city'sshelter dataindicates it has 6,514 temporary spaces for more than 8,300 people actively experiencing homelessness.