Inside the G20 Detention Zone (Queen & Spadina)


UPDATE: You can read an article I wrote about my experience over at BlogTO. 

Today I went to go cover to G20 protests in Toronto. Being a Torontonian and a photographer it was something that I naturally had to capture. This is a series of 72 images shot on June 27, 2010 in chronological order.


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Police gearing up at Spadina and Bloor.


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A police officer in riot gear entering an EMS vehicle.


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A police bus heading towards an unknown location.


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A taxi cab cuts through a set of backed up streetcars due to the proest ahead on Queen St. West.




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A man is told to get off a bus shelter and is not arrested. This was the most violent act that I witnessed.






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Protests play music and throw Monopoly money around as bystanders and police look on.




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A protester lights a five dollar Canadian bill on fire.


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Discarded monopoly money that lies around the ashes of the Canadian five dollar bill.



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Police block access south of Queen Street.




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Protests sit on street in peaceful protest chanting "Who's city? Our city."



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Media and protestors take a break and catch up with what else might be going on in the city via mobile devices. 


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TTC officials closely listen for further instructions over loud protest noise.


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The first arrest north of Queen Street is made. 


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Police block an alleyway where the first arrested individual is brought into custody. A few seconds later an officer in plain clothes emerges.



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Police continue to block the alleyway as begin protestors chant.




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Police dismounting to create a bike blockade north of Queen St.






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Tension begins to mount as police begin to enforce a riot blockade.




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A police line is set up behind the further southbound streetcar from Queen/Spadina.




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The policeman who explained to me I could leave by moving south on Spadina, or east through an alley. There was NO mention of arrest.




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A bystander stops to take a photo of protestors and police. A common scene at the Toronto G20.







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Police advance towards the crowd to block the North sidewalk of Queen St.

Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit

Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit
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Police hold their ground and maintain their positions.


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A protestor displays a peace sign with his hand to police.


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Protestors let police know of their peaceful intent.



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Police advance from south towards the crowd entrapping over 250 people from leaving the area.


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A female protestor asks police "What's going on here?"


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An officer from York region instructing riot police to advance forward.


Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit

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Police let their presence known as chaos ensues on Queen Street during O Canada.

Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit

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This shot shows the police on both sides with everyone trapped in between with protestors looking both ways.

Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit

Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit


Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit

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Aerial shots of the crowd and riot police. 

Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit


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A police officer watches as a G20 protestor holds a sign while being trapped.



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Police begin to pick and arrest protestors in the detainment zone.


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CityTV's Francis D'Souza and his crew surrender to police.





Trapped by riot police at Queen and Spadina because of the Toronto 2010 G20 summit

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Protestors begin to give themselves up to police.


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Police pinpoint individuals from a crowd. Three officers pass the police line to make arrests.






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Innocent bystanders who were in the area give themselves up to police under the impression that  everyone would be arrested.



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More innocent civilians are arrested under the impression that everyone would be placed under arrest.


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Media scramble.


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Arrests continue for hours on end.


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A Japanese camera man trying to figure out when he will be able to leave.


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A medically ill woman is escorted by police.



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A police officer takes a picture of the detainment zone with his cellular device.



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The final G20 media scramble.