Toronto police close Queen's Park Circle in response to possible convoy protest
CBC
Toronto police are closing a roadway near Queen's Park Wednesday because of social media posts "announcing a possible demonstration" in the city.
The closures come a few days after a large protest against public health measures meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 took place in the downtown core.
Effective Wednesday morning, Queen's Park Circle from College Street to Bloor Street is closed, police said on Twitter.
"In response to several social media posts announcing a possible demonstration involving a large number of vehicles, we are taking steps to limit impact on our roads/residents," the post reads.
"Keeping emergency routes clear and protecting key infrastructure is a priority for officers. An increased uniform presence and additional closures can be expected over the coming days. Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary."
WATCH | Drone footage of last Saturday's protest in Toronto:
When asked exactly when protesters are expected to arrive, if any, Toronto police spokesperson Const. Laura Brabant said in an email to CBC News that police are "continuously monitoring security issues not just in Toronto but around the country.
"In response, we make the appropriate adjustments to our plans in order to mitigate the potential risks to public safety," she said. "Given recent events, we have an operational plan in place that will be scaled up or down as needed. Our priority has and will always be protecting public safety and maintaining a secure area around key intersections and infrastructure, such as hospital row."
Large crowds gathered at Queen's Park last Saturday, and the protest continued at the intersection of Bloor Avenue West and Avenue Road, where trucks blocked the intersection starting around 1 p.m. The vehicles were cleared out by 8 p.m.
Police said they made two arrests in connection with Saturday's demonstration.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, Health Minister Christine Elliott said the province is watching protests throughout Ontario "very carefully.
"As long as it's peaceful protest that's fine, but it can't be destructive, and it also can't block hospitals," she said.
Toronto Mayor John Tory echoed that sentiment at another press conference, saying citizens do have the right to peaceful protest, but not to infringe on other people's rights.
"We seem to be drifting into a world where everybody's concerned about their rights, and they don't think about everyone else's rights and about the collective rights that we have," Tory said.
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