Advertisement

'The criminalization of poverty must stop': Ontarians call out 'cruel' evictions at Trinity Bellwoods Park encampment in Toronto

'The criminalization of poverty must stop': Ontarians call out 'cruel' evictions at Trinity Bellwoods Park encampment in Toronto

Several arrests have been made after Toronto police and city staff assembled at Trinity Bellwoods park on Tuesday to evict people living in encampments.

"There have been several arrests of protesters including one for assaulting a peace officer and another for assault with a weapon," a tweet from Toronto police reads.

Information released by the City of Toronto referenced a high risk of fires in encampments as a concern, highlighting that 114 fire events occurred in the last year.

"This morning, the City of Toronto will enforce trespass notices issued at Trinity Bellwoods Park on June 12," the statement from the city reads. "All individuals experiencing homelessness in this encampment, estimated at 20 to 25 people, will be offered safe, indoor space, with access to meals, showers and laundry, harm reduction, physical and mental health supports, and a housing worker."

"City parks must also be safe and accessible to all residents of Toronto. The City will restore its parks while also helping as many people who are willing to accept the City’s offers of support."

When police and city staff arrived at the park, a number of people began to call out the and express concerns around the large police presence, drones and use of force to evict individuals from the encampment.