Chief Bill Blair Press Conference – June 26, 2010, 9:15pm
Toronto police Chief Bill Blair spoke on Saturday night at a press conference in the International Media Centre to address the violent demonstrations that have occurred in protest of the G20. Blair emphasized that the group which used the forceful “Black Bloc” tactic was a faction unrelated to the largely peaceful protest at the People First march on Saturday afternoon. Many of the civil society groups demonstrating at the march were labour unions that planned the event in partnership with the police. These groups had no intention to participate in violent action.
Blair addressed queries on the types of devices used by the police to control volatile crowds. Blair reported that as of the time of the press conference, tear gas was utilized after the police issued warnings about its possible usage to protestors. Saturday represented the first time tear gas was ever used in Toronto. Police did not utilize rubber bullets or sound cannons.
Chief Blair predicted that the unrest may continue into Saturday night and throughout Sunday.