Mon May. 11 2009 6:37:48 AM
Gardiner reopens after six hour shut down due to protest
cp24.com
Tamil demonstrators occupy the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto, successfully blocking the expressway in both directions, on Sunday, May 10, 2009. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
Children sit as police stand in front of Tamil demonstrators after the protesters successfully blocked the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto on Sunday, May 10, 2009. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette) |
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View larger imageUp to 2,000 protesters from the Tamil community have completely moved off the Gardiner Expressway more than six hours after their impromptu march onto the highway, crippling traffic in the city on a busy Mother's day Sunday.
Organizers tell CP24 they have spoken with Federal Liberal party leader Michael Ignatieff's office and that he promised to bring up the issue with caucus and look at political and economic sanctions against Sri Lanka.
The protesters say they are satisfied and will move toward Queen's Park where they will rally in support of a man on a week-long hunger strike.
People at a smaller protest at University Avenue and Dundas Street which shut down the intersection are also dispersing and moving toward the legislature.
Police have not laid any charges.
The protesters --including women and children in strollers-- said they would not stop blocking the Gardiner Expressway until they met with a representative from Premier Dalton McGuinty's office and got a promise for a clear course of action to stop the civil war in Sri Lanka. Teenage girls linked arms and stood face to face with police when the demonstration began at about 7 p.m. Sunday.
Earlier in the evening, police Chief Bill Blair said his officers were prepared to work through the night to help clear out the protest. He warned that it could affect the Monday morning rush hour traffic.
There were early reports that protesters assaulted police officers, but Chief Blair would not confirm any injuries. Video exclusive to CP24 showed demonstrators throwing bicycles off the overpass.
He said police were not told the marchers would be moving onto the highway. He said they were working to get the demonstrators off the highway safely but the protesters weren't cooperating. He warned there was a risk of people stampeding.
"Clearly there is a potential for a significant interruption to traffic that may go on for several hours and it could even impact tomorrow's rush hour," he said, calling the protest unlawful and unsafe. "We're going to do everything we can to get them out of there as quickly as possible."
OPP, RCMP and officers from other police forces around the GTA were on hand to help.
The series of protests are in response to what demonstrators call a genocide in Sri Lanka. Toronto has one of the largest Tamil populations outside Sri Lanka.
In addition to the major closure at Spadina Avenue, police had also closed off the Don Valley Parkway due to overflow of cars exiting the Gardiner. CP24's assignment editor Katie Simpson was stuck on the Gardiner and said it took 40 minutes to move less than one kilometre.
It took more than five hours for all the cars that were stuck on the Gardiner to clear out. Police had suggested other drivers to stick to routes north of the city including highways 401, 404 and 427.
"The Tamil people have a right to demonstrate, and there are some very serious things happening in Sri Lanka," Mayor David Miller told CP24. "But you can't endanger public safety," he said.
Protesters told CP24 their move to the highway was impromptu. It is the first time the frequent demonstrators had blocked a major highway in the city.
The Tamil community has staged a number of rallies outside the U.S. consulate on University Avenue over the last few weeks. In one incident, the demonstration lasted four days. Four people were arrested at one on April 29, 2009, but the protests are generally peaceful.
Earlier today police shut down Bay Street between Queen Street and College Street because the protest spilled onto the road. At one point, demonstrators moved along Dundas Street near University Avenue, stalling two streetcars. They continued to move along Spadina Avenue on their way to the Gardiner.
Sunday's rally is in response to reports from a rebel-linked web site that hundreds of civilians have been killed in a massive artillery barrage fired into the northern war zone by Sri Lankan forces.
-With a report from the Associated Press
| E-Mail Story |
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Comments are now closed for this story
May 10, 2009 at 7:34:41 PM
JNC
Oh. That's wonderful.
What a PERFECT way to garner sympathy for your cause!!!
May 10, 2009 at 7:37:32 PM
Peter
I am so tired of all these Tamil Protests
Our Goverment should do something to stop these protests
If the Tamils are so worried about what is going on on their country they should back and fight
May 10, 2009 at 7:38:07 PM
Chris - Bowmanville
I think it is rediculous that anyone, including the Tamil protestors should be permitted to occupy an area that affects the general public. Is this going to turn into another issue like OPP had with with Native protests? Action needs to be taken and all should be arrested and if they are getting physical with Police, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, a bunch of rowdy bar patrons wouldn't get away with it, why should these people. I agree with free protest and speech, but don't interupt others lives!
May 10, 2009 at 7:38:14 PM
annonymous
These people should all be taken and arrested. All the children should be gathered up and taken to children's aid and the parents should be charged for endangering minors.
If these people want change this is not the way to do it...let them go home and resolve their own issue...
May 10, 2009 at 7:38:35 PM
Antonio
Why does the city of Toronto civilians have to put up with these Tamil protests??? I have no problem with people protesting for what they believe is right, but let the protest affect our highways and major hospitals routes... We need to put a stop to this asap.... The Tamil community is losing support from the city of toronto civilians... Its time for the police to use the required force to remove these people...
May 10, 2009 at 7:41:55 PM
No terrorists
THEY SHOULD ALL BE ARRESTED
May 10, 2009 at 7:44:43 PM
Alex, Toronto
Whatever gave them the idea that they could block a public highway without any legal repercussions?
Oh, right, *we* did.
May 10, 2009 at 7:54:34 PM
mikhail kouznetsov
Send those tamils to sri lanka to fight for democracy.
May 10, 2009 at 7:55:46 PM
Dave
Hey this is CANADA
We have enough problems here
go back home and protest
May 10, 2009 at 7:39:44 PM
Ryan in Downtown Toronto
Enough is enough.
This is my hometown, and I now feel under siege in my own city. I feel sorry for the innocent people stuck on the Gardiner in their cars. The thing is, the Canadian government hasn't given a statement about any of this issue, so nobody really knows whats going on. I suggest the Canadian government stop these protests, and not by supporting a terrorist organization. Remove these people from blocking our city streets now!
May 10, 2009 at 7:41:11 PM
babe
I think it is more than time our police stop this protest they need to take action and get the Tamils off the QEW...
If the Tamils want the war to stop in their country join the Army and go fight your country.. Stop protesting here cause you are only making people angry at you. ESP when you shut down the QEW and making nosie in a hospital you all should have concideration those sick people who had to listen to you downtown.ENOUGH we don't care anymore
May 10, 2009 at 7:42:53 PM
Karthi
Hi, First I would like everyone to know that 5000 Shells on Safe Zone; More than 3,000 civilians feared slaughtered in a single night. In Sri Lanka ever signle day there were poor tamil cibilians got killed by Srilankan Armies. How many days are tamils here protesting???? They have the right to block the roads. Is canadian prime minister or any one take action??? Any action? and whay now everyone complaning about the trafic. SO for people in here they care about the trafic not about the people? People lifes are more imporant than trafic, doesnt matter where they from. They are only asking for ciesfire in Sri Lanka !!!
May 10, 2009 at 7:43:22 PM
Cedric D'Arcy
As I write this, we are getting cell phone reports from a co-worker who is trapped on a GO bus on the Gardiner. After reading this news report, we're afraid for her safety and that of other innocent people caught up in this.
About time the police stepped in. These supporters have been holding downtown Toronto hostage for far too long.
May 10, 2009 at 7:43:40 PM
Sean
hey how's it going,
my partner and I were at Toronto Necroplis and saw 50 cop cars go by....so we thought to come home and find out what was happening.
I turned on cp24 and saw that there was no longer a protest but now a terrorist attack happening on the gardiner. Why don't these people go and fight their war in Shri Lanka. The police should react to this as unacceptable and pointless as George pointed out because there is no Gov. working today
May 10, 2009 at 7:47:06 PM
Larry
Organized protests are fine... what they are doing now is uncalled for... Most other countries wouldn't stand for this. Get the water cannons out...
May 10, 2009 at 7:47:17 PM
Sandy D
OVER 3,000 innocent civilians killed in ONE DAY, this is NOT acceptable, the SL government must be stopped!!!
May 10, 2009 at 7:55:51 PM
Dongmill
People should not block the highway without permition of police interm of any reason.
They will loss sympathizer,
May 10, 2009 at 7:58:04 PM
Tom - Made in Canada
That is not the Canadian way to accomplish anything. Period. Are they aware of this?
May 10, 2009 at 7:59:54 PM
Bradford
Sorry, mom!
I won't see you for mother's day. Blame the Tamils!
May 10, 2009 at 8:02:27 PM
Trevor Brewster
Enough is Enough!
May 10, 2009 at 7:43:58 PM
Alex R. (Toronto)
This is CANADA and we have the right to protest, protesters do not have the right to block traffic on a major artery such as the Gardiner Expressway, causing a major disruption to traffic especially without any warning. I think these protest organizers should be arrested for allowing this happen.
May 10, 2009 at 7:44:46 PM
Philip
The Tamil protesters were referred to as peaceful? How is that possible when they are creating unrest in the city? I remember when the homeless led a protest on Queen's Park for a Toronto problem, the police were quickly able to remove them. What are they waiting for now?
May 10, 2009 at 7:55:07 PM
Bruce Fuller
Why are there no interviews with people stuck in traffic and being held hostage by the Tamils. I understand what is going on is a terrible situation but don't think they should be allowed to cause so much disruption on a ongoing basis to this city.
May 10, 2009 at 7:55:41 PM
Don Bland
We, the citizens of Toronto should not be held hostage by and rabble regardless of how many there are. The police should photograph, then arrest as many as they need to to disperse this mob. If this action is not illegal we need new laws. Toerance has gone more than far enough
May 10, 2009 at 7:57:33 PM
Doug Foulds, Brantford, Ontario
There is little doubt that what is going on in Sri Lanka is wrong and should stop. However, what is being done here, to innocent Canadian citizen is also wrong. How will the war in Sri Lanka be changed by disrupting and blocking our roads and street. Common sense should prevail. Action is needed in Sri Lanka not on the Gardiner.
May 10, 2009 at 8:02:19 PM
Jonathan Careless
Shutting down the Gardiner is not going to help Tamils win the support of Canadians. I now have less sympathy for them because of this.
May 10, 2009 at 8:03:14 PM
randy
tell them to go home protest see how long can do that they breaking laws get off road asap
May 10, 2009 at 8:03:32 PM
Pierre Fournier
I sincerely sympatized with the Tamil community. However, I am concerned that such disruptives protests, such as closing the Gardiner, will open the doors for other groups to do the same or worse. And life in Toronto will be even less desirable.
May 10, 2009 at 8:04:35 PM
Ann
this is ridiculous!!! so they decide to hold a city hostage to get people's attention....sorry but a "peaceful" prostest should never EVER involve assaulting officers OR shutting down roads at all...
any sympathy or support that i had for this community is now gone.....
May 10, 2009 at 8:05:23 PM
Athursh Vaithilingam
Please Canada, hear our voices. There would be no need to block roads if Canada had taken some action. Instead Canada, home to more than 300,000 Tamils, decides to sit back and watch as thousands of INNOCENT TAMILS die every single day. PLEASE CANADA, DO SOMETHING!
May 10, 2009 at 7:45:20 PM
viji
This is good I would say because tamils gets nothing from canadian government even thou they protest more than 20 days. What they gain? So of course they will jump. The are mad. Their familes are dieing back home. I would I i were at their situation. For Sure!!! CANADIAN GOVERNMENT should take immediate action!!!!!
May 10, 2009 at 7:47:58 PM
Karthi
OF course!!! they did protest blocking other roads. what they got from that?? This is good. Keep it up. Hope they will get a solution for their peopblem. If candian govenment worried about the trafic. they should take immediat action and solve the propblem.
May 10, 2009 at 7:49:19 PM
Alex
After a 12 hour drive, I'm stuck just 15 min away from home thanks to protesters waving the flags of an internationally recognised TERRORIST organisation.
Would it be acceptable to wave the Al-Qaida flag on streets of Toronto?
I pay my taxes, and I want police to take action, and clear the road. The mayor should stop courting votes and serve the city.
May 10, 2009 at 7:49:29 PM
Mike Travaline
TIME FOE WATER CANNONS - This display now exceeds every facet of Canadian tolerance our political officials and law enforcement are failing to fulfill their responsibility of TO SERVE & PROTECT…MJT, Etobicoke.
May 10, 2009 at 8:07:24 PM
Anne Josephratnam
As a Tamil Canadian, I ask that Torontonians be patient with us and help us take a stand against the Genocide taking place in Sri Lanka. We have lost countless family members as a result of this war. Without the support of Western media and governments such as Canada, our people will not survive this. The Singhalese government will be victorious in iradicating all Tamils and we will become an extinct race. All that will remain are the Tamils who have settled around the world. Again, I ask my fellow Canadians to educate yourselves on the truth, support our cause, and help us fight this genocide.
May 10, 2009 at 8:09:18 PM
richard
Please ... blocking highways and making ordinary Canadian suffer is a good way to get their help. Please stop ....
May 10, 2009 at 8:10:24 PM
Zay Oomar
This protest is degenerating fast. i dont think blocking the highway will do any good to their cause. The government is trying the best it can. There is so much they can do after all.
May 10, 2009 at 8:11:42 PM
vishnu
why is this world so blind??...there are over 100,000 tamils ppl protesting all ova the world, dere r videos as proof, clearly...wat esle do u need 2 see...HELP MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS...OPEN YOUR EYES...
May 10, 2009 at 8:12:26 PM
pete
they should all be charged with causing a disturbance or a disturbing the peace for blocking the highway. If this made any sense for them to do it in our country then fine, but what good is it doing accept disrupting the people on the highway.
May 10, 2009 at 8:13:01 PM
brandon - Toronto
Why not protest in front of Queens Park? The Gov't officials are not on the Gardiner.
May 10, 2009 at 8:14:50 PM
Thomas Edmonds
How many man hours are being spent by the police services to contain these same of group protesters over the last couple of weeks?
And how in the world were they allowed onto the highway? Isn't it a provincial offense to enter a highway By foot? And why aren't they being charged?
May 10, 2009 at 8:15:06 PM
John
Why are they doing this? Isn't this their own problem?
What is the actual reason? Is there's any solution for it?
May 10, 2009 at 8:15:39 PM
DVP u know me.
This protest is not under control. From the minute you try to stop traffic on a major artery to the most Multi-Enthnic City in Canada,if not the World. The people of your Toronto aren't gonna be to thrilled. The Police/Opp are there to enforce these types of situations from esclating they are there to serve and protect for your safety and mine. If your looking for better results maybe protesting on a regular working Monday would suit your needs.
May 10, 2009 at 8:15:51 PM
John
So all I need to make my voice heard is a thousand close friends and I too can close highways in the city. This is crazy, this is my city and I do not want to be held hostage by people who think they can get a reaction from me because they can shut down the city. This is not how Canada works and if they really want to make a differance please go back home and solve the problem. I do not want any Canadian troops going to Sri Lanka to fight another war that people in the country do not want them to be there anyway.
May 10, 2009 at 8:16:27 PM
vishnu
We have the technology to reach out to the injured in the North pole in minutes. We have built rockets and space stations. But we have failed miserably to save the lives of innocent children and women in a land that is only twenty miles away from a country that claims itself as the largest democracy in the world.
May 10, 2009 at 8:17:01 PM
Mike T
i don't understand why the city is letting this go on bring out the pepper spray and tear bombs!!what a dumb way to protest this is just making more people hate the cause...
May 10, 2009 at 8:18:24 PM
rose francis
Unbelievable! How dare they put our city as hostage!
May 10, 2009 at 8:19:51 PM
Nick
The police has to take a heavy handed approach with these protesters. It is absolutely unacceptable for them to hold hostage the city of Toronto.
May 10, 2009 at 8:20:38 PM
Ranjani Thuraisingham Scarborough
We the Tamil Canadians, beg Prime Minister Stephen Harper & US President Barack Obama to stop the genocide in war zone in Sri Lanka AT ONCE!!!
May 10, 2009 at 8:21:19 PM
Dave
Tell them to go back to where they came from and solve it there. Their problem has nothing to do with Canada or me.
Meanwhile, arrest them for disrupting things. We had enough of them here in Ottawa.
May 10, 2009 at 8:24:37 PM
Ahraby
I dont think the protesters are being "uncooperative" because in the other protests, the tamil protesters listened to the police and were very decent. But the government didn't take any action. We are only doing this today because we want the government to take an action toward stoping the civil war in Sri Lanka.
May 10, 2009 at 8:24:56 PM
kevin galbraith
I have heard and had enough of them. They should all be arrested! What puts them above the law?
May 10, 2009 at 8:25:26 PM
Adrian, Oshawa
Okay. Enough is enough. Time to stop this. You've all made your point, now the rest of the city needs to be allowed to continue functioning without these constant disruptions. It was time for the police to stop these protests a long time ago.
May 10, 2009 at 8:26:23 PM
ryan Hamelin
This is a joke. What kind of city lets this crap happen? Canada doesn't need to help these people...they need to stop them from entering the country to begin with.
May 10, 2009 at 8:26:33 PM
dar
Bravo
May 10, 2009 at 8:26:52 PM
Ray
I think that this protest is stupid. Why should our peaceful country step into this mess. If they are so worried about what goes on in there old country then why would they move to ours. The people on that gardiner Ex. have nothing to do with it and are just trying to get home or visit there moms on this day. I think they should just move back to there home country and stop thinking that our peaceful country will stop all of this in there country. I'm sorry that this is happening but why bring it to us to resolve?
May 10, 2009 at 7:51:22 PM
Ramja
SriLankan Arm killed more than 3000 thousand inocent people last night.Every kind of lethal weapon such as the internationally banned cluster shells and shells fired from Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers and Cannons were used turning the so-called safety zone into a killing field. Sri Lankan Goverment destroys tamils now.
May 10, 2009 at 9:08:51 PM
rositta buracas
A previous commenter had a good point, when it was poverty activists at Queen's Park they were promptly removed. Is the reason these are not being removed fear of being called racist. What about people stuck in their cars, what if someone becomes ill and dies?
They have lost any sympathy I ever for their cause especially when they fly the "tiger" flags.
May 10, 2009 at 9:09:06 PM
karthy
When tamil were protesting peacefully canadian didn't even give any attention not only canadian media didn't even cared now you guys are cared b'cos the high way is block. if you guys at least cared earlier why would they go to this extreme...Canadian at least be a human and open your eyes and see what is happening around the world
if you are silent today and when there is a harm for you no one will be there to voice for you..even if you don't come and support please don't write these rude comments..you are asking them to go and fight there you know something check what happen to channel 4 new reporters in Sri Lanka...
May 10, 2009 at 9:09:11 PM
Connie
I am not sure but Toronto seems to have given permission for civil protest to impact our city in a very negative way and I am curious how the city and it's officials will be able to regain control. I feel the city may be headed into a "Summer of Protest" where each cause tries to out do the one before. Maybe best if the city regains control NOW! What do others think? Call city hall.
May 10, 2009 at 9:09:43 PM
Jessica
All you people think itz ridiculous that we tamils are protesting and blocking highways but you people don’t understand how many people are dying in our country.You freaks get mad when your pets or someone in your family dies how do you think we feel? 40 -50 members of our family are dying everyday.
May 10, 2009 at 9:13:48 PM
Chelian
This is a man-made humanitarian disaster. At least 2178 people have been killed by fierce shelling from the Sri Lankan army in the past 24 hours, a health official has told the media. Canada MUST RECALL the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
May 10, 2009 at 9:13:58 PM
Lane Sutherland
The fighting would be over if the Tamils QUIT fighting. What a surprise!!!! The LEGAL government does not have to be the only one to stop shooting, It works both ways.
May 10, 2009 at 9:14:19 PM
Pablo - DOWNTOWN TORONTO
so people can commemorate a tragedy after its happened (ie. Holocaust, Rwanda, East Timor) but when people are trying to get our government to ACT to do something to stop it (like Sweden did by removing their Ambassador) people get upset about inconvenience! What selfishness! You shoud be ashamed of your obliviousness to human life so that you can get to your destination 15 minutes earlier!
May 10, 2009 at 9:14:27 PM
Jamie
People in Canada has freedom to speak and action under laws, but has no freedom to break the law. No terrorist should be in Canada, especially in Toronto.
May 10, 2009 at 9:14:30 PM
Gary
If they feel this strong, why are they not back in Sri Lanka, fighting for their cause. Unfortunately even the Sri Lanken's with Canadian Citizenship are only Sri Lanken's with Canadian Citizenship, Not Real Canadians, because if they were real Canadian's they might be fighting for Canada in Afghanistan and I do not think they would do that, they might get hurt or even killed. No they would rather hold Toronto for Ransom. BUT WE ALLOW IT. TIME TO STOP.
May 10, 2009 at 9:14:37 PM
miguel
i can't believe what i am reading here, and what i am watching on tv
this is canada tamils, you dont have the right to block our roads
what is happening now in tamil is not our fault...
go protest to your country and go figth there
May 10, 2009 at 9:14:55 PM
ruban
Shame on Canada you supporting srilankan state terrissum
May 10, 2009 at 9:15:00 PM
annonymous
some people in canada do not get that 3000 SL civilians have been killed in 1 day. if that keeps up there wont be a tamil population in SL. you are telling us to get off the high way, but we just want one thing, that one thing is for the Canadian government to help us is that so much to ask for well really i do not think so, so please Canada HELP US!
May 10, 2009 at 9:15:35 PM
Craig
And they havent arrested and charged anyone because??? So if i block a major highway i wont be arrested? I hope no emergency services vehicles were delayed because of this nonsense.
May 10, 2009 at 9:15:43 PM
Scott McConachie
How wonderful, our melting pot (literally) society. All the Tamils are doing is aggrivating the people of the community , who allowed them to reside here.
WHERE IS BILL BLAIR?? obviously hiding. And where is the MAYOR MILLER, obviously it's his daughters birthday AGAIN!!!
May 10, 2009 at 9:15:46 PM
isisks
i am tamil, but this is ridiculous, talk about being counterproductive...if you want sympathy, this is def not the way to go about it...im as annoyed as the next person
May 10, 2009 at 9:16:02 PM
Gigi
Honestly,they have nothing better to do??They don't need to work?Tax payers pay for them being on welfare or what??Do something PLEASE!!
May 10, 2009 at 9:16:11 PM
TRUE CANADIAN
ENOUGH ALREADY! WE NEED AN IMMIGRATION MINISTER LIKE IN THE NETHERLANDS WHO QUIKLY REVOKE NATURALIZED CITIZINSHIPS OF PEOPLE WHO CAUSE TROUBLE IN THIS COUNTRY AND START CLEANING UP THE MESS THAT THE LIBERAL GOV. CREATED BY BRINGING UNCIVILIZED PEOPLE TO A CIVILIZED COUNTRY.
May 10, 2009 at 9:17:00 PM
Katie
I can't believe how selfish most of these opinions are. You're worried that you don't have the leisure of getting home using the highway from your mother's day visits while most of the people in Sri Lanka don't even have mother's and father's to care for them.Stop being selfish and think about others for once. If you were in that position you would hope somebody would speak for you, and if it was your family in that position I can guarantee this would not be your position
May 10, 2009 at 9:17:25 PM
Norm the Canadian
This is absolutely ludicrous. These heavy handed tactics on behalf of Tamil Canadians make me wonder are the Tamils here to live and prosper in Canada here or are they here to further the doctrine of their terrorist leader? This is simply unacceptable. I believe these individuals should be sent back to Sri Lanka. Let them fight there, not here in a peaceful country like Canada.
May 10, 2009 at 9:17:27 PM
zed
Instead of using 14-16 year old girls to block the Gardiner why don't the 19 to 30 year old boys go back to Sri Lanka and fight for their country.
May 10, 2009 at 9:17:53 PM
Inquiry
Hello all and ths is to the news reporters as well.
Is it the Tamil people or the tamil tigers that are protesting? I see flags being waied that are very similar to the Tamil Tigers logo...... but lat time I checed aren't the Tamil Tigers a terrorist group?
May 10, 2009 at 10:06:59 PM
tamil
Chris - Bowmanville:
" they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law"
wow i take that offencive im tamil and u saying that just gets me mad u should think what ever ur going to say befor u type it i agree with some of ur info but that i would not agree with. u have a really big mouth if u have any thing liek that so say keep it to ur self and dont expose it becasue some dont want to hear what ever ur saying for example me. if ur reading this dont be like him and think what ever ur going to type. :l
May 10, 2009 at 10:07:11 PM
anonymous
I saw there was an accident on the eastbound Gardiner near the lakeshore exit and I'm sure this is a direct result of the Gardiner closure... people have the right to a people protest peacefully, but they do not have the right to endanger public safety by blocking a major highway unannounced
May 10, 2009 at 10:07:38 PM
Yuvarna
Bandula Jayasekara Sri Lanka's Consul General showed the true side of the Sri Lankan government over the phone... who is not willing to listen to the truth... who only wants the world to hear the propaganda that they (Sri Lankan Government) has to sell to the western media.
If anyone noticed he was not listening to what Ann Rohmer had to say... do you really think he is going to listen to us... we are tired... tired of all the false promises by the Sri Lankan government and its officials around the world... something needs to be done NOW... Lives can not be recovered later... Yes we understand we lost your sympathny, but we lost our FAMILY!
May 10, 2009 at 10:08:09 PM
Soumia
Tamils have the freedom to protest!
May 10, 2009 at 10:08:40 PM
Anon
They are terrorizing the city of Toronto and we shouldn't negotiate with terrorists.
Nobody cares anymore. Am I missing something? Is Canada in someway behind all these attacks?
May 10, 2009 at 10:08:47 PM
Sarah
Yes, Tamil protestors are blocking roads and highways. This is not endangering the public, simply they are trying to send a message to the Canadian Government. In Canada this may seem to be a big issue but consider the bigger picture. The main idea is to save the lives of 1000s of people. Lets weigh the struggle. Waiting on the highway or being brutally killed, what's worse?
May 10, 2009 at 10:09:07 PM
sumathy
I understand the problem of blocking the road. The Tamils want the Western world to take some concrete actions to stop the killing of the innocent Tamil people in Sri Lanka as soon as possible. We have already lost so many members in our family.
May 10, 2009 at 10:09:00 PM
Sympathezier
A inconvenience for all your commuters makes you come and write harsh comments here but have you all forgotten the value of a life??? There are innocent civilians dying in Sri Lanka. We all think of all the previous genocides and think "what a shame the world didn't do anything". Here the world has a chance to do something and the majority of you are here to comment on the inconvenience. How do you people have the heart to come and write such comments - how could you be so cold hearted?
May 10, 2009 at 10:08:34 PM
TIm Hortons
To my understanding, these Canadians (yes, they are not just Tamils, they are also Canadians, tax paying Canadians like you and I) are asking is for the govt of Canada to put sanctions against Sri Lanka. From what I've read in BBC, CNN, and other media today, the SL govt shelled and killed over 2000 Tamils in the last 24 hrs alone!!
If we are a country that prides our selves of being Humanitarians, it is time we listen to the issues of our fellow Canadian Tamil brothers and sisters. I am all for Canadian govt putting economic sanctions and political sanctions against the rogue governments like Sri Lanka.
If we are a country that prides our selves of being Humanitarians, it is time we listen to the issues of our fellow Canadian Tamil brothers and sisters. I am all for Canadian govt putting economic sactions and political sanctions against the rogue goverments like Sri Lanka.
May 10, 2009 at 7:54:43 PM
Tom - Made in Canada
If they think being extreme is annoying the hosts of the country that supplied freedom and opportunity to them then the Canadian thing to do here would be to have an appropriate number of buses go there and drive them to the airport where an army Hercules is waiting for them to fly them to the area they are being "extreme" about. My money is on the plane being empty.
May 10, 2009 at 7:55:12 PM
Steve
I thought the Tamil Tigers were officially labelled terrorists by the canadian gov't. Why arn't the police doing anything about this? Why do these protesters have to take it out on Canadian citizens, block the roads of ambulances getting sick people to hospitals, people being late for work etc. Rediculious! Get an education and do something real to help your home country (seeming as Canada obviously isnt by your hate of it).
May 10, 2009 at 7:59:18 PM
Schihher
jsut get a hose and hose them all off the hwy.
May 10, 2009 at 8:04:59 PM
Jenitta
This is what we need. We need awareness for what is happening in Sri Lanka. What must we do to get the government to notice what is going on. It is genocide. We need them to help stop ceasefire back in Sri Lanka. I understand that Canadians are very upset, but please try to understand our brothers and sisters are dying and we can't just sit around.
May 10, 2009 at 8:08:20 PM
Brandon - Toronto
I think these people are not looking for support, and they have no respect for other families on Mothers Day to block a hwy so other people are not able to see their mothers is disgusting. And the police are letting them disrupt traffic. This is costing tax payers more money in overtime for cops...but maybe thats why the police are not breaking it up as they can get overtime for standing there. Who runs this city David Miller, the cops or Tamils?
May 10, 2009 at 8:09:08 PM
vishnu
" Let the dead bury the dead as the living will be dead if they try to bury the dead " this is what is happening in my homeland...the world is still blind...
May 10, 2009 at 8:10:32 PM
Brandon - Toronto
When will this stop? Canada is not in a war killing the tamils..so why cause so much frustration for other Torontonians? This action is not gaining support rather causing anger towards the protesters.
May 10, 2009 at 8:13:35 PM
vishnu
Tamils are now left with nothing. All their homes and farm lands have been made into grave yards. Many families have lost their loved ones. Thousands of orphans and widows are longing for death than suffering from hunger and untreated wounds in the killing fields of Sri Lanka. They have no more comforters left to comfort the victims.
May 10, 2009 at 8:14:18 PM
Bob Bobby
Tamil Protest:
Why is this community allowed to close our highway because of what their families are telling them. With all what is happening with the economy what do they think the canadian government can do. I have never heard of one tamil canadian who has died as a soldier for canada. They should go to the United Nations. So many africans are displaced all the time by war and strive and africans have never behaved like this. Canada has given them a safe haven and they are abusing their rights as canadians.
May 10, 2009 at 8:14:50 PM
vishnu
Tamils who are forced to live in the open fields are bombed and killed in thousands. Those who leave the war zone are sent to barbed wired concentration camps and torture camps. The ones that live in the other parts of the country, live in open prisons with the constant fear of abductions, extrajudical killings, torture and rape.
May 10, 2009 at 8:20:09 PM
B
ENOUGH WITH THE TAMILS!!! My Sri Lanken friends get shot while leaving the house by tamils. And now they think they have the right to Block the streets and highways... Where is our government?!?!?!... allowing terrorists to protest ?!?!?! Don't believe me look at their flag!
May 10, 2009 at 7:56:50 PM
Starpenn
This makes me so angry, do these people think that if they do these things like blocking the Hwy they are going to gain support from the citizens of Toronto? No at least they will not have mine anymore at first I was very sympathetic towards their plight but not anymore there are better ways to get your point across and closing a major part of the city that people need in order to get around is unacceptable. This is going to make Torontonians very angry. this was obviously not planned and to start throwing bicycles off the hwy WTF is that and why would anyone bring young children to this type of voilnt protest. I heard a lady on the news saying that police attacked an elderly man come on why would the police just attack and el;derly man for no reason obviously there was some kind of threat. I hope TPS tear gas themm all and get them off the Hwy
May 10, 2009 at 8:00:52 PM
nelson
just a note to say that this should be brought to a stop immediately,they know that the police force are WIMPS and won't do anything because of our stupid rules,this should have been brought to an end on the first protest ,for gods sake start using force and end this stupidity NOW.This is CANADA and this is none of our business period.
May 10, 2009 at 8:01:28 PM
Antonio Arribas
Shame on the Toronto Police Department. Once again, they are proving to be unable to do their job. The Tamils have NO RIGHT to block the Gardiner, as they didn't have it to block University Avenue. It disrupts the city's life, and meanwhile, the cops do nothing. Why do we bother to pay them? Why talking about containtment and not forced removal?
May 10, 2009 at 8:01:52 PM
Efrain
Im getting sick and tired of this. So your going to Inconvenience Toronto citizens once again .Most of you come here for a better way of life and this is how you conduct yourselves ?? The only thing you are achieving is tarnishing any respect Toronto citizen have for the Tamil community. When this thing started ,I was in support of your plea ,but not anymore. On Mothers Day. The Tamil Community have to undestand that your in Canada now,If you dont like our way of life here ,LEAVE. But top disrupting our city. When is our Guttless Mayor gonna step in and put a stop to this ?? Is he waitng for citizens to take matters into their own hands?? Put and end to this NOW.
May 10, 2009 at 8:03:43 PM
Kevin - Toronto
This is getting to be a little preposterous. What do these protestors hope to accomplish by negatively impacting the lives of Toronto's citizens?
I am aware of the struggles in Sri Lanka. I can't do anything about it. Please let me go to work.
These protests are a terrible waste of resources and tax money. Last night 6 people were shot, and today we have several hundred police giving an angry mob a tour of the city?
The City of Toronto needs to get involved and control this rally before it becomes a riot.
May 10, 2009 at 8:03:44 PM
A.C.
Where is Torontos roit police? This is absolutly unacceptable to block our roadways over a war that is not ours. I have no respect nor support for this comunity at all anymore.
This is Canada and i live here because we are civil people. If this comunity is so worried about what is happening in another country, move there to help.
Its funny how people alwas complain about North America getting invlved in wars that are not theirs yet when its convienient for them , they ask them to step in.
Stop the protests and give Toronto back to its people who work and live here. Not those that stop fellow Canadians from enjoying their families on Mothers day.
May 10, 2009 at 8:10:00 PM
Rumya Scarborough
As a member of the Tamil diaspora, we acknowledge the inconvenience for other fellow canadians, caused by the protest. However, in simple terms, Tamils just want the government or a MP to contact the Srilankan government to
-put an end to this genocide
-let the media to capture footage on the crisis
-
May 10, 2009 at 8:24:45 PM
Mike.R.
Stop this nonsense. It's high times the police start enforcing the law. THE LAW THAT APPLIES TO ALL. Stop appeasing these terrorist supporters. They are free to protest to their hearts content. Blocking major streets is illegal. It's time to put and end to this. Stop being p.c. time to start enforcing our country's law.