Three arrested Sunday amid ongoing protest against Toronto Eritrean festival

Toronto Police say three people were arrested and later released unconditionally at a Sunday protest outside a downtown hotel connected to a controversial Eritrean festival.

Three people were arrested and later released unconditionally at a Sunday protest outside a downtown hotel connected to a controversial Eritrean festival, Toronto Police said.

Demonstrators opposed to Festival Eritrea, which erupted in violence the day before at a city park, first gathered at a local school in the morning before moving to the Sheraton Hotel in the afternoon and evening where the festival was holding an event, Const. Laurie McCann said in an email.

Sunday's protest turned aggressive at around 10 p.m. when some people threw water bottles at officers, though McCann said there were no reported injuries. She said officers from two city divisions, as well as riot officers, attended the hotel for public safety and to keep the peace.

"Police will continue to investigate any further crimes and identify those involved. Charges can be laid at a later date," McCann said.

The protest and arrests came a day after clashes at Toronto's Earlscourt Park, the venue where Festival Eritrea was scheduled to unfold over the August long weekend. Saturday's violence sent nine people to hospital, triggered deployment of the police force's riot squad and prompted the city to revoke the permit of the festival that has taken place there for years.

Demonstrators opposed to the event claimed it supports the government of Eritrea, which human rights groups have called one of the most oppressive regimes in the world.

Police have made no arrests related to Saturday's events, and festival committee members removed their tents from the area on Sunday, McCann said.